Taco Bell, KFC Parent Yum! Brands Hikes Dividend Despite Margin Squeeze - Yum Brands (NYSE:YUM)

Yum! Brands, Inc. (NYSE:YUM) stock traded flat after posting mixed quarterly results, with earnings coming in shy of expectations despite higher revenue.Strength at Taco Bell and KFC supported systemwide growth and unit expansion, while restaurant margins softened year over year.Quarterly MetricsWorldwide system sales rose 5% excluding currency impacts and the extra 53rd week comparison. Growth was led by Taco Bell, up 8%, and KFC, up 6%.Operating profit in the quarter under review was $738 million, higher ...