Samsung flags $80 billion profit on AI boom, highest quarterly for any tech company
Samsung forecast third-quarter operating profit of 107.4 trillion won ($80.17 billion), nearly nine times higher year over year and above estimates, as AI demand boosted memory sales.
1. Record profit forecast
Samsung projected third-quarter operating profit of 107.4 trillion won, slightly above the 106.1 trillion won estimate. The forecast would mark its fourth straight quarter of record operating profit, while revenue would likely rise 127% year over year to 195 trillion won.
2. Chip supply and prices
Samsung and Micron expect the memory chip imbalance to persist into 2028, though Chinese competition and a possible slowdown in AI spending pose risks. TrendForce expects conventional DRAM contract prices to rise 10% to 15% in the fourth quarter, slower than the roughly 60% increase in the second quarter.
3. Pressure beyond memory
Analysts said Samsung’s mobile business posted a larger-than-expected loss of more than $1 billion in the third quarter as higher component costs pressured its smartphone and consumer electronics businesses. Its foundry business is expected to remain loss-making, while Samsung will release detailed results on October 29.
