Completions down by more than a third at Persimmon

Completions down by more than a third at Persimmon

Persimmon has reported a significant fall in housing completions and warned it expects market conditions to remain “highly uncertain”. 

The FTSE 250 housebuilder said new home completions were down 37% year on year at 1,439 in the quarter to November 6 and that it was seeing prices for forward orders of new homes for private sale fall 2% to about £277,750.

“Partnership” homes delivered for housing associations fell by 45% from 376 last year to just 205 between 1 July and 6 November.

The group’s forward sales have increased since the half year, to £1.6 billion from £1.4bn, although it remains 23% lower year on year.

Persimmon said: “Into 2024, we anticipate market conditions will remain highly uncertain.”

It added: “On the whole, pricing remains broadly stable although we have seen a slight reduction in group private average selling price in the forward order book and an increase in the use of incentives, particularly in the south where affordability constraints are greater.”

Dean Finch, chief executive of Persimmon, said: “While the near term is likely to remain challenging and we remain disciplined on costs, we continue to position the business for growth when the market recovers, as demonstrated by our further progress on planning in the period.”

Share icon
Share this article: