Yum! Brands Q4 25 Earnings: Revenue Up 8%, Shares Jump

[Para 1: The Lead] Yum! Brands Inc. (NYSE: YUM) reported a 8% increase in Q4 2025 revenue to $2.5 billion, exceeding analyst estimates, boosting investor confidence. The company's global brands, including KFC and Pizza Hut, showed strong sales growth, driving the earnings up 10% to $0.85 per share. The earnings call, held at 8:15 AM ET, highlighted robust performance and a positive outlook for 2026. [Para 2-3: Supporting details & Context] YUM's profit margin expanded to 20.5% from 19.2% in the same period last year, driven by cost management and higher sales. The company announced a 5% dividend increase, reflecting its financial health. Analysts are optimistic about YUM's global expansion strategy and its digital transformation efforts. Shares of YUM rose 5% in pre-market trading following the earnings release.