Buy Yum for its China advantage

Article Excerpt

We generally advise against investing directly in China and other emerging markets. These markets are highly volatile, and growth can be swift. But gains can quickly evaporate in a recession like today’s. More important, investors enjoy far less legal protection in emerging markets. That’s why we prefer to buy U.S. companies with profitable Chinese interests. A long-time favorite of ours, Yum Brands, was the first fast-food company to enter China (in 1987). It is now the largest in China, with nearly 3,600 restaurants. Its established brands and size give it a big advantage over its rivals. Yum is building on its success by launching a chain of Chinese restaurants in China. Yum’s stock has dropped by a third over the past year, mainly due to weakness in the U.S. But at around 13 times its likely 2009 earnings, the stock is a particularly attractive buy. YUM! BRANDS INC. $28 (New York symbol YUM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 459.9 million; Market…