SAP(SAP) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the full year approached EUR 37 billion, up 11% year-on-year [33] - Cloud revenue grew 26% year-on-year, primarily driven by the strong performance of Cloud ERP Suite, which increased by 32% [32][33] - Non-IFRS basic earnings per share increased by 36% to €6.15 [37] - Free cash flow for the full year was EUR 8.2 billion, at the high end of the revised outlook range [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Cloud ERP Suite accounted for 86% of total cloud revenue for the year, highlighting its importance as a growth engine [33] - Software licenses revenue decreased by 27%, indicating a shift in focus towards cloud solutions [33] - The current cloud backlog reached EUR 21 billion, up 25%, while total cloud backlog grew 30% to a record EUR 77 billion [31][32] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The public cloud business grew five times faster than the private cloud business, showcasing a significant shift in customer preferences [5] - The company reported its best bookings result in Q4, contributing to a strong finish for the year [3][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company emphasizes AI and the Business Data Cloud as core components of its transformation strategy, aiming to enhance customer decision-making and deal activity [30] - The strategy includes a focus on large-scale enterprises and high-growth mid-sized companies undergoing complex transformations [30] - The company plans to further develop its SAP Sovereign Cloud Infrastructure to meet growing demand for sovereign software solutions [40] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate geopolitical tensions and emphasized the importance of operational discipline [29][39] - The outlook for 2026 includes expectations for total revenue growth to accelerate, supported by the foundation built in 2025 [38] - Management acknowledged the challenges faced in 2025 but highlighted the resilience demonstrated in cloud revenue performance [51] Other Important Information - The company announced a new two-year share repurchase program of up to EUR 10 billion, reflecting confidence in sustainable business strengths [36][37] - The company is committed to reskilling its workforce to adapt to the changing landscape influenced by AI [25] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Are there hurdles in the U.S. due to growing tensions between countries? - Management noted that the U.S. public sector performed well in Q4, with customers less concerned about the origin of the software as long as regulatory standards are met [42][43] Question: Are solutions intended to diversify or replace offerings from non-European providers? - Management clarified that the focus is on competitiveness rather than replacing non-European offerings, emphasizing the need for stronger AI capabilities [44] Question: How do geopolitical tensions impact the business outlook? - Management indicated that the 2025 environment is considered the new normal, with resilience shown despite geopolitical challenges [51][52] Question: What is the rationale behind the share buyback program? - Management explained that share buybacks are part of a balanced approach to capital returns, alongside potential future M&A for technological advancements [60][62]