Nokia’s Corporation (NYSE:NOK) fortunes have been mixed of late. Despite sales of over 4 million Lumia handsets, the company reported a $1b operating loss in Q2. The recent increase in its stock price attributed to insider buying as a confidence boosting measure has not worked; Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS) downgraded it to a sell on Friday. Apple (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Android devices have dominated the smartphone market and delivered a strong blow to both Nokia and Blackberry maker Research in Motion (NASDAQ:RIMM). Any hope that Nokia’s partnership with Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) would help it to recover seems to have faded away following Lumia’s relatively minor impact on the market shares of Apple’s iPhone and Samsung, the largest Android handset maker.
We decided to take a look at the story that emerges from the numbers.
Our Fundamental Analysis score for Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) is 22. The Fundamental Analysis score is computed relative to peers by aggregating a host of attributes including Operations Diagnostic, Earnings Leverage, Growth Expectations, Leverage & Liquidity etc. (more here on how we compute scores). Our peers for Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) are:
- Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)
- Siemens AG ADS (NYSE:SI)
- Ericsson ADR (NASDAQ:ERIC)
- Motorola Solutions Inc. (NYSE:MSI)
- HTC Corp. (2498)
- ZTE CORP H (763)
- Research In Motion Ltd. (NASDAQ:RIMM)
- NEC Corp. (NIPNF)
- Alcatel-Lucent ADS (NYSE:ALU)
Company numbers are TTM (trailing twelve months) or latest available. Share price data is previous day’s close unless otherwise stated.
Overview
- Nokia Corporation (NYSE:NOK) trades at a lower Price/Book multiple (0.8) than its peer median (1.4).
- NOK-US’s EBITDA-based price implies better than peer median growth.The market seems to expect a turnaround in the company’s current EBITDA-based return on equity.
- NOK-US has relatively low profit margins and median asset efficiency.
- Compared with its chosen peers, the company’s annual revenues and earnings change at a slower rate, implying a lack of strategic focus and/or lack of execution success.
- Over the last five years, NOK-US’s return on assets has eroded from above median to below median among its peers suggesting declining relative operating performance.
- The company’s median gross margin and relatively low pre-tax margin suggest high operating costs versus peers.
- While NOK-US’s revenues have increased slower than peer median, the market currently gives the company a higher than peer median Price/EBITDA ratio and may be factoring in some sort of a strategic play.
- The company’s relatively low level of capital investment and below peer median returns on capital suggest that the company is in maintenance mode.
- NOK-US does not seem to have the flexibility to raise more debt.
Relative outperformance last month is up from a median performance last year.
While NOK-US’s change in share price of -56.3% for the last 12 months is in line with its peer median, its more recent 30-day share price performance of 11.3% is above the peer median. This suggests the company’s performance has improved more recently relative to peers.
Drivers of Valuation: Operations or Expectations?
Valuation (P/B) = Operating Advantage (ROE) * Growth Expectations (P/E)
Price/Book or P/B valuation is a function of the observed operating performance of the company as measured by ROE multiplied by the market’s current implied growth expectation as measured by the P/E. We define Valuation Premium as the difference between the Market Capitalization and Book Value of Equity, and as a proxy for the NPV of cash-flow associated to the Book Equity investment.
Based on the analysis of the relative contribution to the P/B valuation of “Operations ROE” vs. “Expectations P/E”, we quickly garner insight into peers comparative performance and the market’s assessment of their strategies – are they just “Harvesting” the current business pipeline or are investors betting on a strategic “Turnaround”?
NOK-US has a low return and high growth expectation profile relative to peers.
NOK-US’s PE multiple is negative now so EBITDA ratios provide better peer comparisons. NOK-US’s share price implies higher growth than its peer group median (Price to Ebitda multiple of 62.6 compared to peer median of 8.4). The market also seems to expect a turnaround in NOK-US’s relatively low current EBITDA return on equity of 1.0%. The company trades at a lower Price/Book multiple of 0.8 compared to its peer median of 1.4.
Operations Diagnostic
NOK-US has relatively low profit margins and median asset efficiency.
The company’s profit margins are below peer median (currently -10.1% vs. peer median of 6.1%) while its asset efficiency is about median (asset turns of 1.0x compared to peer median of 0.9x).
