Barclays has declared full year pre-tax profits up 32 per cent from £4.59 billion in 2009 to £6.07 billion in the 12 months to 31 December 2010.

Profits in Barclays Capital were the main contributor, rising 94 per cent from £2.46 billion in 2009 to £4.78 in 2010.

The largest percentage change was in the profit from the group’s investment management business, which grew 205 per cent from £22 million in 2009 to £67m in 2010.

A dividend of 5.5 pence per share was declared, up from 2.5 pence per share at this point last year.

Bob Diamond, chief executive of Barclays Group, said the profit growth and enhanced capital and liquidity positions were attributes that the business should be proud of.

He explained, ‘We continue to believe that our integrated model provides superior benefits to our customers, clients and broader stakeholders because of its diversity by business, geography and funding source.

‘Our focus is on execution, which means delivering on our commitments in four key areas: maintaining a strong capital base, improving returns, delivering selective income growth and demonstrating our credentials as a global citizen.’

The bank’s core tier 1 ratio – which measures its capital adequacy – was up 0.8 per cent to 10.8 per cent at the end of December 2010.

The group’s share price rose around 2.8 per cent on the announcement to 319.6 pence (0945 hrs).