Persimmon has described the current housing market as “active but competitive,”reporting a healthy start to the year in its trading update for the six months to June 30. Following its acquisition of Westbury, the FTSE 100 housebuilder has built 8,000 units, slightly down on the 8,226 built during the same period in 2006. Sales revenues hit £1.5 billion and operating margins increased to 20.5% from 19.9%.<br><br>The housebuilder said it expected visitor levels to remain “encouraging”during the second half of the year, and expects volumes to increase with forward sales for the second half reaching £950 million – up on the £882 million in forward sales reported in June 2006. “Recent interest rate rises have had the desired effect and the housing market is stable with only moderate price growth. Employment prospects and customer confidence remain good, and as a result the market has continued to be resilient,” said the statement. <br>