Rightmove plc (RMV), the UK's number one property portal, has published a trading update covering the four-month period ending 31 October 2026, confirming revenue and profit growth in line with previous guidance while upgrading its underlying earnings per share growth target from at least 5% to at least 7%. The company cited its fastest-ever pace of product innovation, strong partner retention, and rigorous cost discipline as key drivers of resilience despite a challenging UK housing market. Investors will be watching the upgraded 2027 earnings per share guidance of at least 10% and the company's commitment to return over £400m to shareholders between 31 July 2026 and 31 July 2027.

Key Points

  • Rightmove plc (LSE: RMV), the UK's largest property portal, founded in 2000 and listed in 2006
  • 2026 underlying earnings per share growth guidance upgraded to at least 7%, from at least 5% previously
  • 2026 revenue growth guided at 6%–7%; 2027 underlying EPS growth guided at at least 10%; estate agency partner retention at 92% to end October
  • Investors should watch progress on New Homes revenue recovery, the government's Your First Home scheme implementation, and the pace of Rightmove IQ AI tool adoption

Rightmove Upgrades 2026 EPS Guidance and Plans to Return Over £400m to Shareholders

Rightmove has upgraded its 2026 underlying earnings per share growth guidance to at least 7%, having previously guided at least 5%. The company expects 2026 revenue growth of 6% to 7%, within its prior 6% to 8% range, and underlying operating profit growth of at least 3%. Rightmove expects to return over £400m to shareholders between 31 July 2026 and 31 July 2027, with approximately £125m already returned through its interim dividend of £30m and share buybacks of £95m. A further £80m in share buybacks is targeted by year-end, partly funded by a recently agreed revolving credit facility.

Ask Rightmove AI Tool and Rightmove IQ Drive Record Engagement Across Consumer and Partner Platforms

Rightmove's conversational AI suite, Ask Rightmove, added a third feature — Comparison Assistant — in October 2026, complementing its Search and Evaluation sub-agents. The company reports that consumers engaging with any aspect of Ask Rightmove spent over 2x more time on site, saved 3x as many properties, and sent over 3x as many leads compared with non-users. On the partner side, Rightmove IQ's Call Transcription feature has already processed over 2 million live calls since its late Q3 launch, while the Rightmove Plus AI Assistant property performance tool has been used by 14,000 estate agents. Partner retention to end October stood at 92%, the second-highest level recorded in the past ten years.

Rising Mortgage Rates and Subdued New Homes Activity Present Near-Term Headwinds

Rightmove's update acknowledges meaningful end-market challenges. The average five-year fixed-rate mortgage reached 5.5% at 31 October 2026, up from 5.0% at 30 June. Buyer demand fell 10% and sales agreed were 9% lower year-on-year, with the average house price 0.3% below the equivalent period in 2025. New Homes remain subdued, with 6% fewer developments on site at 31 October compared with 31 December 2025, leading Rightmove to lower its ARPA growth guidance to £100–£110 from £110–£120 and to expect New Homes revenues below 2025 levels. The government's Your First Home first-time buyer scheme is not expected to materially lift housebuilding volumes until later in 2027.

Rightmove's 2027 Outlook: EPS Growth of At Least 10% Targeted Amid Ongoing Market Uncertainty

Looking to 2027, Rightmove expects revenue growth similar to 2026, reflecting the full-year impact of fewer New Homes developments and a subdued estate agency market. The company is targeting underlying operating profit growth of 4%–7%, supported by product launches, productivity gains, and a margin of at least 67%. Underlying earnings per share growth is guided at at least 10% for 2027. Rightmove also upgraded its internal productivity target for 2027, stating it delivered over 60% more releases in the period than in the comparator period. David Thomas has joined the board as an independent Non-Executive Director, effective 6 November 2026, bringing housebuilding industry experience.