SAP(SAP) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The total cloud backlog reached EUR 77 billion, up 30% year-on-year, indicating strong underlying business momentum [7][26] - Cloud revenue grew 26% year-on-year, primarily driven by the strong performance of the Cloud ERP Suite, which increased by 32% [27][29] - Total revenue for the full year approached EUR 37 billion, up 11% [29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Cloud ERP Suite accounted for 86% of total cloud revenue for the year, highlighting its role as a key growth engine [27] - The number of customers using the AI copilot tool grew ninefold over the year, with over 60% of existing cloud customers actively using AI [6][56] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Strong performances were noted in Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea, and Spain, while China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US also showed significant strength [28] - The company outperformed the cloud market by 10 percentage points in 2025 [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The ongoing transformation of SAP's operating model, combined with AI integration, is expected to drive future growth and revenue acceleration through 2027 [14][22] - The company is focusing on a Partner-First approach for the mid-market and expanding its sovereign cloud capabilities [12][16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged geopolitical uncertainty and macroeconomic volatility but emphasized the increasing demand for AI solutions among customers [4][24] - The company expects a record free cash flow of approximately EUR 10 billion in 2026, supported by continued efficiency improvements [32] Other Important Information - The non-IFRS cloud gross margin for the full year expanded by 1.6 percentage points to 75%, driving cloud gross profit up by 29% [28] - A new two-year share repurchase program of up to EUR 10 billion is set to start in February, reflecting confidence in the business's sustainable strengths [30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on CCB and pipeline for Q1 - Management noted that the CCB ended at 25%, with larger deals contributing to longer ramp periods and some slippage, but overall bookings performance was ahead of plan [39][41] Question: AI-driven cost savings and R&D focus - The company aims to achieve EUR 2 billion in cost efficiencies through business growth and AI integration, with no current restructuring plans [46][48] Question: AI adoption among existing customers - Approximately 60% of existing cloud customers are actively using AI, with significant revenue uplift observed from early adopters [56][60] Question: Dynamics of TCB growth and BDC momentum - Management acknowledged a deceleration in TCB growth but emphasized a strong pipeline and the expected contribution from the Business Data Cloud in 2026 [72]