Should I buy Nokia stock in 2025? NZ Edition

What is Nokia?

What is the price of Nokia stock?

The price of Nokia stock is falling this week. Nokia is currently trading at $5.35 USD, with a 24-hour change of -$0.04 (-0.74%) and a notable weekly gain of +8.96%.

Nokia’s beta of 0.62 reflects moderate volatility. For New Zealand investors, Nokia’s recent strong weekly momentum is worth noting as market sentiment remains optimistic but steady.

Our full analysis on the Nokia stock

Following a rigorous review of Nokia’s most recent financial statements and an in-depth assessment of its stock trajectory since 2022, our proprietary, multi-factor approach brings together quantitative indicators, technical signals, global market data, and competitive benchmarking. This comprehensive process has provided us with a clear, up-to-the-minute view of the company’s direction and its position within the digital infrastructure sector. So, why might Nokia stock once again become a strategic entry point into the next wave of technology and communications in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Nokia’s share price trajectory has substantially outperformed key benchmarks in the technology sector across the past twelve months. As of 30 May 2025, Nokia ADRs on the NYSE are trading at $5.35—a robust 38.2% year-over-year gain, and 21.0% higher year-to-date. Particularly notable is the surge of nearly 9% over the last week, signaling renewed market interest following a string of positive developments.

Critically, Q4 2024 results set a new pace, with net sales climbing to €5.98 billion (+10% reported, +9% constant currency), and an operating margin expansion of 380 basis points to 19.1%. Such figures not only exceeded consensus estimates but have reignited optimism around the broader 5G and network infrastructure space. This sector is benefitting globally from sustained enterprise and governmental network investments—notably in North America and Europe—as capital deployment cycles ramp amid digital transformation trends.

Sector-wide, macroeconomic conditions appear increasingly constructive: interest rate stabilization, recovering enterprise IT budgets, and government incentives for digital infrastructure are all supporting continued growth in advanced connectivity. For New Zealand investors, Nokia’s global presence ensures high correlation to recurring multiyear capex cycles, while its advantageous euro- and dollar-denominated exposures provide diversification in portfolios largely weighted to local equities.

Technical Analysis

A detailed technical view substantiates the bullish underpinnings for Nokia. The stock has decisively broken through key resistance areas, establishing a new 52-week high at $5.48, and sits just below this level. The momentum is clear:

• Short- and long-term moving averages (20, 50, 100, and 200-day SMAs) are all giving robust buy signals, indicating persistent upward momentum.
• Relative Strength Index (RSI) stands at 63.87, reflecting strong but not overextended positioning, with room to the upside before signs of overheating typically develop.
• MACD is moderately negative, offering a potential entry opportunity on any slight near-term consolidation before the next leg higher.
• Bullish structure is reinforced by solid support at $5.31, with the stock remaining well above all key technical bases—a classic setup for trend-following investors.
• The key pivot point at $5.41, just below current trading levels, may provide a base for continued upward moves, especially if resistance at $5.48 is cleared with conviction.

Momentum, structure, and breadth all indicate Nokia may be entering a renewed bullish phase—positioned ahead of or in line with major technical inflections.

Fundamental Analysis

Nokia’s underlying business fundamentals paint a picture of a disciplined and well-diversified growth story. The Q4 2024 numbers highlight:

• Revenue growth: Q4 top-line grew 10% (reported) year-on-year, with network infrastructure leading at +17%. This offsets full-year softness due to cyclical shifts, signaling an inflection back toward growth.
• Profitability: Comparable operating margin reached 19.1% in Q4, while annual comparable EPS concluded at €0.39, both demonstrating Nokia’s successful cost controls and margin optimization.
• Balance sheet strength: Net cash position of €4.9B underpins both operational resilience and strategic flexibility for M&A and share buybacks.
• Shareholder returns: Proposal of a €0.14 dividend per share, alongside buyback authorizations totalling €900M, further highlight management’s commitment to capital allocation discipline.

At a current P/E of 21.4 and a dividend yield of 2.63%, the stock’s valuation appears attractive relative to both peers and its own growth trajectory, especially in a sector where reliability and forward visibility command premiums. The PEG and P/S ratios remain justified by the prospect of recovering sales, profitability, and clear catalysts likely to unlock further value.

