SAP net profit for Q4 2004 was up 29 per cent to €542m (Q4 03: €420m), a little lower than consensus analyst forecasts of €548m. Revenues were € 2.4bn (Q4 03:€2.2bn).

New software sales advanced eight per cent in the quarter to €1bn, with a 26 per cent jump in the Americas, compensating for flat sales in Europe.

For the full year, SAP had revenues of €7.5bn, up seven per cent and net income of €1.3bn, up 22 per cent on 2003.

The company forecasts 10-12 per cent growth in software licence revenues for 2005 and aims to hire 3,000 more people this year.

Press statement here. ®

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