Trading Statement

Embargoed for 7.00am, Monday 20 October 2003

The Sage Group plc

Year-end trading update

Results (unaudited) for the year ended 30 September 2003 in line with
expectations

Today, The Sage Group plc ('Sage') is providing an update on its trading
performance for the year ended 30 September 2003.

Both pre-tax profit and revenue for the period were in line with market
expectations.

Group profit before tax was approximately £151m, showing growth of 12% on the
prior year. Profit before tax includes a charge of £2.0m for the loss on
disposal of a non-core human resources division (on 5 May 2003). It also
includes £0.4m of operating profit contributed by Timberline, acquired on 23
September 2003.

Group revenues were approximately £560m, with revenue growth of 4%* on the
prior year. 

UK

Revenue growth of 3% to approximately £161m was generated from the continued
growth of the entry-level business.

The operating margin was increased to approximately 40% (2002: 37%), reflecting
a focus on installed base activities and also the benefit of a re-organisation
of the mid-market division during the prior year.

UK operating profit grew 12% to approximately £65m.

Mainland Europe

In market conditions which remained challenging, revenue growth of 4%* to
approximately £135m was attributable to acquisitions.

Acquired businesses contributed low initial margins and therefore overall
margins fell to approximately 22% (2002: 24%).

Operating profit in Mainland Europe fell 5%* to approximately £30m.

US

Overall revenues grew by 4%* to approximately £264m. A significant factor in
this growth was the performance of the CRM business, where revenues grew 13%*.
The US accounting businesses grew revenues 2%* compared to the prior year.

With a continued focus on installed base activity and improving margins in the
CRM business, overall US operating margins grew to approximately 23% (2002:
21%).

Overall US operating profits grew 17%* to approximately £61m.

*Comparisons are at constant exchange rates based on the average for the year
ended 30 September 2003

A conference call for analysts is being held today to discuss this
announcement. No further new material information will be discussed during the
call. Full details on the Group's financial performance for the year will be
given in Sage's preliminary results announcement on 2 December 2003. 

Enquiries

The Sage Group 0191 255 3055     
                                 
Paul Harrison, Finance Director  
                                 
Phil Branston, Investor Relations
                                 

Financial Dynamics 020 7831 3113
                                
Giles Sanderson                 
                                
Harriet Keen                    
                                
Caroline Ledosquet