Nokia surges after securing €2.8 billion in AI contracts amid key conversion challenge

Nokia surges after securing €2.8 billion in AI contracts amid key conversion challenge

HELSINKI, August 4, 2026, 15:05 EEST — Nasdaq Helsinki session underway.

  • Nokia climbed 5.9% to €8.58, with the OMX Helsinki 25 advancing 1.24%.
  • AI and cloud orders totaled €2.8 billion in the second quarter, compared to €1 billion in the previous quarter.
  • Initial estimate: Based on Nokia’s conversion guidance, revenue of roughly €1.4 billion is expected over the next 12 months.

Nokia Oyj gained 5.9% to reach €8.58 as of 14:48 EEST on Tuesday, outperforming the OMX Helsinki 25 by 4.66 percentage points. Technology shares in Europe increased by 1.7%.

Stock chart for HEL:NOKIA

The advance continues a four-day recovery since the July 29 close. Nokia has risen 13.6% from €7.556. Shares are still 1.4% under their July 23 close after results. The reset has yet to be completely reversed.

Latest readingLevel or priceDay moveNokia outperformance
Nokia€8.58+5.90%
OMX Helsinki 256,288.31+1.24%4.66 percentage points
STOXX Europe 600 technology sector+1.70%4.20 percentage points

Most recent data during Tuesday’s session in Europe.

By mid-afternoon, Nokia had not released any new operating update. The most recent posts in its archive, following Q2, were manager-dealing notices. The largest confirmed factor on the day was the broad rally in technology shares.

Investors are primarily concerned with this: how fast are orders converted into revenue? In Q2, Nokia reported €2.8 billion in AI and cloud orders, a figure that is 2.8 times higher than the €1 billion recorded in Q1.

AI and cloud demand bridgeValueChange or scale
Q1 order intake€1.0 billionBaseline
Q2 order intake€2.8 billionUp 180% sequentially
12-month conversion anticipated by companyRoughly halfManagement outlook
Preliminary conversion estimateApproximately €1.4 billion50% of Q2 intake
Compared to annualized Q2 Network Infrastructure sales17.2%Run-rate basis
Compared to annualized Q2 group sales7.3%Run-rate basis

Q2 sales are annualized by multiplying by four. These figures do not represent forecasts from Nokia.

Initial estimate: Based on Nokia’s phrasing, this suggests revenue near €1.4 billion over 12 months. This figure is 17.2% of Q2 Network Infrastructure sales when annualized, and 7.3% of annualized total group sales. The amount is significant.

Nokia Chief Executive Justin Hotard stated the company anticipates “around half of these orders to convert to revenue over the next twelve months.” He also noted that supply continues to be the primary constraint for the industry. Nokia Corporation | Nokia

Q2 results20262025Difference
Net sales€4.815 billion€4.443 billion+8%
Comparable operating profit€434 million€367 million+18%
Comparable operating margin9.0%8.3%+0.7 percentage point
Reported operating result-€50 million€147 millionLoss from profit
Network Infrastructure sales€2.037 billion€1.825 billion+12%
AI and cloud customer sales+105%

The earnings composition backs the order outlook, though it also highlights tensions. Comparable operating profit increased by 18%. Reported operations posted a €50 million loss. Nokia attributed the difference to accelerated restructuring.

Nokia maintains its full-year comparable operating profit forecast at €2.1 billion to €2.6 billion. The company described the €100 million rise as a technical adjustment, citing discontinued operations rather than improved operational expectations.

Management forecasts Q3 sales to increase by 3% to 7% compared with the previous quarter. Comparable operating profit is projected to stay roughly steady. A significant improvement is anticipated for Q4, highlighting the importance of conversion timing.

Valuation is still a limiting factor. Ericsson traded at a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.0, while Nokia stood at 67.6 times. That puts Nokia’s multiple at 5.2 times Ericsson’s. Restructuring impacts the figures, yet the difference remains significant.

