Investor appetite for software businesses is fueled by diversification benefits, sustainable revenue, innovation, and growth prospects. In this rapidly evolving technological landscape, software companies are extending substantial resources to diversify their service offerings and achieve scalability.However, the debate over AI’s significant impact on the software industry still seems to hog most of the limelight. On that front, Fidelity International, Australia, noted in a February 13 report that the situa ...

Group 1 - The core point of the article is that SAP, a German business-software group, announced plans to distribute approximately 2.92 billion euros in dividends based on its earnings for 2025 [1]

Core Viewpoint - SAP SE recommends a dividend of €2.50 per share for fiscal year 2025, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year [1] Group 1: Dividend Details - The proposed dividend represents an increase of €0.15 compared to the dividend paid for fiscal year 2024 [1] - If approved, the total dividend distribution would amount to approximately €2.919 billion, up from €2.743 billion in 2024, with a payout ratio of 40.7% compared to 52.0% in 2024 [1][2] - The record date for the dividend payment is set for May 5, 2026, with the ex-dividend date on May 6, 2026, and payment scheduled for May 8, 2026 [6] Group 2: Shareholder Benefits - SAP emphasizes that shareholders should benefit from the profits made in 2025, adhering to a dividend policy of distributing 40% or more of Non-IFRS profit after tax [2] - The final dividend amount for holders of SAP ADRs will depend on the euro/US dollar exchange rate, as dividends are paid in euros [2]

Market Performance - European stocks closed positively, with the pan-European Stoxx 600 up by 1.19%, the UK's FTSE 100 climbing 1.23%, Germany's DAX gaining 1.12%, and France's CAC 40 ending 0.81% higher [1][3]. - Defense stocks rose due to an agreement between India and France to strengthen defense and aerospace ties [2]. - Mining and banking sectors also saw significant gains, with notable performances from companies like Antofagasta, which soared nearly 11% [4]. Company Updates - BAE Systems reported a better-than-expected 12% rise in full-year operating profit, leading to a 4% increase in its shares [4]. - In Germany, Rheinmetall climbed more than 5%, and Heidelberg Materials gained about 4.3% [5]. - Bayer's shares fell over 7% due to a proposed $10.5 billion settlement related to litigation over its Roundup weedkiller [6]. Sector Performance - In the UK market, mining companies such as Fresnillo, Anglo American Plc, and Glencore gained between 4.25% and 4.8% [4]. - In France, companies like Thales, ArcelorMittal, and STMicroelectronics saw gains of 2%-5% [7]. - Notable declines were observed in food retailer Carrefour, which slid more than 5% after reporting a decline in operating profit [8]. Economic Indicators - France's inflation eased to the lowest in five years, with the consumer price index rising only 0.3% year-on-year in January [9]. - The EU harmonized inflation softened to 0.4% from 0.7% in December, marking the weakest rate since December 2020 [10]. - In the UK, the consumer price index posted an annual increase of 3% in January, the lowest since March 2025 [12].

Core Viewpoint - SAP SE will participate in the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on March 3, 2026, where Muhammad Alam, a member of the SAP Executive Board, will hold a Fireside Chat [1]. Company Information - SAP is a global leader in enterprise applications and business AI, with over 50 years of experience in uniting business-critical operations across various domains including finance, procurement, HR, supply chain, and customer experience [1].

Core Viewpoint - The Trusted Tech Alliance (TTA) has been established by 15 leading global technology companies from 10 countries to promote a trustworthy technology stack that emphasizes transparency, security, and data privacy, addressing the growing skepticism towards digital technologies and their societal impacts [1][2]. Group 1: Formation and Purpose - The TTA aims to create a collaborative environment among technology providers to ensure reliability and resilience in technology services, responding to the rapid pace of technological change and increasing complexity in the global landscape [1]. - The alliance is built on a shared set of principles that all member companies must adhere to, focusing on creating public trust and ensuring that the benefits of emerging technologies are widely accessible [1][2]. Group 2: Member Companies and Principles - Founding members of the TTA include prominent companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Ericsson, among others [1]. - The TTA has agreed on five key principles that define what it means to be a trusted global technology provider: 1. Upholding the rule of law and data privacy 2. Fostering an open, cooperative, inclusive, and resilient digital ecosystem 3. Ensuring reliable supply chain monitoring and security 4. Maintaining operational transparency, secure development, and independent assessment 5. Promoting transparent corporate governance and ethical behavior [1][2]. Group 3: Industry Impact and Collaboration - The TTA emphasizes the importance of collaboration among like-minded companies to enhance customer trust and maximize the benefits of technology for economic and societal advancement [2]. - The alliance seeks to strengthen global standards and promote a trustworthy digital ecosystem that can adapt to the evolving technological landscape, particularly in areas such as artificial intelligence and cybersecurity [2][3].

