Nokia (NOK) reported a solid start to 2026, with AI demand emerging as a key catalyst in the company’s interim Q1 results. The company reported that net sales rose 4% year-over-year, supported by a 20% surge in Optical Networks and a massive 49% increase in sales to AI and cloud customers. Management highlighted accelerating investment from hyperscalers and enterprise AI workloads as a structural tailwind, prompting increased growth assumptions in optical and IP networks.
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Nokia is also extending its AI positioning through ecosystem partnerships, including an agreement with Inseego (INSG) to divest its Fixed Wireless Access CPE business. The deal is expected to strengthen Inseego’s global broadband footprint while enabling joint initiatives in 6G, wireless edge computing, and AI-enabled connectivity services.
Market sentiment has also turned more constructive. Jim Cramer recently called Nokia “a winner,” pointing to its technological comeback and resilience during volatility in the AI sector. He also said, “I gotta hand it to those guys for sticking around because, wow, I think it’s got a lot of good technology.”
Nokia Stock Movement Today
Nokia stock was up 5.96% on Friday, extending a 112.98% rally year-to-date. The stock has also increased 155.14% over the past 12 months.
NOK stock trading activity today saw some 68.96 million shares change hands, which was above the company’s three-month average daily trading volume of about 65.97 million shares.
Is Nokia Stock a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, the analysts’ consensus rating for Nokia is Strong Buy, based on seven Buy and two Hold ratings over the past three months. With that comes an average NOK stock price target of $12.40, representing a potential 9.49% downside for the shares.
