Yum posts 12% dip in 4Q profit

LOUISVILLE Ky. Yum! Brands Inc. reported Tuesday a 12-percent drop in fourth-quarter profit as one-time charges for refranchising gains and the restructuring of its U.S. business negatively impacted the company’s bottom line.

The stronger U.S. dollar, which weakens the dollar value of foreign earnings, also hurt Yum, the company said, and will continue to negatively impact the company into 2009. A strengthening dollar has become a concern for many analysts