SK Hynix briefly overtakes Samsung as AI memory demand lifts valuation

Economic Times reported that SK Hynix briefly surpassed Samsung Electronics as South Korea's most valuable company. The move was driven by demand for memory chips used in AI data-center construction, with ET saying SK Hynix shares have risen more than 340% this year. The article presents the valuation shift as a sign of how AI infrastructure spending is reshaping old semiconductor hierarchies: Samsung remains a giant, but SK Hynix is being rewarded for its position in high-bandwidth memory and AI-linked supply chains.

Key details: Published June 22, 2026 at 10:58 IST, SK Hynix briefly surpassed Samsung Electronics as South Korea's most valuable company, ET said SK Hynix shares have risen more than 340% this year, The driver was booming demand for memory chips used in AI data centers.

Why it matters: This shows the AI buildout changing market leadership inside the semiconductor supply chain, with memory suppliers gaining strategic weight alongside GPU makers.