Structurally, Nokia sits at the heart of the global technology upgrade cycle:

• Innovation edge: Leadership in 5G/6G infrastructure, data center connectivity, and next-gen IoT solutions.
• Strong IP franchise: Monetizable technology portfolio, with licensing revenues now running at €1.3-1.4B per annum and growing.
• Market share gains: Recent wins in the US, China, and strategic emerging territories augment the company’s global relevance.

Overall, the fundamentals justify renewed investor interest at this stage in the cycle.

Volume and Liquidity

Sustained valuation momentum is backed by significant and stable daily volume—averaging 21.35 million shares—which reflects robust participation from institutional and retail investors alike. The public float of 5.23 billion shares allows both agility and depth for those seeking to establish meaningful positions without risk of illiquidity-driven volatility.

This dynamic bodes well for price discovery, while also providing a solid base for responsive valuation expansion in the event of further positive catalysts—an important feature for NZ-based investors seeking international exposure without liquidity constraints.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several concrete catalysts reinforce the positive medium- and long-term trajectory:

• Infinera acquisition: The $1.7B deal, set for completion in Q1 2025, will further scale Nokia’s optical networking business, potentially unlocking supply chain and R&D synergies.
• Strategic data center investments: Additional €100M annual spend is targeted to generate €1B incremental sales by 2028, with partnerships already in place alongside the likes of Microsoft and Lenovo.
• Strengthening in 5G core: Accelerating North American demand and improving traction in Europe suggest a global reacceleration, with Nokia’s IP portfolio a valuable differentiator.
• Next-generation cloud services: The highest Q4 growth (7%) occurred in cloud network services, a sector that continues to enjoy secular tailwinds.
• Shareholder returns and new leadership: Buybacks of up to €900M indicate confidence from the board, while the appointment of a new CEO with an AI leadership background should further align Nokia with the future of intelligent network technologies.
• ESG and Sustainability Initiatives: With increasing requirements for sustainable digital infrastructure globally, Nokia’s strong ESG orientation strengthens its candidacy for capital inflows from asset managers worldwide.

Sector-wide, regulatory support for 5G and digital infrastructure, coupled with a post-pandemic enterprise capex revival, further supports a constructive backdrop.

Investment Strategies

Given its current technical and fundamental posture, Nokia presents compelling arguments for entry across investment horizons:

• Short-term: Investors looking for tactical exposure may find the momentum-driven price structure appealing, especially if positioning ahead of the Infinera acquisition or an imminent technical breakout above $5.48.
• Medium-term: Those seeking medium-duration growth are well-placed to benefit from the reacceleration in North American 5G demand, the roadmap of data center revenue generation through 2026–2028, and the ongoing share buyback benefit.
• Long-term: For those with a longer view, Nokia sits at the intersection of secular trends—AI, IoT, cloud, and cybersecurity. The company’s robust cash position, steady shareholder returns, and potential for global market share expansion offer diversification away from local NZ tech holdings.

Taking positions near the current technical support zone ($5.31–$5.41), or on any volatility-linked dips, may represent an attractive entry ahead of key corporate catalysts and sector upswings.

Is it the Right Time to Buy Nokia?

In summary, Nokia’s investment thesis is marked by resilient financials, accelerating operational momentum, and multiple catalysts that may well reward patient, growth-oriented investors. The confluence of improving macro context, sector leadership in 5G and cloud infrastructure, disciplined capital management, and a shareholder-oriented strategic roadmap creates a distinctly positive outlook for the stock.

With analysts projecting up to 30% upside from current levels, daily trading volumes affirming institutional confidence, and Nokia’s evolving product suite primed to capture rising demand, the stage appears set for a renewed period of outperformance. For New Zealand investors seeking international technology exposure that balances growth, yield, and stability, Nokia stands out as a stock that seems to represent an excellent opportunity—one that is backed by both fundamentals and technical conviction. As global digital acceleration continues, Nokia’s compelling mix of innovation, scale, and strategic execution may position it at the epicenter of the sector’s next bullish phase.

For those evaluating the changing landscape of global technology investments, Nokia presents a timely prospect that deserves close attention in the quest for portfolio growth and resilience.

How to buy Nokia stock in New Zealand?

Buying Nokia stock online from New Zealand is both simple and secure when you use a regulated broker. Investors have two main options: direct stock (spot) purchasing, where you actually own the shares, or trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow you to speculate on price movements without ownership. Both methods can be managed conveniently through online platforms, offering fast execution and clear transaction records. Before you start, it’s wise to understand each method’s risks and costs—which we’ll explain below—and compare broker fees and features using the NZ broker comparison tool further down this page.

