With inflation hitting a higher than forecast 1.9%, there is growing talk of a possible interest rate rise coming earlier than expected.
Not only has this lifted the pound, it has also seen the FTSE 100 lose its early gains and dip 12.70 points to 6733.44.
Housebuilders have come under particular pressure on the prospect of dearer borrowing costs, despite continuing signs of rising house prices - in London in particular, of course.
So Barratt Developments is down 11.1p at 357.2p, Persimmon has dipped 21p to £12.28 while Taylor Wimpey is 3.4p lower at 109.7p.
Estate agency group Foxtons has fallen 7.4p to 277.5p.
