Moody's Grants Nokia Investment-Grade Status as Hotwire Taps Vendor for AI-Ready Network

Nokia shares advanced 3.5% on Friday, riding a broader rebound in technology and AI-related equities. Reports from AP described AI stocks clawing back part of their losses, while Reuters noted gains among chipmakers following a technology-driven selloff earlier in the week. Media coverage also pointed to an improved credit assessment as a factor shoring up sentiment around the Finnish network equipment maker, though no single trigger for the day's move could be pinpointed.

Moody's Upgrades to Baa3

Moody's Ratings on Tuesday raised Nokia's long-term issuer rating and its assessment of senior unsecured obligations from Ba1 to Baa3. The agency kept its positive outlook in place, citing accelerating demand for cloud and AI infrastructure as the rationale. The decision covers both Nokia as an issuer and its senior unsecured debt, while the outlook was left untouched.

The upgrade lands alongside Nokia's third-quarter and nine-month interim report for 2026, published on October 22, in which the company reaffirmed its full-year financial guidance.

Should investors sell immediately? Or is it worth buying Nokia?

Hotwire Picks Nokia for North Carolina Build

Separately, Nokia disclosed on Wednesday that Hotwire Communications had selected it to construct a next-generation network in North Carolina. The planned infrastructure is to be engineered for the demands of an AI networking architecture, with Hotwire expecting service to go live in early 2027. Nokia did not attach a contract value to the announcement.

Traffic Forecast Points to AI's Rising Share

Also on Wednesday, Nokia released its global network traffic report, projecting that artificial intelligence will account for 44% of worldwide traffic carried over networks by 2035. Total network traffic at that point is expected to reach nearly 3,789 exabytes per month. Those figures represent a long-range company forecast rather than traffic volumes already achieved, and the report underscores the growing infrastructure requirements driven by AI. No direct link between its publication and Friday's share price gain has been established; for the North Carolina project, early 2027 remains the next dated milestone cited.

Ownership Disclosure

A stake notification dated September 30 shows FMR LLC and Abigail P. Johnson holding economic interest in 3.8% of Nokia shares. The regulatory filing documents the ownership position but does not confirm any purchase of stock.

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Nokia Stock: New Analysis - 8 November

Fresh Nokia information released. What's the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.

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