Continued levels of interest in banking stocks

Angus Rigby, Chief Executive Officer, TD Waterhouse comments: "Following the FSA's introduction of new disclosure rules relating to short-selling last week, we are starting to see the reaction from our customers. The theme of banks is appearing in the top ten buys and sells this week, with HBOS, Barclays, RBS and Lloyds once again featuring.

The impact of these rules will be predominantly felt by bigger investors, particularly activist hedge funds such as those responsible for the sharp decline in HBOS' value back in March. NY-based fund, Harbinger Capital, declared a 3.29% position on HBOS this week which likely prompted other investors to re-appraise their own positions in relation to the mortgage lender. Similarly sceptical attitudes towards mortgage lenders can be seen in relation to Bradford and Bingley ("B&B"), which this week is the subject of short selling amounting to some £60m, 15% of the total market value of B&B. Adding to the misery, the British Bankers' Association announced on Wednesday that mortgage approvals are 57% lower year on year from May 2007 with a 20% fall between April and May this year.

Troubled UK house-builder Barratt Developments is still firmly ensconsed in the middle of the sold and bought tables this week, with investors still sharp to movements and opportunities in the market. Shares in the developer rocketed 25% in value on the 21st following reports that the housebuilder had reached an agreement with banks to waive a clause that would have put Barratt in breach of its banking covenants after a land valuation writedown later this year. Investors will be keeping a close-eye on developments in the coming days.

Equator Exploration, the oil and gas exploration and development company, is on TD Waterhouse Traders' radars. This follows the announcement that Equator has given one of its prospective investments, Peak Petroleum Industries Nigeria, a deadline of July to finalise details of its Bilbari Settlement Agreement for the Bilbari oil development in Nigeria. Shares were trading down close to 28% to 19.5 pence per share at lunchtime on Wednesday.

Finally this week, Petrel Resources, a trader's favourite in past years and one subject to strong day-to-day volatility, makes an appearance in this week's top sells alongside gold-mining company, Randgold Resources.