Unilever plc vs Yum China Holdings Inc — how do they compare? Unilever plc trades at $62.03 (market cap $136.96B), while Yum China Holdings Inc trades at $42.34 (market cap $14.74B). The key difference: Unilever plc is far larger — about 9.3× Yum China Holdings Inc's market cap, and Unilever plc pays the higher dividend (3.34%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| UL | YUMC | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $136.96B | $14.74B |
Sector | Consumer Staples | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $74.59 | $57.95 |
52-Week Low | $55.05 | $40.18 |
Enterprise Value | $162.94B | $15.65B |
Dividend Yield | 3.34% | 2.68% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Unilever (UL) trades at $63.54, down 1.03% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages but neutral oscillators. Recent earnings misses contrast with strong profitability, including a net income margin of 18.32% and ROE of 54.57% for 2025. The company reported its strongest quarterly volume growth in over a decade in Q2 2026, raising its full-year outlook, while strategic shifts include focusing on beauty and personal care and a planned $65 billion merger with McCormick.
The outlook is mixed: robust fundamentals and strategic refocusing support long-term growth, particularly in emerging markets, but consistent earnings misses and a high P/E ratio of 21.46 pose valuation concerns. Risks include integration challenges from the McCormick deal and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is divided, with 24% buy ratings, highlighting cautious optimism amid execution uncertainties.
YUMC trades at $43.34, down 0.6% today, with a bearish technical signal despite recent earnings beats. The company shows steady revenue growth, reaching $11.8B in 2025, with a net income margin of 7.84%. Recent developments include the acquisition of Pizza Hut brand ownership in Mainland China and expansion of Pizza Hut Burger Bars to 300 locations.
The outlook is positive with strong analyst support—14 buy ratings and a projected 25.6% upside. Risks include competitive pressures and market volatility, but solid fundamentals and growth initiatives provide a compelling case for long-term investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Unilever is a diversified personal product (42% of 2021 sales by value), home care (20%), and packaged food (38%) company. Its brands include Knorr soups and sauces, Hellmann's mayonnaise, Lipton teas, Axe and Dove skin products, and the TRESemme haircare brand. The firm has been acquisitive in recent years
Read more on UL →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 →