The British government is seeking to boost housing starts by loosening social housing requirements in planning consents and encouraging investment by housing associations, non-profit residential landlords, the Financial Times reported last week.

Persimmon's home completions rose 6 percent to 4,712 as the average selling price increased 7 percent to 171,206 pounds. Pre-sales of homes to be built increased 4 percent to 1.04 billion pounds.

The company acquired 50 sites suitable for 5,779 homes during the first half, giving it a land bank equivalent to 6.5 years of sales.

Eoin Treacy's view Most financial media commentary has focused on renewed interest in US homebuilding shares as housing starts rebound and prices stabilise amid record affordability. The UK sector has made fewer headlines but is no less remarkable, not least for its commonality with its US counterpart. (Also see Comment of the Day on January 24th).

Persimmon completed its base in the first week of February and rallied impressively before encountering resistance near 750p. It subsequently pulled back to test the region of the 200-day MA and the upper side of the underlying trading range. The share has rebounded since June to retest the recovery peak and a sustained move below 600p would now be required to question medium-term scope for additional upside.

Berkeley Group has been a clear outperformer and completed its base in early 2011. It has found support in the region of the 200-day MA on a number of occasions and while somewhat overbought in the short-term, a sustained move below 1200p would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Barratt Developments rallied to break its medium-term progression of lower rally highs in February and has found support in the region of the 200-day MA since, A sustained move below 130p would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Bellway has held a progression of rising major reaction lows since 2010 and is currently rallying to test the 2009 hits. While somewhat overbought in the short-term, a sustained move below 800p would be required to question medium-term upside potential. Bovis Homes has a similar pattern but has lagged somewhat.

Redrow Group hit a new more than two-year peak this week and a clear downward dynamic would be required to check momentum beyond a brief pause.

Taylor Wimpey has held a progression of higher reaction lows since late last year and is currently testing the upper side of its more than three-year base. A sustained move below 45p would be required to question potential for a successful upward break. Most financial media commentary has focused on renewed interest in US homebuilding shares as housing starts rebound and prices stabilise amid record affordability. The UK sector has made fewer headlines but is no less remarkable, not least for its commonality with its US counterpart. (Also see Comment of the Day on January 24th).

Persimmon completed its base in the first week of February and rallied impressively before encountering resistance near 750p. It subsequently pulled back to test the region of the 200-day MA and the upper side of the underlying trading range. The share has rebounded since June to retest the recovery peak and a sustained move below 600p would now be required to question medium-term scope for additional upside.

Berkeley Group has been a clear outperformer and completed its base in early 2011. It has found support in the region of the 200-day MA on a number of occasions and while somewhat overbought in the short-term, a sustained move below 1200p would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Barratt Developments rallied to break its medium-term progression of lower rally highs in February and has found support in the region of the 200-day MA since, A sustained move below 130p would be required to question medium-term upside potential.

Bellway has held a progression of rising major reaction lows since 2010 and is currently rallying to test the 2009 hits. While somewhat overbought in the short-term, a sustained move below 800p would be required to question medium-term upside potential. Bovis Homes has a similar pattern but has lagged somewhat.

Redrow Group hit a new more than two-year peak this week and a clear downward dynamic would be required to check momentum beyond a brief pause.

Taylor Wimpey has held a progression of higher reaction lows since late last year and is currently testing the upper side of its more than three-year base. A sustained move below 45p would be required to question potential for a successful upward break.