SK Hynix has achieved a market capitalization exceeding $1 trillion, becoming the second South Korean company to reach this valuation. The milestone was driven by sustained demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) processors. The company has also filed for a potential listing on a U.S. stock exchange.
Market Milestone and Valuation
On Wednesday, April 22, 2026, shares of SK Hynix rose up to 11%, pushing its market capitalization above $1 trillion. According to a separate report, the company's market cap reached 1.66 quadrillion won ($1.10 trillion) on Friday, April 24, 2026. This places SK Hynix among 17 companies worldwide with valuations of at least $1 trillion.
The company joins Samsung Electronics (South Korea), TSMC (Taiwan), and Micron (U.S.) as the only chipmakers to have crossed this threshold. SK Hynix is the second South Korean company, after Samsung Electronics, to achieve this milestone. Of 17 trillion-dollar companies globally, all but four are U.S.-based.
Stock Performance and Financial Results
- SK Hynix shares have increased approximately 240-250% since the start of 2026.
- In the last month alone, shares rose by more than 80%.
- Following the U.S. listing announcement, shares increased by over 5% in Seoul.
- The company’s operating profit in Q1 2026 was 37.6 trillion won ($24.9 billion), a fivefold increase year-on-year.
- Revenue in Q1 2026 was 52.6 trillion won ($34.8 billion), triple the same period last year.
- Separately, a net profit increase of nearly 400% year-on-year was reported for Q1 2026.
U.S. Listing and Capital Raising
SK Hynix has made a confidential filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for a potential listing on Wall Street. The company intends to proceed with the listing of American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) within 2026.
Local media reports suggest the company is considering raising between 10 trillion won and 15 trillion won (approximately $6.7 billion to $10 billion) through the offering. Details regarding the size, method, and schedule of the public offering are not yet finalized and are subject to SEC review, market conditions, and demand forecasting.
According to CEO Kwak Noh-Jung, the company plans to secure over 100 trillion won in net cash for long-term strategic investments.
Production Expansion and Equipment Orders
SK Hynix is expanding its production capacity to meet AI-driven demand for memory chips, particularly HBM. Key updates include:
- The new M15X fab in Cheongju, South Korea, was completed ahead of schedule.
- Construction of the $15 billion Yongin Semiconductor Cluster is progressing.
- An advanced packaging facility in Indiana, U.S., is progressing as planned.
- The company announced plans to acquire 11.95 trillion won ($7.97 billion) worth of advanced chipmaking equipment from ASML, one of the largest disclosed orders for such tools.
Market Context
The surge in SK Hynix’s valuation is part of a broader AI-driven rally in South Korea’s stock market. The benchmark KOSPI index has nearly doubled in value so far in 2026. SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics together represent over 40% of the KOSPI index.
The global shortage of DRAM and NAND memory chips, driven by AI processor demand, has benefited multiple memory manufacturers. Competitors Micron and Samsung Electronics reached the trillion-dollar milestone earlier in April 2026. Analysts have noted that the market concentration in two companies may increase volatility and expose the index to risks including supply chain disruptions and a slowdown in global data center investment.
Bonus Settlement at Samsung Electronics
Separately, Samsung Electronics union members approved a deal awarding bonuses to 78,000 employees, with each eligible for up to $370,000 based on operating profit estimates. The union stated that SK Hynix workers received bonuses over three times larger than Samsung's last year.