Persimmon targets 12,500 home completions by 2026 as UK market stays tough

UK housebuilder Persimmon plc said it expects to deliver home completions at the upper end of its guidance, aiming for around 12,500 completions by 2026 despite a challenging property market. The company reported a 13% rise in new home completions to 5,189 in the first half of the year, while group revenue grew 15% to £1.73 billion and pre‑tax profit increased 15% to £168 million. Private sales were up 6% in the five weeks to the end of June, although open‑market sales have softened.

Chief Executive Dean Finch attributed the performance to the firm’s product mix, geographic footprint and lower‑cost operating model, adding that the results demonstrate the strength of its strategy. Analyst Oli Creasey of Quilter Cheviot called Persimmon’s half‑year results “unusual for a UK housebuilder” and noted the company is navigating the toughest market conditions in recent history better than peers.