<PAGE> 1
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the period ended December 31, 1998
SAP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
SYSTEME, ANWENDUNGEN, PRODUKTE IN DER DATENVERARBEITUNG
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
SAP CORPORATION
SYSTEMS, APPLICATIONS AND PRODUCTS IN DATA PROCESSING
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
Neurottstrasse 16
69190 Walldorf
Federal Republic of Germany
(Address of principal executive office)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F [X] Form 40-F [ ]
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes [ ] No [X]
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-_______.
<PAGE> 2
SAP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
SYSTEME, ANWENDUNGEN, PRODUKTE IN DER DATENVERARBEITUNG
FORM 6-K
SAP Aktiengesellschaft Systeme, Anwendungen, Produkte in der Datenverarbeitung,
a stock corporation organized under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany
(the "Company"), issued a press release dated January 5, 1999 (the "Press
Release") announcing certain preliminary results for the year ended December 31,
1998. The Press Release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto and is incorporated
by reference herein.
Any statements contained in the Press Release that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "believe," "expect" and "project," as they
relate to the Company, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
The Company undertakes no obligation publicly to update or revise any
forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to
various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from expectations. The factors that could affect the Company's future
financial results are discussed more fully in the Company's most recently filed
Form 20-F and Form F-1, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
June 22, 1998.
1
<PAGE> 3
Exhibits
Exhibit No. Exhibit
- ----------- -------
99.1 Press Release, dated January 5, 1999
2
<PAGE> 4
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SAP AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT SYSTEME,
ANWENDUNGEN, PRODUKTE IN DER
DATENVERARBEITUNG
(Registrant)
By: /s/ Prof. Dr. Henning Kagermann
--------------------------------------
Name: Prof. Dr. Henning Kagermann
Title: Co-Chairman and CEO
By: /s/ Michael Junge
--------------------------------------
Name: Michael Junge
Title: Head of Legal Department
Date: January 8, 1999
3
<PAGE> 5
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. Exhibit
- ----------- -------
99.1 Press Release, dated January 5, 1999
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 99.1
Press
Information
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kevin S. McKay
SAP America
610-355-4060
-or-
Michael Pfister
SAP AG
011-49-6227-74-1758
-or-
James P. Prout
Taylor Rafferty Associates
212-889-4350
SAP PRE-ANNOUNCES REVENUE AND PRE-TAX PROFIT FIGURES FOR 1998
WALLDORF, Germany -- January 5, 1999 -- SAG AG (NYSE: SAP), the world's leading
provider of client/server business applications, today pre-announced a strong
increase in 1998 revenues. Preliminary figures indicate that revenues for the
year grew close to 40% to DM 8.4 billion, after reflecting a 4% negative
currency effect. The Group's extraordinarily strong growth was led by key
markets in America, where revenue rose 50%, and Europe where revenue rose 40%.
Pre-tax results for the year were, however, below expectations rising 15%
(excluding the effects of the employee-incentive program, STAR), due mainly to a
continued decline in the Group's Japanese activities, that unexpectedly
accelerated in the fourth quarter of 1998. Fourth quarter pre-tax profits were
negatively affected by a software revenue shortfall of approximately DM 200
million in Japan. As a result of the decreased activity levels and more
protracted market stagnation, SAP has begun the reorganization of its Japanese
business. In addition, pre-tax results were also adversely affected by roughly
DM 40 million, as the Company adopted the conservative cash basis method of
accounting for Russia because of the economic situation in that country.
In SAP's other markets, business interest and activity continued to develop very
positively. New product initiatives commenced in 1997 were bolstered by
substantially increased research and development spending in 1998. This
industry-focused product development and field expansion of
1
<PAGE> 2
both the direct as well as the Value Added Reseller program provides a strong
foundation for continued business growth.
The Group also made considerable longer-term investment in its overall
workforce, hiring around 6,500 new employees world-wide in 1998. This increase
will enable the Group to reach its goal of doubling its revenue over the next
three year period.
SAP's Board, after considering possible currency fluctuations and the global
economy overall, expects 1999 revenues to increase roughly between 20 and 25%,
with a pre-tax profit margin improving slightly over 1998.
SAP complete year-end figures will be issued on January 26.
Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are
forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation
Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "expect" and "project" as they relate to the
company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. The company
undertakes no obligation publicly to update or revise any forward-looking
statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from
expectations. The factors that could affect the company's future financial
results are discussed more fully in the company's most recently filed Form 20-F
and Form F-1 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 24,
1998.
SAP AG preference and common shares are listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange
as well as a number of other exchanges. In the US, SAP's American Depositary
Receipts (ADRs), each worth one-twelfth of a preference share, trade on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "SAP". SAP is a component of the DAX, the
index of 30 German blue chip companies.
Information on the SAP AG preference shares is available on Bloomberg under the
symbol SAP3 GR, on Reuters under SAPG_p.F or DE and on Quotron under SAGVD.EU.
Information on the SAP common shares is available on Bloomberg under the symbol
SAP GR, on Reuters under SAPG.F and on Quotron under SAGR.EU. Additional
information is available on SAP AG's home page: http://www.sap.com.
# # #
2
