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It recorded a figure of £4.8 million for the year, an improvement on the loss of £78.7 million it made in 2008.
According to a poll conducted by Reuters, analysts had expected a figure anywhere between £8.8 million and a £3 million loss, with the general consensus being a £4.5 million profit.
The news helped Bovis shares rise 0.52 per cent - or 2p - at 08:33 GMT, taking them to 383.3p.
David Ritchie, chief executive of the company, said that it had "successfully delivered on its strategic objectives" for the period.
It resumed investing in land over the course of the year and Mr Ritchie added that the group "is pleased with the progress made to date, with four consented sites acquired in the last quarter of 2009".
Posted by Clive Arneil
