[Record Performance Driven by AI Boom... Rising Expectations for Shareholder Returns]

Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix recently posted their highest-ever quarterly results for the second quarter, driven by a boom in the AI memory market. Samsung Electronics' operating profit for the first half of the year reached approximately 146 trillion won, while SK Hynix also generated an operating profit of 98 trillion won during the same period. As the performance of both companies has improved significantly due to expanding AI demand, including high-bandwidth memory (HBM), expectations for enhanced shareholder returns are mounting.

[Samsung and SK Officially Announce Strengthened Shareholder Returns via Reuters Statements]

Against this backdrop, both companies have officially stated their commitment to strengthening their shareholder return policies. According to Reuters on the 5th (local time), Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix each mentioned plans to expand shareholder returns through official statements sent to the news agency.

Samsung Electronics stated, "We are reviewing ways to enhance shareholder returns in a sustainable manner, while focusing on maintaining a sound financial structure to respond to business fluctuations and support growth investments." It added that specific details will be revealed "very soon."

SK Hynix also explained, "We plan to prepare a specific shareholder return plan by the end of the year," noting, "Based on our record-high cash generation capacity, we are reviewing additional shareholder returns while maintaining investments and financial soundness."

[Samsung Reviews Special Dividends, SK to Announce Plan Within the Year]

Samsung Electronics had already stated during its second-quarter earnings announcement that it is reviewing additional shareholder return policies, including special dividends. Park Soon-cheol, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Samsung Electronics, mentioned during a conference call on the 30th of last month, "The board of directors and management are discussing specific execution plans, including special dividends, as well as the next shareholder return policy, in addition to faithfully implementing the existing three-year shareholder return policy as promised." Samsung Electronics maintains its plan to return 50% of its free cash flow (FCF) to shareholders and pay 9.8 trillion won in annual dividends over the three-year period from 2024 to 2026.

SK Hynix has also announced its intention to establish a new shareholder return plan by the end of this year. The company stated, "Based on our record-high cash generation capacity, we believe we can meaningfully expand shareholder returns while maintaining investment and financial soundness," adding, "We are reviewing various measures for additional shareholder returns." Notably, during its second-quarter earnings conference call on the 29th of last month, the company only stated it was "currently under review," but this time it drew attention by presenting a specific timeline of "by the end of the year."

[Securities Firms Project Record Free Cash Flow... Big Three Memory Makers Join Forces to Enhance Shareholder Value]

In the securities sector, Samsung Electronics' free cash flow for this year is projected to reach approximately 200 trillion won, while SK Hynix's is expected to hit the mid-100 trillion won range. Both companies have set policies to utilize half of their FCF for shareholder returns, and SK Hynix, in particular, is pursuing investment expansion and shareholder value enhancement with the goal of achieving "100 trillion won in net cash."

Meanwhile, U.S.-based Micron Technology also reaffirmed its principle during its earnings announcement in June to return 100% of its excess cash to shareholders over the long term. As all three global memory giants move to strengthen shareholder returns, a clear trend is emerging where they simultaneously pursue investment and the enhancement of shareholder value.