Ad-hoc | 8 January 2004 15:12
Nokia fourth quarter 2003 sales and profitability to exceed its guidance:
Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
——————————————————————————–
Nokia fourth quarter 2003 sales and profitability to exceed its guidance:
Stronger than expected Q4 will result in pro forma EPS (diluted) of EUR 0.28 –
0.29
Nokia today announced that it exceeded its sales and profit guidance for the
fourth quarter of 2003.
Nokia Networks sales in the fourth quarter of 2003 were significantly higher
than estimated and reached approximately EUR 1.7 billion (versus the previous
guidance of EUR 1.4 billion). In addition to seasonality, this reflected
stronger than expected year-end operator investments. Combined with a favorable
product mix, this resulted in an exceptionally strong pro forma operating margin
of approximately 12% (versus the guidance of pro forma operating profit to
reach breakeven) in the fourth quarter 2003.
Nokia Mobile Phones sales in the fourth quarter of 2003 increased to
approximately EUR 7 billion, up 4% year on year (versus the previous guidance of
flat to slightly up) due to better than expected market development leading to
strong Nokia unit volumes. Due to this and a favorable product mix, Nokia Mobile
Phones’ pro forma operating margin continued at the excellent level of between
24% and 25% for the quarter. At the moment, Nokia is not in a position to
comment on overall mobile industry volume growth for the fourth quarter 2003.
However, Nokia Mobile Phones’ fourth quarter unit volumes were 55.3 million.
Total Nokia Group sales in the fourth quarter of 2003 were approximately EUR 8.8
billion, about the same level as in the previous year. The company now
estimates that fourth quarter 2003 pro forma EPS (diluted) will be EUR 0.28 –
0.29 (versus the pro forma EPS (diluted) guidance of EUR 0.21 – 0.23) and that
reported EPS (diluted) will be EUR 0.24 -0.25 (versus the reported EPS (diluted)
guidance of EUR 0.20 – 0.22). The reported fourth quarter EPS (diluted) was
negatively impacted by a goodwill impairment related to Nokia Networks.
end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 08.01.2004
Issuer’s information/explanatory remarks concerning this ad-hoc-announcement:
“I’m pleased to report that Nokia achieved excellent fourth quarter results”,
said Jorma Ollila, Chairman and CEO of Nokia. “The strong seasonal development
in both Nokia Mobile Phones and Nokia Networks exceeded even our own
expectations. High volumes and an excellent mix in Nokia Mobile Phones delivered
healthy sales and an average selling price that was up sequentially. Nokia
Networks results were impacted by stronger than expected year-end operator
investments and product mix which resulted in much stronger than expected sales
and stronger than expected operating profits.”
Nokia will report the fourth quarter and the full year 2003 on January 22, 2004.
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical
facts, including, without limitation, those regarding A) the timing of product
deliveries; B) our ability to develop and implement new products and
technologies; C) expectations regarding market growth and developments; D)
expectations for growth and profitability; and E) statements preceded by
“believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “foresee” or similar expressions, are
forward-looking statements. Because these statements involve risks and
uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from the results that we
currently expect. Factors that could cause these differences include, but are
not limited to: 1) developments in the mobile communications market including
the continued development of the mobile phone replacement market and the timing
and success of the roll-out of new products and solutions based on 3G and
subsequent new technologies; 2) demand for our products and solutions; 3) the
development of the mobile software and services market in general; 4) the
availability of new products and services by network operators; 5) market
acceptance of new products and service introductions; 6) the intensity of
competition in the mobile communications market and changes in the competitive
landscape; 7) the impact of changes in technology; 8) general economic
conditions globally and in our most important markets; 9) pricing pressures; 10)
consolidation or other structural changes in the mobile communications market;
11) the success and financial condition of the Company’s partners, suppliers and
customers; 12) the management of the Company’s customer financing exposure; 13)
the success of our product development; 14) our success in maintaining
efficient manufacturing and logistics as well as high product quality; 15) the
ability of the Company to source quality components and research and development
without interruption and at acceptable prices; 16) our ability to have access
to the complex technology involving patents and other intellectual property
rights included in our products and solutions; 17) inventory management risks
resulting from shifts in market demand; 18) fluctuations in exchange rates,
including, in particular, the fluctuations between the euro, which is our
reporting currency, and the US dollar and the Japanese yen; 19) the impact of
changes in government policies, laws or regulations; as well as 20) the risk
factors specified on pages 11 to 18 of the Company’s Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2002.
For more information – Media and Investor Contacts:
Corporate Communications, tel. +358 7180 34495 or +358 7180 34900
Investor Relations Europe, tel. +358 7180 34289
Investor Relations US, tel. +1 972 894 4880
http://www.nokia.com
——————————————————————————–
WKN: 870737; ISIN: FI0009000681; Index:
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-
Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart
081512 Jän 04