Wetherspoon glasses are half empty

PUB group JD Wetherspoon expects annual results to be weaker than the previous year, despite sales growing “strongly”.

In a trading update for the 13 weeks to 28 October, the chain said like-for-like sales increased by 5.5 per cent, and total sales were up 6.2 per cent.

Despite strong growth, chairman Tim Martin said the company was dealing with tough comparatives, having delivered several years of record profits.

“It is difficult to be too precise at this early stage of the current financial year, but we now expect a trading outcome slightly below that achieved in the previous financial year,” he said. “We will provide further updates on our trading as we progress through the year.”

Mr Martin reiterated his belief that the UK should adopt free trade after Brexit.

Industry analyst Mark Brumby of Langton Capital said: “This is a short statement of 1,400 words with less than a couple of hundred relating to

5% Slide in shares in early trading at JD

Wetherspoon

the group’s trading, balance sheet, margins, trading position, outlook etc. The remainder deal with the chairman’s views on Brexit.

“If this ratio reflects the split of effort that is being put into the running of the company, then shareholders may have something to think about.

“The implied cuts to estimates for profits for the full year will need to be digested.”

Shares in Wetherspoon’s dropped by 5 per cent in early trading.

The company has opened two new pubs in the first quarter and has closed or sold three.

It guided new openings of between five and 10 pubs in the current financial year. The group also said on Tuesday that it is increasing staff wages in response to low unemployment.

“Having had several recent years of record profits, we are not immediately seeking to recoup increased costs through higher pricing, but will review during the year,” said Mr Martin.