Oracle profits drop slightly on strong US dollar

Hurt by a strengthening US dollar, Oracle announced earnings last week that were slightly below the company's previously issued guidance, and profits that fell slightly.

The company reported GAAP income that fell one percent year-on-year, to US$1.3 billion on $5.6 billion in revenue for its fiscal 2009 second quarter, ended Nov. 30. Revenue was up 6 percent from the company's year-ago tally. Earnings per share of $0.34 matched analysts' expecting earnings, according to a survey by Thomson Financial.

The strengthening US dollar cost the company about $0.03 per share in earnings, Oracle said. It had issued guidance in September that it expected $0.35 or $0.36 per share.

Software licensing revenue was up 8 percent during the quarter, but new software sales were down 3 percent, compared to year-ago numbers.

The company signed its "largest on-demand sales force automation contract this quarter," beating out software-as-a-service rival Salesforce.com, Oracle said in a statement.

With IT spending estimates for 2009 slashed in recent months, Oracle is under pressure to cut costs. However the company did not announce any layoffs in its earnings release, issued Thursday afternoon.

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