The buoyant British housing market and a consumer feel-good factor have helped carpet and floor-covering maker Victoria to move into the black.Victoria said it had benefited from signs of increased consumer confidence in the UK residential property market in the year to 29 March.Chairman Geoff Wilding said: "We are encouraged by the improving UK residential property market."Although new homes are a useful source of revenue, by far the most important driver of carpet sales is home-owners redecorating and refurbishing their homes. Consumer confidence and home sales are the underlying factors for this."The group, which also trades in Australia, made a pre-tax profit on continuing operations of £2.28m against a loss of £3.34m a year ago, on a slight increase in revenue to £71.4m from £70.9m in the corresponding period.The UK increased like-for-like sales by 1.7% to £28.21m and Australian sales were marginally down by 1.1% on the year before at A$65.40m, impacted by slower economic growth and competition. During the year, it bought tufted carpet manufacturer Westex.Wilding said the company had significantly improved its finances in 2013/14 by cutting costs and focusing on increasing margins and sales.He said: "We are encouraged by the outlook for our business, with the UK residential property market showing signs of increased consumer confidence."The Australian market is also showing signs of economic improvement, which will, in time, translate into consumer confidence and increased demand for carpet. "With the reshaping of the business that has already occurred, together with the improving market conditions and other opportunities that we see, I am optimistic about the group's future."Shares rose 12.5p or 6.9% to 192.5p at 12:07 in London.PW