Ad-hoc | 6 April 2004 14:48
Stock Exchange Release
Ad-hoc-announcement transmitted by DGAP.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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Nokia expects its first quarter 2004 reported EPS to be EUR 0.17 (meets
guidance) and net sales to decline 2% year over year (below guidance)
Helsinki, Finland – Nokia today announced that its first quarter 2004 net sales
will be below guidance. Nokia’s net sales for the first quarter 2004 are
estimated to be EUR 6.6 billion, representing a decline of 2% compared to the
first quarter 2003 (vs. guidance of up 3 – 7%). The company expects to meet its
reported earnings per share (diluted) guidance with the EPS estimated to be EUR
0.17 (vs. guidance of EUR 0.17 – 0.19).
Sales of the Mobile Phones and Multimedia business groups were below
expectations. Mobile Phones sales declined in Europe and Asia due to lower than
expected volumes and a product mix weighted more towards the low end. Due to
certain gaps in its product portfolio, mainly in the mid range, the company was
not able to fully capitalize on positive market developments. Global mobile
phone volume growth is estimated to have been in excess of 25% in the first
quarter 2004 while Nokia volumes grew by 19%. Networks exceeded expectations
with estimated sales of EUR 1.4 billion, which represents 16% growth compared to
the sales in the first quarter 2003. Enterprise Solutions is expected to report
sales slightly better than planned.
Mobile Phones profitability continued at an excellent level. However, lower than
expected volumes and the product mix negatively impacted Mobile Phones’ sales
and operating profit. At the same time, the operating margin of Multimedia is
expected to be above plan due to a favorable product mix. In addition to sales,
the operating margin of Networks is expected to be healthy and to exceed the
company’s expectations. The operating margin of Enterprise Solutions is expected
to be slightly better than planned.
“Obviously, we are not satisfied with our sales development during the first
quarter, but I am pleased that once again we have managed to achieve good, solid
profitability. We are particularly pleased with the sales and profitability
development in the Networks’ business. The overall Nokia sales were negatively
impacted because we were not able to fully exploit the usual seasonal market
pick up in March, and the Mobile Phones product mix was weighted towards the low
end. Although we are already starting to see the long-term benefits of the new
organization, in the short term its implementation slightly slowed down our
reactions and operational effectiveness,” said Jorma Ollila, Nokia Chairman and
CEO. “With the new organization in place, we will continue to build on our core
strengths of brand, demand-supply chain management and cost leadership – while
driving further efficiencies in research and development. While our product
portfolio in the first quarter was not at its strongest, we believe that during
the year we will see improvement as we bring new products to market.”
Nokia will announce the full first quarter results together with the second
quarter outlook on April 16, 2004.
A conference call for investors is scheduled for 3:30 PM Helsinki time, 1:30 PM
London time, 8:30 AM New York time on April 6, 2004.
Investors based in the US: +1 888 636 1561
Investors based outside of the US: +44 1452 560 299
Media: +1 706 634 5012
It should be noted that certain statements herein which are not historical
facts, including, without limitation, those regarding: A) the timing of product
and solution deliveries; B) our ability to develop, implement and commercialize
new products, solutions and technologies; C) expectations regarding market
growth, developments and structural changes; D) expectations and targets for our
results of operations; 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 industry and the broader mobility
industry, including the development of the mobile software and services market,
as well as industry consolidation and other structural changes; 2) timing and
success of the introduction and roll out of new products and solutions; 3)
demand for and market acceptance of our products and solutions; 4) the impact of
changes in technology and the success of our product and solution development;
5) the intensity of competition in the mobility industry and changes in the
competitive landscape; 6) our ability to control the variety of factors
affecting our ability to reach our targets and give accurate forecasts; 7)
pricing pressures; 8) the availability of new products and services by network
operators and other market participants; 9) general economic conditions globally
and in our most important markets; 10) our success in maintaining efficient
manufacturing and logistics as well as the high quality of our products and
solutions; 11) inventory management risks resulting from shifts in market
demand; 12) our ability to source quality components without interruption and at
acceptable prices; 13) our success in collaboration arrangements relating to
technologies, software or new products and solutions; 14) the success, financial
condition, and performance of our collaboration partners, suppliers and
customers; 15) any disruption to information technology systems and networks
that our operations rely on; 16) our ability to have access to the complex
technology involving patents and other intellectual property rights included in
our products and solutions at commercially acceptable terms and without
infringing any protected intellectual property rights; 17) developments under
large, multi-year contracts or in relation to major customers; 18) the
management of our customer financing exposure; 19) exchange rate fluctuations,
including, in particular, fluctuations between the euro, which is our reporting
currency, and the US dollar, the UK pound sterling and the Japanese yen; 20) our
ability to recruit, retain and develop appropriately skilled employees; 21) our
ability to implement our new organizational structure; and 22) the impact of
changes in government policies, laws or regulations; as well as 23) the risk
factors specified on pages 12 to 21 of the company’s Form 20-F for the year
ended December 31, 2003 under “Item 3.D Risk Factors.”
For further information:
Nokia Corporate Communications
Tel. + 358 7180 34900
E-mail: press.office@nokia.com
Nokia Investor Relations:
Investor Relations Europe, tel. +358 7180 34289
Investor Relations US, tel. +1 972 894 4880
http://www.nokia.com
end of ad-hoc-announcement (c)DGAP 06.04.2004
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WKN: 870737; ISIN: FI0009000681; Index:
Listed: Amtlicher Markt in Frankfurt (General Standard); Freiverkehr in Berlin-
Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München und Stuttgart
061448 Apr 04