SAP leaves Oracle in the dust, points focus to cloud

Enterprise software maker SAP reported fourth quarter numbers that topped analyst estimates and outperformed rival Oracle as well. The company also revealed plans to focus on growing its cloud-computing software business, along with its mobile apps and real-time analytics technology.

The company Friday reported revenue of $4.7 billion, an increase of 12 percent from a year ago. It also reported operating profit grew 10 percent to $2.3 billion, again, beating analyst expectations. The good news caused the company's share price to jump.

In December, SAP acquired SuccessFactors for $3.4 billion, signaling its desire to push further into the cloud-computing market and take on companies like NetSuite and Salesforce.com as well.

"They outshone Oracle," said Mirko Maier, an analyst at Landesbank Baden-Wuerttemberg in Stuttgart with a "hold" rating on SAP shares. "It's a very positive statement, since they kept more than they promised and calmed investors after the disappointment at Software AG."

For more:
- see this Bloomberg article

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