UGL Ltd (ASX:UGL) an Australian diversified services company operating in maintenance, facilities management, engineering and construction, announced today its annual profit increased 1 percent, thanks to higher earnings from its infrastructure and resources units.

Net profit climbed to $144.5 million in the 12 months to June 30 compared with $142.5 million in the previous equivalent period, the Sydney-based firm said in a statement.

Revenue for the year slumped 10 percent due to slower global growth and the impact of foreign exchange rates.

The result "demonstrates the resilience and dependability of our business model through difficult economic times," according to Chief executive Richard Leupen.

"Although uncertainty remains, our forward indicators are positive," he said in the statement released Tuesday.

UGL saw record earnings contributions from its infrastructure, resources and services divisions as spending rose amid a global recovery from the worst recession since World War II.

The company said underlying profit would expand by 10 to 15 per cent in 2010/11, which would take it to as much as $174 million as that recovery continues.

According to the company's statement, UGL's order book at the end of June was a record A$9.1 billion.

"Following the award of $5.3 billion in new contracts and extensions, UGL's order book stood at a record $9.1 billion. We also have $5.8 billion in weighted and qualified opportunities in progress, supported by a strong near term pipeline including $1.2 billion of work at the preferred tenderer stage."

The company declared a final dividend of 35 cents fully franked, taking the full year distribution to 64 cents.