One of the interesting things about companies quoted on the Stock Exchange is that they need to be careful about what they say. Self-interest needs to be tempered by the requirement not to mislead would be investors. So when Bovis Homes announced today that consumer confidence had been rattled by events in the financial markets leading, in turn, to lower than expected sales volumes this autumn many commentators sat up and took notice. A look at the Bovis share price shows an inexorable decline from a high in April of this year. Perhaps investors have already priced in their expectations for the housing market going forward?