SK hynix Stock Rallies on Reports of US Manufacturing Talks with Intel

Shares of SK hynix Inc. surged in Thursday trading, driven by reports of potential collaboration with Intel on U.S. manufacturing and the recent settlement of a labor dispute. The stock climbed 4.6% to $182.94 in morning trading, extending gains from the previous session as investors reacted to the positive catalysts.

Potential US Expansion with Intel

The primary driver for the stock's momentum is a report that SK hynix is in exploratory discussions with Intel Corp. to manufacture memory chips in the United States. According to the report, options being considered include leasing a portion of Intel's delayed Ohio fabrication facility or forming a joint venture.

Such a partnership would aim to secure a stable supply of memory chips for major cloud computing companies. The move comes amid a severe, AI-driven shortage of key components, particularly the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) in which SK hynix is a market leader.

Labor Agreement Removes Overhang

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A secondary but significant factor boosting investor confidence was the resolution of a labor dispute at the world's second-largest memory chipmaker. Approximately 57% of union members voted to approve a revised 2026 wage agreement.

The new deal includes a provision to split profit-sharing bonuses evenly, with 50% in cash and 50% in company stock, an improvement on a previous 40/60 proposal. The agreement removes a key operational uncertainty that had threatened production continuity, reinforcing the company's near-term stability.

Market Context

The gains for SK hynix were amplified by a broader risk-on sentiment in the market, with the Nasdaq Composite and S&P 500 posting strong advances. This positive backdrop has been particularly favorable for semiconductor stocks, which are seen as central to the expanding AI infrastructure build-out.