UK's Crest Nicholson lowers profit outlook on economic uncertainty

By Simone Lobo

July 16 (Reuters) - Britain's Crest Nicholson on Thursday forecast annual operating profit at the lower end of its previously targeted range in the face of subdued housing demand and economic uncertainty, sending its shares sharply lower.

The company expects fiscal 2026 operating profit at the lower end of its previous expectation of £5 million to £15 million ($6.8 million to $20.3 million), as customer enquiries, visitor numbers and sentiment in the land market dip.

Its shares fell as much as 11.6% by 1123 GMT.

Builders are facing rising expenses and inflation risks linked to the Iran war, which have squeezed margins and increased affordability concerns among home buyers.

Crest Nicholson is increasing its focus on the mid-premium home market, which it believes to be more resilient than the "traditional volume-led housing market," the small-cap builder said.

Building materials supplier SIG also on Thursday predicted lower annual profit and no material recovery through the rest of the year and possibly 2027, sending its shares tumbling as much as 18%.

IRAN WAR CLOUDS OUTLOOK

Oil price swings caused by the Iran war - now in its fifth month - have made it hard to forecast build costs for the second half of 2026 and next year, Crest Nicholson CFO Bill Floydd told investors on a call.

"If you had asked 10 days ago, I would have said it's looking a bit better. Ask it now and I don't feel so good about it," Floydd said.

Crest Nicholson also said discussions to amend covenants attached to its debt continued and that a waiver of its interest cover covenant had been extended to September 30, after it earlier warned of a going concern risk if covenants were not relaxed.

The company reported adjusted pretax loss of £17.3 million for the fiscal first-half ended April 30, compared with profit of £7.9 million a year ago.

($1 = 0.7389 pounds)

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(Reporting by Simone Lobo in Bengaluru; Editing by Nivedita Bhattacharjee, Eileen Soreng and Tomasz Janowski)