Tuesday preview: UK GDP in focus; AG Barr, Nike results due

30th Mar 2026 15:23

(Sharecast News) - Tuesday will see the release of UK fourth-quarter GDP data, along with full-year results from Irn-Bru maker AG Barr and third-quarter numbers from US sportswear brand Nike.

AJ Bell analysts Russ Mould and Danni Hewson noted that a February trading update from drinks group AG Barr confirmed an in-line performance for the 2026 financial year characterised by double-digit profit growth amid a recovery in the UK soft drinks market.

"All eyes are now on the post year-end strategic acquisitions of Fentimans and Frobishers, which give AG Barr a foothold in the premium adult soft drinks market," they said.

"CEO Euan Sutherland expects these acquisitions to drive meaningful financial benefits over the medium term, supporting Irn-Bru's 'double in size' ambition.

"A continuing shift towards premiumisation, with consumers willing to fork out more for natural ingredients should help to counter volume pressures from sugar taxes and increasing regulation."

As far as the UK GDP figures are concerned, Michael Hewson at MCH Market Insights said there shouldn't be any surprises, with the numbers expected to confirm the economy barely grew in the final quarter of last year, "saved only by a fairly resilient services sector which helped the economy avoid a contraction to the tune of 0.1%".

He said: "While January and February saw a pickup in both manufacturing as well as service sector activity the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East is likely to have a chilling effect on growth as Q1 draws to a close with recent composite PMI data showing that input price inflation jumped to a three-year high as manufacturing costs surged, prompting a slowing of economic activity to the lowest levels in six months. Business activity expectations also slipped to a nine-month low, prompting concerns that the UK economy could be on the brink of stagflation."