SAP AG (SAP) Tuesday raised its 2010 sales outlook after the completion of the acquisition of U.S. software vendor Sybase Inc. (SY) and posted a 15% rise in second-quarter net profit as the recovery in demand for business software continued.

The business software giant, which competes with Microsoft Corp. (MSFT) and Oracle Corp. (ORCL), said second-quarter net profit rose to EUR491 million from EUR426 million a year earlier, slightly below of expectations of EUR525 million.

Software and software-related services revenue--a key performance figure that reflects revenue from software sales, maintenance and consulting services--increased 16% to EUR2.26 billion, beating analysts' expectations of EUR2.14 billion.

"Customers continue to invest for growth across large, midsized and small enterprises and within many industries," co-chief executive Bill McDermott said in a statement.

SAP tightened its view for full year software-related service revenue, excluding Sybase, now expecting a rise between 6% and 8% from an increase between 4% and 8% previously. In 2009, software-related service revenue was EUR8.2 billion.

SAP also maintained that it expects its operating margin to rise to between 30% and 31% from 27.4%.

Including Sybase, SAP now expects to increase software and software-related service revenue between 9% and 11% in 2010. The operating margin won't be influenced by the Sybase acquisition.

SAP guides on a non-IFRS basis and at constant currencies.

SAP shares closed at EUR37.27 Monday.

-By Archibald Preuschat, Dow Jones Newswires; +49 211 13872 18; archibald.preuschat@dowjones.com
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