Macquarie Group has posted its strongest profit result in six years, breaking back through the $1 billion mark.

The investment bank, which has taken a big hit from the global financial crisis in recent years, posted a full-year profit of $1.27 billion.

That is a 49 per cent increase on last year’s result, and just above analysts expectations.

Shareholders will receive a final dividend of $1.60 a share, 40 per cent franked, on July 2.