Nokia's Optical Business in Focus as Data-Center Demand Drives Growth -- Earnings Preview

Dow Jones04-22 19:11

By Dominic Chopping

Nokia is scheduled to report results for the first quarter on Thursday. Here is what you need to know:

NET-PROFIT FORECAST: The Finnish telecom-equipment company is expected to report comparable net profit of 216 million euros ($253.6 million) in the quarter from 153 million euros a year earlier, according to a FactSet poll of analysts. On a reported basis, profit is expected at 131 million euros from a loss of 60 million euros.

SALES FORECAST: Sales are expected to rise 4% to 4.56 billion euros, according to FactSet.

The stock has risen 95% over the past 12 months and last traded at 8.84 euros.

WHAT TO WATCH:

--Nokia has guided to a first-quarter sequential sales fall of somewhat more than the normal 24% seasonal decline due to a stronger fourth quarter, with an operating margin only slightly higher than the prior year.

--The company's optical-networks unit is benefiting from the rapid growth in data-center spending, which could lead it to raise growth targets for the unit, Bank of America analysts said.

--In the mobile infrastructure business, margins are set to improve through cost efficiencies and a focus on software, with further upside potential from Huawei/ZTE replacement in Europe and its Nvidia partnership, Bank of America adds.

--Nokia has guided for full-year 2026 group comparable operating profit of between 2 billion and 2.5 billion euros. Analysts at Jefferies don't expect the company to deliver any upgrades to guidance at this stage, but say the increasing traction Nokia is getting from AI and data centers is clearly visible and the market will likely continue to price in revenue acceleration.

Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 22, 2026 07:11 ET (11:11 GMT)

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Nokia's Optical Business in Focus as Data-Center Demand Drives Growth -- Earnings Preview

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