Oh dear, two large companies combine and, like an intergalactic "event" only negative matter remains....a case of 1 + 1 = 0.2

Let me say - sp a year ago was 10x today's - so this business has earned its place in the 90% club....and maybe more to come, as they will need to go overseas for cash, if the UK is dry.

I doubt there is a UK Builder with enough dosh to bail-out this dullard. They all thought they could expand until the UK burst with immigrants - yet they consistently went for pricier properties and projects where ( even now), there is some doubt whether there are enough jobs to support new-build developments.

EDIT ( Nov 2015 ) - Seven years on and we're at 183p - so anyone that bought at the all-time Low has done very well - but the Market was fearful and that meant few were Buying. 2009/2010 averaged about 40p - that was a good time if you had the LT cash.
With the rise and yield-multiplier effect, this is looking like Buying it was "probably" inspired.... but it has not regained that earlier Value - which will surely take a lot longer.

Jefferies International Buy 99.23 85.00 111.00 Retains

Half year results due on 31st July.

Deutsche Bank Buy 97.98 109.20 - Reiterates

Bank of America Merrill Lynch Buy 97.98 75.00 115.00 Upgrades

StockMarketWire.com
Bank of America Merrill Lynch has downgraded its recommendation on Barratt Developments (LON:BDEV) and Bovis (LON:BVS) to "neutral" from "buy" in a UK House Builders research note today, to reflect the recent stock price performance. The City broker has increased its price target on Barratt to 325 pence per share (from 265 pence) and on Bovis to 800 pence per share (from 695 pence). Meanwhile, Taylor Wimpey (LON:TW.) has been upgraded to "buy" from "neutral" with a new price target of 115 pence a share (previously 75 pence). Merrill believes that a combination of an emergence of house price inflation, the "Help to Buy" scheme and an easing of mortgage supply constraints leaves the sector well set for a period of long-term outperformance. The broker highlights Taylor Wimpey, Berkeley Group and Redrow as its top picks in the sector.

Easy 30% here in next 6-12 months imo bwtfdik I'm just a sheepshagger :-)

5 year high this morning @100.60p

Indications of a head and shoulders pointing to a drop to around 75p to 80p. May sell up today to retain profit. Any other views? H

Trading Update

Overview
We traded at the upper end of our expectations for the period and we will report improvements across all of our key financial metrics at the time of our half year results on 31 July. We expect to report a UK operating profit margin for the first half of 2013 of over 13% (H1 2012: 11.2%*).

Deutsche Bank Buy 0.00 103.80 110.00 113.00 Reiterates

sp falling away after good start?

.

Quite a turnaround generally this morning in the sector this morning - maybe worth a punt here or on BDEV.

results on 31 july, expect dividend increase and perhaps even a special dividend from land write backs.

JP Morgan Cazenove Overweight 103.00 102.10 105.00 120.00 Reiterates

RNS Schroders below 5%?

Yes, just the odd 166m sold.

sold?

Have a look at box 8 - NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR INTEREST IN SHARES

skin read it earlier but didn't notice that many shares traded last Friday.

That's the day the threshold (5%) was crossed - not quite the same thing - they still own is 4.705% (153,049,151 shares) having sold 195,197,058 ish shares.