UK software company Autonomy more than doubled its profit for the first quarter of 2009 despite the recession.

Adjusted profit before tax in the period rose to $58.2m (£40m) from $31.1m (£21.4m) in the same period the year before, on revenue that grew from $105.1m (£72.3m) to $129.8m (£89.3m).

Revenue for the year ending 31 December 2008 totalled $503.2m (£364.7m), an increase of 47 per cent from $343.4m (£248.8m) in the prior year.

The company said results for the period were the highest in its history, driven by strong revenue growth mainly in the Americas, as well as via acquisitions such as the takeover of content management specialist Interwoven for $775m earlier this year.

The results were ahead of expectations, but the company’s chief executive Mike Lynch said it will remain “cautiously optimistic given the evolving situation of the markets.”

"Our pipeline remains strong and our backlog remains stable,” said Lynch.