Pubs group J D Wetherspoon has posted a warning that profits for the first half will be lower than the previous year because of rising costs.

The chain reported a 4.7% increase in like-for-like sales for the 25 weeks ended 18 January 2026, with bar sales up 6.9% and food sales up 1.3%, though hotel room sales saw a slight decrease of 0.7%.

Despite sales growth, increased costs for energy, wages, repairs, and business rates, totalling £45 million in the first 25 weeks, are expected to result in profits for the first half being lower than the previous year, and the full-year trading outcome is anticipated to be slightly below FY25 levels if current sales momentum continues.

The company has opened six pubs year-to-date and plans for 15 openings in the current financial year, alongside eight franchised pubs opened and an expectation of 10-15 more.

Aberdeen Group

Aberdeen Group reported a 9% year on year growth in assets under management and administration to £556 billion (31 December 2024: £511.4bn), benefiting from positive markets.

The interactive investor platform saw significant growth with 500,000 customers, a 14% rise, and Q4 net flows of £1.4bn.

Adviser net outflows were £(0.8)bn in Q4, impacted by pre-UK Budget redemptions, but full-year outflows improved to £(2.2)bn.

Investments AUM increased by 6% to £390.4bn, with Q4 net outflows of £(3)bn, which included a £4.5bn withdrawal from low-margin quant funds. The company expects full-year 2025 adjusted operating profit to be in line with market expectations.

CEO Jason Windsor said: “As today’s update underlines, Aberdeen is in much better shape than it was a year ago with each of our three businesses making progress as we deliver on our strategy to become the UK’s leading Wealth & Investments group.”

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Currys

Electricals retailer Currys said full-year profit was set to beat market expectations after “very strong” trading over the peak Christmas and new year period.

In the 10 weeks to 10 January, group sales rose 6%, with sales in the Nordic region up 12%, while the UK & Ireland saw a 3% increase.

The company now expects full-year adjusted pre-tax profit of between £180m and £190m, up 11% to 17% on the previous year – including “significant” growth in adjusted EBIT for the Nordics – and above consensus expectations of £180m.

JD Sports

Leisurewear retailer JD Sports Fashion posted another fall in underlying sales in the key Christmas trading period, with improved trends in the US offset by weaker trading in the UK and Europe.

The FTSE 100 group, which makes about 40% of its revenue in North America through its JD Sports, Hibbett, DTLR and Shoe Palace stores, said sales on a like-for-like basis fell 1.8% in the nine weeks to 3 January, compared with a 1.7% fall in the third quarter.

It expects year to end-January 2026 profit before tax and adjusting items to be in line with current market expectations of £849m, down from the £923m made in 2024/25.

The group said it anticipates a period of “muted market growth” in its 2026/27 year.