Finland-based handset major, Nokia witnessed a drop in sales by 19.2% in the year 2009 at euro 40.98 billion as compared to euro 50 .72 billion recorded last year in 2008.

Sales from Devices & Services business unit were down 20.6% to euro 27.85 billion while from Nokia Siemens Networks (NSN) the drop in business was by 17.9%.

The operating profit of the company was significantly down for the full year taken into consideration by 17.9% to euro 1.19 billion as compared to euro 4.96 billion managed by the firm last year.

The group’s profit was pulled down by NSN which was the only unit to report a operating loss of euro 1.64 billion. NAVTEQ managed operating profit of euro 670 million as compared to euro 361 million managed last year in 2008.

For Q4 09 the company managed revenues of euro 11.99 billion at a sequential rise of  22.2%. In fact al the business units are seen performing well when compared on a sequential basis.

Mobile handsets shipped were around 126.9 million units at 12% yearly rise and 17% sequential rise.

“We grew our market share in smartphones in the fourth quarter, driven by the successful launch of new touch and QWERTY models. Our performance in smartphones, combined with continuing success in the emerging markets, helped us increase sales in our Devices & Services unit, both quarter-on-quarter and year-on-year. Our solid results also owe a good deal to world class supply chain management and impressive sales execution,” said company CEO, Olli-Pekka Kallasvuo.  

“I was also pleased with Nokia Siemens Networks''' performance in Q4, especially considering the ongoing challenging conditions in the infrastructure market. That performance enabled it to turn in a full year profit on an operative basis,” he added.

The company estimates net sales to be between EUR 6.5 billion and EUR 7.0 billion in the Q1 2010. NSN sales are expected to be EUR 2.6 billion and EUR 2.9 billion in Q1 2010.