Wimpey (George) - The UKs Leading Housebuilder

Wimpey More As Predator Than Prey - Numis

Wednesday, December 21, 2005 12:09:14 PM ET
Dow Jones Newswires

1559 GMT [Dow Jones] Wimpey (WMPY.LN) +3.4% at 458.5p on speculation a bid is on the way, say traders. "There's certainly a buyer in the market," says one. "We think Wimpey would be more likely to make a bid rather than be bid for," adds Rachael Waring at Numis. "I can understand why it would be bid for on valuation grounds, but it may be that it's perceived as a cheap stock because its UK business is not as high quality as others out there," she notes. However, reckons Wimpey and Barratt Developments (BDEV.LN) are among the few stocks in the sector "which have the cash and strength to launch a takeover." Wimpey not immediately available to comment.