Core Viewpoint - Oracle Corporation is currently facing a securities fraud lawsuit, which may impact its stock performance and investor confidence [6]. Group 1: Company Overview - Oracle Corporation (NYSE:ORCL) is a leading technology company known for its software products and services, including database management systems and cloud solutions [1]. - The company competes with other tech giants like Microsoft and SAP [1]. Group 2: Legal Issues - The lawsuit suggests potential issues within Oracle that may have affected its stock performance [2]. - Shareholders who have faced financial losses are urged to contact the law firm Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP [1]. Group 3: Executive Transactions - On February 9, 2026, Oracle's CEO, Magouyrk Clayton M., sold 10,000 shares at approximately $155.23 each, raising questions about the company's internal affairs [2]. - The CEO still holds 134,030 shares, which may influence investor perceptions [2]. Group 4: Stock Performance - Despite the ongoing legal proceedings, Oracle's stock is currently priced at $160.14, showing a 2.34% increase today, equivalent to a $3.66 rise [3]. - The stock has fluctuated between $155.29 and $162.06 during the trading day, indicating market volatility [3]. - Oracle's market capitalization is approximately $460.26 billion, reflecting its significant presence in the tech industry [4]. - The stock's trading volume today is 17.91 million shares, suggesting active investor interest [4]. - Over the past year, Oracle's stock has seen a high of $345.72 and a low of $118.86, highlighting its fluctuating market performance [4].

Market Performance - European stocks exhibited a mixed performance for the third consecutive session, influenced by corporate earnings updates and regional economic data [1] - The pan-European Stoxx 600 index decreased by 0.13%, while the U.K.'s FTSE 100 rose by 0.42% and Germany's DAX increased by 0.25% [1] - France's CAC 40 closed down by 0.35%, and Switzerland's SMI gained 0.52% [1] Sector Performance - In the U.K. market, defense stocks saw gains, while banks experienced weakness [2] - Notable gainers included Relx, which soared by 10%, and Experian and 3i Group, which rose by 5.5% and 5.1%, respectively [2] - Rolls-Royce Holdings, Halma, Endeavour Mining, Melrose Industries, Tesco, Fresnillo, and BAE Systems gained between 2% and 4% [2] Company-Specific Updates - Entain declined by 4.7%, while Natwest Group, Croda International, HSBC Holdings, Barclays Group, Lloyds Banking Group, and others lost between 1% and 2.5% [3] - In Germany, companies like Deutsche Boerse, MTU Aero Engines, and BMW saw gains ranging from 1% to 5.2% [3] - Rheinmetall's stock rose sharply due to news of an automotive divestment and a €200 million NATO contract for 120mm ammunition [4] - In France, Safran's stock surged over 8% on strong revenue growth and an upward revision of future financial targets [5] - Capgemini increased by 5.6% due to strong full-year revenue growth, with other companies like Eurofins Scientific and Publicis Groupe also closing with strong gains [5] Economic Indicators - The euro area experienced steady GDP growth of 0.3% in the fourth quarter, matching the growth rate of the previous quarter [7] - Year-on-year GDP growth was recorded at 1.3%, slightly below the 1.4% seen in the prior quarter [7] - Employment in the euro area increased by 0.2% in the fourth quarter, with a yearly rise of 0.6% [7] - The euro area trade surplus decreased to €12.6 billion in December from €13.9 billion the previous year, with exports increasing by 3.4% [8] - Germany's wholesale prices rose by 1.2% year-on-year in January, consistent with the previous month's increase [9]

Group 1 - The article discusses the impact of tariffs on various sectors, highlighting the ongoing trade wars and their implications for market dynamics [1][2] - It emphasizes the role of securities in navigating the challenges posed by tariffs, suggesting that investors should be aware of sector-specific vulnerabilities [1] - The piece also touches on the broader economic context, indicating that tariffs could lead to increased costs for consumers and businesses alike, potentially affecting overall market performance [1][2] Group 2 - The author, Ernest Hoffman, has extensive experience in market reporting, which adds credibility to the analysis presented in the article [3] - The article aims to inform readers about the current state of the market in relation to tariffs, without making specific investment recommendations [4]

Core Viewpoint - A coalition of 15 companies, led by Microsoft and Ericsson, has launched the "Trusted Tech Alliance" to promote digital trust and address concerns about data sovereignty amid increasing isolationist policies in the U.S. [1] Group 1: Alliance Formation - The alliance is the first coordinated effort by global companies to tackle issues related to data storage and digital sovereignty [1] - Discussions about forming the alliance began in mid-2022 between Microsoft and Ericsson [1] Group 2: Member Companies - The alliance includes notable companies such as Anthropic, Amazon Web Services, Alphabet's Google, Reliance Jio Platforms, Nokia, Cohere, NTT, and SAP [1] Group 3: Principles of the Alliance - The alliance is built around five principles: strong corporate governance, ethical conduct, secure technology development, adherence to global security standards, and support for an open digital environment [1] - Members will self-attest to these principles, which also include provisions for independent assessments [1] Group 4: Industry Context - The initiative responds to a growing trend of countries seeking to establish stronger technology borders and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers [1] - Microsoft President Brad Smith emphasized the need for a clear definition of trust in technology [1] - Ericsson CEO Börje Ekholm noted that no country can achieve full sovereignty alone, highlighting the interconnected nature of technology [1]