HOUSE builders stormed ahead yesterday after Taylor Wimpey cheered sentiment with an upbeat assessment of the UK property market.

The FTSE 250-listed Wimpey led a revival in investor interest in the sector as its shares rocketed more than nine per cent after it said it had seen signs of recovery and revealed a 73 per cent leap in orders.

Despite thin pickings in corporate news, the wider FTSE 100 Index was also buoyed yesterday as positive signs on the US economy helped to bring a volatile week to a close.

The FTSE 100 closed up 65.1 points at 4345.9, a rise of 1.5 per cent.

While a broker upgrade for cruise ship operator Carnival helped it to the top of the FTSE 100 risers’ board, it was Wimpey’s optimism that the UK property sector should avoid a severe downturn that caught the eye of the market.

Its shares raced up 3p to 34p, while fellow FTSE 250 builder Barratt Developments rose 10p to 153.5p.

Redrow added 8.75p to 191.5p, Bellway was 13.5p better at 623p and Persimmon gained 12.25p to 364.5p.

Stocks connected with the property market were likewise benefiting – builders merchant Travis Perkins rose 22p to 497p and plumbing company Wolseley gained 56p to 1079p.

In the top flight, Carnival gained six per cent as Wachovia upgraded the firm after a smaller-thanexpected quarterly earnings fall on Thursday. Carnival, which has also seen firmer pricing on last minute bookings, saw shares rise 97p at 1668p.

Tour operator Thomas Cook was also in the black with a rise of four per cent, or 9p to 220.25p, following Thursday’s news that the administrator of its embattled majority shareholder Arcandor is unlikely to resort to a firesale of assets.