KOBLENZ (dpa-AFX) - The software provider Compugroup, which specializes in medical practices and hospitals, was only able to slightly increase its profitability in the first quarter with unexpectedly strong sales. While revenues increased by 16 percent year-on-year to 291 million euros, also thanks to acquisitions, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) adjusted for special effects rose by almost the same amount to 59.9 million euros. The corresponding margin increased by 0.1 percentage points to 20.6 percent. After years of expensive investments, the provider has held out the prospect of a stronger increase in operating profit than in sales for 2023, and thus aims to raise the margin again noticeably. Analysts had expected slightly higher profitability in the first quarter. The management of the SDax-listed company confirmed the Group's forecast on Wednesday. Below the line, net income fell by a good fifth to 14.5 million euros due to a significantly worse financial result./men/zb