A trading update from franchise giant Winkworth suggests that its revenue and pre-tax profits this year will stay in line with market expectations.

This is despite what it admits as “uneven” business this year thanks to global uncertainty and, most recently, domestic political upheaval. 

It warns shareholders of “a backdrop of political and economic uncertainty [weighing] on confidence” although it says sales in the first half of 2026 have remained resilient.

However, the lettings division’s performance appears to have held up well despite the Renters Rights Act kicking in on May 1.

The update says: “In the first half of the year, the company opened four new offices and closed one. We continue to focus on bringing talented operators into our network to improve our performance under all market conditions.”

Excluding the impact of the disposal of the company’s controlling interest in the Crystal Palace office, Winkworth said revenues are expected to be slightly ahead of the prior year on an underlying basis.

The company is paying an interim dividend of 3.3p per ordinary share for the second quarter of 2026 to shareholders.