Nokia predicted a soft start to 2019 before performance picks up in the second half of the year due to growing demand for 5G kit, as it reported a positive set of Q4 2018 results.
In a statement, CEO Rajeev Suri provided an outlook for 2019, stating it expects performance for the full year to strengthen versus 2018, “and our view of a fast and meaningful shift to 5G remains unchanged”.
“Given that 5G rollouts will be staggered over the course of the year, we expect 2019 to have a soft first half followed by a much more robust second half,” he said.
The company added that demand for its 5G technology will fuel gains for the next two years, although it warned of a “particularly weak Q1” for 2019 due to the staggered nature of 5G rollouts in lead countries.
For Q4 2018, however, Nokia followed major rival Ericsson in reporting some positive numbers, which was no doubt welcome following an industry slowdown in recent years as 4G sales peaked.
Nokia’s revenue for the quarter totalled €6.9 billion, up 3 per cent from €6.7 billion in Q4 2017, which was attributed to “strong 5G customer engagement in all key markets”.
Its main Networks business grew revenue 7 per cent year-on-year to €6.2 billion, led by a 21 per cent increase in North America and a strong order backlog for 5G equipment.
Nokia noted improved profitability in its Technologies division. Operating profit for the period was up 12 per cent to €1.1 billion, also helped by its software and enterprise business.
