Rightmove (RMV.L), the UK property portal, trimmed its 2026 revenue growth guidance to 6-7% but raised its earnings per share floor, and its shares were about 3.2% lower on the London Stock Exchange in early trading. Underlying operating profit growth guidance for the year is within the previous range.
The shares stood at 532.8p at 8:06am today, down 17.6p from yesterday’s close of 550.4p, after opening at 540.0p. They have ranged between 529.6p and 547.4p so far, and sit about 7.4% below the 575.4p closing high of the 11th of November 2025.
In its trading update today, Rightmove said it now expects 2026 revenue growth of 6-7%, previously 6-8%. It raised its underlying earnings per share growth guidance to at least 7%, up from at least 5%.
Average revenue per advertiser (ARPA) is now guided at £100-£110, down from £110-£120. Rightmove said the cut entirely reflects New Homes developer spend, and expects New Homes revenues to fall below 2025. Underlying operating profit growth should be at least 3%, within the previous 3-5% range.
For 2027 it expects revenue growth similar to 2026. It guided to underlying operating profit growth of 4-7%, a margin of at least 67% and earnings per share growth of at least 10%.
The shares had reached 563.8p at Wednesday’s close. Even after today’s fall, they are up 17.5% from the 453.5p close on the 6th of October. Rightmove still expects to return over £400m between 31 July 2026 and 31 July 2027, with about £125m returned so far and a further £80m of buybacks planned by year-end.
“We are on track to deliver revenue and profit growth within our previous full-year guidance, and are upgrading our earnings per share guidance.”
Johan Svanstrom, chief executive of Rightmove
The housing backdrop is softer. The Bank of England raised its base rate yesterday, and market pricing implies further rises in 2027. The average five-year fixed mortgage was 5.5% on 31 October against 5.0% on 30 June, and Rightmove reported buyer demand down 10% and sales agreed down 9%.
Rightmove expects the government’s Your First Home scheme to launch in the second quarter of 2027. Any positive impact on housebuilding volumes is expected later in 2027 and onwards.