Frankfurt - European software giant SAP AG reported Wednesday a 22-per-cent fall in first-quarter profits on acquisition- related costs and despite higher sales.

German-based SAP said net profit during the first three months of the year dropped to a lower-than-forecast 242 million euros (377 million dollars) from 310 million euros a year earlier.

However, the group said its key software licence sales climbed 11 per cent to 622 million euros. (dpa)