LONDON, Dec 8 Reuters Commodities trader Trafigura posted a record net profit of about 7.4 billion for the 12 months to the end of September, up 5 from a year earlier, and promised a 5.9 billion dividend to shareholders, while anticipating a slowdown in future earnings.

The impact of an energy price surge last year driven by supply disruption linked to Russia39;s invasion of Ukraine led to record profits for many companies, but markets have since eased.

The Genevabased private company39;s results marked the fourth successive year of record profits. The bulk of its profit 5.5 billion was in the first half of the financial year, which doubled profits compared with the 20212022 first half.

Its executives said in the company39;s annual report the company39;s slower performance in the second half of this year was a better indicator of the result it expects for 2024.

The company more than tripled its dividend payout to about 5.9 billion, up from 1.7 billion in 2022.

As supply chain disruptions eased in the second half of Trafigura39;s financial year, it said future conditions would be more normalised and predicted a reduction in the volatility that for commodities traders can boost earnings.

We face uncertain times, CEO Jeremy Weir said in a statement. Low inventories, geopolitical threats, elections in nearly two thirds of the democratic world in 2024 and brittle supply chains mean markets are fragile and vulnerable to spikes driven by sudden changes in supply and…