Barratt's smaller rivals Persimmon (LON: PSN ) and Taylor Wimpey (LON: TW ) last week highlighted renewed buyer interest since the start of 2023, despite remaining cautious about broader economic concerns. However, Julie Palmer, partner at Begbies Traynor (LON: BEG ), said Barratt's scale means it is "better placed than many smaller developers" to withstand any upheaval in the construction sector. Bank of England data showed the volume of mortgages approved by British lenders in February rose by more than expected, while mortgage lender Nationwide on Tuesday reported a 0.5% rise in house prices in April after having fallen in the seven previous months. ($1 = 0.8008 pounds)