FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Business software provider SAP AG says sales rose 12 percent in the fourth quarter thanks to strong results from Asia.

Revenues rose to €5.02 billion ($6.7 billion) from €4.50 billion in the same quarter a year earlier. Software revenue rose 22 percent in the Asia-Pacific-Japan region but only 8 percent in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The company, based in Walldorf, Germany, said Tuesday operating earnings fell 5 percent to €1.59 billion. That result was diminished by expenses of €151 million related to acquisitions and by €185 million from new, share-based compensation programs boosted by a rise in the company's stock price during the year.

SAP makes software to help companies manage back-office functions such as personnel and paying suppliers.

It releases detailed earnings including net profit Jan. 23.