NOK-US has maintained its relatively low net margin profile from the recent year-end.
NOK-US’s net margin is its lowest relative to the last five years and compares to a high of 14.1% in 2007. Though its net margin decreased to -10.1% from -3.0% (in 2011), its peer median remained relatively stable during this period at 6.1%. Net margin fell 6.9 percentage points relative to peers.
NOK-US’s asset turnover is its lowest relative to the last five years and compares to a high of 1.7 in 2007. Compared to 2011, asset turnover has remained relatively stable for both the company (1.0) and the peer median (0.9). Overall, asset turnover and net margin trends suggest that NOK-US’s ROA at -10.1% is its lowest relative to the last five years and compares to a high of 23.4% in 2007.
Earnings Leverage
Lagging revenues and earnings imply a lack of strategic focus and/or ability to execute.
Changes in the company’s annual top line and earnings (-3.5% and -166.6% respectively) generally lag its peers. This implies a lack of strategic focus and/or inability to execute. We view such companies as laggards relative to peers.
Sustainability of Returns
Relative to peers, recent returns have eroded versus last five years.
NOK-US’s return on assets currently is less than peer median (-10.1% vs. peer median 3.8%) in contrast with its higher than peer median return on assets over the past five years (7.6% vs. peer median 4.8%). This performance suggests that the company’s operations are eroding markedly relative to peers.
Drivers of Margin
Relatively low pre-tax margin suggests high operating costs versus peers.
The company’s gross margin of 31.9% is around peer median suggesting that NOK-US’s operations do not benefit from any differentiating pricing advantage. In addition, NOK-US’s pre-tax margin is less than the peer median (-9.9% compared to 9.6%) suggesting relatively high operating costs.
NOK-US has moved to a relatively low pre-tax margin from a Commodity/High Cost profile at the recent year-end.
NOK-US’s gross margin has increased 2.0 percentage points from last year’s low but is still below its five-year average gross margin of 33.0. While its gross margin increased to 31.9% from 29.9% (in 2011), its peer median decreased during this period to 37.2% from 39.2%. Gross margin rose 4.1 percentage points relative to peers.
NOK-US’s pre-tax margin is its lowest relative to the last five years and compares to a high of 16.2% in 2007. While its pre-tax margin decreased to -9.9% from -3.0% (in 2011), its peer median increased during this period to 9.6% from 9.0%. Relative to peers, pre-tax margin fell 7.4 percentage points.
Growth Expectations
The stock price is likely factoring in some chance for a strategic play.
While NOK-US’s revenues have increased more slowly than the peer median (-1.8% vs. 7.4% respectively for the past three years), the market currently gives the company a higher than peer median Price/EBITDA ratio of 62.6 (Note: We use Price/EBITDA instead of PE due to negative earnings). The stock price may be factoring in some sort of a strategic play.
Capital Investment Strategy
NOK-US seems to be in maintenance mode.
NOK-US’s annualized rate of change in the capital of -5.3% over the past three years is less than its peer median of 1.8%. This below median investment level has also generated a less than peer median return on capital of -2.3% over the same three years. This outcome suggests that the company has invested capital relatively poorly and now may be in maintenance mode.
Leverage & Liquidity
NOK-US does not seem able to raise more debt easily.
NOK-US’s debt at 23.2% of its enterprise value compared to an overall benchmark of 25% (Note: The peer median is currently 10.8%), and interest coverage level of 2.1x, would make major new borrowings difficult.
NOK-US has moved towards a median liquidity and leverage from a relatively low leverage profile at the recent year-end.
NOK-US’s interest coverage is similar to last year’s low of 2.1x, which compares to the 2007 high of 161.2x. Though its interest coverage has remained relatively stable at 2.1x compared to 2011, its peer median has decreased to 8.7x from 13.8x during this period. Interest coverage rose 5.2 points relative to peers. It is also below the 2.5x coverage benchmark unlike the peer median.
NOK-US’s debt-EV is its highest relative to the last five years and compares to a low of 1.0% in 2007. Though its debt-EV increased to 23.2% from 16.7% (in 2011), its peer median remained relatively stable during this period at 10.8%. Relative to peers, debt-EV rose 6.3 percentage points.
