Shares of Yum China Holdings, Inc. (ASX: YUMC) have risen more than 3% in trading.

At the time of writing, the stock is up 3.44% to HK$348.8, with a turnover of HK$194 million.

The company is scheduled to hold its second-quarter earnings conference call on July 30, where it is expected to disclose further details regarding a recent transaction, with the market focused on post-acquisition integration progress.

On June 16, Yum China announced it had entered into a definitive agreement with Yum! Brands to acquire ownership of the Pizza Hut brand in mainland China for a cash consideration of $1.2 billion. The transaction is anticipated to close in the third quarter of 2026.

Analysts at Huatai Securities previously noted that upon successful completion of this deal, the company would transition from being the exclusive franchisee of Pizza Hut in mainland China to the brand owner, granting it greater strategic flexibility.

Looking ahead over the long term, there is optimism regarding Pizza Hut's brand value and operational resilience through economic cycles. There is also anticipation for steady margin improvement and the orderly delivery of shareholder returns as the company continues to enhance its operational efficiency. A "buy" rating has been maintained.