Samsung soars on record chip profits
Samsung Electronics reported a 21 percent year-over-year jump in net profit for the third quarter, driven by a record-breaking performance in its semiconductor business amid surging demand for artificial intelligence hardware. Net profit reached 12.22 trillion won, or about $8.6 billion, up from 10.1 trillion won a year earlier.
Operating profit rose 32.5 percent to 12.16 trillion won, while revenue climbed 8.8 percent to 86.06 trillion won, both exceeding analyst forecasts. The semiconductor division alone posted an operating profit of 7 trillion won, a dramatic increase from 400 billion won in the previous quarter and 3.9 trillion won a year earlier. Strong sales of high-bandwidth memory chips, especially HBM3E, fueled the gains. The company stated that HBM3E is now in mass production and being delivered to all key customers, while early samples of the next-generation HBM4 are also being shipped.
Samsung’s foundry unit recorded its highest-ever customer orders. Meanwhile, the DX division, which encompasses mobile and home electronics, reported an operating profit of 3.5 trillion won, with the mobile segment contributing 3.6 trillion won, thanks to strong sales of the Galaxy Z Fold 7, tablets, and wearables. The visual display business, however, posted an operating loss of 100 billion won due to fierce competition. Samsung shares rose 3.78 percent in early trading following the earnings release.
