Diageo plc vs Yum China Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Diageo plc trades at $82.52 (market cap $45.41B), while Yum China Holdings Inc trades at $43.63 (market cap $14.89B). The key difference: Diageo plc is far larger — about 3× Yum China Holdings Inc's market cap, and Diageo plc pays the higher dividend (4.02%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| DEO | YUMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $45.41B | $14.89B |
Sector | Technology | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $115.33 | $57.95 |
52-Week Low | $72.47 | $40.18 |
Enterprise Value | $66.23B | $15.78B |
Dividend Yield | 4.02% | 2.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Diageo (DEO) trades at $82.50, up 0.57% today, with a bullish technical trend and strong profitability metrics including a 12.19% net margin and 22.29% ROE. Recent earnings show mixed results with a Q4 2025 beat but a Q2 2025 miss, while analyst sentiment is positive with 49% buy ratings. The stock faces headwinds from weak U.S. spirits demand and promotional pressures, as noted in recent Deutsche Bank and UBS reports from July 2026.
The outlook hinges on management's strategy reset in August 2026 to address U.S. volume declines and margin pressures. Investment appeal lies in its discounted valuation relative to historical multiples and dividend yield, but risks include sustained consumer moderation trends and execution challenges in key markets.
YUMC trades at $43.9, up 2.05% today, with strong analyst consensus (14 Buy, 5 Hold, 0 Sell). The stock shows bullish technical signals from moving averages, though RSI levels indicate potential overbought conditions. Recent earnings beats and a P/E of 16.82 suggest reasonable valuation. Key developments include the acquisition of Pizza Hut in mainland China and a $1.5 billion capital return plan for 2026, enhancing shareholder value.
The outlook remains positive given consistent revenue growth, expanding profitability, and strategic acquisitions. Risks include execution challenges in integrating Pizza Hut and macroeconomic pressures in China. With robust cash flows and a clear growth trajectory, YUMC presents a compelling opportunity for long-term investors, though near-term volatility may persist.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands including Johnnie Walker, Smirnoff, and Guinness. It operates a vast portfolio of spirits and beers across more than 180 countries.
Read more on DEO →With almost 10,600 units and USD 9.5 billion in systemwide sales in 2020, Yum China is the largest restaurant chain in China. It generates revenue through its own restaurants and franchise fees. Key concepts include KFC (7,166 units) and Pizza Hut (2,355), but the company's portfolio also includes other brands such as Little Sheep, East Dawning, Taco Bell, Huang Ji Huang, COFFii & Joy, and Lavazza (collectively representing about 985 units). Yum China is a trademark licensee of Yum Brands, paying 3% of total systemwide sales to the company it separated from in October 2016.
Read more on YUMC →