New York, Jan 30, 2026, 11:03 EST — Regular session
Nokia Oyj’s shares on the U.S. market climbed roughly 3.4% to $6.51 on Friday, bouncing back after the telecom equipment maker’s quarterly results sparked renewed discussion about its profit outlook for 2026.
This move is crucial as Nokia seeks to demonstrate that its AI and data-centre networking efforts can offset a volatile 5G spending environment, even as it undergoes a major restructuring and integrates sizeable acquisitions. Investors remain wary of sluggish beginnings, and Nokia has already warned that the first quarter seasonal dip will be harsher than usual.
Nokia stuck to its 2026 comparable operating profit forecast of 2.0 billion to 2.5 billion euros on Thursday, a range some analysts called cautious, even though it hit fourth-quarter estimates. Shares in the Helsinki-listed firm dropped about 6% early Thursday, ranking among the weakest on the Stoxx 600. The slump followed the announcement that longtime chair Sari Baldauf plans to step down, with vice chair Timo Ihamuotila put forward as her successor. (Reuters)
CEO Justin Hotard described the fourth quarter as “in line with our expectations” in the company’s financial statement release. Nokia confirmed its profit outlook for 2026 at 2.0 billion to 2.5 billion euros on a comparable basis, excluding items like restructuring charges. The board also approved a 0.03 euro dividend, with a record date set for Feb. 3 and payment scheduled for Feb. 12. Additionally, it warned that first-quarter net sales are expected to drop more sharply than the usual seasonal trend. (Nokia Corporation | Nokia)
Optical Networks stood out, as Nokia highlighted robust order intake fueled by AI and cloud clients. The company reported its book-to-bill ratio—orders over sales—remained above one, indicating demand outpaces shipments.
Nokia is gearing up for its annual shareholder meeting on April 9 in Helsinki, bringing a new governance slate. The company has put forward Olli-Pekka Ihamuotila as chair and nominated Meredith Whittaker, president of the Signal Technology Foundation, for a board seat. (Nokia Corporation | Nokia)
Ihamuotila picked up 100,000 Nokia shares on Friday, paying a volume-weighted average price near 5.374 euros, according to a managers’ transactions notice. (GlobeNewswire)
Nokia is overhauling how it reports its operations. The company has restated past segment figures ahead of a new setup rolling out with first-quarter results. Its business will now be split into Network Infrastructure and Mobile Infrastructure, with several non-core units moved into a Portfolio Businesses segment as Nokia explores strategic options for them. (GlobeNewswire)
Hotard has pushed politics and supply-chain reliability as key selling points. Speaking to Reuters this week, he said Europe and the U.S. are “co-dependent” when it comes to tech scale. Nokia and Ericsson are positioning themselves as Western alternatives amid government crackdowns on Chinese vendors and ongoing talks about tightening restrictions. (Reuters)
Still, the risk hasn’t vanished. Nokia cautions that tariffs and currency fluctuations could pressure margins, while carrier spending might stall as operators tighten budgets. Rising demand in optical and data-centre networks adds execution challenges too, from product delivery to integration.
Traders are eyeing Nokia’s February 3 dividend record date, followed by the April 9 AGM vote on the board transition. The first-quarter results, due April 23, will provide a crucial test for the 2026 range.
