Money Minute, Wednesday 2 October: Tesco results and UK construction

Today we get first-half figures from supermarket giant Tesco, the latest ISM Construction Index for the UK, and US payrolls data.

This morning, in the UK, we get first-half figures from supermarket giant Tesco.Inevitably, any comments on the potential impact of Brexit will be pored over closely by the press.However, investors will pay most attention to like-for-like sales growth, and for signs of any strategy to tackle competition from the discount chains, Aldi and Lidl.

There may also be comment on Tesco's recent decision to sell its mortgage business to Lloyds Banking Group.

We also get the latest ISM Construction Index for the UK.The reading for August showed the sharpest decline since August 2009. Recent weak readings have largely been blamed on uncertainty over the timing and outcome of Brexit.

Subscribe to MoneyWeek

Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE

Get 6 issues free
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/mw70aro6gl1676370748.jpg

Sign up to Money Morning

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter

Sign up

In the US, we get the ADP private payrolls data. Markets keep an eye on this as it is often seen as providing a sneak preview of Friday's unemployment data, although the correlation between the two is weak.A big surprise in either direction could move the market.