Frankfurt - Europe's biggest software group SAP AG said Tuesday despite strong business in emerging markets second-quarter net profit fell 9.1 per cent.

Based in the German town of Walldorf, SAP said that net profit in the latest quarter slipped to 408 million euros (642 million dollars) from 449 million euros during the same period last year.

This was despite a strong showing by its business in the Middle East, Africa and the Asian Pacific region.

However, the group said its key software license sales, which is a key indicator of the company's business development, rose 25 per cent to 898 million euros. (dpa)