Updated
Updated · CNBC · Aug 21
Samsung Unveils Up to 110 Trillion-Won 2026 Payout as SK Hynix’s 40 Trillion-Won Buyback Raises Pressure
Updated
Updated · CNBC · Aug 21

Samsung Unveils Up to 110 Trillion-Won 2026 Payout as SK Hynix’s 40 Trillion-Won Buyback Raises Pressure

3 articles · Updated · CNBC · Aug 21

Summary

  • 90 trillion to 110 trillion won in shareholder returns is Samsung Electronics’ 2026 target, which it called the largest ever by a Korean company.
  • 30 trillion won will be paid in third-quarter cash dividends, including the regular quarterly payout, with the board set to finalize details in late October.
  • The remaining returns will be decided in late January 2027 and may combine cash dividends with share buybacks and cancellations.
  • Samsung’s move follows SK Hynix’s 40 trillion-won buyback and comes as Samsung tries to catch up with its domestic rival in AI-focused high-bandwidth memory chips.
  • The plan extends Samsung’s 2024-2026 policy of returning 50% of free cash flow; it has already paid 20.9 trillion won in dividends and spent 8.4 trillion won on repurchases in 2024 and 2025.

Insights

Could SK Hynix's massive $28B payout actually jeopardize its dominance in the hyper-competitive, capital-intensive AI memory race?
Does returning over 50% of cash flow signal peak AI memory profits, or absolute confidence in a prolonged supercycle?