The 15% slide in Persimmon’s share price from its mid-February near 1 ½ year 1552p high means that all this year’s gains have been wiped off.
The October to mid-November 2025 highs and December low at 1292.5p – 1,278.5p represent a key support area which the persimmon share price is getting very close to. While it holds on a weekly chart closing basis, the medium-term uptrend is deemed to stay intact despite this week’s sharp sell-off.
Were this support zone to give way, though, the 200-day simple moving average (SMA) at 1,268.3p may be revisited, and, if fallen through, the November lows at 1,191.5p – 1187.0p.
Berkeley provides London market insight
Following Persimmon’s results, investors will also be digesting Berkeley Group’s latest third quarter (Q3) 2025 sales and revenue release expected to be announced on the 14th of March. It should provide insight into conditions at the premium end of the housing market. Berkeley’s business is heavily concentrated in London and the South East, meaning its trading trends often reflect sentiment among higher-income buyers and international investors.
While Berkeley has historically been more resilient than many peers due to its focus on long-term developments and urban regeneration projects, the company has warned that elevated borrowing costs and slower transaction volumes continue to weigh on demand across parts of the capital.
Taylor Wimpey highlights margin challenges
Results published yesterday by Taylor Wimpey underline the challenging operating environment facing the industry. The housebuilder reported higher revenue of about £3.8 billion for 2025, up from £3.40 billion the previous year, reflecting increased completions and higher selling prices. However, profitability has come under pressure, with pre-tax profit falling sharply to £146.5m due mainly to exceptional costs linked to cladding remediation, while the housebuilder said the spring selling season had started well despite ongoing market uncertainty.
Sales activity has remained relatively steady, with reservation rates broadly unchangedYoY and cancellation levels stable. However, a lower order book heading into 2026 suggests that housebuilders are entering the new year with less visibility on future demand than in previous cycles.
Vistry sell-off shocks sector
The sector’s fragile investor sentiment was highlighted this week when Vistry shares plunged more than 25 percent on Wednesday after the company warned that margins could weaken in 2026 despite expectations for rising revenue and volumes.