On October 28, SK Hynix (SKHY.O) disclosed a remarkable surge in its quarterly profit, marking a sevenfold increase compared to the previous year. Concurrently, the company unveiled an ambitious shareholder return program, pledging an additional 100 trillion won (equivalent to approximately $75 billion) by 2026. According to company reports, the quarterly operating profit soared to 83.3 trillion won as of September, outstripping analysts' expectations of 76.7 trillion won. Similarly, revenue climbed to 104.6 trillion won, surpassing the projected 98.3 trillion won, thereby establishing new record highs for both metrics. Owing to the constrained supply environment, the company's operating profit margin sustained its elevated levels.

On Wednesday, SK Hynix forecasted that the scarcity of memory chips would endure until at least 2030. The company's analysis underscored the escalating challenges associated with advanced process technologies and the protracted timelines required for constructing new semiconductor fabrication facilities, both of which constrain supply growth. Looking ahead, the company anticipates that in the near term, the integration of artificial intelligence across enterprise and consumer sectors will fuel the demand for memory. In the medium to long term, physical AI applications, including autonomous vehicles and robotics, are expected to emerge as the principal catalysts for sustained demand expansion.