<p><span>Barratt Developments and Crest Nicholson have issued updates to the market, with Barratt reporting a strong start to the financial year. Crest, however, has issued a profit warning, announcing a new strategy to combat difficulties it is experiencing in the market.</span></p> <p><span>Reporting on the period from July 1 to October 14 2018, Barratt said that the group had “traded well” since the start of its new financial year. Total forward sales as of October 14 2018 were up 12.4% year-on-year at a value of £3,146.5 million, equating to 12,903 units against the 12,277 units achieved as of October 15 2017.</span></p> <p><span>In the first 15 weeks, net private reservations per active outlet per average week remained “strong” at 0.72 although marginally down on last year’s 0.74.</span></p> <p><span>The volume housebuilder launched 53 (2018: 62) new developments in the period, operating from an average of 365 (2018: 371) active outlets. “We continue to expect outlet numbers to grow for the full year when compared to the prior year,” it said.</span></p> <p><span>David Thomas, Barratt’s ceo, said: “The group has started the new financial year in a strong position, with a good sales rate, healthy forward order book and customer demand supported by an attractive …