SK hynix set to join Samsung surge

Apr 09, 2026, 09:51 am

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SK hynix’s QLC NAND-based SSD PQC21 image. / SK hynix

Following record-breaking earnings by Samsung Electronics, SK hynix is also expected to deliver strong results, raising forecasts that South Korea’s two semiconductor giants may post nearly 90 trillion won in combined operating profit in the first quarter alone.

Samsung Electronics earlier reported a quarterly operating profit of 57 trillion won, setting a new national record. Market estimates suggest SK hynix could post operating profit ranging from 32 trillion won to nearly 40 trillion won, with some analysts revising forecasts upward following Samsung’s earnings surprise.

According to FnGuide, SK hynix’s first-quarter operating profit is projected to reach 32.03 trillion won, up 330.1% year-on-year, while revenue is expected to rise 166.4% to 46.99 trillion won. However, brokerages such as Korea Investment & Securities and Mirae Asset Securities have raised their estimates to around 38–39 trillion won.

Notably, SK hynix’s operating margin is expected to exceed 60%, with consensus estimates reaching as high as 68%. On an annual basis, margins could surpass 70%, driven by strong demand for memory chips, particularly high-bandwidth memory (HBM), fueled by the rapid expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry.

HBM, where SK hynix holds more than half of the global market share, is seen as a key profit driver due to its high margins. The pace of market growth could determine whether operating margins rise toward 80%.

To meet growing demand, SK hynix is accelerating investment in advanced production technologies. Industry data indicates that major memory chipmakers are pushing to adopt hybrid bonding technology from the next-generation HBM4 onward, enabling higher stacking beyond physical limits.

The company is also strengthening its NAND flash business. On April 8, SK hynix announced the development and initial supply of its first 321-layer QLC NAND-based SSD, the “PQC21,” which offers high capacity, high performance, and low power consumption—optimized for AI PC environments.

Shares of SK hynix surged 12.77% to 1.033 million won, supported in part by recent insider stock purchases. CEO Kwak Noh-jung and other executives acquired shares worth about 6.2 billion won through stock options, signaling confidence in the company’s future and boosting investor sentiment.

#SK hynix #Samsung Electronics #semiconductors #HBM #AI chips