Markets report: Persimmon dips despite dividend offer

Homebuilding giant Persimmon shed 108p to £26.82 yesterday despite declaring another interim dividend payment thanks to resilient demand for new homes. It will pay another 70p per share, on top of a previous 40p in September. The total 110p in dividends comes just under last year’s 120p. The builder said it was “well prepared” for the latest, second lockdown as it reported a strong performance in the third quarter. Average weekly sales rates were up 38pc compared to the s