Persimmon improves completion guidance despite 'challenging' housing market

Housebuilder Persimmon said it still expects completions at the “upper end” of its targets despite a challenging UK housing market. CEO Dean Finch pointed to affordability constraints and build-cost pressures weighing on the sector, but the company said profit guidance remains on track. Persimmon expects to complete around 12,500 homes in 2026, matching the top end of previous guidance. In the first half, completions rose 13% to 5,189, while group revenue increased 15% to £1.73 billion for the six months to June 30. Pre-tax profit climbed 15% to £168 million. Private sales improved, but open-market sales have softened slightly in recent weeks.