Seoul — In the heart of the global AI semiconductor surge, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix stand as South Korea's dominant memory chip powerhouses, delivering explosive profits in 2026 driven by insatiable demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) and advanced DRAM used in data centers and AI accelerators.

Samsung shares (005930.KS) have surged dramatically, recently trading near ₩317,000 after hitting records, with year-to-date gains exceeding 160% and one-year returns surpassing 400%. SK Hynix (000660.KS) has outperformed even more impressively, with YTD returns around 259% and one-year gains topping 1,000%, pushing its market capitalization past $1 trillion alongside Samsung.

Both companies reported record-breaking first-quarter 2026 results, underscoring the strength of the AI-driven memory supercycle, though they pursue slightly different strategies within the sector.

Samsung's Broad-Based Recovery

Samsung Electronics posted record Q1 2026 revenue of ₩133.9 trillion, up 43% quarter-over-quarter, with operating profit reaching a historic ₩57.2 trillion — an 185% QoQ increase and more than eightfold jump year-over-year. The Device Solutions (DS) semiconductor division led the charge, generating ₩81.7 trillion in revenue and ₩53.7 trillion in operating profit, accounting for the vast majority of group profits.

Memory operations within DS benefited from higher average selling prices (ASPs) and strong AI-related demand. Samsung has ramped up HBM production, shipping its first commercial HBM4 chips in early 2026, aiming to close the gap with rivals in........

© International Business Times