Large UK housebuilder to restore dividend on 'excellent' second half of year

Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

UK housebuilder Persimmon posted a plunge in first-half profit after lockdown disrupted construction and home sales, but said it would reinstate its dividend after an “excellent start” to the second half of the year.

The company's shares climbed 8%, to be a top gainer on the Ftse-100 index and helping it restore most of its losses since the onset of the Covid-19 crisis in March.