Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) investors were taken on a roller coaster ride recently, after rumors swirled regarding a possible takeover of the Finnish handset maker. Recent reports reveal that Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s handset business was nearly acquired by Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT), but talks broke down over the final asking price earlier this month. Another report, which was later discredited as a false rumor, claimed that Chinese smartphone giant Huawei was interested in acquiring Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) as well.
Considering that Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) stock has bounced back more than 50% over the past twelve months, could an imminent takeover be in the works, as Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK)’s industry peers and competitors realize that the company might not be on sale forever? Let’s break down the facts and figures to see if Nokia Corporation (ADR) (NYSE:NOK) could be a worthy takeover target for a larger rival.
Rising from the ashes
Nokia’s decline has been well documented by financial media. The company, once the largest handset manufacturer in the world, had its world turned upside down by the release of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL)’s seminal iPhone in 2007 and the subsequent deluge of Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Android handsets that followed in 2008.
The company’s Finnish management was too proud to admit defeat and halt support for its aging Symbian operating system, so it continued to release unpopular, dated products, bleeding market share as its top and bottom line growth crumbled. Between the release of the iPhone in June 2007 and CEO Olli-Pekka Kallsvuo’s departure in September 2010, shares of Nokia lost 65% of their value as earnings per share plummeted 82%. On the following chart, the impact of Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) and Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) devices on its growth its clearly marked by a precipitous decline starting in early 2008.
Yet appointing Stephen Elop, a Canadian executive from Microsoft Corporation(NASDAQ:MSFT), as the first foreign CEO of Nokia was a bold and wise move. Although Elop’s appointment and subsequent partnership with his former employer, Microsoft, was harshly criticized by several Nokia executives who departed the company in protest, hiring Elop was the right play at the right time.
Although Nokia’s shares continued to lose value, plunging another 61% after his appointment, the bleeding appears to have stopped after fairly positive reviews and sales of its flagship Windows Phone 8 handset, the Lumia 920. Its new variants, which include the aluminum-cased 935 and the slimmer 928, have also been met with favorable reviews.
