Taylor Wimpey has reported that its trading performance in the year-to-date has been in line with expectations.

The housebuilder said that while the spring selling season had progressed as expected, it was being "mindful of recent macroeconomic volatility".

However, it noted that there are ongoing affordability challenges for some of its customers, particularly in the south of England, although the firm said it was continuing to attract "good quality customer interest".

Taylor Wimpey added that its net private sales rate increased year-on-year from 0.74 sales per outlet per week in 2024 to 0.77 in the current financial year. Its total order book value stands at £2.33bn, compared to £2.09bn in the same period in 2024.

Despite this, the firm’s 2024 final ordinary dividend has fallen from 4.79 pence per share to 4.66 pence year-on-year.

Chief executive at Taylor Wimpey, Jennie Daly, said: "The spring selling season has progressed in line with expectations, with good levels of customer demand reflected in our sales rate. As a result, we are today reiterating our guidance for full year UK completions excluding JVs and group operating profit. Notwithstanding the wider macroeconomic backdrop, affordability is improving with lenders remaining committed to the housing market, albeit first time buyers continue to experience some challenges.

"Planning reforms are positive, but these do require increased resources and a focus on the implementation phase to drive outcomes and deliver much-needed new homes across the country."

Property analyst at Quilter Cheviot, Oli Creasey, said that the trading statement represents a "mixed set of results".

He added: "On the positive side, the spring selling season has so far progressed as expected, and macroeconomic factors have so far not had a meaningful impact on sales. Q1 sales rates per outlet slightly ahead of the same period in 2024, supported by a healthy level of mortgage availability. Housebuilding is an industry that ought to feel limited first-order impacts from trade tariffs, although a drop in consumer confidence could pose risks. However, Taylor Wimpey has reiterated previous guidance for completion volumes and average sale prices in 2025.

"While sales rates per outlet are incrementally up year-on-year, Taylor Wimpey is operating with fewer outlets than in 2024, leading to a 6% decline in sales volumes. This is a temporary issue, with Taylor Wimpey intending to open more outlets later in the year. Similarly, operating margins are likely to decline in H1 2025 compared due to lower pricing in the order book at the start of the year.

"Again, it appears that the pricing conditions have since improved, but the company has to work through these lower margin orders. Investors will be frustrated that the company is not yet signalling margin recovery, something that is starting to be visible elsewhere in the sector."

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