SAP reports 97 per cent profit boost

Corporate spending back as SAP revenue climbs five per cent

Revenue up five per cent with strong performance from BusinessObjects solutions

Business software firm SAP has reported operating profit increases of 81 per cent to €557m compared with €307m for the same quarter in 2009, and profits before tax up 97 per cent from €196m in 2009 to €387m, as it benefited from a recovery in corporate software spending and a pick-up in US sales.

Revenue for Q1 2010 was up five per cent at €2.5bn from €2.4bn in 2009.

SAP chief financial office Werner Brandt said: "SAP's solid top-line performance combined with an increasing operating margin puts us on track to achieve profitable growth long term."

SAP co-chief executive Bill McDermott said that SAP saw strong results from the rapidly expanding demand for SAP BusinessObjects solutions.

Walldorff-based SAP acquired French competitor Business Objects in 2008 for €4.8bn (£4.2bn).