SK Hynix shares closed at 839,000 won on Friday, marking a 0.36% decline and capping a weekly drop of approximately 8%. This downturn occurred despite S&P Global Ratings elevating the chipmaker's long-term credit rating to "BBB+" and assigning a positive outlook, driven by robust high-bandwidth memory (HBM) sales and stable pricing in the memory sector.
Market Context and Sector Pressure
The decline aligns with a broader retreat in technology stocks across Asia. South Korea's KOSPI index fell 1.4% on Friday, ending a six-week winning streak with a 2.6% weekly loss. Both SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics each shed 0.4% during the session, reflecting heightened investor caution toward the tech sector.
AI Demand and Competitive Dynamics
SK Hynix is widely viewed as a key beneficiary of the artificial intelligence boom, with its performance often serving as a barometer for tech sentiment. However, the stock now faces pressure between optimistic AI-driven memory demand and recent market volatility. Apple CEO Tim Cook recently noted expectations for rising memory chip prices due to AI data center demand, which could strain supply for DRAM used in devices like smartphones and servers. Analysts highlight that major buyers like Apple maintain strong negotiating power with suppliers such as SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron.
Corporate Strategy and Shareholder Returns
Following a solid performance in 2025, SK Hynix has announced measures to enhance shareholder value, including increasing its year-end dividend to 1,875 won per share and planning to cancel 15.3 million treasury shares. The company's leadership emphasized its aim to evolve from a product supplier to a core infrastructure partner in the AI era.
Investors are monitoring whether the tech-led sell-off will persist or ease as markets reopen on Monday. Attention remains on signals from major memory buyers regarding pricing and supply, especially amid warnings about mounting cost pressures that could impact consumer device makers and cloud spending.