SK Hynix Reports Record Q2 Profit as AI Demand Surges

SK Hynix Inc (KS:000660), a key memory chip supplier to Nvidia, posted record second-quarter earnings fueled by booming demand from the artificial intelligence sector. The South Korean chipmaker’s operating profit soared 69% year-on-year to 9.2 trillion won ($6.69 billion), exceeding Reuters’ forecast of 9 trillion won. Revenue climbed 35% to 22.2 trillion won, driven by robust sales of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI processors.

The company recently surpassed Samsung Electronics (KS:005930) to become the world’s largest memory chip maker, cementing its leadership in advanced HBM technology critical for AI computing. SK Hynix expects strong demand to persist into late 2025 and 2026, citing “low likelihood of sharp decline” in market conditions. To meet growing customer requirements, the firm plans to boost capital expenditure in the coming quarters.

However, potential challenges loom. U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs on semiconductor imports could pressure profitability, while Goldman Sachs recently downgraded SK Hynix to Neutral, citing rising competition in the HBM segment and potential price declines by 2026.

The earnings report highlights how AI-driven growth is reshaping the global semiconductor market, with memory chip makers like SK Hynix emerging as critical suppliers to leading AI players such as Nvidia.