Key Valuation Items
| Company | Market Cap(mn) | Price / Book | Price / Earnings | Dividend Yield (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 577,161.0 | 5.2 | 14.5 | 0.4 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 78,768.7 | 2.0 | 12.5 | 3.0 |
| Ericsson ADR | 29,033.0 | 1.4 | 13.7 | 2.7 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 13,744.4 | 3.4 | 28.1 | 1.4 |
| HTC Corp. | 8,696.3 | 2.6 | 4.6 | 14.4 |
| ZTE CORP H | 4,622.1 | 1.2 | 14.3 | 2.4 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 3,662.8 | 0.4 | N/A | 0.0 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 2,698.8 | 0.5 | 4.1 | 4.3 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 8,875.6 | 0.8 | N/A | 17.4 |
| Peer Median | 8,875.6 | 1.4 | 13.7 | 2.7 |
| Best In Class | 577,161.0 | 5.2 | 28.1 | 17.4 |
Revenues & Margins
| Company | Revenues (mn) | Gross Margin (%) | Pre-Tax Margin (%) | Net Margin (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 148,375.0 | 45.8 | 36.2 | 27.0 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 103,252.8 | 32.2 | 9.6 | 6.1 |
| Ericsson ADR | 33,669.8 | 37.2 | 10.6 | 6.7 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 8,350.0 | 53.2 | 9.8 | 6.6 |
| HTC Corp. | 14,606.9 | 28.0 | 14.0 | 12.0 |
| ZTE CORP H | 13,365.8 | 29.7 | 3.0 | 2.4 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 16,338.0 | 37.4 | (0.2) | (0.3) |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 20,511.0 | 39.6 | (0.4) | 3.2 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 45,476.6 | 31.9 | (9.9) | (10.1) |
| Peer Median | 20,511.0 | 37.2 | 9.6 | 6.1 |
| Best In Class | 148,375.0 | 53.2 | 36.2 | 27.0 |
Key Assets (% of Revenues)
| Company | Capital (%) | Goodwill & Intangibles(%) | Working Capital (%) | Cash & Equivalents (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 75.3 | 3.7 | 13.1 | 18.6 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 64.2 | 27.1 | 13.0 | 15.0 |
| Ericsson ADR | 75.1 | 22.7 | 43.5 | 28.6 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 67.2 | 17.6 | 58.4 | 45.1 |
| HTC Corp. | 23.6 | 5.3 | 11.9 | 18.6 |
| ZTE CORP H | 55.8 | 0.4 | 22.3 | 25.6 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 58.8 | 20.6 | 23.1 | 11.9 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 57.3 | 38.7 | 19.0 | 28.3 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 39.7 | 16.7 | 18.7 | 27.2 |
Key Working Capital Items
| Company | Inventory DSO | Receivable DSO | Payable DSO | Cash Conversion Cycle* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 2.7 | 34.5 | 41.6 | (27.1) |
| Siemens AG ADS | 78.3 | 76.4 | 34.6 | 253.8 |
| Ericsson ADR | 52.6 | 138.6 | 37.4 | 484.0 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 21.5 | 91.9 | 27.8 | 296.7 |
| HTC Corp. | 25.1 | 50.7 | 61.6 | (29.1) |
| ZTE CORP H | 57.6 | 183.1 | 123.7 | 117.0 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 22.8 | 74.8 | 15.7 | 379.0 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 47.1 | 79.5 | 89.9 | 6.4 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 23.4 | 81.8 | 47.6 | 189.0 |
| Peer Median | 25.1 | 79.5 | 41.6 | 189.0 |
| Best In Class | 2.7 | 34.5 | 123.7 | (29.1) |
| * Inventory DSO Receivable DSO – Payable DSO |
Cash Management Indicators
| Company | Current Assets DSO | Current Liabilities DSO | Cash Float DSO* | Excess Cash DSO** |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 121.6 | 73.7 | (97.3) | 61.8 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 256.8 | 209.5 | (63.0) | 49.1 |
| Ericsson ADR | 315.2 | 156.6 | 192.0 | 106.6 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 398.6 | 185.5 | (10.4) | 186.3 |
| HTC Corp. | 155.3 | 112.0 | (237.4) | 64.4 |
| ZTE CORP H | 327.1 | 245.6 | 2.9 | 71.3 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 164.9 | 80.4 | 221.2 | 34.2 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 278.6 | 209.1 | (158.1) | 96.0 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 245.8 | 177.4 | (201.1) | 96.1 |
| Peer Median | 256.8 | 177.4 | (63.0) | 71.3 |
| Best In Class | 121.6 | 245.6 | (237.4) | 34.2 |
| * CurrAssetsDSO – CurrLiabDSO – CashDSO | ||||
| ** Excess Cash = Cash & Eqvts – 2%*Revenue |
Key Liquidity Items
