Mitchells & Butlers to Benefit Only Modestly From Business Rate Cut -- Market Talk

1056 GMT - Pub, bar and restaurant chain Mitchells & Butlers is well-placed to continue gaining market share despite the cost-pressure backdrop, Jefferies analysts James Wheatcroft and Matthew Copeland write. The company--which houses the All Bar One and Harvester brands--reported like-for-like sales growth of 2.2% for the 42 weeks ended July 18 and reiterated that it expects cost inflation of 120 million pounds this fiscal year. The analysts see only a modest benefit from the U.K. Government's 20% cut to business rates which becomes effective April next year. Jefferies has a buy rating on the stock and 355 pence target price. Shares are down 5.1% at 261 pence. (ian.walker@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 23, 2026 06:58 ET (10:58 GMT)