Packaging business Amcor expects growth in emerging markets and acquisitions to help lift earnings over the next year.
Amcor made an annual profit of $737 million in the year to June 30, up more than 25 per cent on the $589 million profit a year earlier.
Favourable foreign exchange movements added $91 million to the bottom line.
The result excludes the impact of the demerger of its Australasian packaging business in December 2013, which is now seperately listed on the share market as Orora.
Amcor chief executive Ken MacKenzie said the company benefited from recent acquisitions, ongoing growth in emerging markets and improved operations.
"The outlook for the 2014/15 year is for higher earnings," he said.
Its operations in emerging markets generated organic profit growth of 7.7 per cent, while in developed markets that growth was 0.3 per cent.
Acquisition-driven profit growth was 3.3 per cent, after purchases of flexible packaging businesses in China, Australia, Indonesia and India.
"Acquisitions remain a key component of our growth strategy going forward," Mr MacKenzie said.
Amcor shares soared, adding 47 cents, or 4.6 per cent, to $10.75.
The construction of a new tobacco packaging plant in Indonesia is expected to help grow Amcor's business there, the third largest tobacco market in the world.
The new plant is expected to be operational in late 2015.
Amcor said key trends in the tobacco packaging industry include the "premiumisation" of the tobacco carton, and growth in emerging markets.
But in Western Europe, packaging volumes were lower as subdued economic conditions drove consumers towards roll-your-own and illicit products.
Amcor is also expecting big things from its new LiquiForm technology, which the group says will transform the rigid plastic container industry.
LiquiForm uses consumable liquid instead of compressed air to make plastic bottles, forming and filling the container on one machine simultaneously.
AMCOR'S PRESENCE IN EMERGING MARKETS LIFTS PROFIT
* Net profit of $737m, up 25.1 pct from $589.2m in 2012/13
* Revenue of $10.85b, up 14.4 pct from $9.48b
* Final dividend of 23.5 cents a share, up from 20.5 cents
