North American revenue fell to about $428.7 million, down 6 percent over the same period a year earlier. Revenue for Sage Business Solutions, the largest U.S. division, dropped 6 percent organically. The division handles most accounting software products such as the MAS line, Accpac and Sage Pro.

The North American EBITA margin for the most recently completed half was 22 percent, compared to 18 percent a year ago. Excluding last year's restructuring charges, that metric was 20 percent. Worldwide, the Sage Group reported revenue of $1.14  billion, down 3 percent from a year ago at constant exchange rates. The EBITA margin was 25 percent, up from 23 percent a year earlier.