Tech

SK Hynix Beats Estimates on AI Memory Demand; Records Q4 Revenue

SK Hynix posted record fourth-quarter results as AI memory demand remained a key tailwind. The company reported 32.827 trillion won in revenue and 19.17 trillion won in operating profit, well ahead of consensus, with HBM revenue driving the gains. It also signaled a 12.24 trillion won plan to cancel treasury shares, while local media circulated an unverified rumor of an exclusive supplier relationship with Microsoft for AI processors.

📅 January 28, 2026
⏱️ 2 min read
SK Hynix Beats Estimates on AI Memory Demand; Records Q4 Revenue

Key Takeaways

  • Q4 2025 revenue: 32.827 trillion won vs LSEG SmartEstimates 32.132 trillion won
  • Q4 2025 operating profit: 19.17 trillion won vs consensus 17.729 trillion won
  • Revenue up ~66% YoY; operating profit up ~137% YoY
  • HBM revenue more than doubled YoY
  • Plan to cancel treasury shares worth 12.24 trillion won

People Involved

  • No specific individuals mentioned

Entities Involved

  • SK Hynix Inc. (KRX: 000660)Memory semiconductor company
  • Microsoft Corp.Potential exclusive supplier for AI processor (unverified rumor)
  • Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Peer in memory market

MarketMoodz Analysis

AI memory demand remains a durable tailwind for SK Hynix, supporting higher pricing and healthy margins as high-bandwidth memory (HBM) remains central to AI accelerators and data-center systems. The Q4 results show HBM revenue more than doubling, underscoring how premium memory components are translating into outsized profitability and stronger free cash flow.

Historically, memory cycles have been procyclical with AI-driven demand driving pricing and capacity additions. SK Hynix and its peers have faced a tight supply backdrop as expansions come online, which can sustain elevated margins even as consumer and EV memory demand remains softer. The treasury-share cancellation signals a capital-return bias that could support the stock despite macro volatility; confirmation from filings will be key.

What to watch next: the formal earnings call for guidance on 2026 capex and demand trends, official confirmation of the treasury-cancellation plan, and any updates on capacity additions or supplier relationships amid AI processor demand, including the Microsoft rumor’s status.

Source: Original Article

Get AI-Powered Market Insights

Stay ahead of market-moving events with our real-time analysis and stock ratings.

Start Your Free Trial