Yum China's Q1 Earnings & Revenues Miss Estimates, Stock Down

Core Viewpoint - Yum China Holdings, Inc. reported disappointing first-quarter 2025 results, with both earnings and revenues falling short of expectations for the fourth consecutive quarter, leading to a 7.2% decline in share price due to weaker-than-expected performance and cautious consumer spending [1][2]. Financial Performance - Adjusted earnings per share (EPS) were 77 cents, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 78 cents by 1.3%, but reflecting an 8.5% year-over-year increase [2]. - Total revenues reached $2,981 million, falling short of the consensus estimate of $3,111 million, although this represented a 1% year-over-year increase; excluding foreign currency translation, revenues increased by 2% [2]. - Same-store sales matched the previous year's level, with same-store transactions growing by 6% year-over-year [3]. Operating Highlights - Total costs and expenses were $2.58 billion, remaining flat year-over-year, while the expected figure was $2.71 billion [4]. - The restaurant margin improved to 18.6%, up 100 basis points year-over-year, exceeding the estimated margin of 17.8% [4]. - Adjusted operating profit was $399 million, compared to $374 million in the prior year, slightly below the estimate of $403.1 million [4]. - Adjusted net income was $292 million, up from $287 million year-over-year, but below the estimate of $296 million [5]. Balance Sheet and Shareholder Returns - As of March 31, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $825 million, up from $723 million at the end of 2024; net inventories decreased to $329 million from $405 million [6]. - The company plans to return a total of $3 billion to shareholders between 2025 and 2026, building on the $1.5 billion returned in 2024 [6]. - In Q1 2025, Yum China returned $262 million to shareholders, including $172 million in share repurchases and $90 million in cash dividends, with approximately $1.1 billion remaining for future repurchases [7]. Unit Development and Sales Contribution - Yum China opened 247 net new stores in the first quarter, bringing the total restaurant count to 16,642 [8]. - Delivery services contributed approximately 42% to KFC and Pizza Hut's company sales, while digital orders accounted for about 93% of total company sales [9]. - The company anticipates that the proportion of net new franchised stores will increase, targeting 40-50% for KFC and 20-30% for Pizza Hut in the coming years [9]. 2025 Outlook - Yum China expects to open between 1,600 and 1,800 net new stores in 2025, with capital expenditures projected to be between $700 million and $800 million [10].