Latest Ratios: P/E Ratio 25.3x · EV/EBITDA 18.3x · ROE N/A. (1997–2025 historical series)
Price-based multiples — how expensive the stock is relative to earnings, sales, book value, and cash flow
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market Cap | $38.8B | $42.1B | $38.2B | $37.2B | $37.1B | $41.9B | $33.3B | $31.5B | $30.2B | $29.0B | $25.3B |
| Enterprise Value | $50.0B | $53.3B | $49.9B | $48.8B | $49.4B | $53.6B | $44.2B | $42.2B | $40.0B | $37.3B | $33.7B |
| P/E Ratio → | 25.30 | 27.21 | 25.70 | 23.33 | 28.03 | 26.60 | 36.93 | 24.39 | 19.60 | 21.65 | 15.45 |
| P/S Ratio | 4.72 | 5.12 | 5.06 | 5.26 | 5.43 | 6.37 | 5.90 | 5.63 | 5.32 | 4.93 | 3.99 |
| P/B Ratio | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| P/FCF | 23.66 | 25.66 | 26.70 | 28.25 | 32.35 | 28.41 | 29.11 | 28.18 | 32.10 | 40.69 | 32.39 |
| P/OCF | 19.29 | 20.92 | 22.64 | 23.23 | 26.03 | 24.58 | 25.54 | 23.98 | 25.72 | 28.13 | 21.04 |
P/E links to full P/E history page with 30-year chart
Enterprise-value multiples — capital-structure-neutral measures of total business value
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EV / Revenue | — | 6.48 | 6.61 | 6.89 | 7.23 | 8.14 | 7.83 | 7.54 | 7.04 | 6.34 | 5.31 |
| EV / EBITDA | 18.27 | 19.47 | 19.36 | 19.73 | 21.19 | 23.26 | 26.83 | 20.66 | 16.45 | 12.36 | 16.93 |
| EV / EBIT | 19.75 | 20.67 | 20.89 | 20.92 | 22.58 | 24.16 | 28.31 | 22.70 | 17.47 | 13.70 | 20.42 |
| EV / FCF | — | 32.49 | 34.85 | 36.99 | 43.06 | 36.30 | 38.64 | 37.71 | 42.49 | 52.32 | 43.14 |
Margins and return-on-capital ratios measuring operating efficiency
Full margin charts and quarterly trend are on the Earnings History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Margin | 46.2% | 46.2% | 47.5% | 49.4% | 48.3% | 48.1% | 47.5% | 50.3% | 46.7% | 45.7% | 41.9% |
| Operating Margin | 30.8% | 30.8% | 31.8% | 32.8% | 32.0% | 32.5% | 26.6% | 34.5% | 40.4% | 47.0% | 26.5% |
| Net Profit Margin | 19.0% | 19.0% | 19.7% | 22.6% | 19.4% | 23.9% | 16.0% | 23.1% | 27.1% | 22.8% | 25.8% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 415.4% |
| ROA | 20.9% | 20.9% | 22.9% | 26.4% | 22.4% | 26.7% | 16.3% | 27.6% | 32.7% | 24.8% | 24.2% |
| ROIC | 48.1% | 48.1% | 46.9% | 49.1% | 49.1% | 51.0% | 39.7% | 64.3% | 90.6% | 40.6% | 20.3% |
| ROCE | 41.7% | 41.7% | 46.2% | 50.7% | 50.1% | 49.0% | 38.2% | 59.2% | 69.3% | 69.8% | 37.0% |
Solvency and debt-coverage ratios — lower is generally safer
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Debt / Equity | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Debt / EBITDA | 4.35 | 4.35 | 4.77 | 4.87 | 5.43 | 5.27 | 7.06 | 5.52 | 4.14 | 3.25 | 4.58 |
| Net Debt / Equity | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 4.09 | 4.09 | 4.53 | 4.66 | 5.27 | 5.05 | 6.62 | 5.22 | 4.02 | 2.75 | 4.22 |
| Debt / FCF | — | 6.83 | 8.15 | 8.74 | 10.71 | 7.89 | 9.53 | 9.53 | 10.38 | 11.63 | 10.74 |
| Interest Coverage | 5.15 | 5.15 | 4.89 | 4.54 | 4.15 | 4.08 | 2.88 | 3.83 | 5.07 | 6.11 | 5.42 |
