Finance
Nokia Beats First-Quarter Estimates as AI Boom Lifts Sales Again
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 23, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 23, 2026
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Nokia’s Q1 2026 comparable operating profit jumped 54% year‑on‑year to €281 million, beating the €250 million consensus as AI and cloud demand drove €1 billion in orders.
Nokia beats first-quarter estimates as AI boom lifts sales again
Strong Financial Performance Driven by AI and Cloud Demand
Quarterly Profit Surges Beyond Expectations
April 23 (Reuters) - Nokia posted a bigger than expected rise in its quarterly comparable operating profit on Thursday, as the Finnish telecom gear maker continued to see high demand from artificial intelligence and cloud customers, booking orders worth 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion).
Operating Profit Details
Comparable operating profit jumped 54% to 281 million euros in the first quarter of 2026. That was above the average estimate of 250 million euros from analysts polled by Infront.
Sales Growth Fueled by Hyperscalers
Nokia's sales have jumped in recent quarters thanks to high demand for artificial intelligence data centres built by so-called hyperscalers—large cloud service providers—that rely on fibre optic cables.
Strategic Shifts and Acquisitions
The Finnish company, previously known for its iconic phone business and later for making 5G gear, is now one of the world's top manufacturers of optical transport systems after buying U.S.-based Infinera.
Quarterly Sales Breakdown
Comparable net sales in the quarter reached 4.5 billion euros, in line with market estimates. The Espoo, Finland-based group said net sales from AI and cloud customers climbed 49%.
Additional Information
($1 = 0.8548 euros)
(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro, Agnieszka Olenska, Editing by Milla Nissi-Prussak)
Key Takeaways
- •AI and cloud customers are fueling robust demand, reflected in €1 billion order intake in Q1 2026 and strong growth in Network Infrastructure segment
- •Nokia’s restructuring into AI‑focused Network and Mobile Infrastructure units is paying off amid the AI supercycle
- •The beat over analyst expectations underscores Nokia’s growing traction in supporting AI‑native networks and hyperscaler connectivity
Frequently Asked Questions about Nokia beats first-quarter estimates as AI boom lifts sales again
1What drove Nokia's strong first-quarter profit in 2026?
High demand from artificial intelligence and cloud customers led to Nokia's 54% rise in comparable operating profit.
2How much was Nokia’s operating profit in Q1 2026?
Nokia reported a comparable operating profit of 281 million euros for the first quarter of 2026.
3How did Nokia’s Q1 2026 results compare to analyst expectations?
Nokia's Q1 operating profit surpassed analysts’ average estimate of 250 million euros, reaching 281 million euros.
4What is the value of orders Nokia booked from AI and cloud customers?
Nokia booked orders worth 1 billion euros, driven by demand from AI and cloud sectors.
5What is the USD equivalent of 1 euro according to the article?
According to the article, 1 euro equals 0.8548 US dollars.
