A person walks previous a brand of SK Hynix on the foyer of the corporate’s Bundang workplace in Seongnam on January 29, 2021.
Jung Yeon-Je | AFP | Getty Photos
South Korean reminiscence chipmaker SK Hynix stated Friday that it was able to mass produce its next-generation high-bandwidth reminiscence chips, staying forward of rivals and sending the corporate’s inventory hovering.
HBM is a sort of reminiscence that’s utilized in chipsets for artificial-intelligence computing, together with in chips from international AI big Nvidia — a serious shopper of SK Hynix.
SK Hynix stated earlier this 12 months that it had shipped samples of its HBM4 chips to prospects, because it sought to beat opponents together with Samsung Electronics and Micron Applied sciences.
In response to its announcement Friday, the corporate has completed its inside validation and high quality assurance course of for HBM4 and is able to manufacture these at scale.
“Completion of HBM4 growth shall be a brand new milestone for the trade,” stated Joohwan Cho, head of HBM growth at SK Hynix.
HBM4 is the sixth technology of HBM expertise — a sort of Dynamic Random Entry Reminiscence, or DRAM. DRAM might be present in private computer systems, workstations and servers and is used to retailer information and program code.
SK Hynix’s newest HBM4 product has doubled bandwidth and elevated energy effectivity by 40% in comparison with the earlier technology, in line with the corporate.
Notably, HBM4 is predicted to be the principle AI reminiscence chip wanted for Nvidia’s next-generation Rubin structure — a extra highly effective AI chip for international information facilities — stated Dan Nystedt, vice-president at TriOrient, an Asia-based personal funding agency with a concentrate on semiconductors.
“SK Hynix is a key provider for Nvidia, and the announcement exhibits it stays far forward of rivals,” he stated.
Samsung Electronics and Micron have struggled to catch as much as SK Hynix in HBM, because it builds on its phase management and advantages from being Nvidia’s principal HBM provider.
Nevertheless, the businesses have made some progress. Micron has additionally shipped samples of its HBM4 merchandise to prospects, whereas Samsung has reportedly been working to get its HBM4 chips licensed by Nvidia.
“Regardless of the shifting aggressive panorama, we anticipate SK Hynix will preserve a commanding place, doubtlessly securing round 50% of the HBM market share by 2026,” stated MS Hwang, analysis director at Counterpoint Analysis, overlaying reminiscence options.
SK Hynix shares rose greater than 7% Friday to hit their highest since 2000, following its chip announcement, bringing year-to-date beneficial properties to almost 90%. Shares of Samsung Electronics and Micron have risen over 40% and almost 80% in 2025, respectively.
SK Hynix posted file working revenue and income for its June-quarter, because of sturdy HBM demand, which accounted for 77% of its general revenues. The corporate’s market capitalization has elevated by greater than $80 billion for the reason that begin of the 12 months, in line with information from S&P Capital IQ.
The agency expects to double HBM gross sales for the complete 12 months in comparison with 2024, and for demand from AI to proceed to develop into 2026.
