<p>Persimmon has announced that the firm is in a "strong position" going into 2012 with forward sales of £615 million, nearly 9% ahead of last year.</p> <p>In a statement ahead of its final results to December 31 2011, the firm says that it expects profit before tax to be around 50% up on last year and operating margin close to 10%.</p> <p>Persimmon said it saw the return of the traditionally stronger autumn market and that this improvement has continued since its last statement in November. The firm has opened an extra 25 outlets "in anticipation of an active Spring selling season" and hopes to open a further 60 in the first half of 2012 subject to market conditions.</p>