SK Hynix Hits $1 Trillion Market Cap as AI Memory Demand Fuels Rally
MU•South Korean chip maker SK Hynix became the third firm this month to breach a $1 trillion market cap, joining Samsung Electronics and Micron as AI-driven memory demand surges. Record Q1 profits at both companies sparked worker protests over bonus disparities and highlight concentration risks in South Korea’s equities.
1. Memory Chip Rally Pushes Third $1T Entry
SK Hynix vaulted past a $1 trillion market capitalization this week, becoming the third memory chip maker—after Samsung Electronics and Micron—to reach that milestone in response to soaring demand for AI infrastructure and data storage.
2. Record Q1 Profits and Bonus Disputes
Both SK Hynix and Samsung reported record first-quarter profits, but a bonus gap—up to $900,000 per SK Hynix employee versus $400,000 at Samsung—triggered an 18-day strike threat by Samsung workers before a negotiated settlement.
3. Concentration Risk in South Korea’s Market
South Korea’s benchmark index has climbed to become the world’s seventh-largest, yet Samsung and SK Hynix account for roughly 50% of its value, exposing the broader market to volatility tied to these two firms’ performance.
