Bellway has increased its forecast for the number of homes it will build this year after reporting “robust” trading in spring.
In its trading update for 1 February to 1 June, the housebuilder said it had seen “good levels of customer demand and improved affordability” as interest rates dropped in recent months.
As a result, Bellway now expects to build between 8,600 and 8,700 homes this financial year, surpassing its previous prediction of 8,500 homes. It marks a significant increase on its output last year where the developer built 7,654 homes.
During the period, Bellway traded from an average of 242 outlets, slightly lower than the 245 in 2024. However, it still expects to operate from an average of around 245 outlets for the full financial year.
Jason Honeyman, group chief executive of Bellway, said: “Bellway has delivered a solid trading performance, and we are on track to deliver strong growth in volume output and profits in the full financial year.
“We have a healthy forward order book and outlet opening programme, which will serve as a platform for further growth in full-year 2026.”
In the past four months, Bellway said that it had seen “a sustained increase” in private reservations and stronger future orders, with its forward order book increasing by 7.7% and comprising 5,759 homes as of 1 June.
The housebuilder also said that it expects its average selling price to increase from its initial guidance of £310,000 to £315,000 for the year.
The trading update repeated Bellway’s statement in March that it would be able to achieve 20% volume growth by 31 July 2026 if market conditions remain stable.
Jason Honeyman continued: “I remain confident that, supported by the group’s operational strengths, land bank depth and an increased focus on cash generation and capital efficiency, Bellway can capitalise on the positive fundamentals of our industry and deliver volume growth, improved returns and ongoing value creation for shareholders.”
