Clarkson PLC (LSE:CKN) said trading at the end of last year was "stronger than anticipated" and profits will be considerably higher than the previous few years.
The FTSE 250-listed shipping services group said underlying pre-tax profit will be at least £69mln, subject to audit.
This represents an upgrade after the group said in early December profit should be at least £65mln for the year.
The financial and broking divisions continued to surpass expectations in the final month of the year, with the broking division’s sale and purchase team completing a number of asset transactions and others completed by the project finance and securities teams in the finance division.
At the start of last year Clarkson had guided to profits of £43mln-£45mln, following a stormy year previously. Underlying profit was £44.7mln in 2020 and £49.3mln in 2019.
"Trading during the month of December was stronger than anticipated and underlying profit before tax for 2021, subject to audit, is now expected to be not less than £69m," a statement said.
Shares in the company were up almost 4% to 3,970.48p in early trade on Friday, moving back towards the all-time highs above 4,200p reached in early November.