Adds details and background throughout

July 23 (Reuters) - British kitchen and interior fittings supplier Howden Joinery HWDN.L kept its annual outlook unchanged on Thursday as it hedged fuel expenses through the end of the year and maintained stock availability for peak trading.

Here are some more details:

• Weak consumer sentiment linked to the U.S.-Israel war with Iran has weighed on consumer demand, but Howden has been opening new depots, launching products, and developing its digital platforms to retain its trade customer base

• "We are well prepared for our peak trading period in the autumn, supported by our best-ever product line-up across kitchens and joinery" - CEO Andrew Livingston

• The company said it had good supply chain visibility and contingency plans in place to manage any further disruption

• Analysts at Jefferies said the results should be "well received", noting the company maintained a steady sales growth rate despite a weak demand backdrop reported by home-improvement peers such as Wickes WIX.L and Topps Tiles TPT.L

• Howden reported a 4.3% rise in underlying pretax profit to £122.2 million ($163.5 million) for the 24 weeks ended June 13

• According to a company-compiled consensus, analysts expect 2026 pretax profit of £361 million, with forecasts ranging from £341 million to £366 million

($1 = £0.7475)