Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by PropertyWire. Read the original article for full details.
Winkworth Reports Uneven Trading Amid Market Uncertainty
Winkworth, the London-based estate agency franchise, has reported uneven trading in recent months, attributing the variability to political and economic uncertainty. Despite these challenges, the company expects its revenues and pre-tax profits for the year to remain in line with market expectations.
In a trading update, Winkworth stated that after a positive start to 2026, recent months have seen more variable performance as broader uncertainty has affected both buyer and seller sentiment. The company noted that sales in the first half of 2026 remained resilient, closely tracking the strong start achieved in 2025.
The lettings division has held up well, according to Winkworth, and has not been unduly impacted by the Renters’ Rights Act. The company acknowledged sector-wide concerns about buyers delaying purchase decisions, but reported that its lettings business remained stable.
During the first half of the year, Winkworth opened four new offices and closed one. The company continues to focus on bringing experienced operators into its network to improve performance across varying market conditions.
Excluding the impact of the disposal of its controlling interest in the Crystal Palace office, Winkworth expects revenues to be slightly ahead of the prior year on an underlying basis. The company also announced an interim dividend of 3.3p per ordinary share for the second quarter of 2026. Winkworth’s shares opened at 181p this morning.
The update comes as the wider UK property sector faces regulatory changes, including the first Making Tax Digital deadline for landlords and the creation of board-level lettings roles at other firms. Winkworth operates across the UK, with offices primarily concentrated in London and the South East.
Source: PropertyWire