SK Hynix stock rises as AI memory demand lifts earnings

Published on 09/22/2026 at 13:32 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

SK Hynix stock reached KRW 1,840,000 on September 22, 2026, after a volatile session. Second quarter revenue rose 257 percent year over year.

SK Hynix, KR7000660001, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

SK Hynix stock closed at KRW 1,840,000 on the Korea Exchange on September 22, 2026, down 1.5 percent from the previous session after trading as high as KRW 1,935,000. The reversal came as semiconductor shares reacted to an AI-led market rally and then gave back much of their early advance.

AI demand drives record figures

The latest reported quarter delivered exceptional growth but also exposed the market's high expectations. In the second quarter of 2026, revenue rose 257 percent year over year to KRW 79.32 trillion, while operating profit increased 557 percent to KRW 60.54 trillion, according to Stocktwits on September 22, 2026.

First-half revenue exceeded KRW 100 trillion for the first time in 2026, reflecting demand for high-bandwidth memory used in artificial-intelligence systems. The comparison with analyst expectations was less favorable: reported second-quarter revenue of KRW 79.32 trillion was below estimates of KRW 84 trillion, while operating profit of KRW 60.54 trillion missed forecasts of KRW 64 trillion, the same report said.

Stock tests the KRW 1.9 million level

The price action shows why valuation and execution now matter together. SK Hynix opened above the KRW 1.9 million threshold during September 22 trading, but finished at KRW 1.84 million, a decline of KRW 28,000 or 1.50 percent in the closing data reported by Twig24 on September 22, 2026. Trading value reached KRW 5.64295 trillion, underscoring the intensity of the session.

Analyst expectations remain materially higher than the closing price. UBS maintained a Buy rating and set a target of KRW 3 million in a September 22, 2026 report, while the cited analysis said the shares had rebounded 39 percent from their July low but remained 36 percent below their June high, according to Futunn on September 22, 2026.

Closing price remains the key test

SK Hynix stock ended at KRW 1,840,000 on the Korea Exchange on September 22, 2026. The key tension is visible in the numbers: quarterly revenue and operating profit expanded by triple-digit percentages, yet the quarter still missed consensus by KRW 4.68 trillion in revenue and KRW 3.46 trillion in operating profit.