Pub stocks were given a boost on Monday from England's World Cup win over Mexico, with investors betting that it will deliver a fresh boost to spending in bars and restaurants.
Shares inJD Wetherspoon PLC (LSE:JDW) rose 2.2%, while Mitchells & Butlers PLC (LSE:MAB) and Young & Co (AIM:YNGA) were both up by just under 2% after goals from Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane helped England book a place in the semi-finals.
Last week it was announced that pubs will be allowed to stay open until 5am on Monday morning for England's last 16 game at the Azteca stadium against co-hosts Mexico.
"England's stunning World Cup victory over Mexico will be seen as a big win for the hospitality industry, with bars and pubs set to cash in further on the team's progress as fans celebrate," said Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist at Wealth Club.
She added: "The tills were ringing all night at establishments which stayed open for the game, and the tournament is expected to provide a multi-million-pound boost to the industry as England's run continues."
According to payments company Dojo, spending at pubs and bars was already running 17.3% higher during the first two weeks of England's World Cup campaign than in the preceding fortnight.
Streeter said football fever could also drive extra spending on food and drink ahead of England's semi-final against Norway on Saturday, although she cautioned that any improvement in consumer confidence could prove short-lived if the team's run comes to an end.
Analysts at Deutsche Bank said the hospitality channel is "one of the ways in which the World Cup can provide a boost to UK GDP", as well as hosts US, Mexico and Canada.
Economists at the bank expect the 2026 men's World Cup to have little effect on the US economy, adding only about 0.05% to GDP, but highlighted short-term boosts for hotels, restaurants, media, rideshare, gaming and theme parks. Companies with exposure to tourism, sports viewing and luxury travel could enjoy temporary gains.
