There are certainly better weeks in the calendar for a trading update if you’re a leading European retailer of a major American brand that has most of its products manufactured in Asia.
Nevertheless, as Deutsche Bank analysts point out, that’s the unenviable task facing JD Sports Fashion PLC (LSE:JD.) management on Wednesday, 9 April.
“How management find a floor on guidance against the current uncertain backdrop, we aren't sure,” the German bank’s analysts said in a note.
“As such, we consider an absence of FY26 P&L guidance, and a commitment to return surplus capital may be an option for navigating the year.”
Cutting a long-story short the bank’s expectations, laced assumptions, is that share buy-backs are on the cards.
“If anything, we consider that the recent tariff announcements and uncertain US outlook better support for a near term shift, slowing down on store openings and returning surplus capital,” DB analysts added.
Albeit, the analysts note that given the uncertain US outlook, the quantum of capital to be returned to shareholders is now likely to be lower than previously hoped for.