Trading Statement

Persimmon PLC
27 June 2002

                        TRADING STATEMENT - 27 JUNE 2002


Persimmon plc announces the following trading update ahead of its interim
results to 30 June 2002 which will be announced on 27 August 2002.

In the six months to 30 June 2002, Persimmon will have achieved another strong
performance.  We will have legally completed circa 6,000 homes during the first
half of this year.  We will also have more than 4,000 homes sold forward for the
second half, with a sales value of circa £550 million.

Demand has been extremely strong in the period and many of our sites are already
well sold up into the autumn - our strongest ever forward sales position.  We
have had further success in maximising operating margins and profit per plot
across the enlarged group.  To continue this success we are ensuring that
forward sales are managed prudently and sales are not made at the expense of
margin.

House prices increased significantly in the first few months of this year but
recent weeks have seen a lower level of increase and a return to a more normal
market.  Sales volumes have decreased in line with our expectations as we move
into the summer months.  We welcome this return to a more sustainable rate of
sale and price growth.

During the six month period we have continued to invest in land for future
development.  We have fully replaced the land we have used during this period,
and maintain a landbank of circa 52,000 plots.  Whilst the land market remains
competitive the cost of land is supported by house prices being achieved.

Notwithstanding this investment we have reduced our gearing level further and
expect a gearing level of circa 50% at the half year end.

We continue to focus on the strong fundamentals of our business.  These include
maximising profit per plot, not being over-exposed to any one market and
carefully managing cash flow dependent upon the market and opportunities.

Affordability remains good.  Despite expectation of interest rate rises over
forthcoming months, we believe that the new housing market will remain strong,
particularly given the shortage of supply of new homes.

With our strongest ever forward sales position and good margins we remain
confident of another excellent performance for this year.



                                  - ENDS -



For further information, please contact:


John White, Group Chief Executive                     Faeth Birch/ Jenna Littler
Mike Killoran, Group Finance Director                 Finsbury Group
Persimmon plc                                         Tel: [phone]
Tel: [phone] (today)
Tel: [phone] (thereafter)


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