Yum China (NYSE: YUMC) reported Q4 EPS of $0.25, $0.06 better than the analyst estimate of $0.19. Revenue for the quarter came in at $2.03 billion versus the consensus estimate of $2.03 billion.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

• Total revenues increased 6% year over year to $2.03 billion from $1.91 billion (8% increase excluding foreign currency translation (\"F/X\")).
• Total system sales grew 8% year over year, with growth of 10% at KFC and 1% at Pizza Hut, excluding F/X.
• Same-store sales grew 2% year over year, with a 3% increase at KFC and flat same-store sales at Pizza Hut, excluding F/X.
• Restaurant margin was 12.4%, compared with 11.5% in the prior year period.
• Operating Profit increased 14% year over year to $94 million from $84 million (16% increase excluding F/X).
• Reported an impairment charge of $11 million on intangible assets and goodwill attributable to DAOJIA.com.cn (\"Daojia\"), compared with $12 million in the prior year period. Excluding this Special Item in 2018 and 2019, Adjusted Operating Profit increased 12% year over year (14% increase excluding F/X).
• Effective tax rate was 26.8%.
• Net Income increased 22% to $90 million from $74 million in the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in operating profit and mark to market gain from our equity investment in Meituan Dianping, partially offset by the lapping of a tax benefit adjusting the provisional amount of transition tax related to US tax reform in the fourth quarter of 2018. Adjusted Net Income increased to $98 million from $46 million in the prior year period. (2% year over year increase excluding the mark to market gain of $24 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and mark to market loss of $27 million in the fourth quarter of 2018 from our equity investment in Meituan Dianping, 4% increase excluding F/X).
• Diluted EPS increased 21% to $0.23 from $0.19 in the prior year period. Adjusted Diluted EPS increased to $0.25 from $0.12 in the prior year period (flat year over year excluding the mark to market gain or loss from our equity investment in Meituan Dianping in 2019 and 2018, respectively, 5% increase excluding F/X).

CEO and CFO Comments

"Fourth quarter results marked a strong finish to a solid year. We achieved our 13th consecutive quarter of system sales growth since the spin-off, and our operating profit grew double digits," said Joey Wat, CEO of Yum China. "In 2019, we expanded our footprint with over a thousand new stores, setting a new record for Company annual store openings and further strengthening our leading market position. We continue to innovate and invest across multiple fronts to ensure an excellent customer experience, both online and in-store."

Ms. Joey Wat continued, "Looking into 2020, the coronavirus outbreak is a major public health situation in China. Our top priority is the health and safety of our employees and customers. We have implemented various preventative measures across our restaurants and other workplaces to help protect our employees and customers. We will continue to monitor this fluid situation and respond accordingly. Despite this challenge and disruption to our business, we remain confident in the long-term market potential in China. We are differentiated by our world-class development, operations and innovation capabilities, which drove our success in the past and will help sustain our growth for years to come."

Andy Yeung, CFO of Yum China, added, "Our solid profit growth and healthy balance sheet enabled us to return $442 million to shareholders in 2019 through dividends and share repurchases. Looking ahead, while it is difficult to fully ascertain the expected impact of the coronavirus outbreak at this time, we can reasonably expect it to materially affect our 2020 sales and profits. Commodity and wage inflation are also expected to remain challenging, especially in the first half. Despite the headwinds, we are committed to grow in China and intend to step up our investment in digital, supply chain and emerging brands to support that growth."

Impact of Coronavirus Outbreak

Since the start of the year, the novel coronavirus outbreak in China has significantly impacted the Company's operations. The situation is complex and rapidly evolving, and the Company cannot yet fully ascertain the expected impact. However, based on information currently available, the Company believes that the outbreak is likely to have a materially adverse impact on the Company\'s operating and financial results for the first quarter of 2020 and full year 2020.

The Company has taken a number of measures to protect its employees, customers and business partners, including the temporary closure of more than 30% of its restaurants in China. For restaurants that remain open, same-store sales since the Chinese New Year holiday period were down 40-50% compared to the comparable Chinese New Year holiday period in 2019, due to shortened operating hours, reduced traffic and other factors related to the outbreak. At this time, the Company cannot forecast when the closed restaurants will re-open (and at what rate) and the traffic will be restored (and at what level), or the other factors relating to the outbreak that will continue to impact the Company's operations. Furthermore, the Company may be required or otherwise decide to close additional stores, reduce operating hours, or take other steps, as the situation warrants.

As a result of the outbreak, the Company may experience operating losses for the first quarter of 2020, and if the sales trend continues, for the full year 2020. Future operations, as well as the Company's cash flows and financial position, may be materially and adversely influenced by further developments related to the outbreak, including potential additional announcements and actions from the central government and local authorities, disruption in our supply chain, inability to provide safety measures to protect our employees, or other reasons.

2020 Outlook

The Company provides the following fiscal year 2020 targets, subject to revision based on the impact from the coronavirus:

• Between 800 and 850 gross new stores.
• Capital expenditures between $500 million and $550 million.

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