David Stubbs Quotations

Mortgage approvals are also clearly above their average for the last decade of 100,00 strengthening the argument that the housing market in 2006 will see the first rise in activity since 2002, after three consecutive years of decline.

It feels like the market is pretty strong, given the performance and volume we've seen in a lot of small-cap companies.

Construction companies are still troubled by rising costs but the overall picture is of an industry that has staved off any marked slowdown and is well placed to grow in line with increased business demand later in the year.

The moderate rises in unemployment of the past 12 months and higher numbers entering the initial stages of the repossession process, should mean that repossessions will continue to increase over the next few quarters.

Gathering strength is evident in several areas of the industry with growth in the housing sector the strongest in almost two years as buyer activity has improved.