(Recasts, adds Wetherspoon Chairman comment, analysts, shareprice reaction, context)
By Rahul B
Sept 9 (Reuters) - Pub operator J D Wetherspoon gavean upbeat evaluation of its post-Brexit prospects on Friday,even as a trading update from rival Greene King cast anervous eye towards Britain's impending departure from theEuropean Union.
The rivals' share prices diverged after Wetherspoonannounced better than expected results while Greene King warnedof tougher trading conditions ahead, adding to the mixedmessages on Britain's economic outlook since its EU referendumin June.
"I haven't seen a loss of confidence among customers. Peoplein Britain are feeling good," Wetherspoon Chairman Tim Martintold Reuters after the company reported a 3.6 percent rise inpretax profit in the 52 weeks to July 24.
More pertinent to his post-Brexit assessment, however, was a4.1 percent increase in sales since July 24, while Greene Kingsaid its like-for-like sales had grown 1.7 percent since the endof its financial year on May 1.
"While the broader implications remain unclear, a number ofrecent industry surveys have flagged risks to leisure spend andwe are alert to a potentially tougher trading environmentahead," a Greene King statement said.
The company, which brews ales such as Old Speckled Hen, hadcautioned in June that uncertainty arising from the Brexit votewould weigh on consumer sentiment.
Stifel analysts described Greene King's sales as "somewhatdisappointing" because they implied that growth had slowed sincethe end of June.
Shares in Wetherspoon, which owns more than 950 pubs inBritain and Ireland, rose 6 percent to a record high in morningtrade and were up 4.8 percent at 969 pence at 1111 GMT.
Greene King shares were down 4.5 percent at 803 pence.
"Wetherspoon probably outperformed Greene King because mostof its growth is generally organic," said Investec analyst KarlBurns, citing the company's market position and the brand'sreputation for value.
"Most of Greene King's growth is capex driven, so it takestime to come through", he added.
(Editing by David Goodman)
Wetherspoon (J.D) (JDW)
