Eni SpA’s fourth-quarter net profit dropped 14% on the year, as the Italian oil and natural gas company suffered disruptions to its large business in Africa, weaker refining results and the appreciation of the euro against the U.S. dollar. Despite the profit decline, Eni said Thursday it will increase its 2013 dividend by 1.9% on the year as it seeks to attract investors with higher payouts who are nervous about the underlying business trends and weak results from its gas activities. In January, Eni kick-started its share buyback program worth up to €6 billion ($8.16 billion) in another shareholder-friendly measure. Eni joins its peers in reporting dismal earnings for the last quarter, as production disruptions in Africa, an explosion of costs and increased competition in refinery activities, amid weak demand, hit results. France’s Total SA said Wednesday that net profit for the period fell 31%, Royal Dutch Shell […]