License sales help SAP operating profit to beat forecasts

By Harro Ten Wolde FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Europe's biggest software maker SAP reported a 19 percent rise in third-quarter operating profit on Tuesday, surprising markets by bringing forward its forecast-beating results by a week. Third-quarter operating profit, excluding special items, rose to 1.62 billion euros ($1.84 billion), beating the most optimistic estimate among 14 analysts, whose estimates ranged from 1.45 billion to 1.59 billion euros. SAP said it was sticking to its outlook for the fu