Persimmon PLC is one of the UK’s largest housebuilders, with over 30 years of experience in the industry. The company builds homes across the United Kingdom, focusing on providing high-quality, energy-efficient new builds across a range of prices to suit different budgets.

This article will look at the Persimmon share price history throughout 2023. Understanding recent stock price performance can give investors critical insights into the housebuilder’s business, the broader housing market, and the factors impacting financial results. Read on for an in-depth analysis.

Persimmon Share Price History In 2023

The Persimmon share price in 2023 has seen significant fluctuation, ranging from a low of 1,016.00p in October to a high of 1,452.50p in February. After ending in 2022, Persimmon kicked off the new year with a moderate increase to 1,452.50p in February. However, March saw the first drop of the year, falling to 1,256.00p. This decrease continued into April, bottoming out at 1,016.00p in October after declines each month from March through September.

The lowest point in October denotes the Persimmon share price losing over 43% of its value from the 2023 peak seen less than eight months prior in February. Speculation points to rising interest rates, inflation, and broader economic uncertainty weighing down homebuilder shares like Persimmon for much of the year. The October pricing reflects Persimmon fighting an uphill battle to drive new home sales while buyers face mounting affordability challenges. Fortunately, the homebuilder’s shares rebounded over the next two months. After hitting 1,016.00p in October, 

The Persimmon stock price rose to 1,077.50p in September, then 1,066.00p in August. The Persimmon share price recovery has continued through the end of the year, reaching 1,251.50p in November and 1,309.50p thus far in December. Persimmon has overcome the housing headwinds it battled during the middle stretch of 2023. With one month left, investors hope this positive share price trajectory carries Persimmon strongly into 2024.

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Factors Influencing the Persimmon Share Price

Multiple interlinked factors drive volatility in Persimmon’s valuation over time. As a major UK housebuilder, the company’s financials closely correlate with housing market activity and construction industry costs. At the same time, economic conditions weigh on consumer confidence to buy new homes.

1. UK House Prices and Housing Market Activity

After decades of undersupply, the UK continues to suffer from a structural housing shortage. While constraints limit how quickly the construction industry can deliver new stock, house price growth has accelerated hugely post-pandemic until 2022. As the market overheated, affordability deteriorated, which has slowed activity. However, conditions still compare reasonably to the pre-pandemic environment.

2. Mortgage Availability and Interest Rates

Access to home loans and the associated cost of borrowing play a significant role in influencing housing demand. Mortgage rates increased substantially as the Bank of England raised interest rates aggressively to combat high inflation during 2022 and 2023. This reduces purchasing power for buyers, reflected by declines in the Persimmon share price this year.

3. Construction Costs

Rising materials and labor expenses squeeze housebuilders’ profit margins when they cannot entirely pass higher costs through to customers. Building cost inflation, still running hot in 2023, continues to weigh on financial results. However, receding price pressures could relieve margin pressure looking ahead.

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4. Government Policy/Regulation

Schemes such as Help to Buy have provided crucial support underpinning the UK’s newly built housing market over the last decade. While less influential recently, changes to such stimulus programs can significantly impact demand. So far, government policy has remained largely supportive of housebuilders like Persimmon.

5. Broader Economic Conditions

The wider state of the UK economy influences multiple drivers for the housing market, especially consumer confidence and risk appetite. As the country faces a recession during 2023 while real wages drop amid elevated inflation, analysts expect further housing activity to slow down until macro conditions stabilize.

Is Persimmon Paying a Dividend in 2023?

The company has consistently rewarded shareholders with bi-annual payouts since 2014, thanks to its strong cash generation capabilities, even through the ups and downs of the housing market. Reviewing Persimmon’s 2023 interim dividends confirms the company is maintaining distributions despite facing some demand pressures this year.

Dividend stability highlights the business strength and resilience of Persimmon’s operations. For example, the 7.53% dividend yield recently distributed on Nov 03, 2023, or the 4.70% paid in May 2023, demonstrates the board’s confidence in its ongoing financial performance.

In making dividend decisions, Persimmon’s management emphasizes sustainable shareholder returns balanced with necessary reinvestment in the business to support growth. So, while macro housing volatility impacts interim profits, cash generation enables the continuation of payouts without financially overextending the company. The substantial yields distributed in 2023 follow similarly high levels the preceding year, like the 15.72% payment in July 2022 or 10.06% of April 2022 profits shared.

How do I Buy Shares in Persimmon?

For those interested in buying exposure to Persimmon stock, there are three main options:

In the Stock Market

Individual investors can buy and sell Persimmon shares through an online share dealing account or stockbroker. The company trades on the London Stock Exchange primary market under the ticker PSN. Before investing, thoroughly research the outlook and evaluate your risk tolerance.

Over the Counter

Some brokers facilitate off-exchange trading directly between investors in specific stocks. This allows for buying/selling shares without going through the formal exchange system. However, liquidity risks are higher when transacting over the counter.

Via a Broker

Opening an account with a share dealing platform or brokerage provides the means to invest in stocks like Persimmon online. Leading UK brokers offer apps, low commissions, ISAs, research, and more. Compare offerings to find one that matches your cost, tools, and customer service preferences.

Conclusion

Persimmon maintains its long-standing dividend despite battling headwinds that squeezed profits, highlighting business resilience. The company recently distributed a substantial 7.53% yield on Nov 03, 2023. While pressures persist in the UK housing sector, analysts remain cautiously optimistic about leading housebuilders like Persimmon rebounding as markets stabilize.

With under a month left in 2023, investors hope the recent upward trajectory in the Persimmon share price continues into 2024. Anyone interested in gaining exposure can buy the company’s stock through the markets.com platform. Our platform offers a contract for difference (CFDs) type of trading where you will speculate the assets without owning them physically. 

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“When considering “CFDs” for trading and price predictions, remember that trading CFDs involves a significant risk and could result in capital loss. Past performance is not indicative of any future results. This information is provided for informative purposes only and should not be considered investment advice.”