(MENAFN- AFP) Barclays' pre-tax profits surged last year, the British bank revealed on Monday in a surprise statement amid media speculation over its earnings.Profit before tax hit £2.9 billion ($4.8 billion, 3.5 billion euros) in 2013, compared with £246 million in 2012.Barclays revealed the figures one day before its scheduled full-year results statement. It gave no reason for the early disclosure, although the Financial Times newspaper had reported similar figures.Barclays added that its adjusted pre-tax profit slumped 26 percent to £5.2 billion, the bank added in a brief statement that gave no other information.The adjusted level, which usually strips out some non-recurrent items, undershot forecasts of £5.41 billion, according to analysts polled by the group.Barclays' share price rose by 1.10 percent to stand at 274.70 pence following Monday's announcement. London's benchmark FTSE 100 index was 0.13-percent higher in morning deals.Barclays, which is still looking to repair its reputation following its role in the Libor interest rate-rigging scandal, is also among companies under investigation for possible manipulation of foreign exchange trading.Chief executive Antony Jenkins said last week that he would not take a bonus for his work in 2013, as Barclays looks to deal with significant litigation costs.The group warned also that it would set aside £300 million in provisions for the fourth quarter of 2013 to cover litigation and regulatory charges.Meanwhile on Sunday, Britain's data watchdog launched a probe after confidential files relating to Barclays customers were allegedly stolen then sold on to rogue brokers.The Information Commissioner's Office said it would be looking into the case this wee
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