Investors lock in profits as Barratt Developments announced it’s on track to return to profit in the second half of this year.

The firm reported forward sells are up 32 per cent year-on-year which has encouraged shareholders to sell holdings for a profit.

Similarly, selling activity on shares in Lloyds Banking Group increased this morning further to the part-nationalised bank’s share price rising for a short while after market open.

Much of traders’ attention today was focused around the assembly of prime minister David Cameron’s new government and his first press conference with new partner Nick Clegg, the outcome causing shares to pick up and the markets to close with good gains

Travel Groups are the stand-out risers today with TUI Travel, Thomas Cook and Carnival all posting healthy gains. Royal Bank of Scotland is the weakest performer.

Outsourcing companies Capita and Serco, which had been concerned about the hung parliament as they depend on government spending for revenues, are doing well.

Top 10 trades
Wednesday 12 May (until noon)
Source: TD Waterhouse

Buys
Royal Bank of Scotland, 28.6 per cent
Lloyds Banking Group, 20.5 per cent
Rockhopper Exploration, 13.8 per cent
Barclays, 12.1 per cent
Desire petroleum, 5.8 per cent
Vodafone Group, 4.8 per cent
BP, 4.3 per cent
Tesco, 3.6 per cent
Taylor Wimpey, 3.4 per cent
Xstrata, 3 per cent

Sells
Lloyds Banking group, 24.9 per cent
Royal Bank of Scotland, 15.3 per cent
Rockhopper Exploration, 13.9 per cent
Desire petroleum, 10.4 per cent
Barclays, 10.4 per cent
Barratt Development, 7.2 per cent
Petropavlosk, 5 per cent
Afren, 4.8 per cent
Aviva, 4.4 per cent
Xstrata, 3.6 per cent