Back-end business software provider Lawson made a profit of $3.7m (£1.9m), a 195 per cent improvement on the $3.5m (£1.8m) loss posted in the same period last year.

Overall sales rose to $219m (£110.8m), up 18 per cent from $185m (£93.6m).

The firm attributed the strong figures to growth in software licence and maintenance revenue.

“Our second quarter results show that business was strong in all regions and verticals,” said chief executive Harry Debes.

“While there is always more to be done, we are making excellent progress and that is reflected in our year-over-year growth in revenues and earnings.”