Short-term solvency ratios and asset-utilisation metrics
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.47 | 1.26 | 0.97 | 1.08 | 1.01 | 0.99 | 0.93 | 1.66 | 1.08 |
| Quick Ratio | 1.35 | 1.35 | 1.47 | 1.26 | 0.97 | 1.08 | 1.01 | 0.99 | 0.93 | 1.65 | 1.06 |
| Cash Ratio | 0.47 | 0.47 | 0.56 | 0.40 | 0.22 | 0.34 | 0.44 | 0.39 | 0.22 | 1.01 | 0.51 |
| Asset Turnover | — | 1.00 | 1.12 | 1.14 | 1.17 | 1.10 | 0.97 | 1.07 | 1.38 | 1.11 | 1.16 |
| Inventory Turnover | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 245.46 | 99.73 |
| Days Sales Outstanding | — | 37.37 | 40.13 | 39.05 | 36.28 | 35.81 | 36.75 | 40.63 | 38.31 | 35.71 | 23.77 |
Earnings, FCF, buyback, and dividend yields — total returns to shareholders
Full dividend history and growth charts are on the Dividend History page
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield | 2.0% | 1.9% | 2.0% | 1.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 1.7% | 1.6% | 1.5% | 1.4% | 2.9% |
| Payout Ratio | 50.6% | 50.6% | 50.6% | 42.5% | 49.0% | 37.6% | 62.6% | 39.5% | 30.0% | 31.0% | 45.3% |
| Metric | TTM | FY 2025 | FY 2024 | FY 2023 | FY 2022 | FY 2021 | FY 2020 | FY 2019 | FY 2018 | FY 2017 | FY 2016 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Earnings Yield | 4.0% | 3.7% | 3.9% | 4.3% | 3.6% | 3.8% | 2.7% | 4.1% | 5.1% | 4.6% | 6.5% |
| FCF Yield | 4.2% | 3.9% | 3.7% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 3.5% | 3.4% | 3.5% | 3.1% | 2.5% | 3.1% |
| Buyback Yield | 1.4% | 1.3% | 1.2% | 0.1% | 3.2% | 3.8% | 0.7% | 2.6% | 7.9% | 6.8% | 21.3% |
| Total Shareholder Yield | 3.4% | 3.2% | 3.1% | 2.0% | 5.0% | 5.2% | 2.4% | 4.2% | 9.4% | 8.2% | 24.3% |
| Shares Outstanding | — | $278M | $285M | $285M | $290M | $302M | $307M | $313M | $329M | $355M | $400M |
Includes 30+ ratios · 29 years · Updated daily
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Quick answers to the most common questions about buying YUM stock.
Yum! Brands, Inc.'s current P/E ratio is 25.3x. The historical average is 17.7x. This places it at the 82th percentile of its historical range.
Yum! Brands, Inc.'s current EV/EBITDA is 18.3x. This enterprise value multiple compares the company's total value (equity + debt - cash) to its EBITDA. The historical average is 12.0x.
Based on historical data, Yum! Brands, Inc. is trading at a P/E of 25.3x. This is at the 82th percentile of its historical P/E range. Compare with industry peers and growth rates for a complete picture.
Yum! Brands, Inc.'s current dividend yield is 2.02% with a payout ratio of 50.6%.
Yum! Brands, Inc. has 46.2% gross margin and 30.8% operating margin. Operating margin above 20% indicates strong pricing power and cost efficiency.
Yum! Brands, Inc.'s Debt/EBITDA ratio is 4.4x, indicating high leverage. A ratio above 4x may signal elevated financial risk.
Key Metrics
Top Statement Risk
Negative equity and leverage
Metrics are mathematically derived from official filings.
