Yum Brands reports strong profit growth

LOUISVILLE, Ky.

The owner of the Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and KFC fast-food brands says its fourth-quarter net income rose 27 percent with robust growth overseas.

Yum Brands Inc. said Wednesday that its net income was $274 million for the quarter, or 56 cents per share. That compares with $216 million, or 45 cents per share, a year earlier.

The Louisville, Ky., company's fourth-quarter revenue was $3.56 billion, up from $3.37 billion.

Analysts expected Yum to earn 60 cents per share on revenue of $3.51 billion, according to FactSet.

In its crucial China business, operating profit rose 15 percent, adjusted for currency fluctuations; operating profit rose 18 percent in Yum's other international business.