Persimmon rewards investors as housing sales surge

The group confirmed its building sites and sales offices are continuing to operate throughout the second lockdown, though it added a note of caution amid potential further measures to control the pandemic and economic uncertainty.

It declared another interim dividend payout to investors of 70p a share, on top of the 40p a share paid out in September.

Together, the payouts replace the 110p a share final divi for 2019 that was postponed at the beginning of the crisis.

Persimmon’s recently appointed chief executive Dean Finch, who took on the role at the end of September, said: “Persimmon continues to perform robustly despite the significant challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, and we are currently on course to deliver a good result for 2020.”

The group added: “We are well prepared for this second lockdown and continue to work with our subcontractors and supply chain to maintain the group’s operations.

“We remain mindful, however, of the potential for further disruption from additional Government-mandated measures to control the pandemic and the impact of ongoing uncertainty on the UK economy.”

Shares fell 5.2pc to £26.45.