The stock jumped as much as 13% on Monday, nearly tripling this year, after the South Korean memory maker reported first-quarter net profit up fivefold.
The rally lifted the Kospi more than 5% and prompted a brief Korea Exchange trading halt, while SK Hynix said AI-driven chip demand should outstrip supply for years.
A key Nvidia supplier, SK Hynix is expanding investment in South Korea and the US as global investors reassess memory chips amid a wider AI-fuelled semiconductor surge.
With memory sold out, who decides which companies get the chips to build the future of AI?
Will AI's hunger for memory make everyday electronics like phones and PCs more expensive?
Is the AI memory boom creating a massive bubble destined to burst after 2028?
SK Hynix Achieves 72% Operating Margin in Q1 2026: HBM Leadership and Strategic Expansion Amidst Global AI Memory Shortage
Overview
In Q1 2026, SK Hynix achieved record-breaking results, driven by the booming artificial intelligence (AI) era. The company’s pivotal role in the global semiconductor landscape is highlighted by its soaring 72% operating margin, reflecting robust financial health and efficient operations amid high demand. SK Hynix’s leadership in High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM) has positioned it at the forefront of the AI revolution, as these advanced memory solutions are essential for large-scale AI models. The AI boom is not only reshaping global equity markets but also fueling SK Hynix’s growth, with South Korea emerging as a significant player in this transformation.