Cash buying

When you purchase Nokia shares for cash (“spot buying”), you become a real shareholder in the company. This means you own the shares outright and may benefit from dividends and long-term value growth. New Zealand investors typically pay a brokerage fee, often a fixed NZD amount per order (for example, around $5–$10 NZD).

Example

Suppose Nokia shares are trading at $5.35 USD per share, which is about $8.70 NZD with currency conversion (exchange rates may vary). With a $1,000 NZD investment, and accounting for a $5 NZD brokerage fee, you would be able to buy approximately 114 shares ($1,000 - $5 fee = $995; $995 ÷ $8.70 ≈ 114 shares).

Gain scenario

If the Nokia share price rises by 10%, your holding is now worth $1,100 NZD. That’s a $100 gross gain, or +10% on your investment (excluding potential currency effects and taxes).

Trading via CFD

A CFD (Contract for Difference) is a financial contract that lets you speculate on Nokia’s share price without owning the actual shares. CFD trading allows you to use leverage—amplifying gains and losses. Instead of a brokerage commission, fees are built into the “spread” (the small difference between buy and sell prices) and potentially overnight financing costs if you hold positions beyond a day.

Example

You open a CFD position on Nokia stock with $1,000 NZD and select 5x leverage, giving you exposure to $5,000 NZD in the market.

Gain scenario

If Nokia’s share price rises by 8%, your position would generate a 40% gain (8% × 5 leverage) before fees. That’s a +$400 NZD result on your $1,000 stake. Remember: losses are amplified too, so risk management is crucial.

Final advice

Before you invest in Nokia, carefully compare broker fees, trading conditions, and available markets to ensure you choose the right platform for your needs. The broker comparison table further down this page is designed to help. Ultimately, the best approach—cash purchase or CFD trading—depends on your investment objectives, time horizon, and risk appetite. Both options make accessing Nokia’s potential upside easier than ever for NZ investors.

Our 7 tips for buying Nokia stock

The latest news about Nokia

Nokia shares surged nearly 9% in the past week, supported by strong investor optimism and positive technical signals. This rally outperformed the broader market and is underpinned by bullish momentum seen in moving averages on all major timeframes (20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day SMAs), each flashing a buy signal. Notably, this marks a significant recovery, as Nokia stock is now up over 21% year-to-date and 38% year-on-year, drawing additional attention from New Zealand market watchers seeking international technology exposure with robust upward trends.

The company delivered Q4 results that exceeded analyst expectations, highlighting robust margin improvement and significant sales growth in key business segments. Nokia announced a 10% year-on-year increase in Q4 net sales and a 380 basis-point improvement in its comparable operating margin, demonstrating operational discipline and recovery in its network infrastructure and cloud services. For New Zealand-based institutional investors and funds with global mandates, this financial performance signals Nokia's strengthened competitive positioning, as the company continues to benefit from increased demand for advanced network solutions—a crucial consideration for local telco operators and partners evaluating 5G and data center opportunities.

Nokia is intensifying its data center investments and expanding strategic partnerships, targeting €1B in incremental sales by 2028. The announcement of an additional €100 million annual investment in data center infrastructure, along with ongoing collaboration with major players such as Microsoft, Lenovo, Kyndryl, and Nscale, is highly relevant to stakeholders in the New Zealand technology and telecommunications market. As data demand surges locally and regionally, Nokia's technology ecosystem becomes increasingly attractive to New Zealand enterprises and service providers looking for future-ready solutions and reliable global partners.

A leadership transition is underway, with an AI-focused executive from Intel appointed as Nokia’s new CEO from April 2025. This change signals the company’s strategic commitment to AI-driven telecommunications and network innovation, aligning well with global trends reshaping digital infrastructure—from AI-enabled 5G networks to advanced cloud services. For New Zealand institutional investors and industry observers, the new leadership’s expertise in artificial intelligence may catalyze further product innovation and open new avenues for collaboration within the region’s growing digital sector.

Nokia’s dividend outlook and share buyback program have been enhanced, supporting shareholder value and attracting income-focused investors. The proposed dividend of €0.14 per share for 2024, combined with the completion of a €600 million buyback and the launch of a new €900 million program, reinforce Nokia’s focus on capital returns. These initiatives may enhance the appeal of Nokia’s American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) and NYSE listing for New Zealand residents accessing global equities through their local brokers, especially those prioritizing stability, yield, and corporate governance.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.