WallStSmart

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc (ARCO)vsYum! Brands Inc (YUM)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Yum! Brands Inc generates 76% more annual revenue ($8.49B vs $4.82B). YUM leads profitability with a 20.5% profit margin vs 4.9%. ARCO appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.54. ARCO earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 70/100 (B-).

ARCO

Strong Buy

70

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 7.3Profit: 6.5Value: 8.7Quality: 4.0
Piotroski: 4/9Altman Z: 1.98

YUM

Buy

65

out of 100

Grade: C+

Growth: 8.0Profit: 8.0Value: 4.0Quality: 4.5
Piotroski: 2/9Altman Z: 0.92
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

ARCOUndervalued (+25.8%)

Margin of Safety

+25.8%

Fair Value

$11.33

Current Price

$8.20

$3.13 discount

UndervaluedFair: $11.33Overvalued
YUMSignificantly Overvalued (-88.7%)

Margin of Safety

-88.7%

Fair Value

$84.31

Current Price

$150.87

$66.56 premium

UndervaluedFair: $84.31Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

ARCO5 strengths · Avg: 9.2/10
P/E RatioValuation
7.8x10/10

Attractively priced relative to earnings

Return on EquityProfitability
30.2%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 30 in profit

EPS GrowthGrowth
159.4%10/10

Earnings expanding 159.4% YoY

PEG RatioValuation
0.548/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Price/BookValuation
2.2x8/10

Reasonable price relative to book value

YUM5 strengths · Avg: 9.4/10
Operating MarginProfitability
31.1%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 31.1%

EPS GrowthGrowth
72.2%10/10

Earnings expanding 72.2% YoY

Debt/EquityHealth
-1.6410/10

Conservative balance sheet, low leverage

Profit MarginProfitability
20.5%9/10

Keeps 21 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Revenue GrowthGrowth
15.2%8/10

15.2% revenue growth

Areas to Watch

ARCO4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.984/10

Grey zone — moderate risk

Market CapQuality
$1.83B3/10

Smaller company, higher risk/reward

Profit MarginProfitability
4.9%3/10

4.9% margin — thin

Free Cash FlowQuality
$-18.70M2/10

Negative free cash flow — burning cash

YUM4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
PEG RatioValuation
1.914/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Return on EquityProfitability
0.0%3/10

ROE of 0.0% — below average capital efficiency

Piotroski F-ScoreQuality
2/93/10

Weak financial health signals

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
0.922/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull Case : ARCO

The strongest argument for ARCO centers on P/E Ratio, Return on Equity, EPS Growth. Revenue growth of 12.9% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.54 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.

Bull Case : YUM

The strongest argument for YUM centers on Operating Margin, EPS Growth, Debt/Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 20.5% and operating margin at 31.1%. Revenue growth of 15.2% demonstrates continued momentum.

Bear Case : ARCO

The primary concerns for ARCO are Altman Z-Score, Market Cap, Profit Margin. Debt-to-equity of 2.82 is elevated, increasing financial risk. Thin 4.9% margins leave little buffer for downturns.

Bear Case : YUM

The primary concerns for YUM are PEG Ratio, Return on Equity, Piotroski F-Score.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

ARCO profiles as a value stock while YUM is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.

YUM carries more volatility with a beta of 0.57 — expect wider price swings.

YUM is growing revenue faster at 15.2% — sustainability is the question.

YUM generates stronger free cash flow (341M), providing more financial flexibility.

Bottom Line

ARCO scores higher overall (70/100 vs 65/100) and 12.9% revenue growth. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.

This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA

Arcos Dorados Holdings Inc. is a McDonald's restaurant franchise. The company is headquartered in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Visit Website →

Yum! Brands Inc

CONSUMER CYCLICAL · RESTAURANTS · USA

Yum! Brands, Inc. is an American fast food corporation listed on the Fortune 1000. Yum! operates the brands KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, The Habit Burger Grill, and WingStreet worldwide, except in China, where the brands are operated by a separate company, Yum China.

Want to dig deeper into these stocks?