Housebuilder hails 鈥渟trong improvement in profit鈥 in a 鈥渃hallenging but stable鈥 market

Bovis Homes has reported a 69% jump in operating profits for 2011 and an 8% rise in legal completions to some 2,045 residential properties for the year.

The housebuilder鈥檚 preliminary results for the year to December 31, 2011 show revenue of 拢364.8m, up 22% on 2010, with operating profit of 拢36.4m - a 69% increase on the previous year.

Average private sales were 拢180,100 per home, a 5% increase on 2010.

Bovis Homes Group chief executive David Ritchie said the preliminary figures represented a 鈥渟trong improvement in profit鈥 in a 鈥渃hallenging but stable鈥 market.

鈥淭his profit improvement has been delivered through the compound positive effect of increased volumes, improved sales prices and stronger margins,鈥 he said.

鈥淪ignificant progress has also been made in positioning the group for continued improving returns.

鈥淪ubstantial land investment in recent years will deliver a strong increase in active sales outlets in 2012.

鈥淏ased on a continuation of current market conditions, this will further enhance volumes, sales prices and profit margins.鈥

The company said 2012 private reservations had increased by 41% from a 28% increase in active outlets.

It had an average of 73 such outlets in 2011, against 66 in 2010.