Companies Reporting: JD Sports, Tesco

Our regular look at the FTSE 350 and other companies reporting from 07 – 11 April.

• JD Sports laying out its stall for 2026 and beyond
• Tesco looking to gain more market share

JD Sports, Q4 Trading Statement, Wednesday 9 April

Aarin Chiekrie, equity analyst, Hargreaves Lansdown: JD Sports LON:JD. has had a tough time of late. The sports fashion retailer has been holding firmer on pricing than many of its peers who have leaned into promotional activity to help clear inventory. While that’s protecting margins a little, profits and cash flows are still getting hurt. Management previously outlined its concerns for the UK market, given the incoming changes to National Insurance and minimum wages look set to bump up costs for employers. Markets are keen to see if that picture has changed much since January.

There will be plenty of other news for investors to digest next week too. Besides recent trading, JD Sports is set to lay out its stall for the new financial year, with markets forecasting revenue growth of around 10% to £12.6bn, helped by new store openings and recent acquisitions. The medium-term plan also looks like it’s getting an update, as a string of weak trading in 2024 and the acquisitions of Hibbett and Courir mean there are many moving parts to adjust for.

• JD Sports results: A marathon or a sprint for shareholders ahead?
• UK Stock Market News: Saga, JD Sports, On The Beach

Tesco, Full Year Results, Thursday 10 April

Aarin Chiekrie: Tesco LON:TSCO performed well in the run-up to Christmas, with like-for-like retail sales moving 3.1% higher. Growth in the UK and Europe helped to offset declines in its wholesale business, Booker. It’s a competitive space but its improving proposition saw Tesco record its highest market share since 2016. Investors will be keen to see this trend continue when it reports full-year results next week.

Markets expect underlying operating profits to land slightly ahead of the group’s £2.9bn guidance. Tesco is attacking the market from all angles, with value offerings and Clubcard prices appealing to cost-conscious customers. And an expanded Finest range should help it to poach customers from more premium supermarkets, too. The prospective 4.4% dividend yield looks well backed up by cash flows, there’s room for more share buybacks, too.

• UK Stock Market News: Morgan Sindall, Tesco, National Grid

FTSE 100, FTSE 250 and selected other companies scheduled to report

This article has been brought to you in association with Hargreaves Lansdown. All opinions expressed in this article are from the analysts and do not necessarily represent the opinions of The Armchair Trader.