-- adds broker comment, share price --
Housebuilder Taylor Wimpey (LON:TW.) will rack up record profits in 2015 as it built more homes than at any time over the past six years.
The group completed 13,341 properties in total, a 7% increase on the previous year.
House prices rose by 8% to £230,000 as the company focused on better quality locations, while margins also hit a record of more than 20%.
Pete Redfern, chief executive, said it was a strong trading performance in a good market.
“Housing remains high on the political agenda, with a recognition of the structural demand and supply imbalance that exists in the UK.“
Orders at the year-end were also a record at £1.8bn, an increase in value of 27%.
Broker Shore Capital suggested the numbers lacked a bit of sparkle despite the records.
“Numbers are broadly in line with unit sales but the proportion of social housing was higher at 19% vs 17% forecast.
The order book also reflects higher London sales and buyers committing earlier rather than indicating a step up in actual trading, it suggested.
“The share rating is high for this point in the cycle and given that is becoming harder to see where growth for the very large house builders will be coming from.
“Hold” is its view.
Shares rose 1% to 196p.