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SK Hynix Shares Surge on Report of Potential $12 Billion Special Dividend
Shares of SK Hynix Inc. (KS:000660) surged 6.8% to 1,362,000 won on Tuesday, driven by a media report that the memory chip maker is considering a substantial shareholder return plan to be unveiled with its quarterly earnings this week.
Dividend Speculation Fuels Rally
The primary catalyst for the stock's advance was a report from South Korean media outlet Dong-A Ilbo, which suggested SK Hynix is weighing a special dividend distribution of approximately 16 trillion won (about $12 billion). The report indicated the payout would likely be funded by proceeds from the company's sale of its stake in Japanese memory chip manufacturer Kioxia.
SK Hynix has not confirmed the plan but stated that it will disclose more details on its shareholder return policy alongside its third-quarter earnings report. The company is scheduled to release its full Q3 2026 results before 9:00 a.m. Seoul time on October 28.
AdBroader Market Tailwinds
The chipmaker's gains also tracked a positive overnight session for U.S. semiconductor stocks linked to artificial intelligence. Investor sentiment in the sector was reportedly buoyed by the initial public offering filing of AI firm Anthropic, which renewed confidence in sustained capital investment for AI infrastructure.
Tuesday's rally occurred within a strong broader market. South Korea's benchmark KOSPI index soared 3.8%, supported by government data showing the country's economy grew more than expected in the third quarter. Market consensus for SK Hynix's upcoming earnings points to record quarterly revenue and a substantial operating profit, reflecting high expectations for its performance.
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