IN BRIEF (Page 17)

SAP Q3 net up

German business software maker SAP AG said third quarter net income rose 12 percent, as a drop in revenue was partly offset by a lower tax rate and better profit margins. But a negative outlook sent the shares down sharply.

SAP, based in Walldorf, said net income reached 435 million euros ($644 million), up from 389 million euros in the July-September period of 2008.