Tuesday preview: UK borrowing data, Kingfisher results due

21st Sep 2026 15:24

(Sharecast News) - On Tuesday, investors will get an update on the UK's finances as well as interim numbers from Kingfisher and full-year results from Smiths Group.

UK public sector net borrowing figures for August are due to be released at a time of "intense volatility" for the UK gilt market, according to Kathleen Brooks, research director at XTB. "Concerns are growing about the rate of UK government borrowing, and the lack of effort to rein in spending," she said. "The IMF is speaking out about this on a global scale, but the UK is at the forefront of concerns about highly-indebted nations."

The August data is expected to show that borrowing jumped by £15.7bn in one month, pushing up net debt as a proportion of GDP. It currently it stands at 94.1%.

On the corporate front, all eyes will be on retailer Kingfisher, the blue-chip owner of B&Q, Screwfix and Europe's Castorama, and how it fared over the key spring season.

AJ Bell noted: "Tough prior year comparatives and a late start to spring dented the DIY group's first quarter like-for-like ales growth despite Screwfix continuing to take market share in trade. Nevertheless [Kingfisher] stuck with full-year guidance, which implies management confidence of returning to positive like-for-like sales growth on the back of a recovery in big ticket purchases."

As well as Kingfisher and engineer Smiths, Yu Group, Midwich and Mortgage Advice Bureau are also al reporting figures on Tuesday, while travel giant Tui will update on trading. Across the Atlantic, there are quarterly numbers from AutoZone.