Shares in G4S were down on the FTSE 100 in morning trading despite the security firm reporting a rise in turnover and pre-tax profit in the full year ended 31 December 2010.

Group turnover increased 4.1 per cent to £7.4 billion while profit before interest, taxation, amortisation of acquisition-related intangible assets and acquisition-related costs rose 4.2 per cent to £527 million.

During the year G4S invested £65 million in acquisitions aimed at strengthening its position in Latin America by entering the market in Brazil.

G4S said that it would be raising its total dividend 10 per cent to 7.90 pence per share.

Nick Buckles, Chief Executive Officer of G4S, commented, "Today we have announced our sixth consecutive year of underlying revenue, profit and dividend growth since G4S was formed in 2004.

"The excellent performance in 2010 has been achieved despite continued uncertainties with the global economic downturn, which is testament to the efforts of our global workforce of 625,000 employees. We have delivered further strong organic growth of 6.6% in New Markets, which now account for 29% of revenue and 33% of profits, and we are encouraged by signs of economic recovery in our larger developed markets of the US and the UK. In addition, our differentiated "integrated solutions" strategy is helping us to build market share with global customers.

"We will continue to build on our successes and remain confident about the outlook for 2011 when we expect to deliver an improved organic revenue growth performance whilst continuing to maintain our discipline on margins and cash generation."

By 09:15 shares in G4S were down 2.26 per cent on the FTSE 100 to 251.10 pence per share.

FTSE