| Company | Debt/Enterprise Value (%) | Current Ratio | Interest Coverage (x) | Cash Flow To Total Debt (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 0.0 | 1.6 | No interest exp | 999.0 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 14.4 | 1.2 | 4.7 | 47.3 |
| Ericsson ADR | 10.8 | 2.0 | 13.8 | 72.6 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 7.3 | 2.1 | 8.7 | 89.1 |
| HTC Corp. | 0.0 | 1.3 | 1,989.9 | 999.0 |
| ZTE CORP H | 15.1 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 13.5 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 0.0 | 2.1 | No interest exp | 999.0 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 20.6 | 1.4 | 0.7 | 6.1 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 23.2 | 1.3 | 2.1 | 2.7 |
| Peer Median | 10.8 | 1.4 | 8.7 | 72.6 |
| Best In Class | 0.0 | 2.1 | 1,989.9 | 999.0 |
Key Cash Flow Items (% of Revenues)
| Company | Operating Cash Flow (%) | Capex (%) | Interest Expense (%) | Dividends (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Inc. | 35.1 | 4.4 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Siemens AG ADS | 7.5 | 3.0 | 1.8 | 3.2 |
| Ericsson ADR | 3.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 3.4 |
| Motorola Solutions Inc. | 8.2 | 2.5 | 1.5 | 41.0 |
| HTC Corp. | 14.9 | 2.2 | 0.0 | 7.0 |
| ZTE CORP H | (4.3) | 2.9 | 1.0 | 0.0 |
| Research In Motion Ltd. | 16.0 | 5.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Alcatel-Lucent ADS | 0.8 | 3.8 | 2.5 | 0.6 |
| Nokia Corp. (ADR) | 3.2 | 1.7 | 0.8 | 4.7 |
Company Profile
Nokia Oyj engages in the mobile communications technology industry. It operates through the following segments: Smart Devices, Mobile Phones, Location & Commerce, and Nokia Siemens Networks. The Smart Devices segment focuses on smart phones and smart devices. The Mobile Phones segment offers mass market feature phones and related services and applications. The Location & Commerce segment includes the development of location-based products and services for consumers, as well as platform and local commerce services for feature phones and smart phones, device manufacturers, application developers, internet service providers, merchants, and advertisers. The Nokia Siemens Networks segment provides a portfolio of mobile, fixed and converged network technology, as well as professional services including managed services, consultancy and systems integration, and deployment and maintenance services to operators and services providers. The company was founded in 1967 and is headquartered in Espoo, Finland.
Disclaimer
The information presented in this report has been obtained from sources deemed to be reliable, but AnalytixInsight does not make any representation about the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of this information. This report was produced by AnalytixInsight for informational purposes only and nothing contained herein should be construed as an offer to buy or sell or as a solicitation of an offer to buy or sell any security or derivative instrument. This report is current only as of the date that it was published and the opinions, estimates, ratings and other information may change without notice or publication. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Prior to making an investment or other financial decision, please consult with your financial, legal and tax advisors. AnalytixInsight shall not be liable for any party’s use of this report. AnalytixInsight is not a broker-dealer and does not buy, sell, maintain a position, or make a market in any security referred to herein. One of the principal tenets for us at AnalytixInsight is that the best person to handle your finances is you. By your use of our services or by reading any of our reports, you’re agreeing that you bear responsibility for your own investment research and investment decisions. You also agree that AnalytixInsight, its directors, its employees, and its agents will not be liable for any investment decision made or action taken by you and others based on news, information, opinion, or any other material generated by us and/or published through our services. For a complete copy of our disclaimer, please visit our website www.analytixinsight.com.
By: capitalcube
