Earnings preview: How will Q2 turn out for Yum! Brands?

Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) is scheduled to report second quarter 2019 earnings results on Thursday, August 1, before market open. Analysts expect the company to report earnings of $0.87 per share on revenue of $1.28 billion. The results reflect a 6% year-over-year decline in revenue and a 6% increase in earnings.

The growth trend in same store sales can be expected to continue in the second quarter. The company has been taking efforts to improve its delivery service and menu offerings. These efforts, along with the increase in new restaurants, are likely to drive revenue growth in the quarter.

However, the ongoing refranchising efforts can take a toll on the top line numbers. Although the refranchising could hurt revenue growth, it will prove beneficial to margins and profitability. On the flip side, lower revenues and a higher tax rate could put pressure on earnings.

In the first quarter of 2019, Yum topped earnings expectations while revenues were in line with estimates. Revenues dropped 9% to $1.25 billion while adjusted EPS fell 8% to $0.82. Same-store sales grew 4%.

Worldwide system sales grew 8%. Revenues declined across all the company’s divisions – KFC, Pizza Hut and Taco Bell. For the full year of 2019, Yum expects adjusted EPS of at least $3.75.

Yum! Brands’ shares have gained 23% so far this year and 8% in the past three months. The majority of analysts covering the stock have given it a Hold rating and the average 12-month price target is $108.

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