BUZZ-Barratt: rallies on robust results

** Homebuilder Barratt shares up 1 pct, 2nd-top riser on FTSE 100 in decent volume

** Co reports H1 PBT up 6.8 pct to 342.7 mln stg; number of homes it built in the period rose 2 pct

** Co says it expects modest volume growth; cites good consumer demand, healthy forward order book

** Co intends to pay special dividends of 175 mln stg in November 2019

** Says sales performance across the Group in the second half to date has been very strong

** Liberum says H1 PBT 2 pct better than expected and comment on H2 should be encouraging for the sector as it suggests that the spring selling season will be relatively good

** However, Liberum, which has a "sell" rating on the stock, says Barratt remains its least preferred housebuilder as low margins gives it more downside risk; sees not much scope to improve margins

** Second most actively traded UK blue-chip stock