Forbesยท2025-10-29 15:05Core Insights - Nokia's stock surged over 20% following Nvidia's $1 billion investment for a 2.9% stake, marking a new alliance focused on AI-driven networking and 6G infrastructure [2][3] - The partnership with Nvidia positions Nokia as a potential leader in AI infrastructure, despite its historical perception as a legacy telecom player [3][14] Financial Performance - Nokia's market capitalization stands at $42 billion, with revenue reaching $20 billion in the last twelve months, reflecting a 6% increase, and an 11.6% year-over-year growth in the most recent quarter [3][7] - The company's growth has been inconsistent, with an average revenue decline of nearly 6% per year over the past three years, contrasting with the positive trend of the S&P 500 [6] - Profitability remains a challenge, with operating margins at 3.7% and net income margins at approximately 4.7%, significantly lower than the S&P 500 averages [9] Valuation Metrics - Nokia's stock trades at a price-to-earnings ratio of 41x, compared to the S&P 500's 24, indicating a high valuation that reflects market optimism [5] - Price-to-sales and price-to-free cash flow ratios are also above market averages, suggesting that the market is betting on strong future execution [5] Financial Stability - The company has a strong balance sheet, with debt at $4.1 billion and a debt-to-equity ratio close to 10%, alongside $6.1 billion in cash, representing about 17% of total assets [10][11] - This financial strength provides Nokia with the capacity to invest in AI networking and manage downturns effectively [11] Market Resilience - Nokia's stock has shown vulnerability during market downturns, with a 54% drop during the 2022 inflation-driven downturn, compared to a 25% drop in the S&P 500 [12] - The company rebounded quickly from the 2020 pandemic sell-off, regaining losses in just 81 days, but overall crisis resilience has been lacking [13] Future Outlook - The collaboration with Nvidia could be a turning point for Nokia, allowing it to reposition itself in the AI infrastructure space, but challenges remain regarding sustainable growth and margin improvement [14][15]