<p>Taylor Wimpey says it is trading in line with its full year expectations, with the UK housing market remaining “resilient”.</p> <p>Issuing a trading update for the year to date, the volume housebuilder commented on its “strong” net private sales rate for the year to April 18, at 1.00 against the <span>0.90 during the equivalent period last year.</span></p> <p><span>It has made “good early” progress on its priorities for 2021, including driving operating profit margin “and an enhanced cost control mindset across the business.” The company is targeting an operating profit margin of around 21-22% in the medium term.</span></p> <p><span>As of April 18, Taylor Wimpey’s total order book value stood at around £2,808 million (2020 equivalent period: £2,668 million), representing 10,995 homes against last year’s 10,853, excluding legal completions to date.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>It remains set to deliver against its guidance outlined in its 2020 results, issued in March. In its full year results, it said it expected to deliver 85-90% of its 2019 volumes in 2021, “assuming the market remains broadly stable”, with its operating margin anticipated to increase to between 18.5% and 19%.</span></p><p></p> <p><span>The housing market continued to remain healthy despite national restrictions, Taylor Wimpey said, driven by ongoing strong customer demand, …