Samsung leads HBM4 shipments as Korea export data shows strength - report

Investing.com reports that Samsung Electronics led HBM4 shipments from South Korea in July, while SK Hynix reported weaker-than-expected results, according to Bernstein research. Overall HBM export from the country rose by 13% quarter-over-quarter, compared to April, although it fell by 32% month-over-month due to seasonality. Year-over-year growth stood at 64%.

Samsung's HBM export data from South Chungcheong, where the company packages the product, surged 122% quarter-over-quarter, compared to April. Bernstein predicts that Samsung's HBM revenue for Q3 2026 could surge 80% quarter-over-quarter, surpassing the firm's prior forecast by 30%. Similarly, export data from North Chungcheong and Icheon, where SK Hynix operates, declined approximately 27% both month-over-month and quarter-over-quarter.

Bernstein's regression analysis suggests that SK Hynix's HBM revenue for Q2 2026 could decline by 20% quarter-over-quarter, significantly below estimates. The firm attributes the weakness to delayed HBM4 shipments for Rubin. Samsung's July value per weight metric rose by 21% month-over-month, while SK Hynix's metric increased only slightly. The value per weight for Samsung has doubled from prior levels.

Samsung's HBM4 exports to Malaysia reached $1.3 billion in July, with the increase mainly driven by SK Hynix. This report was generated with the assistance of AI and reviewed by an editor. For further details, please refer to the article's Terms and Conditions.