Starbucks (SBUX) vs Yum China (YUMC)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 9, 2026.
Summary
Starbucks (SBUX) has outperformed Yum China (YUMC) over the past year, gaining 13.8% versus a gain of 1.2%. Over five years, SBUX leads with a -16.4% price change compared with -29.5% for YUMC. Starbucks is the larger company by market cap ($103.45 billion vs $14.49 billion), about 7.1 times the size, while Yum China is growing revenue faster (+4.4% vs +2.8%).
On valuation, Yum China trades at a lower forward P/E (12.7x vs 29.0x for Starbucks). Starbucks offers the higher dividend yield (2.73% vs 2.47%). Yum China converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 7.9% versus 5.0%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | SBUX | YUMC |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $90.75 | $42.92 |
| Market cap | $103.45B | $14.49B |
| 1-day change | -2.64% | +2.73% |
| YTD return | +7.77% | -10.10% |
| 1-year return | +13.75% | +1.15% |
| 5-year return | -16.37% | -29.48% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 52.46 | 15.27 |
| Forward P/E | 29.04 | 12.70 |
| EPS (TTM) | $1.73 | $2.81 |
| Dividend yield | 2.73% | 2.47% |
| Annual dividend | $2.48 | $1.06 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $37.18B | $11.80B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +2.79% | +4.37% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $1.86B | $929.00M |
| Operating margin | 7.90% | 10.93% |
| Net margin | 4.99% | 7.87% |
| 52-week high | $110.51 | $58.39 |
| 52-week low | $77.99 | $39.72 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -17.88% | -26.49% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | strong_buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +22.94% | +44.27% |
| Average volume | 7.28M | 1.52M |
| Shares outstanding | 1.14B | 337.71M |
| Employees | 381,000 | 130,000 |
| Sector | Consumer Discretionary | Consumer Discretionary |
| Industry | Restaurants | Restaurants |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- Starbucks is about 7.1 times larger than Yum China by market value ($103.45B vs $14.49B).
- SBUX has outperformed YUMC by 12.6 percentage points over the past year.
- Starbucks trades at a higher earnings multiple (52.5x vs 15.3x trailing P/E).
About Starbucks
SBUX stock →Starbucks Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a roaster, marketer, and retailer of coffee internationally. The company operates through three segments: North America, International, and Channel Development.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 381,000 employees
About Yum China
YUMC stock →Yum China Holdings, Inc. owns, operates, and franchises restaurants in the People's Republic of China.
Consumer Discretionary · Restaurants · 130,000 employees
SBUX vs YUMC FAQ
Which is bigger, Starbucks or Yum China?
Starbucks (SBUX) is larger, with a market capitalization of $103.45B compared with $14.49B for Yum China (YUMC).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, SBUX or YUMC?
SBUX returned +13.75% over the past 12 months, compared with +1.15% for YUMC (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, SBUX or YUMC?
YUMC has the lower trailing P/E at 15.3, versus 52.5 for SBUX. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Starbucks or Yum China?
Starbucks has the higher yield at 2.73%, compared with 2.47% for Yum China.
Are Starbucks and Yum China in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Restaurants industry within the Consumer Discretionary sector.