Global Markets Reel as Middle East Tensions Escalate Energy Fears 
Goldman Sachs Raises Oil Price Forecasts Amid Strait of Hormuz Disruptions 
Xiaomi Shares Drop After SU7 Launch as Margin Concerns Weigh on Investors 
Berkshire Hathaway and Tokio Marine Form Major Strategic Insurance Partnership 
Gold Prices Drop Amid Inflation Fears and U.S.-Iran Escalation 
Judge Dismisses Sam Altman Sexual Abuse Lawsuit, But Sister Can Refile 
Goldman Sachs Delays Bank of England Rate Cut Forecast Amid Middle East Inflation Risks 
EA's $15B Debt Offering Draws $25B in Investor Demand Amid Credit Market Turmoil 
Sonova Shares Slip as Hearing Aid Giant Lowers Growth Outlook and Plans Sennheiser Exit 
Elliott Investment Management Takes Multibillion-Dollar Stake in Synopsys 
United Airlines Cuts Flights 5% Amid Soaring Fuel Costs From Iran War 
Iran-U.S. War Sends Dollar Higher as Middle East Tensions Escalate 
Amazon's "Transformer" Phone: Can It Succeed Where Fire Phone Failed? 
Asian Currencies Slide as U.S.-Iran Tensions and Rising Oil Prices Rattle Markets 
Sinopec Posts 36.8% Net Profit Drop in 2025 Amid Weak Petrochemical Margins and Energy Transition Pressures 
South Korean Stocks Tumble as Hawkish BOK Governor Appointment Rattles Markets 
Volkswagen CEO Urges Germany to Adopt China's Industrial Discipline Amid Major Restructuring 
SK Hynix is reportedly very interested in buying Key Foundry, a Korean chip contract manufacturer. The second-largest chipmaker in the world would like to expand its foundry capacity and this is the main reason for its intent to acquire the said company.
SK Hynix seeking an audience with Key Foundry
As per the Korea Economic Daily, SK Hynix expressed its wish to have a talk with Key Foundry so they can negotiate for a full acquisition of its 8-inch wafer foundry. This detail reportedly came from sources in the tech and investment banking sector.
At this point, it was said that SK Hynix is considering different measures to boost its foundry business. However, nothing has been finalized yet so there could be other moves from the South Korean memory semiconductor manufacturer.
It was learned that the company already invested in Key Foundry last year by putting in around ₩207 billion or $181.93 million into a private equity fund (PEF) that owns the chip contract maker headquartered in Cheongju, South Korea. Now, it wants to purchase the rest of the shares.
Reuters mentioned that Key Foundry could make 82,000 8-inch wafers per month and it is the only pure-play foundry in the country. It has the capacity to produce semiconductor chips for different applications in various fields such as computing, communications, automotive, consumer and industrial industries.
SK Hynix’s plan after the full acquisition
In case the two companies reach an agreement and SK Hynix fully acquires Key Foundry, the former will begin its work to double its foundry capacity. The purchase is also intended to provide support for the development, mass production and global market expansion as per HPCWire.
SK Hynix is looking to expand its portfolio and supply semiconductors to global customers that are involved in auto, electronics or mobile businesses. This will also help the company in its goal to do its part in solving the chip shortage worldwide.
Finally, Park Jung Ho, SK Hynix’s recently appointed co-CEO and vice chairman, is also expected to announce specific plans for its investments including in the M&A ventures. More deals and acquisitions are also said to be part of the strategy for expanding the company.
