UK homebuilder Persimmon has today declared another interim dividend of 70 pence per share.
It said it was fully sold up for the current year after benefiting from a strong summer bounce in the housing market.
The UK's second-largest homebuilder said trading during the summer weeks was robust and said it was confident that home completions in the second half of the year will be at least in line with last year.
Pent-up demand, stamp duty breaks and a gradual shift to spacious properties as Britons reassess housing needs at a time when a majority of them are working from home due to the coronavirus crisis have helped homebuilders recoup any hit to their businesses after the first round of lockdown.
While positive results from Pfizer's experimental Covid-19 vaccine has offered hopes of a quick rebound in the world economy, the UK also faces the risk of a no-deal Brexit in the next couple of months, potentially making it harder for the housing market to get back on its feet.
In tandem with Persimmon's upbeat trading update, its rival Taylor Wimpey gave a robust forecast for the next year yesterday.
Persimmon said its total forward sales have increased by 43% year-on-year to £1.36 billion for the current year and average private weekly sales rates per site was 38% ahead of last year.
