Persimmon has seen completions rise and an increase in profit and revenue in its half-year results.
For the six months ending 30 June 2026, Persimmon saw new home completions grow to 5,189, up 13% from 4,605 in H1 2025.
The Group reported revenue of £1.48billion, up 13% from £1.31billion the previous year, while its underlying operating profit rose by 10% from £172million to £189.1million.
Persimmon’s average house price saw a slight increase during the period, up 1% to £285,752, while its net private sales rate in the first half rose by 7% to 0.75 per outlet per week.
Dean Finch, group chief executive of Persimmon, said: “Persimmon delivered a strong first half performance, growing our market share, increasing completions by 13% and underlying operating profit by 10%. In a challenging market, this performance demonstrates the strength of our established strategy, product mix and geographic footprint, alongside the benefits of our lower cost operating model, sustained investment in the business and ongoing commitment to self-help. We remain on track to deliver growth in 2026 in line with market expectations. I want to thank all my colleagues and our supply chain for their continued hard work in delivering this result.”
Despite the positive start to the year, Persimmon said that it had seen open market sales soften in recent weeks as market conditions “remain challenging”. The Group says that website traffic continues to be strongly ahead of the previous year, although it had experienced weaker enquiries in July.
Looking ahead, Persimmon says that it remains well-placed to deliver further growth. The housebuilder says that the market continues to experience both a long-term undersupply of housing and affordability challenges for new homeowners, but believes that the government is focused and addressing these and that it is well placed to respond.
The Group says that it is on track to deliver around 12,500 completions over the full year, at the upper end of its previous guidance, with pre-tax profit set to be in line with market expectations.
Dean Finch continued: “Market conditions remain challenging, with affordability constraints and build cost pressures affecting the sector. We have responded quickly, taking clear management action focusing on driving operational efficiencies throughout the business. Our disciplined land buying, industry-leading cost efficiency and vertically integrated operating platform give us important structural advantages as we seek to mitigate cost pressures and support growth.”
“Persimmon’s strategy is delivering growth. Having significantly invested in our strategy over recent years, our focus is increasingly on converting those investments into improving returns. Our disciplined land investment at better margins, outlet growth, stronger brands and increasingly differentiated operating platform position us to progressively deliver higher volumes, stronger cash-generation and improving returns over time.”
