SAP achieves record results in fourth quarter

German software giant SAP said Friday underlying profits tripled in the fourth quarter and nearly doubled across the whole of last year on the back of strong growth in all areas. SAP said in a statement operating profit soared in the October to December period by 206 percent to 1.67 billion euros ($2.1 billion). That pushed operating profit across the whole year up by 88 percent to 4.88 billion euros. Fourth-quarter sales were up 11 percent at 4.5 billion euros, driving full-year sales 14 percent higher to 14.23 billion euros, the statement said. "In an uncertain environment, SAP delivered the best year in its 40-year history. We gained significant market share and achieved double-digit growth across all regions," said co-chief executives Bill McDermott and Jim Hagemann.