Samsung reaches new profit record with memory chip windfall
Operating profit climbs to 107.4 trillion won, lifted by high-bandwidth memory demand
Published Thu, Oct 8, 2026 · 09:04 AM
[SEOUL] Samsung Electronics posted another record profit that was just shy of sky-high expectations elevated by surging memory chip prices and relentless spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure.
The company’s operating profit for the three months through September climbed to about 107.4 trillion won (US$80.1 billion), more than eight times the level a year earlier, lifted by demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips.
That was still about 1 per cent short of the average of analysts’ forecasts of 108.7 trillion won, as the South Korean chips-to-smartphones conglomerate grapples with tighter margins in consumer electronics due to higher component prices.
Revenue came to 195 trillion won, also lower than expectations, preliminary numbers showed on Thursday (Oct 8).
“These are solid numbers,” said Neil Shah, vice-president of research at Counterpoint Research.
“They’ve got a lot up their sleeve for next year with HBM, mostly because the full effect hasn’t even landed yet.”
The record numbers and high expectations underscore how sharply the economics of the AI boom have swung in favour of Samsung, SK Hynix and Micron Technology, as data centre developers race to secure memory chips for their AI servers.
Counterpoint Research raised its forecast for third-quarter DRAM prices to a 10 to 20 per cent sequential increase, from 5 to 10 per cent previously, saying customers are pulling forward orders alongside gains in pricing power among suppliers.
AI boom cycle
The boom has transformed Samsung’s semiconductor business, which only a few years ago was grappling with losses after a punishing downturn in demand.
Now, the AI infrastructure buildout is absorbing vast amounts of advanced DRAM, while Samsung is gaining ground on SK Hynix in HBM, the critical chips used alongside Nvidia and other AI accelerators.
The strength of the cycle is also showing up in South Korea’s trade data, with semiconductor exports more than tripling from September 2025.
Analysts on average estimate Samsung’s chip division will post an operating profit of 110 trillion won while its electronics unit will report a loss.
The Suwon-based company will release its full financial statement on Oct 29.
Samsung’s shares remain about 25 per cent below their June peak even after the company reported record-breaking results in July.
Investors retain a measure of skepticism around soaring profits in a sector prone to boom-and-bust cycles.
Samsung and SK Hynix are now expanding production capacity while also increasingly backing companies in the AI sector in a bid to drive more demand for their products. BLOOMBERG
