Key Highlights

● YUM shares ended 9 October 2026 at $144.64.

● Market data consensus target is $172.56, implying about 19.3% upside.

● Targets range from $150 to $190.

● TD Cowen lowered its target from $180 to $177 on 7 October.

Yum! Brands (NYSE:YUM), a member of the S&P 500, ended Friday 9 October 2026 at $144.64. Analyst targets sit well above that level, with the consensus implying upside of about 19.3%. Recent broker revisions have mostly been downward.

What Is the Latest Analyst Price Target?

Market data reported a consensus price target of $172.56 from 21 analysts, with a high of $190 and a low of $150. Against the $144.64 close, that implies upside of about 19.3%. The second data set showed a mean of $171.06 and a median of $174.50 from 26 analysts, with a range of $147 to $200.

The eight recent named broker targets on market data average roughly $168, a little below both consensus figures but close enough that neither looks distorted.

What Are Wall Street Analysts Saying?

Ratings are positive overall but not unanimous. Market data counted 13 Buy and 8 Hold with no Sell ratings, a Moderate Buy consensus. The second data set showed 10 Strong Buy, 3 Buy and 13 Hold, with a Buy consensus.

Recent named actions leaned towards lower targets. TD Cowen lowered its target from $180 to $177 on 7 October, and Guggenheim cut its target from $180 to $155 on 6 October, both with Buy ratings. JPMorgan reduced its target from $160 to $150 on 29 September with an Overweight rating, and Robert W. Baird lowered its target from $174 to $165 on 16 September. Argus changed its rating from Buy to Hold on 24 September. There were positives too: Wells Fargo upgraded the shares from Equal Weight to Overweight on 10 September with a $175 target, and Citigroup raised its target from $175 to $178 in July.

What Could Help the Stock Reach the Price Target?

Brands with global franchised operations can benefit from steady unit growth and royalty income, and analysts at Wells Fargo, Citigroup and TD Cowen retain targets of $175 to $178. Market data cites quarterly earnings per share of $1.62 against an estimate of $1.58 and revenue growth of 12.2%. Improving same-store sales at Taco Bell and KFC, new restaurant openings, digital sales growth and the company's $4.0 billion share repurchase programme, as noted by market data, could also support sentiment.

What Could Prevent the Stock Reaching the Target?

Four target reductions in the past month point to caution. Consumer spending pressure on lower-income households, intense competition in quick-service dining, commodity and labour costs, could weigh on results. Currency movements and geopolitical disruption in international markets are further risks for a global franchisor. A broader sell-off in consumer stocks could also keep the price below analyst expectations.

What Should Investors Watch Next?

Investors may wish to watch whether brokers continue to trim targets, how same-store sales compare with expectations and whether the Argus move to Hold is followed by other rating changes.

Yum! Brands and the Gap to Analyst Targets

Yum! Brands closed at $144.64 on 9 October 2026, against a market data consensus target of $172.56. TD Cowen lowered its target from $180 to $177 on 7 October, and Guggenheim cut its target from $180 to $155 on 6 October, both with Buy ratings.