Berkeley Group have steadied the ship and maintained guidance as cost inflation slows amid falling sales.
The group noted prices have been resilient, but sales rates are still around a third lower than they were in the same period last year. Higher mortgage rates are to blame for lower sales — a familiar story across the FTSE 350 housebuilders.
The focus for all housebuilding trading updates and results is now what the company thinks will happen in the future. Everyone knows they’ve had a terrible time, so poor historical sales are of little consequence. The emphasis is on what companies see happening with sales in the future. In this respect, Berkeley didn’t disappoint.
“Berkeley has delivered another solid performance in a difficult trading environment. Sales reservations are down around a third reflecting higher interest rates and weak economic sentiment,” said Charlie Huggins, Fund Manager at Wealth Club.
“But pricing and margins have remained firm, while build cost inflation has moderated. This means the group has reiterated its medium-term profit guidance.”
Investors will be encouraged the group has secured all sales for the year ended April 2024 and has secured 70% of sales for next year. Berkeley said enquiries levels have been ‘good’.
The company declared a 33p dividend in February and remains committed to returning an additional £227m to shareholders by September 2024.
“The firm has sales secured to the end of this financial year as well as 70% of next year, which is a strong position to be in as we start to see some aggravating factors subside, particularly when we begin to see rate cuts which will make the market significantly more attractive,” said Adam Vettese, analyst at investment platform eToro.
“Berkeley Group shares are only 5% off their 52-week high, and given their smart management of a tough market, there’s no reason why they can’t push on in 2024.”