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SAN FRANCISCO - Business software maker Oracle today posted quarterly profit and revenue that topped Wall Street forecasts as new software license sales rose, sending its shares up nearly 5 per cent.
The results from the world's biggest database software maker mark a contrast to German rival SAP AG, which in January said it missed a key 2006 sales target, fueling concerns that big companies might be holding back on technology spending.
Oracle's fiscal third-quarter net profit rose to US$1.03 billion ($1.47 billion), or 20 cents per share, from US$765 million, or 14 cents per share, a year ago. Excluding items, Oracle had a per-share profit of 25 cents.
Revenue rose to US$4.4 billion from US$3.47 billion as Oracle sold more software that helps companies manage everything from accounting to human resources to inventory management.
- REUTERS