Market metricNokiaEricssonNokia relative
Latest price€8.58SEK97.64
Day move+5.90%+1.50%Up 4.40 percentage points more
P/E ratio67.59 times12.97 timesHigher by 5.21 times
52-week high€15.00SEK128.45
Drawdown from high-42.8%-24.0%18.8 percentage points lower
Market capitalization€49.30 billionSEK329.25 billionNot directly comparable currencies

(See on )

Ericsson gained 1.5% on Tuesday, underperforming Nokia. The difference points to investors favouring Nokia’s presence in optical and IP markets. Nokia posted 20% growth in optical and 16% in IP during Q2.

Risks: Revenue recognition could face delays due to supply constraints. Nokia anticipates restructuring charges of €800 million this year. Associated cash outflows are projected between €700 million and €800 million. Increased competition or reduced customer spending may hinder conversion.

The next major test comes with third-quarter results on October 22. Investors are looking to see if sales reflect order conversion. The backlog of orders remains substantial. Evidence is required.

TS2 TECH • EXTENDED COVERAGE

Further analysis

Will demand for AI and cloud be enough to drive continued growth at Nokia?
Sales of AI and cloud climbed 105% in Q2. Order intake totaled €2.8 billion, with Nokia anticipating about half to be recognized as revenue within twelve months. Network Infrastructure is forecast to increase 12%–14% this year, driven by 18%–20% gains in both IP and Optical segments. Supply issues continue as the primary limiting factor. Nokia Corporation | Nokia
Has the Q2 profit outperformance led to a significant upgrade in the outlook?
Comparable operating profit amounted to €434 million, surpassing consensus by around 14%. Nokia now projects €2.1–€2.6 billion for 2026. The €100 million increase stems solely from discontinued operations. Management continues to anticipate results slightly above the €2.35 billion midpoint. Nokia Corporation | Nokia
Is Nokia’s current share price considered expensive?
The ADR is priced at $9.36, trading at around 24 times FactSet’s projected 2026 EPS of $0.39. For 2027, the valuation drops to nearly 20 times the estimated EPS of $0.47. The price factors in solid execution. The Wall Street Journal
How much stock price appreciation are analysts on Wall Street currently forecasting?
FactSet data shows an Overweight consensus rating, with an average price target set at $12.81—approximately 37% higher than the current $9.36 level. Analyst targets are spread between $6.30 and $20.47, marking an uncommon breadth in estimates. The Wall Street Journal
What factors could disrupt the earnings outlook?
Q3 operating profit is expected to be broadly stable before a notable rise in Q4. Mobile Infrastructure profit remained at €310 million, with the margin decreasing to 11.6%. Restructuring-related cash outflows are projected to total €700–€800 million this year. Net cash totaled €2.78 billion. Nokia Corporation | Nokia

Iwona Majkowska is a financial markets journalist at TS2.tech, specializing in stocks, artificial intelligence and technology. A graduate of the Warsaw School of Economics, she previously worked in equity research and financial analysis before focusing on market reporting. Her daily coverage helps investors follow major developments across U.S. and global markets. Follow Iwona Majkowska on Google News.

AI PORTFOLIO

Top Stock Picks

Today’s highest-ranked model selections.

#1 STRONG BUY

Xylem

NYSE: XYL 94 / 100
#2 BUY

AerCap

NYSE: AER 92 / 100
#3 BUY ON WEAKNESS

Visa

NYSE: V 89 / 100
#4 BUY IN TRANCHES

Lennox

NYSE: LII 87 / 100
#5 ACCUMULATE

UPS

NYSE: UPS 84 / 100
View full portfolio
Editorial model selection. Not personalised advice.
McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) shares advance ahead of earnings as profit forecasts ease
Previous Story

McDonald’s (NYSE:MCD) Q2 Profit Tops Estimates Even as U.S. Customer Visits Decline

Dow Jones Sets New High as Broader Rally Follows Oil Price Drop
Next Story

U.S. Stock Futures Edge Higher Led by Strong Gains in AI Infrastructure Against S&P 500