Outlook in line with expectations despite softening of some US house markets.

Housebuilder Taylor Woodrow has predicted modest growth in house completions this year, with the majority in the second half.

Iain Napier, chief executive of Taylor Woodrow, will tell shareholders at today's AGM that results for the year will be in line with expectations, despite a slowdown in its North American markets.

Napier's full statement said: "In the UK, we have experienced increases in reservations per site per week, along with an improvement in cancellation rates. We continue to expect modest growth in unit completions for the full year."

Napier said he expected more site openings towards the second half of the financial year.

In the US Napier said that despite a softening in some markets he still anticipated increases in completions particularly in the second half.

He said: "Our record forward sales position, allied to our proven land development skills, gives us confidence in our ability to grow 2006 profits from our North American operations."

Overall, Napier said the outlook for 2006 remained in line with expectations.