nice starting point..

You can have mine for 145p.,.

thanks pal :-)

Sold this morning. Will buy again on the next dip sub 95p.

Just closed for +17

..Questor share tip: Barratt starts the year in fine fettle

By Garry White | Telegraph – 3 hours ago
....
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Housebuilder Barratt Developments issued an upbeat interim update yesterday and said it had entered the second half of its year with a much stronger order book.

Barratt Developments 107.2p+10.2p Questor says BUY

In the six months to December 31, revenues rose 8pc to £950m after it completed a total of 5,198 units. The average selling price rose by 3pc to £181,000 and the company’s total orders are up 8.1pc compared with the same point last year. The order book for private housing is up by almost 30pc, but shared-equity deals remain a significant driver of business, as mortgage financing remains difficult to find.

Group operating profits were boosted by 40pc to £61m, with margins up to 6.4pc from 5pc.

The shares were recommended as a margin play as a tip of the year in 2011. They finished the year slightly ahead, but the share price has really taken off this year following a number of positive updates from other players in the sector.

The trend is for better-than-expected volumes. This is combined with improving margins due to the land bank the company bought at cheaper prices in the downturn to boost profitability.

Group net debt at the end of December was about £550m, which is lower than previous guidance of £620m.

The investment case remains intact. Cheaper land bought in the downturn is leading to higher profitability without any substantial rise in house prices.

The shares are trading on a June 2012 earnings multiple of 14.6, falling to just 9.3 in 2013.

The yield is 0.3pc, rising to 1.9pc.

The shares were first tipped on January 2, 2011 at 88.65p, but were also tipped as high as 118½p in May. They are down 10pc from this high. Buy.

..

Investec initiates buy on Barratt Developments, target price 180p.

Oh really.. when's that then? -):

Half Yearly Report.

Substantial increase in profits

Highlights:

· Revenues for the half year to 31 December 2011 increased by 8.6% to £952.8m (2010: £877.6m)

· Average selling price increased by 3.1% to £181,200 (2010: £175,800), with private average selling price increasing
by 4.2% to £199,900 (2010: £191,900) driven by further positive mix changes

· Profit from operations was £61.1m (2010: £43.5m), a 40.5% increase, with operating margin increasing to 6.4% (2010: 5.0%)

· Profit before tax of £21.6m (2010: loss before tax of £4.6m)

· Recently acquired higher margin land continues to be brought into production and is expected to contribute more than one third of this financial year's completions

· 98% (2010: 97%) of customers would recommend us to a friend

· Net debt as at 31 December 2011 was £542.2m (31 December 2010: £537.0m) and is forecast to be lower than previously expected at around £350m at 30 June 2012 (30 June 2011: £322.6m)

· Strong start to the second half with the Group delivering 246 (FY 2010/11 equivalent period: 202) private sales per week, up 21.8% in the seven weeks to 19 February driven by both an improved sales rate of 0.61 (FY 2010/11 equivalent period: 0.55) private sales per active site per week and new site openings. Overall underlying prices remain stable

· Private forward sales as at 19 February 2012 were up by 24.3% to £693.2m (20 February 2011: £557.9m)

· Second half gross margin and operating profit expected to increase from the prior year equivalent period

23 Feb: BDEV: UBS Reiterates: Buy - TP up from 140p to 170p.

Bring it on the sooner the better.

Looking good this morning along with TW.

Have a look at PSN then! That may be the reason for the whole lot going up!

very nice hopeyou hold harry.,.

I wish I did!....:o( Been thinking of house builders, but not convinced the sector was ready for investment yet. Poor decision!

12 March - Citigroup downgrades BDEV to Sell but ups
TP from 112p to 130p.

yet TW. seems to be holding up well.,.

Cameroon trying to ramp the housing market

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/constructionandproperty/9137991/State-backed-mortgage-scheme-threatens-negative-equity.html

up on this one at 140+ and tw. 50p+ in profit on both.,.

Baler: TW did stop its climb at 53 once again so you have a second chance to take 'some' profits and could buy back again. Ths sun might start shining again. Your call.

As far rises across the sector today:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/mortgageshome/article-2114280/RICS-House-sales-rise-price-falls-widespread-estate-agents-report.html

oh yea of little faith.........