Yum rises after saying Taco Bell sales recovering from cyclospora outbreak

A short-term dip in traffic was expected, eMarketer analyst Suzy Davidkhanian said.

She added that the brand leaning into transparent, slightly tongue-in-cheek marketing — like its $1 Cravings Menu "Hold the Lettuce" campaign — acknowledged consumers' concerns and may have helped traffic recovery.

Up to the last close, the stock had risen marginally year to date.

Shares of Taco Bell parent Yum Brands gained about 4% to $157.91 after executives said Taco Bell sales, which were hit by the Cyclospora outbreak, are beginning to ease.

The company also posted a rise in second-quarter same-store sales and beat quarterly profit estimates, helped by the popularity of value meals at its chains.