Samsung third-quarter operating profit jumps to KRW 107.4 trillion on AI memory demand

In brief

Developing. Last updated 29 October 2026, 11:19 Dubai time (UTC+4).

Samsung Electronics reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of KRW 195.3 trillion and operating profit of KRW 107.4 trillion, according to its earnings release. Samsung calls itself the world's first tech company to exceed KRW 100 trillion in quarterly operating profit. At the European Central Bank's 28 October 2026 reference rates (about KRW 1,340 per US dollar), that is roughly $145.7 billion of revenue and $80.1 billion of operating profit.

What Samsung reported

According to Samsung's release, revenue was an all-time quarterly high, up 14% from the prior quarter. Its investor presentation puts year-on-year growth at 127% for revenue and 783% for operating profit, against KRW 86.1 trillion and KRW 12.2 trillion a year earlier.

Samsung says the semiconductor (DS) division earned KRW 106.5 trillion of operating profit on KRW 147.1 trillion of revenue, with memory setting a record and HBM4 sales scaled up significantly. The mobile and consumer electronics (DX) division posted a KRW 0.8 trillion operating loss, and display (SDC) earned KRW 1.1 trillion.

Samsung expects 2026 capital expenditure of about KRW 84.4 trillion (roughly $63 billion), including KRW 76.8 trillion for DS. Reuters reports that chip-division spending will rise 62% this year. For 2027, Samsung says AI-driven demand "will far exceed the industry supply".

Market reaction

CNBC reports revenue of 195.25 trillion won and operating profit of 107.44 trillion won, both slightly below LSEG estimates of 195.79 trillion and 107.66 trillion. Reuters reports the chip division's profit also missed LSEG's 107.3 trillion won estimate.

Shares fell as much as 6.2% in morning trade, Reuters reports, and closed 4.13% lower, according to CNBC. Samsung declared a third-quarter dividend of KRW 4,601 per share, totalling KRW 30 trillion, and says it will finalise its next shareholder return policy at a board meeting in late January 2027.

Why it matters

This section is ByteNib analysis. The profit is real, but the reaction shows the bar has moved. After SK hynix's record quarter and its detailed return plan, investors wanted a payout roadmap, not just a bigger profit. The capex guidance also signals that the memory supply squeeze is expected to last into 2027. The DX loss is a reminder that the same memory prices lifting the chip unit are squeezing Samsung's own devices.

Sources and scope

• Samsung Electronics: Third quarter 2026 results
• Samsung Electronics: Q3 2026 earnings presentation
• CNBC: Samsung third-quarter earnings
• Reuters via CNA: Samsung sees chip shortage worsening, but keeps investors in suspense on returns
• European Central Bank: euro foreign exchange reference rates, 28 October 2026

Dollar conversions are ByteNib's, using ECB reference rates for 28 October 2026 (USD 1.1133 and KRW 1,492.35 per euro, implying KRW 1,340.47 per dollar). The "Why it matters" section is ByteNib editorial analysis. This article was researched and drafted with AI assistance and edited under ByteNib's editorial standards.

Drafted with AI assistance and reviewed by the editor before publication.

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