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In a City trading update, the York-based group said first quarter performance was in line with expectations, with private sales rates ticking up and forward orders strengthening.<\/p>\n
Net private sales per outlet edged up 3% to 0.76, while private forward sales climbed 7% to \u00a31.8bn. Average selling prices also firmed, rising 5% to around \u00a3306,900.<\/p>\n
But the house builder signalled a shift in cost dynamics, pointing to rising energy costs as a key inflation trigger likely to hit later this year.<\/p>\n
Group chief executive Dean Finch said there were \u201cearly signs of increased inflationary pressure\u201d, with supply chain costs expected to build into the second half of 2026 and into 2027.<\/p>\n
Persimmon said it is moving early to contain the impact, leaning on long-term supplier relationships and its vertically integrated delivery model to keep a lid on build costs.<\/p>\n
The business is also tightening internal cost controls and reviewing efficiencies across operations as part of a wider push to protect margins.<\/p>\n
Despite the warning signs, the builder stressed there has been no material impact on trading or supply chain performance so far, with build programmes and sales rates holding steady.<\/p>\n
The group added that more than half of its private homes for 2026 are already secured, alongside almost all housing association completions, giving it forward visibility as cost pressures emerge.<\/p>\n
Persimmon expects to deliver between 12,000 and 12,500 completions this year, with pre-tax profit forecast to land in line with market expectations.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n