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Jul 28
SK Hynix's HBM paradox: DDR5 surge builds leverage for HBM4 price hikes

AI spending is broadening the memory upcycle beyond high-bandwidth memory, lifting prices for conventional DRAM, NAND flash and enterprise SSDs while reshaping earnings at SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics.

China's semiconductor self-reliance push has notched new gains, with Chinese AI giants expanding purchases of domestic AI chips and facing direct pressure from Beijing to use more local silicon, market sources say. Industry players say the trend toward chip substitution has been building for years, but whether it truly accelerates will depend on how strong the "chilling effect" becomes.
Samsung Electronics is considering using low-cost Chinese mobile DRAM in smartphones sold in China as it looks to cut manufacturing costs and expand its presence in the country's budget handset market, according to Asia Time.

On July 28, ASM International raised its revenue outlook for 2027 and issued third-quarter guidance above market expectations after reporting higher second-quarter revenue and profit, supported by continued investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure and advanced semiconductor manufacturing.

Macronix International posted a sharp earnings increase in the second quarter of 2026, with gross margin reaching a record 64.4%. Its board also approved an additional NT$15.8 billion (approx. US$490 million) in capex to expand 12-inch wafer capacity.

SK Hynix reported record second-quarter revenue, underscoring the firm's strong demand for AI-related memory despite supply constraints and shifting customer buying patterns. The South Korean chipmaker said it is expanding long-term agreements with major customers to lock in demand and support investment planning. The company also expects HBM and DRAM to remain key growth drivers into the second half of 2026.

On July 28, Seagate Technology reported sharply higher revenue and profit for its fiscal fourth quarter, driven by continued demand from cloud data center customers and higher-capacity storage products tied to artificial intelligence infrastructure. The company also issued first-quarter fiscal 2027 guidance above its prior quarter's revenue level, reflecting expectations that demand momentum will continue.

During KLA's June 2026 earnings call, held on July 28, executives detailed the company's financial performance and strategic outlook, highlighting a period of record revenue and accelerating investment across the semiconductor ecosystem. CEO Rick Wallace and CFO Bren Higgins addressed several critical topics, including supply chain constraints and the long-term impact of artificial intelligence on wafer fab equipment (WFE) demand.

KLA raised its outlook for the global wafer equipment market and forecast record revenue for the current quarter after reporting better-than-guidance fourth-quarter results, citing sustained investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure, advanced semiconductor manufacturing, and advanced packaging.

Huawei is reportedly working through its domestic supply chain to begin mass production of semiconductor glass substrates in 2027, with plans to adopt the technology in its own AI chips. Industry sources said that if the strategy proceeds successfully, leadership in global semiconductor glass-substrate technology could gradually shift towards China.

Despite robust performance in the automotive sector and growing demand for artificial intelligence, NXP Semiconductors' second-quarter earnings and third-quarter projections fell short of investor expectations due to cautious market sentiment regarding semiconductor valuations and heightened competition from Chinese chip manufacturers.

SK Hynix has announced its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, reporting unprecedented growth in revenue and profitability. Driven by rapid expansion in the artificial intelligence (AI) market, the company achieved record-high margins and a significant surge in net profit, supported by both operational excellence and substantial investment gains.