Figures add up for Sage as growth returns

Chief executive Guy Berruyer said extending growth across all markets was the top priority.

Sage reported pre-tax profit of 356m, just ahead of expectations, on revenue flat at 1.44bn.

Mr Berruyer said: "Sage does not need a revolution, but it will benefit from a greater focus on growth opportunities."

He added that while the economic outlook for Sage's more than six million customers remained uncertain, the company was seeing signs of improving markets.

Organic revenue grew by three per cent in the second half of the year, with software revenue up two per cent. It was the first return to growth since the second half of 2007, although software sales in North America were down four per cent.