# Yum China Announces US$512 Million Share Repurchase Agreements for Second Half of 2026 as Part of US$1.5 Billion Full-Year Capital Return Plan

- Link: https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/yum-china-announces-us512-million-share-repurchase-agreements-for-second-half-of-2026-as-part-of-us1-5-billion-full-year-capital-return-plan
- Published: 2026-05-12T17:38:00+07:00
- Author: PR Newswire

SHANGHAI, May 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or"
Yum China") (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) announced that it has entered into share
repurchase agreements in the U.S. and Hong Kong for an aggregate repurchase amount
of approximately US$512 million for the second half of 2026, commencing on July 
1, 2026.

The share repurchase agreements include approximately US$384 million under the Rule
10b5-1 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the U.S. and approximately
HK$1 billion for a similar program in Hong Kong. These agreements are in addition
to the share repurchase agreements for the first half of 2026. We remain on track
to return US$1.5 billion to shareholders in 2026, including approximately US$400
million in dividends and US$1.1 billion in share repurchases, through a mix of systematic
and discretionary buybacks.

"Our target to return US$1.5 billion in capital to shareholders in 2026 represents
approximately 9% of our current market capitalization^([1]). Supported by our healthy
balance sheet and strong cash generation, we remain dual-focused on driving business
growth and delivering solid capital returns to shareholders," said Joey Wat, CEO
of Yum China.

Beginning in 2027, Yum China intends to return approximately 100% of annual free
cash flow after subsidiaries’ dividend payments to non-controlling interests. This
is anticipated to translate into an average annual return of approximately US$900
million to over US$1 billion in 2027 and 2028, and to exceed US$1 billion in 2028.

Since 2017, Yum China has returned US$6.4 billion to shareholders through dividends
and share repurchases.

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1. Market capitalization as of May 11, 2026

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**Forward-Looking Statements**

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, including statements relating to our projected capital returns from 2025
and 2026. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly
to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "
expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief,""
plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue,""
should," "forecast," "outlook," "commit" or similar terminology. These statements
are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience
and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments,
as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the
circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions
will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation,
statements regarding the Company’s future strategies, growth, business plans, capital
allocation strategy, capital return plans (including dividend and share repurchase
plans). Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently
subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict
and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated
by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates
or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this
press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim
any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent
events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause
our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied
by forward-looking statements. Our plan of capital returns to shareholders (including
dividend and share repurchase plans) is based on current expectations, which may
change based on market conditions, capital needs or otherwise. In addition, other
risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to
be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. 
All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their
inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factor"
and "Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of 
Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on
Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and
other results.

**About Yum China Holdings, Inc.**

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every
life taste beautiful. The Company operates over 18,000 restaurants under six brands
across over 2,600 cities in China. KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the
quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China, respectively. In addition,
Yum China has partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China.
Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Taco Bell offers 
innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply
chain, which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an
in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty
program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum 
China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world’s most innovative
pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit [https://ir.yumchina.com/](https://ir.yumchina.com/).

**Contacts**

Investor Relations Contact:
Tel: +86 21 2407 7556[IR@YumChina.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/IR@YumChina.com)

Media Contact:
Tel: +86 21 2407 3824[Media@YumChina.com](https://www.thailand-business-news.com/pr-news/Media@YumChina.com)

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