'Persimmon has performed well in challenging market'
Housebuilder Persimmon said it has traded well in a challenging market and is on track to deliver a performance for 2025 in line with market expectations.
Dean Finch, group chief executive, said York-based Persimmon had reported increased sales rates, more sales outlets, and robust pricing as the company delivered an update on trading for the period from July 1 2025.
Mr Finch added: "This demonstrates the benefit of the investment made in the business in recent years. Our forward sales are up 15 per cent and we remain on track to deliver our 2025 performance in line with market expectations.
“While we are mindful of the current macroeconomic environment and the short-term challenges facing our industry, we are confident in the underlying strength of the market over the medium term.”
He said Persimmon had been leveraging its “differentiated platform”, which was driven by an investment in land, continued success on securing planning consents, vertical integration and “our commitment to quality and customer service”.
He added: “We are investing to position the business for future success.”
Oli Creasey, head of property research at Quilter Cheviot said Persimmon's third quarter trading statement portrayed the company as making steady progress year-on-year despite macroeconomic headwinds.
He added: "Management has confirmed that the company is on track to hit key sell-side consensus estimates, notably a volume of 11,300 homes in 2025, +6 per cent compared to 2024.
“The company's sales rate (sales per outlet per week) has increased by 9 per cent for the second half of 2025 so far, and while a lot of that increase has come from bulk sales, the private sales rate has improved as well.
"The number of outlets is also increased, and the average selling price has nudged up by 1.5 per cent as well.
“The management highlights ongoing affordability constraints and the upcoming Budget as headwinds for the business but appear positive that the outlook for the business remains relatively strong, and performance compares well against peers such as Taylor Wimpey, who yesterday announced a 11 per cent fall in its sales rate.
"The difference in sales rates may be partly due to differing geographic biases, with Persimmon more focused on the relatively affordable North of England and with limited exposure to the South East and London, but also reflects the management decisions made at Persimmon, such as the vertical integration of material supply and the recently announced "Rezide" shared equity product.”
The company will deliver its full year trading update on January 13 2026.