Software maker CA posted flat profits of £50m ($71m) for its latest fiscal quarter, while sales fell five per cent.

The company said internal cost controls had boosted its financial performance, despite the negative impact of currency fluctuations.

"While we are assuming a continuing downturn into at least the early part of fiscal year 2010, we are making significant investments in new and improved products and sales resources," said John Swainson, CA chief executive.

CA posted revenue of £683m ($1bn) for the three months, compared to £717m in the same quarter last year. Without currency fluctuations, revenue would have risen by two per cent, the company said.

For its full fiscal year revenue was essentially flat, hitting £2.8bn in the year ending 31 March 2009.

Profits for the year were up, however, at £458m compared to £330m in the previous year.