HELSINKI—Nokia enjoyed a solid 60 percent rise in net profit in the second quarter, with a good performance in its core networks division, suggesting the Finnish company is succeeding in turning its business around since selling its handsets operation to Microsoft in 2013.
The profit of 347 million euros ($383 million) beat expectations, and Nokia’s stock jumped more than 10 percent during the day but settled to close up more than 7 percent at 6.42 euros on the Helsinki Stock Exchange.
Overall sales in the period increased 9 percent to 3.2 billion euros, helped by currency fluctuations but also increased demand for software in mobile broadband and global services.
Hannu Rauhala, senior analyst at Pohjola Bank, said the figures had dispelled fears among investors that Nokia would suffer from a general sluggishness in global network business.
