London, Feb 16, 2026, 11:31 GMT — Regular session
Shares of J Sainsbury plc (SBRY) inched higher in London on Monday, as investors positioned for a run of UK data that could reshape interest-rate bets. The stock was up 0.17% at 352.8 pence by 1104 GMT, company share-price data showed. (Sainsbury’s)
The nudge higher came with UK equities firmer after a bruising week for financial stocks, and with attention turning to inflation and retail sales figures due in the days ahead. The FTSE 100 was up 0.41% by 0925 GMT, supported by a rebound in banks. (Reuters)
Markets have been jumpy around anything tied to earnings durability and business-model risk, with artificial intelligence the latest stress point. Deutsche Bank strategist Jim Reid said investors still “won’t have enough evidence to identify the structural winners and losers with confidence,” a warning that fits this tape. (Reuters)
Sainsbury has traded in a 349.4p to 353.6p range so far on Monday, after a prior close of 352.2p, according to Investing.com data. Rival Tesco was little changed. (Investing.com UK)
The first near-term marker is the UK’s January consumer price inflation report, scheduled for Feb. 18 at 0700 GMT. A hotter or cooler reading can quickly shift expectations for borrowing costs and, by extension, how stretched household budgets may look into spring. (Office for National Statistics)
Two days later comes the Office for National Statistics’ January retail sales report, due Feb. 20 at 0700 GMT. For supermarkets and other consumer names, it is a quick read on whether spending held up after the holiday period. (Office for National Statistics)
The Bank of England’s next policy decision is due on March 19, and the Bank Rate is 3.75%, according to the central bank’s schedule. Money markets have been trying to judge how fast the BoE can ease without reigniting price pressures. (Bank of England)
But the same data that cheers rate-cut hopes can also bite. An upside inflation surprise could lift bond yields and sap appetite for rate-sensitive UK shares, while renewed price competition in groceries would squeeze margins even if volumes hold up.
Sainsbury’s next big company catalyst is its preliminary results on April 23. Investors will look for signs that food inflation is cooling without forcing the group into heavier promotions, and for clues on demand beyond the weekly essentials. (Sainsbury’s)
