** Yum China Holdings' Hong Kong shares 9987.HK jump 9% to HK$427.6, highest level since Oct 2023

** Set for biggest daily gain since April 23; U.S. stock YUMC.N rose 4.7% Wednesday

** KFC parent's Q4 core operating profit up 23% YoY, revenue +9%, same-store sales +3% for third straight quarter of growth

** Digital loyalty program hits 590 mln members, more than 40% of China's population

** Nomura keeps "buy" rating, hikes HK PT to HK$459 from HK$432 and U.S. stock to $58.9 from $55.4, citing "solid" Q4 and expecting growth to continue into 2026

** YTD, Hong Kong stock up 15.1%, U.S.-listed shares up 11.3%

(Reporting by Donny Kwok)

((donny.kwok@thomsonreuters.com))