TLDR
- SK Hynix reported record quarterly revenue of 32.8 trillion won and operating profit of 19.2 trillion won in Q4, beating analyst expectations
- Operating profit more than doubled year-over-year while revenue jumped 66% in the December quarter
- Full-year 2025 operating profit reached 47.2 trillion won, more than double the previous year’s results
- The company became Microsoft’s exclusive supplier for HBM3E chips used in its Maia 200 AI processor
- SK Hynix announced plans to cancel 12.24 trillion won worth of treasury shares and paid out 2.1 trillion won in total dividends for 2025
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SK Hynix posted record-breaking results for the fourth quarter of 2025. The memory chipmaker’s operating profit hit 19.2 trillion won, crushing analyst estimates of 16.7 trillion won.
SK HYNIX Q4 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
???? Sales: 32.83T won (Est. 31.3T won) ????
???? Operating Profit: 19.17T won (Est. 16.69T won) ????
???? Net Income: 15.22T won (Est. 13.31T won) ????
???? FY26 capex: expects “considerable increase”
???? HBM revenue more than doubled Y/Y
???? HBM4 mass output in… pic.twitter.com/45kIfBox7B— Wall St Engine (@wallstengine) January 28, 2026
Revenue reached 32.8 trillion won, also topping the expected 32.1 trillion won. These numbers represent a 66% revenue jump and a 137% surge in operating profit compared to the same quarter last year.
The company’s shares climbed more than 6% in extended trading following the announcement. Since early September, SK Hynix stock has roughly tripled in value.
For the full year 2025, SK Hynix delivered even more impressive numbers. Annual revenue hit 97.1 trillion won, up nearly 50% from 2024. Operating profit reached 47.2 trillion won, more than doubling from the previous year.
The company credited its success to booming demand for high-bandwidth memory chips. HBM revenue alone more than doubled during 2025.
These specialized chips power AI data center servers from companies like Nvidia. SK Hynix has become the leading supplier of HBM3E, the most advanced version currently available.
Supply Shortage Drives Pricing Power
The AI boom created a serious supply problem. Demand for HBM chips has far outstripped what manufacturers can produce.
This shortage extends beyond AI chips. Conventional DRAM and NAND memory used in consumer electronics and electric vehicles face tight supplies too.
SK Hynix shifted production capacity toward premium AI chips. This move reduced output of standard memory products, making the shortage worse.
The supply crunch handed the company serious pricing power. Citigroup analysts expect DRAM prices to climb 120% this year. NAND prices could jump 90%.
“There are no easy wins and levers from a supply perspective to meet this new demand driver,” said Richard Clode from Janus Henderson. AI customers view memory costs through a different lens than consumer electronics buyers.
Microsoft Partnership Boosts Market Position
SK Hynix landed a major win with Microsoft. The company became the exclusive supplier of HBM3E chips for Microsoft’s Maia 200 AI processor, according to South Korean media reports.
This partnership strengthens SK Hynix’s position against rival Samsung Electronics. Both Korean chipmakers are competing for certification to supply next-generation HBM4 chips to major clients.
SK Hynix announced plans to cancel treasury shares worth 12.24 trillion won. The company also distributed 2.1 trillion won in total dividends for fiscal 2025, including an additional 1 trillion won in special dividends.
The memory maker said it’s considering a US stock listing. However, no final decision has been made on that front.
Analysts at SemiAnalysis called SK Hynix “one of the biggest AI winners in Asia.” The firm’s leadership in HBM and strong memory competitiveness position it well for continued growth.
Beyond HBM, regular DRAM will drive earnings this year too. Rapidly expanding margins and structural supply shortages support demand for commodity memory chips.
SK Hynix executives will hold an earnings call with investors on Thursday. Samsung Electronics is scheduled to report its full quarterly results the same day.
