Nokia issues Q1 profit warning

Nokia said that its first-quarter results for its mobile phone and smart device unit will fall short of expectations, largely due to the weakness in emerging markets.

The company said in a statement that the Lumia launch has had a positive start, but that it wasn't enough to save the quarter.

Nokia said that "competitive industry dynamics" in emerging markets, such as India, China, Africa and the Middle East, led to a shortfall. As a result, gross margins will be weak.

The company did say that it sold 2 million Lumia devices. CEO Stephen Elop noted:

Our disappointing devices and services first-quarter 2012 financial results and outlook for the second-quarter 2012 illustrates that our business continues to be in the midst of transition. Within our smart devices business unit, we have established early momentum with Lumia, and we are increasing our investments in Lumia to achieve market success.

The Nokia profit warning comes just as investors were becoming upbeat about the Lumia launch. Nokia brought the Lumia 900 to the US with a good amount of buzz. Nokia also launched the Lumia in China.

Shares were hammered in premarket trading, with Nokia falling 17 per cent.

On a conference call, Elop said that he would refrain from pre-announcing products, but is upbeat about Windows Phone.

In the past, we said we are increasing investment in mobile space. The fruit of that work will become clear in the quarters ahead.

Elop added that the company is in "build mode" with Lumia, but that the lower end of the market is giving Nokia trouble. Nokia has to cut prices on dumb and feature phones to compete. By the numbers:

• Nokia said that its devices and services net sales for the first quarter will be €4.2 billion. Mobile phone sales will be €2.3 billion, with 71 million units. Smart device sales will be €1.7 billion, with 12 million units
• Inventory in the first quarter was high, relative to Nokia's four- to six-week range in the channel
• First-quarter operating margins will be negative 3 per cent or so. Nokia had projected to break even, give or take 2 per cent in either direction
• The second-quarter operating margin will mirror the first quarter. Nokia expects tough competition to continue in emerging markets, as well as a weak economy in Europe. In addition, new product launches haven't kicked in fully.