SAP Regains Ground on Oracle with Preliminary Record Results (SAP, ORCL)

January 13, 2012 by Jon C. Ogg

If you have tracked enterprise software for long, you know that Oracle Corporation (NASDAQ: ORCL) has been taking market share from SAP AG (NYSE: SAP) for years and years.  It has been taking it by acquisitions and often organically.  The problem is that Oracle’s latest earnings were disappointing enough that many investors found it far enough off-base and out of character enough that they have started to lose faith.  Now a preliminary earnings and revenue report from SAP this morning may further add some question.

SAP reported record software revenue up 16% in the quarter to 1.74 billion euros, and up 22% for the year 2011.  More important is that the company is claiming to have beaten its annual guidance in non-IFRS software and
 software-related service sales.  It is also claiming to have exceeded its earnings guidance on higher margins.

SAP is planning to release more detailed quarterly and annual financial data on January 25 but this was called by the company as having been its “best ever full-year and fourth quarter” in the release.

After closing at $53.25 in New York against a 52-week range of $47.39 to $68.39, the pre-market trading has shares up just over 2.5% at $54.57 in active trading.

Shares of Oracle are indicated down 0.4% at $27.05 against a 52-week range of $24.72 to $36.50.

JON C. OGG

Take This Retirement Quiz To Get Matched With A Financial Advisor (Sponsored)

Take the quiz below to get matched with a financial advisor today.

Each advisor has been vetted by SmartAsset and is held to a fiduciary standard to act in your best interests.

Here’s how it works:
1. Answer SmartAsset advisor match quiz
2. Review your pre-screened matches at your leisure. Check out the
advisors’ profiles.
3. Speak with advisors at no cost to you. Have an introductory call on the phone or introduction in person and choose whom to work with in the future

Take the retirement quiz right here.