SK Hynix nears $1 trillion valuation as AI chip rally lifts Korean stocks

SK Hynix is approaching a $1 trillion market value as demand for artificial intelligence memory chips drives a sharp rally in South Korean semiconductor stocks. The company’s market capitalization was about $948 billion based on May 13 prices and exchange rates, Reuters reported. Shares of SK Hynix have gained more than 200% in 2026 after rising 274% in 2025, supported by demand for conventional memory and high-bandwidth memory chips used in AI servers. Samsung Electronics, which crossed the $1 trillion threshold earlier in May 2026, rose more than 3% to a record high on May 14, while SK Hynix slipped 0.48%. If SK Hynix surpasses $1 trillion, South Korea would become the first country outside the United States with more than one trillion-dollar company. The KOSPI has climbed more than 86% in 2026 after a 75% surge in 2025, making it the world’s best-performing major stock market since the start of 2025.