SAP said in a statement it booked net profit of 252 million eurosmillion dollars) in the period from July to September, up from 25 percent a year earlier.

Operating profit rose by 23 percent to 413 million euros and excluding charges related to acqusitions and SAP's stock-based employee bonus scheme, operating profit was up 33 percent at 423 million euros.

Total revenues slipped by three percent to 1.652 billion euros in the July-September period, but the decline was largely attributable to exchange rate fluctuations. At constant exchange rates, revenues would have actually increased by three percent, SAP said.

The third-quarter operating margin, a profitability gauge measuring the proportion of profits to sales, increased by five percentage points to 25 percent.

"We delivered strong results despite a continued tough market environment," said chairman Henning Kagermann.

"Our success was the result of excellent sales execution, particularly in the US, combined with a continued focus on improving operating efficiencies."

Operating expenses were cut by nine percent to 1.239 billion euros in the third quarter.

SPACE.WIRE