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Last Updated: Wednesday, 27 August, 2003, 12:28 GMT 13:28 UK
House builder celebrates strong market
House builder Wilson Bowden said it was benefiting from the UK's robust housing market as it posted a jump in earnings.

Pre-tax profits for the six months ended June 30 rose to £91.4m ($143.5m), from £76.6m a year earlier.

Property developers have gained from cheap UK home loans and Wilson Bowden's higher profits follow a similar rise at rival builder Persimmon, on Tuesday.

The company said its results demonstrated the current resilience of Britain's housing market.

Soft landing

While the average price of a Wilson Bowden home is £250,000, chief executive Ian Robertson said prices might come down in the near future.

"I can see a soft landing in prices, and market conditions look fair for the next six to 12 months," he said.

Wilson Bowden also announced a 19% rise in its interim dividend to 7.5p per share.

Based on Tuesday's closing price, the company's shares have outperformed the FTSE construction sector by about 3% since the start of 2003.


SEE ALSO:
House prices tread water
26 Aug 03  |  Business
House price rises slow
08 Aug 03  |  Business
First-time homebuyers at record low
05 Aug 03  |  Business


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