Nokia has today commented on market conditions impacting its business as well as updated its fourth quarter 2008 outlook. It also gave a preliminary outlook for the full year 2009.
In the last few weeks, says Nokia, the global economic slowdown, combined with unprecedented currency volatility, has resulted in a sharp pull back in global consumer spending. The weaker consumer spending has impacted many industries, including the global mobile device market, which has also been negatively impacted by the more limited availability of credit, which has limited the purchasing ability of some of our trade customers.
As a result of the rapid change in global consumer spending, which has impacted the mobile device market, Nokia now expects that the industry mobile device volumes will be lower in the fourth quarter 2008 than previously expected. It now estimates fourth quarter 2008 industry mobile device volumes will be approximately 330 million. This is sequentially up from the estimated 310 million in the third quarter of 2008, and would result in a current estimate of industry mobile volume of 1.24 billion in 2008, instead of the earlier estimated 1.26 billion units, up from 1.14 billion units Nokia estimated for 2007.
Nokia continues to expect its mobile device market share in the fourth quarter 2008 to be at the same level or slightly up, sequentially. This expectation is based on its current view, external market data and the overall competitiveness of its device portfolio. It also expects that Devices & Services sales and profitability in the fourth quarter 2008 will be negatively impacted, due to the aforementioned factors.
Preliminary Industry Outlook for 2009:
Nokia's preliminary estimate is that the industry mobile device volumes will be down in 2009 compared to 2008, impacted by the continuing overall economic slowdown. Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks preliminary estimate is that the mobile infrastructure and fixed infrastructure and related services market will be down in euro terms in 2009 compared to 2008.
In addition to the measures recently announced at Nokia and Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia saus it is taking decisive action to significantly reduce its cost base, and has already instituted various cost saving actions. Nokia also says it will curtail use of external contractors, consultants and professional services and will further cut operating expenses in 2009 to respond appropriately to the market conditions.
"Nokia believes that its advantages of scale, leading brand, superior logistics, low cost and broad product portfolio are competitive advantages that will enable us to distinguish ourselves from the competition in a challenging 2009," said Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo, Nokia CEO.