Premium Valuation Reflects Platform Value
YUM's forward P/E of 23.32 and EV/EBITDA of 18.20 represent a premium to McDonald's (22.18 P/E, 16.65 EV/EBITDA), suggesting the market is pricing in the unique value of its diversified, asset-light royalty stream and digital platform potential.
The valuation premium over McDonald's appears to be driven by the market's recognition of YUM's structural advantages, particularly the high-margin Taco Bell franchise and the global scale of KFC. The PEG ratio of 2.04 indicates the market is willing to pay for growth, but it also implies that expectations for sustained earnings expansion are already embedded in the price. Investors should monitor whether this premium is justified by the actual pace of international unit growth and digital adoption, as any deceleration could lead to a multiple compression.
Structural Margin Efficiency Underpins Earnings
YUM's operating margin of 30.2% in 2026Q2, while down from a peak of 34.4% in 2024Q2, remains structurally high for the sector, reflecting the efficient conversion of franchise royalties into corporate profit.
The gross margin fluctuation between 44.4% and 50.1% over the past ten quarters is primarily a function of the mix between high-margin royalty income and lower-margin company-operated store sales, not underlying operational weakness. The sustained operating margin above 30% demonstrates the power of the asset-light model, where corporate SG&A is leveraged over a massive system-wide sales base. However, the recent dip suggests that investments in digital infrastructure or the Habit Burger integration may be temporarily weighing on profitability, a trend that warrants monitoring.
ROIC Volatility Amidst Capital Structure Shift
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) has shown significant quarterly volatility, ranging from 11.6% to 16.1% over the past ten quarters, which appears to be driven more by fluctuations in net income and the evolving capital structure than by changes in operational efficiency.
The volatility in ROIC is notable given the stability of the underlying franchise model. This pattern suggests that non-operating items, such as tax benefits or one-time gains, are significantly impacting the numerator (NOPAT), while the denominator (invested capital) is being aggressively reduced through share repurchases funded by debt. The lack of a clear upward trend in ROIC, despite strong operating margins, indicates that the primary driver of recent returns has been financial engineering (leverage and buybacks) rather than a fundamental improvement in the business's ability to generate returns on its core assets.
Aggressive Leverage Funds Shareholder Returns
YUM's D/EBITDA ratio of 18.57 in 2026Q2 is exceptionally high, indicating a capital structure heavily reliant on debt to fund capital returns, which has resulted in a persistent negative equity position.
The leverage level is a direct consequence of management's capital allocation strategy, which prioritizes share repurchases over maintaining a traditional equity base. While the interest coverage ratio of 5.16x suggests debt service remains manageable for now, the high D/EBITDA multiple leaves the company vulnerable to rising interest rates or a downturn in system-wide sales. This structure is sustainable only as long as the royalty cash flow stream remains robust and predictable; any material disruption to franchisee health could quickly strain this model.
Tight Liquidity Position Demands Monitoring
The current ratio has deteriorated sharply to 0.59 in 2026Q2 from 1.69 in 2025Q3, signaling a significant tightening of short-term liquidity that appears linked to the timing of debt maturities and aggressive capital return activities.
A current ratio below 1.0 indicates that current liabilities exceed current assets, which for a franchisor is not inherently alarming given the predictable royalty cash flows. However, the rapid deterioration over two quarters suggests a potential mismatch in the maturity profile of debt or a large, planned cash outlay. This position would likely be strained under a severe stress scenario where franchisee payments are delayed or system-wide sales contract sharply, highlighting the importance of the company's access to revolving credit facilities.
The Misleading Power of Net Margin
The net margin, which surged to 39.3% in 2026Q2, is the ratio most commonly misapplied to YUM's business model, as it is heavily distorted by non-operating items and does not reflect the core earning power of the franchise royalty stream.
For a franchisor like YUM, the net margin is an unreliable metric because it includes volatile non-operating gains/losses, tax benefits, and the effects of the highly leveraged capital structure. The operating margin is a far better indicator of the health of the core business, as it isolates the profitability of the royalty and fee income stream before financial engineering impacts. Analysts focusing on the net margin may misinterpret a quarter with a large one-time gain as a sign of operational improvement, when in reality the underlying business performance is better captured by the more stable operating margin trend.