Latest news with #Yum Brands
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Yum Brands turns to AI to aggregate social media, third-party reviews
This story was originally published on CX Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CX Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Yum Brands' rollout of Byte, a system of AI-powered technologies, is helping the restaurant company improve customer and employee experiences, executives said on a Q2 2025 earnings call Tuesday. Taco Bell is using Byte to make it easier for customers to customize digital orders, according to Chris Turner, chief financial and franchise officer at Yum. Turner, who will take over the CEO role in October, said easy digital experiences drive overall sales growth. Yum brands can use a AI-powered voice of the consumer tool to aggregate consumer reviews from social media and third-party platforms and use that feedback to optimize restaurant operations, CEO David Gibbs said. Dive Insight: Yum's AI investments are part of a connected brand strategy that aims to simultaneously strengthen operations and enhance customer experience. Taco Bell's drive-thru voice AI rollout has reached 600 locations, according to Turner. The AI, which takes orders and relays the information to staff to simplify operations, has led to reduced employee turnover in locations where it is deployed. 'I was actually amazed at how seamless those consumer conversations were when wearing the headset for an hour and a half to two hours,' Turner said during the call. 'There was only one of those conversations where we needed [intervention] from a team member in the store, and the voice AI made that job dramatically easier.' Yum has seen the importance of its digital ordering experience across its brands, which also include KFC and Pizza Hut. Digital as a share of total sales reached 57% overall in the second quarter of 2025, up 7 percentage points year over year, according to Gibbs. KFC recorded high digital growth, with sales up 22%,Gibbs said. The increase brought KFC's digital mix to 60% of total sales. Taco Bell reached a record 41% digital mix, according to Gibbs. The increase was driven in part by loyalty program offerings, and loyalty membership grew 45% year over year. Digital sales reached $9 billion systemwide, according to a company earnings report. Same-store sales were up 2% year over year, with growth at KFC and Taco Bell offsetting a decline at Pizza Hut. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Zawya
7 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Asian shares track Wall Street lower, dollar rangebound
SYDNEY: Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street on Wednesday, after weak U.S. data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed on Tuesday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that U.S. tariffs would cost it up to $1.5 billion this year. "It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the U.S. economy," said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2% gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%. Trump on Tuesday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the U.S. would initially impose a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the U.S. was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1% this week after Friday's 1.4% fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94% chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a $58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with $42 billion in 10-year notes on Wednesday and $25 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284%, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198%, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. U.S. crude rose 0.2% to $65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of $67.78 per barrel, up 0.1%. Trump said on Tuesday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for Wednesday. Spot gold prices were flat at $3,381 an ounce.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Asian shares track Wall Street lower, dollar rangebound
By Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street on Wednesday, after weak U.S. data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed on Tuesday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that U.S. tariffs would cost it up to $1.5 billion this year. "It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the U.S. economy," said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2% gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%. Trump on Tuesday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the U.S. would initially impose a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the U.S. was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1% this week after Friday's 1.4% fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94% chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a $58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with $42 billion in 10-year notes on Wednesday and $25 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284%, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198%, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. U.S. crude rose 0.2% to $65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of $67.78 per barrel, up 0.1%. Trump said on Tuesday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for Wednesday. Spot gold prices were flat at $3,381 an ounce.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Asian shares track Wall Street lower, dollar rangebound
By Stella Qiu SYDNEY (Reuters) -Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street on Wednesday, after weak U.S. data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed on Tuesday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that U.S. tariffs would cost it up to $1.5 billion this year. "It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the U.S. economy," said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2%, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2% gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3% and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1%. Trump on Tuesday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the U.S. would initially impose a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the U.S. was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the U.S. currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1% this week after Friday's 1.4% fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94% chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a $58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with $42 billion in 10-year notes on Wednesday and $25 billion in 30-year bonds on Thursday. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284%, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198%, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. U.S. crude rose 0.2% to $65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of $67.78 per barrel, up 0.1%. Trump said on Tuesday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for Wednesday. Spot gold prices were flat at $3,381 an ounce. Sign in to access your portfolio
Malay Mail
7 days ago
- Business
- Malay Mail
Tariff woes and soft US data drag Asian markets lower
SYDNEY, Aug 6 — Asian shares slipped along with Wall Street today, after weak US data highlighted the damage tariffs were having on economic activity and earnings, while the dollar struggled with the drag from lower bond yields. US services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July, data showed yesterday. Employment further weakened and input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the impact from President Donald Trump's tariff policy. Second-quarter earnings results also revealed pressure from Trump's tariff wars. Taco Bell parent Yum Brands missed expectations as steep trade duties dent consumer spending, while Caterpillar warned that US tariffs would cost it up to US$1.5 billion this year. 'It paints a picture of a stagflationary dynamic, which although still far from truly coming to fruition, raises the risk of a toxic mix of rising joblessness and prices as tariffs filter through the US economy,' said Kyle Rodda, senior analyst at MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan slipped 0.2 per cent, while Japan's Nikkei eked out a small 0.2 per cent gain. Both Chinese blue chips and Hong Kong's Hang Seng index were flat. Nasdaq futures fell 0.3 per cent and S&P 500 futures eased 0.1 per cent. Trump yesterday said it would announce tariffs on semiconductors and chips in the next week or so, while the US would initially impose a 'small tariff' on pharmaceutical imports before increasing it substantially in a year or two. He also said the US was close to a trade deal with China and that he would meet his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping before the end of the year if an agreement was struck. However, he threatened to further raise tariffs on goods from India over its Russian oil purchases. In currency markets, the dollar consolidated after sliding from two-month highs last Friday on a weak jobs report that had markets price in a near-certain chance of a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in September. The dollar index, which measures the US currency against six counterparts, was flat at 98.821 and was up 0.1 per cent this week after Friday's 1.4 per cent fall. Fed funds futures imply a 94 per cent chance of a rate cut next month, with at least two cuts priced in for this year, according to the CME's FedWatch. Investors are waiting for Trump's pick to fill a coming vacancy on the Federal Reserve's Board of Governors. Trump said the decision will be made soon, while ruling out Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent as a contender to replace current chief Jerome Powell, whose term ends in May 2026. Treasury yields edged up overnight after a US$58 billion auction of three-year notes went poorly, but still hovered near multi-month lows. More supply will hit the market this week with US$42 billion in 10-year notes today and US$25 billion in 30-year bonds tomorrow. Two-year Treasury yields rose 1 basis point to 3.7284 per cent, having risen 3.5 bps overnight, while benchmark 10-year yields ticked up 2 bps to 4.2198 per cent, after holding steady overnight. In commodity markets, oil prices edged up after four straight sessions of declines. US crude rose 0.2 per cent to US$65.3 per barrel, while Brent was at a one-month low of US$67.78 per barrel, up 0.1 per cent. Trump said yesterday he will decide on whether to sanction countries who purchase Russian oil after a meeting with Russian officials scheduled for today. — Reuters
