Thursday preview: Walmart, Hays, JD Sports results due
By Michele Maatouk
Date: Wednesday 19 Aug 2026
(Sharecast News) - On Thursday, UK corporate releases will include full-year results from recruiter Hays and a trading statement from sportswear retailer JD Sports.
In the US, quarterly results from Walmart, Deere & Co and Alibaba will be out.
AJ Bell analysts Russ Mould and Danni Hewson said: "The value-focused retailer trades on a premium valuation which raises the bar for Walmart to deliver better than expected results.
"Walmart has been gaining share among higher income householders trading down, so a key question for investors is whether this trend holds amid headwinds in its health and wellness business.
"Investors will be hoping to see continued strength across higher margin e-commerce, advertising and membership fees, which help reduce cost pressures in its grocery arm.
"The conservative outlook which accompanied first-quarter results prompted a sell-off in the shares which now lag the S&P 500 over the last 12 months. Reports of the Walton family selling a chunk of their stake in the business have added to shareholder unease."
On the macro front, eurozone construction output figures for June are due, along with the latest US initial jobless claims and the Philadelphia Fed manufacturing survey for August.
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