SK Hynix shares climbed almost 5% on Thursday to reach a fresh record closing price of 2,642,000 following the company's announcement that it has shipped samples of an advanced high-bandwidth memory product to key customers.
In a statement, the company said it delivered samples of its 12-high HBM4E module - an advanced memory product targeted at artificial intelligence applications - to several major clients. The move represents a product milestone for SK Hynix as it positions its memory portfolio for rising AI demand.
The stock has repeatedly touched new highs this week, and market attention on a potential U.S. American Depositary Receipt (ADR) listing has bolstered investor sentiment. Recent reports have suggested SK Hynix is in the final stages of obtaining U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approval for an ADR and could list on the Nasdaq as early as mid-July, earlier than previously expected in August.
According to those reports, the planned ADR offering could include the issuance of new shares equivalent to roughly 2.5% of the company's outstanding stock. Management has stated the listing is intended to raise capital to expand AI semiconductor capacity and to help accelerate the firm's objective of reaching a net cash position of 100 trillion won.
The broader Korean equity benchmark, the KOSPI, reached an all-time closing high in the session prior to Thursday, a move that was supported in part by strength in the semiconductor sector. External buying has been a significant factor behind SK Hynix's recent advance. Foreign investors purchased a net total of more than 3.79 trillion won of SK Hynix shares across the five trading sessions through June 17, and that buying trend carried into Thursday's trading.
Together, product progress with the 12-high HBM4E samples, the near-term ADR listing narrative, and heavy foreign inflows have combined to push the stock to its latest record. Market participants will be watching both the timing and structure of any U.S. listing as well as demand for the company's advanced memory products.