Two buys for fast-food profits

Article Excerpt

Yum China jumped recently on reports it received a $46-a-share takeover offer—18% above its current price. The stock later moved down after the company rejected the bid. Since Yum Brands spun it off in November 2016, Yum China has continued to invest in its operations, including plans to open between 600 and 650 new outlets this year. Whether or not a firm takeover offer emerges, we feel the company will continue to profit from China’s youthful middle class. The spinoff has also let Yum Brands focus on improving its own operations, in the U.S. YUM! BRANDS INC. $86 (New York symbol YUM; Aggressive Growth Portfolio; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 319.0 million; Market cap: $27.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 4.7; Dividend yield: 1.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.yum.com) operates 45,000 restaurants in over 140 countries. Its main banners are KFC (fried chicken), Pizza Hut and Taco Bell (Mexican food). The U.S. accounts for 45% of its sales and earnings. The company’s total sales rose 1.5%, from $13.1 billion…