YUM Brands Gains 1.03% with 435th Volume Rank as 1.94% Yield and Institutional Shifts Highlight Dividend Growth

YUM! Brands (YUM) rose 1.03% on August 29, 2025, with a trading volume of $0.22 billion, ranking 435th among stocks by volume that day. The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.71 per share, set to be paid on September 12 to shareholders of record as of September 2, translating to a 1.94% yield. This follows a 10.72% average annual dividend growth over the past three years and marks the sixth consecutive year of dividend increases.

Institutional ownership of YUM shifted in Q1 2025, with Vanguard Group Inc. boosting its stake by 1.4% to 34.1 million shares, while FORA Capital LLC reduced its position by 43.7%. The stock’s institutional ownership now stands at 82.37%, reflecting mixed investor sentiment ahead of the ex-dividend date. Analysts have highlighted YUM’s dividend sustainability, with a payout ratio of 48.99% based on trailing earnings and 41.58% for next year’s estimates.

Historical data indicates a stable dividend trajectory, with YUM maintaining a 1.94% yield as of the latest ex-dividend event on August 28, 2023. The company’s dividend growth and payout ratios suggest continued reliability for income-focused investors, though its recent earnings miss in Q2—reporting $1.44 EPS versus $1.46 expected—adds short-term uncertainty. Institutional activity and dividend consistency remain key factors influencing its stock performance.