Housebuilders Persimmon and Vistry report growing customer demand post-lockdown July 9, 2020 UK housebuilders Persimmon and Vistry this morning reported a boost in customer demand since reopening sales offices after months at a standstill during the coronavirus lockdown. Persimmon said demand was “positive”, with reservations up 30 per cent year on year. The FTSE 100 firm’s share price jumped more than six per cent following the announcement. [...]
Stamp duty holiday: Industry reacts to property tax cut July 8, 2020 The UK property sector has reacted to the stamp duty holiday announced this afternoon, with many believing it will help to reinvigorate the market following months at a standstill during lockdown. Chancellor Rishi Sunak said this afternoon that the stamp duty threshold will increase from £125,000 to £500,000 until March next year to boost activity [...]
Housebuilder Vistry to cut jobs after acquisition of Galliford Try’s homes unit May 20, 2020 UK housebuilder Vistry warned it will cut more jobs as it continues to consolidate operations following Bovis Homes’ acquisition of and Galliford Try’s residential business. The firm, which was called Bovis until the merger last year, said a consultation on reducing its employee headcount was ongoing, and it expected the cuts to result in annual [...]
Coronavirus: There are opportunities for wily – and brave – investors May 4, 2020 Britain’s investors could be forgiven for feeling desperate in the current crisis. They have faced a triple whammy from world markets, governments and companies. Not only have they seen the value of their portfolios fall by up to 20%, but with company after company cancelling dividends, their income has fallen by half. Heavyweights such as [...]
Taylor Wimpey plans to start reopening construction sites next month April 23, 2020 Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey has announced plans to reopen the majority of its construction sites in England and Wales at the start of May. Taylor Wimpey will be the first major housebuilder to reopen sites after weeks of lockdown. The firm said site management teams will return on 4 May, with the first subcontractors returning on [...]
Coronavirus dividend cuts produce £4.4bn hit to investor portfolios March 27, 2020 With more UK firms announcing coronavirus-fuelled dividend cuts this week, the total loss of investor income so far this year is now £4.4bn. The pace of dividend cuts is accelerating as coronavirus wreaks havoc on world economies. In March 116 companies have suspended their dividends totalling £4.2bn, according to investment fund AJ Bell. That compares [...]
Bovis Homes to beat expectations with record profit for 2019 January 15, 2020 Vistry Group has reported that Bovis Homes is set to beat market expectations to deliver record profit despite political uncertainty putting pressure on prices last year. The housebuilder said this morning that it expects its Bovis operation to report pre-exceptional profit before tax for 2019 to be above an analyst consensus of £181.6m. Read more: [...]
Galliford Try boasts new contract wins after sale of housing arm January 9, 2020 Galliford Try shares soared this morning as the construction group touted a number of contract wins after the £1.1bn sale of its residential business. Chief executive Bill Hocking said the business had “good momentum” and a strong order book. Read more: Galliford Try joins the Winters of discontent Galliford, which completed the sale of its [...]
Bovis Homes completes £1.1bn Galliford Try acquisition January 3, 2020 UK housebuilder Bovis Homes this morning announced it has completed the £1.1bn purchase of two Galliford Try businesses, in a deal which could reshape the UK housing market. The agreement to buy Linden Homes, as well as Galliford Try’s own partnerships and regeneration business will create a top five housebuilder with the ability to provide [...]