Friday will be all about the publicans, as FTSE 250 chain JD Wetherspoon to report its final results, along with more political commentary from its Brexit-advocating chairman Tim Martin.
The hot weather and a strong run by England at the World Cup have provided some respite for pubs groups over summer, but will that extend to Wetherspoons when it reports its final results?
‘Spoons is well-known for rarely showing the football while most of its pubs don’t have much of a beer garden, with both likely to have put off some punters.
That said, the pub chain said in July that like-for-like sales were up 5.2% year-on-year as the firm’s prime locations and value offering continue to appeal to the masses.
Martin has repeatedly said sales would have to climb by at least that much if profits are to be maintained at last year’s levels given the sharp rise in business rates and staff costs.
Also of note, as always, will be Martin’s Brexit rant, which is likely to take up most of the announcement.
Away from the pub, there will also be a selection of economic data from the United States, with industrial production and import & export prices expected.
There will also be the latest reading of the US consumer sentiment, which last month dropped to an 11-month low as American households expressed concerns over the rising cost of living, potentially indicating a slowdown in consumer spending.
Significant announcements expected:
Friday September 14:
Finals: JD Wetherspoon PLC (LON:JDW)
Trading update: SThree PLC (LON:STHR)
Economic data: US retail sales; US industrial production; US import, export prices; University of Michigan consumer sentiment reading