Yum Brands Says Sales In China Up 5%, Stock Gains

Yum Brands Inc. shares rose more than 5% late Thursday after the Louisville, Ky.-based fast-food chain said its same-store sales in China rose an estimated 5% in October after 6% growth in September. The results include estimated growth of 10% for the company's KFC brand and a decline of 9% for its Pizza Hut brand. The company reiterated its guidance of same-store sales growth of up to 4% in the fourth quarter in China. Yum Brands said it will release November same-store sales numbers for China on Dec. 10 during its investor day. Shares of Yum Brands ended the regular trading day down 1.9%. The company said last month it would spin off its China business by the end of next year after cutting its outlook earlier in October, largely on sales woes in China.