Macquarie has posted a record $2.6 billion full-year profit.

It is a 15 per cent improvement on last year and well above analysts' expectations.

Macquarie Capital was the standout performer, with earnings up 45 per cent on the back of increased activity in energy and infrastructure projects in Australia and the US.

Growth at the Asset Management business was up 10 per cent, with a solid increase in funds-under-management.

Macquarie’s retail banking and financial services arm benefited by lending growth driving up earnings by 9 per cent.

Macquarie's exposure to global markets meant it was not dragged down by sluggish revenue growth of local banks, with about two thirds of its earnings coming from overseas.