Overview
- JD Wetherspoon cautioned that first‑half profit will be lower year on year and said full‑year results could be slightly below FY25 if current trading persists.
- Like‑for‑like sales rose 6.1% in the 12 weeks to 18 January, including an 8.8% jump across the three weeks to 4 January.
- The company has opened six pubs so far this year, plans 15 openings in total, sold six sites for £3.3 million, and operates 794 managed pubs alongside a growing franchise estate.
- UK consumer price inflation increased to 3.4% in December, topping forecasts, with the ONS citing higher tobacco prices and airfares as key drivers.
- Burberry reported 3% comparable sales growth for the quarter and expects adjusted operating profit in line with City consensus, while the FTSE was seen softer after a US sell‑off and gold rose about 2%.