If there was any doubt about UK housing's continued strength, despite what we are told about wider financial headwinds and the EU referendum, it appeared to be roundly batted away by big cap house builder Taylor Wimpey PLC (LON:TW.).
Shares in the firm sat atop Footsie today, up over 6% as it said shareholders could expect larger divi payouts until 2018 than previously expected due to the strength of the market. It was a well- followed story on websites and social media.
Ordinary divis have been upgraded to around 5% of net assets - a minimum of £150mln per year - to be paid through the cycle from 2017.
"The UK new build housing market remains very positive across most of our geographies, with a healthy and controlled lending environment providing good accessibility to mortgages at competitive rates. Consumer demand and confidence remain high. In central London, the market continues to be stable," it told a regulatory statement.
Am happy shareholder in Taylor Wimpey after promise of repeat spec div. Shares up strongly but still below 12-month high.
— Rodney Hobson (@RodneyHobson) 17 May 2016
Sport and its clash with corporate mayhem reached new heights at the weekend, when a 'bomb' alert at Old Trafford caused the ground to be evacuated - 50,000 fans.
The incident will cost the global superclub Manchester United PLC (NYSE:MANU) around £3mln, it's been estimated, and the companies at the centre of the storm have been identified.
The test device was planted by Security Search Management and Solutions Ltd, of Bexley, Kent.
Elsewhere, shares in major UK banks seemed undented by news that the CMA - Competition and Markets authority - had called to put on a cap for monthly overdraft fees, give greater warnings on charges and make data more easily accessible when customers are comparing switching.
One of the biggest London risers was video search firm Blinkx Plc (LON:BLNX), which has spent the last year restructuring itself, realign under its 'RhythmOne' brand and reducing staff. The market appeared to welcome the move as it posted full year results today.
Blinx’s programmatic revenues rose 68% last year and the company reaffirmed it should be back in the black in 2017.
Meanwhile, Paul Richards, analyst at Numis Securities, expects the group to reach earnings breakeven by the second half of 2017.
Blinkx shares rose almost 21% to stand at 20.25p.
Sticking to the media theme and TV production firm Ten Alps Plc (LON:TAL) was biggest London laggard, down 40%.
The company, which last week won a BAFTA - warned its full year results will be much worse than expected, due to losses in certain parts of its publishing operations.
Parts of these businesses are likely to be sold over coming months, it added.