By Elena Vardon

J.D. Wetherspoon said its profits for the first half and the full year are likely to be lower than a year prior due to higher-than-expected costs, despite increased sales.

The London-listed pub operator on Wednesday reported that like-for-like sales for the 25 weeks to Jan. 18 rose 4.7% on year, helped by stronger growth during the second quarter and Christmas period.

Bar sales were up 6.9%, food sales edged up 1.3%, gambling machine sales climbed 9.1%, though hotel room sales slipped 0.7% in the period.

In the year to date, total sales have grown 5.3%, it added.

Weighing down on this top-line growth are heavier costs. Wetherspoon said its energy, wages, repairs and business rates rose by 45 million pounds ($60.5 million) in the first 25 weeks.

The group has said in the past that U.K. government policies would push up costs and dent its performance.

"If the current sales momentum continues, the company currently anticipates a full year trading outcome slightly below that achieved in FY25," Chair Tim Martin said. First-half profits are also likely to come in below what it made for the comparable period last year, he added.

The group is due to publish interim results for the half year through Jan. 25 on March 20.

Write to Elena Vardon at elena.vardon@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

January 21, 2026 02:50 ET (07:50 GMT)

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