By Jihye Shin and Matthew Walsh
Seoul (AFP) April 30, 2026
Samsung Electronics stated Thursday that working revenue soared 750 p.c on-year to a file excessive within the first quarter due to sturdy gross sales of chips essential for synthetic intelligence, and forecast continued wholesome demand within the subsequent three months.
The South Korean know-how large has emerged as a key participant — together with rival SK hynix — within the provide of high-performing chips in demand from firms racing to maintain up with the fast-evolving AI {industry}.
Their sturdy efficiency has come because the South Korean authorities has pledged to make the nation one of many world’s prime three AI powers alongside the USA and China.
Samsung stated in its earnings report on Thursday it had “achieved file quarterly income and working revenue by way of AI know-how improvements and proactive market response”.
It stated working revenue got here in at 57.2 trillion received ($38.4 billion), having stated earlier within the month that it anticipated to achieve a quarterly file.
Web revenue hit 47.1 trillion received, beating forecasts in a Bloomberg survey of analysts, whereas gross sales reached 133.9 trillion received, an all-time quarterly excessive.
Its chips division additionally beat expectations with an enormous rise in revenue to 53.7 trillion received, accounting for the majority of the unit’s complete.
The corporate stated its reminiscence arm “surpassed its quarterly gross sales file by addressing high-value-added AI demand regardless of restricted provide availability, with industry-wide reminiscence value will increase additionally a contributing issue”.
It added that it anticipated “sturdy reminiscence demand to proceed” by way of the second quarter because the buildout of AI infrastructure continues apace.
Chief monetary officer Park Quickly-cheol disregarded issues about provide chain disruption as a result of Center East conflict, saying “semiconductor manufacturing traces are at the moment working usually”.
“Threat is low attributable to secured logistics routes and diversified buying and selling companions within the US, Japan, and different areas,” he stated.
South Korea’s benchmark Kospi inventory index jumped to a recent file above 6,700 factors following the figures, which got here after sturdy earnings from US tech giants Microsoft and Alphabet.
Samsung’s shares had been down in morning buying and selling.
– Driving the AI wave –
Samsung’s shares have risen round 300 p.c over the previous yr because the AI growth boosts South Korean development and pushes the inventory market to new information.
The corporate has seen sturdy orders from main know-how companies for high-bandwidth reminiscence — a sort of chip utilized in information centres and AI “accelerators”, that are helpful in finishing up demanding duties and computation.
That can be pushing up the price of much less flashy chips utilized in client electronics — threatening increased costs for telephones, laptops and different gadgets worldwide.
Nevertheless, Samsung faces dangers from a threatened strike subsequent month as employees demand increased pay and bonuses.
Tens of 1000’s of unionised workers held a rally final week outdoors the corporate’s plant in Pyeongtaek, south of Seoul, to name for a seven-percent wage hike, the tip of a cap on bonuses and different advantages.
A bunch of unions representing almost 90,000 employees in complete have stated they may stage a strike from Might 21 to June 7 until a cope with administration is reached.
The corporate will “reply to the fullest extent throughout the authorized scope… to make sure that manufacturing just isn’t disrupted even when a strike happens”, Park stated.
The corporate additionally faces a lawsuit in the USA alleging that it violated patents associated to foldable smartphone know-how by making and promoting Galaxy Z Fold, Z Flip, and Z TriFold gadgets with out permission, in accordance with courtroom paperwork.
SK hynix stated final week web revenue had soared virtually 400 p.c to a file excessive within the first quarter.
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