House builder Persimmon Plc    said its net private sales rate per outlet per week was up 14% in the first nine weeks of 2025 with a current private forward order book of £1.15bn, 27% higher year on year.
Underlying pre-tax profit for 2024 was up 10% to £395.1m as completions rose 7% to 10,664. Persimmon is now targeting 11,000-11,500 completions in 2025.

"The underlying market fundamentals remain strong and we are encouraged by the further improvement in our sales rates in the early weeks of this year," chief executive Dean Finch said on Tuesday.

"The government's welcome planning reforms and pro-housebuilding agenda demands more of the high-quality, affordable homes which are Persimmon's core strength, providing a positive tailwind."

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com