SK hynix and Samsung Electronics Set for Earnings Updates as AI Memory Demand Surges

SK hynix will announce its third-quarter 2026 results on 28 October, with Samsung Electronics set to follow on 29 October.

Market consensus compiled by FnGuide projects SK hynix's third-quarter consolidated revenue at KRW 98.23 trillion and operating profit at KRW 76.96 trillion, increases of 301.76% and 576.11% year on year respectively. South Korean media expect the company's operating margin to exceed 78%. FnGuide's consensus also projects fourth-quarter operating profit of KRW 87.27 trillion.

Sales of HBM4, the sixth generation of high-bandwidth memory, for NVIDIA's next-generation Vera Rubin AI platform are expected to be reflected in third-quarter results for the first time. Korean media have also reported that both SK hynix and Samsung Electronics aim to begin mass production and shipments of eight-layer HBM4 for NVIDIA in the second quarter of 2027.

At its July earnings call, SK hynix disclosed that it had signed multi-year supply agreements with around 10 customers, including major clients. Samsung Electronics reportedly plans to allocate 60 to 70% of its memory production capacity to long-term contracts.

Samsung Electronics has already released preliminary third-quarter figures showing revenue of about KRW 195 trillion, up 127% year on year, and operating profit of KRW 107.4 trillion, compared with KRW 12.17 trillion a year earlier. It is the first Korean company to post more than KRW 100 trillion in quarterly operating profit.

Shareholder returns are also in focus. SK hynix has said it is reviewing shareholder-return options and will provide an update alongside its results, following press reports that it is considering a special dividend of about KRW 16 trillion. The company recently halted plans for a US listing of its Solidigm unit, citing market conditions.

Shares of both chipmakers rose on 27 October, with Samsung Electronics closing up 4.23% at KRW 222,000 and SK hynix gaining 5.18% to KRW 1.34 million, as the Kospi posted its biggest daily gain since February.