SK hynix hits record quarterly revenue and profit
The semiconductor maker reported second quarter revenue of 79.3 trillion won.
The semiconductor maker achieved record quarterly results in the second quarter of 2026, with revenue reaching 79.3 trillion won. This represents a 51% increase from the previous quarter and a 257% rise compared to the same period last year. The company also reported a record quarterly operating profit of 60.5 trillion won, which is 22.9 trillion won higher than the first quarter, resulting in an operating margin of 76%.
Strong demand for AI infrastructure and a restricted supply environment drove price increases for both DRAM and NAND. Server DRAM and enterprise SSDs led this trend. For DRAM, the company expanded sales of HBM3E and AI-oriented server products, which led to a slight increase in shipments and a rise in average selling prices in the mid-30% range due to strong general DRAM pricing. NAND shipments rose in the mid-10% range from the previous quarter, aided by a low base in the first quarter and higher enterprise SSD sales, while average selling prices rose in the mid-50% range.
Consolidated revenue for the first half of 2026 totaled 131.9 trillion won. The semiconductor segment, focusing on DRAM and NAND Flash, accounted for 100% of this total. Regional performance showed the United States as the largest market with 50.6 trillion won in revenue for the second quarter, followed by China at 19.7 trillion won.
To address growing global AI memory demand, the company is implementing a long-term investment strategy. This includes the Yongin Semiconductor Cluster with an estimated 600 trillion won for the completion of a fourth fab by 2033, and the Cheongju production base with approximately 100 trillion won for new fabs and advanced packaging capabilities for HBM. Additionally, the company plans a phased investment of about 400 trillion won for a new production hub in the southwest region. A dedicated advanced packaging fab, P&T7, is also planned for the Cheongju Technopolis Industrial Complex with an investment of about 19 trillion won.
Management expects the semiconductor market to continue growing in 2026 due to expanded AI infrastructure investment and increased data center demand. The company anticipates steady growth in the memory market, specifically driven by high-value-added products such as HBM and DDR5.