Persimmon insists home buyer interest is “robust” despite Brexit concerns.

Reporting its half year results, the house builder said while the outcome of the EU referendum has created increased economic uncertainty, visitor numbers to its sites were up around 20% ahead year on year.

Jeff Fairburn, group chief executive of Persimmon, said: “Our private sale reservation rate since July 1 is currently 17% ahead of the same period last year.

“The group is now trading through the traditionally slower summer weeks but customer demand remains encouraging and we anticipate a good autumn sales season.”

Persimmon’s share price increased 4% yesterday morning after it reported pre-tax profit rose 29% to £352.3m in the six months to June 30 on a 12% increase in revenue to £1.49billion. Average selling prices increased by 6% to £205,762.

Many house builders saw their shares fall in the aftermath of the EU referendum. Persimmon’s share price dropped 27.5%.

Ian Forrest, analyst for the Share Centre, said: “In light of the greater risks created to the UK economy from the UK’s decision to exit the European Union, we have raised the risk profile of Persimmon and many other house builders to ‘high’. We consequently recommend Persimmon as a ‘hold’ for higher risk, growth-seeking investor.”