DESPITE a gloomy backdrop of lower oil prices and a softer property market, Keppel Corporation posted on Thursday a 6.1 per cent increase in fourth-quarter net profit to S$725.9 million on the back of revenue that climbed 9.1 per cent to S$3.93 billion.

Keppel also declared a final cash dividend of 36 Singapore cents per share, up from a final dividend of 30 cents per share in 2013.

For the full year, Keppel's net profit was up 2.1 per cent to S$1.88 billion. Revenue for the same period rose 7.3 per cent to S$13.28 billion.

Net profit from the offshore and marine business - which accounts for 55 per cent of the group's bottom line - stood at S$1.04 billion, 10 per cent higher than in the previous year, buoyed by better operating results and higher interest income.

Earnings per share for the group stood at 39.9 Singapore cents and 103.8 Singapore cents for the quarter and full-year period, respectively, up from 38 Singapore cents and 102.3 Singapore cents during the corresponding periods the year before.

Keppel Corporation's shares last traded at S$8.10 on Tuesday, before the group called a halt to trading of its shares on Wednesday, "pending release of announcement".