SK Hynix has surpassed Samsung Electronics in market capitalization to become South Korea’s most valuable listed company, ending Samsung’s long tenure at the top. Multiple outlets report that the change happens during intraday trading and is reflected in the latest market figures, with SK Hynix completing the move and taking the leading position.
Korea Times provides specific closing figures, saying SK Hynix shares finish 5.61% higher, lifting its market capitalisation to about 2,080.37 trillion won (around US$1.35 billion), while Samsung’s market capitalisation is about 2,066.66 trillion won after its shares slip 0.14%. The milestone is described as the first time Samsung relinquishes the top spot on the KOSPI benchmark since its uninterrupted reign began in 2000, with Samsung having first become the most valuable in 1999.
All sources attribute the shift to the broader strength in the semiconductor sector, driven by robust demand linked to the artificial intelligence boom. They note that SK Hynix is a major supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI systems, benefiting alongside, but in this case more strongly than, Samsung.
