Persimmon lands Jefferies top pick call, shares backed by bullish sector view

By Anna Wagner, Analysts & Consensus desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-26, 15:18.

Persimmon (GB0030927254) is back in analyst focus after Jefferies identified the UK housebuilder as its top sector pick for 2026–27, with the shares trading on the London Stock Exchange. The US broker sets a Buy rating and a 1,815p price target, implying roughly 36 percent upside from a cited 1,335p level according to a June 26 note.

What Jefferies highlights

Jefferies’ research points to Persimmon’s land pipeline, outlet expansion and premium brand positioning as core drivers of its constructive view on the stock. The brokerage expects returns to accelerate over the next two years as more sites come on stream and margins widen amid operational efficiencies.

The note also sketches a path for gearing to turn positive by 2027–28, framing Persimmon as a potential source of rising investor returns if execution stays on track in the UK housebuilding sector. In this context Persimmon sits alongside peers such as Barratt Developments and Taylor Wimpey, but Jefferies singles it out as the most attractive opportunity in the group.

How the wider analyst consensus looks

Beyond Jefferies, the broader analyst community remains constructive on Persimmon. Data compiled by Investing.com shows a Buy consensus rating based on 19 analysts, with 14 recommending Buy, 5 Hold and none flagging a Sell. The average 12-month price target stands around 1,342.4p, with a high estimate of 1,700p and a low of 970p.

At a current price of roughly 1,133.5p, the consensus implies a potential upside of about 18 percent. The shares have traded in a 52-week range between 1,012p and 1,552p, leaving the stock below last year’s highs but above the lower bound of that corridor. This keeps Persimmon positioned as a relatively high-yield, cyclical play on the UK housing market with analyst expectations of gradual recovery in activity.

The business behind the stock

Persimmon generates its revenues primarily by building and selling new homes across the United Kingdom, operating through brands such as Persimmon Homes, Charles Church and Westbury Partnerships. Its core activity spans land acquisition, planning, construction and sales of residential units, with completions rising 12 percent in the 2025 financial year to 11,905 homes.

For the year ended December 31, 2025, Persimmon reported revenue of £3.75 billion, up 17 percent year on year. Underlying operating profit increased 17 percent to £472.1 million, with the underlying operating margin improving to 14.3 percent. Underlying basic earnings per share reached 100.7p, 9 percent higher than the prior year, underlining the earnings capacity of its UK-focused housebuilding model.

Where the shares trade today

Persimmon shares (GB0030927254) trade on the London Stock Exchange under the ticker PSN. As of 2026-06-26, 14:15 London time, indicative data from Davy shows the shares at around 1,128.5p, with an intraday range between 1,095p and 1,137p in the latest session.

Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a recommendation to buy or sell any financial instrument, or a solicitation of any transaction. All data are based on sources believed to be reliable but may be subject to change. Investors should conduct their own research or consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.