Yum! Brands Inc. Q4 Earnings Soar, Shares Jump

[Para 1: The Lead] Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) reported a significant increase in its fourth-quarter earnings, marking a 12% surge year-over-year to $2.5 billion. The company's revenue climbed 15% to $12.3 billion, exceeding analyst expectations. Shares of YUM surged 7% in after-hours trading following the announcement, reflecting investors' positive reaction to the robust financial performance. [Para 2-3: Supporting details & Context] The strong performance was driven by solid growth in its international division, particularly in China and the Middle East, where sales increased by 20% and 18%, respectively. Domestic sales also showed resilience, growing 10% due to the continued popularity of its brands like KFC and Pizza Hut. Yum! Brands attributed the success to its robust digital strategy and effective cost management. The company expects to maintain this momentum in 2026, aiming for mid-single-digit growth in its global sales.