Week Ahead: Data, FTSE Updates, and U.S. Jobs Report in Focus
September signals the end of summer holidays and the return of a packed market calendar, with a mix of macroeconomic data and steady corporate newsflow from both the FTSE 100/250 and overseas.
The week culminates with the closely watched U.S. jobs report, after July’s disappointing figures triggered political drama in Washington when Donald Trump dismissed the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Monday 1 September – Manufacturing Data & Kainos in Focus
The week kicks off with a wave of manufacturing PMIs from China, Europe, and the UK, alongside UK lending and mortgage data.
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Kainos Group (LSE:KNOS) headlines the corporate calendar with a trading update. Analysts highlight its exposure to the “real economy” side of AI adoption — embedding digital transformation rather than chasing hype.
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Results due: Team Internet (Interims), XP Factory (Finals).
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Macro: Caixin Manufacturing PMI (CHN), UK Nationwide House Prices, EU/UK Manufacturing PMIs, EU Unemployment.
Tuesday 2 September – Oxford Nanopore Earnings
Oxford Nanopore Technologies (LSE:ONT) reports interims after a strong summer rally lifted shares to two-year highs. Investors will be watching for growth signals beyond its core research markets.
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Results due: Everplay, Johnson Service, Michelmersh Brick, Oxford Nanopore, Uniphar (Interims); Alumasc (Finals).
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Overseas: Alimentation Couche-Tard, Zscaler, NIO, Signet Jewelers.
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Macro: EU Inflation, U.S. ISM Manufacturing PMI.
Wednesday 3 September – M&G and Ashtead Updates
M&G (LSE:MNG) interims are set to show fund flows of ~£0.4bn and operating profits up to £398m (from £375m YoY).
Ashtead Group (LSE:AHT) issues a Q1 update, hoping to pick up pace after slowing growth in its U.S. rental arm.
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Results due: Bakkavor, Cairn Homes, Churchill China, Hilton Food, M&G, NCC (Interims).
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Overseas: Salesforce, HP Enterprises, Dollar Tree, GameStop, Gap, Macy’s, American Eagle.
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Macro: Services PMIs (CHN, UK, EU, U.S.), JOLTS Job Openings (U.S.), Fed Beige Book, Auto Sales, Factory Orders.
Thursday 4 September – Currys Update
Currys (LSE:CURY) delivers a Q1 update. The group reinstated its dividend in July and analysts highlight mobile arm iD Mobile as a potential hidden gem. Consensus sees full-year adjusted PBT at £167m.
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Results due: Alfa Financial, Apax Global Alpha, Funding Circle, Grafton, Int’l Public Partnerships, Vistry, WAG Payment Solutions (Interims); Genus, Newmark Security (Finals).
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Overseas: Broadcom, Lululemon, DocuSign, UiPath.
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Macro: UK Construction PMI, UK Car Sales, EU Retail Sales, U.S. ISM Services, Jobless Claims, ADP Jobs, Balance of Trade, Oil Stocks.
Friday 5 September – U.S. Jobs Report
The week closes with the U.S. non-farm payrolls (NFP) report — now a political flashpoint. July’s weak 73k print (later downwardly revised to just 14–19k in prior months) cost BLS chief Erika McEntarfer her job, replaced by Trump ally EJ Antoni.
Consensus for August sits at 78k payrolls. The data will be closely scrutinised for Fed policy implications.
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Corporate: Berkeley Group (AGM trading update), Ashmore (Finals), Camellia (Interims).
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Macro: Halifax UK House Prices, EU GDP, UK Retail Sales, U.S. Payrolls & Unemployment.
