Stock Markets March 17, 2026

Samsung, SK Hynix Stocks Rally After Nvidia Highlights Partnerships at GTC

Nvidia spotlights Samsung's 4nm manufacturing role and next-gen HBM; SK Hynix signals capacity expansion amid strong demand

By Leila Farooq
Samsung, SK Hynix Stocks Rally After Nvidia Highlights Partnerships at GTC

Shares of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix rose sharply after Nvidia highlighted both companies as partners in its artificial intelligence supply chain at the GTC developer conference. Samsung was singled out to produce Nvidia's latest AI inference chips on a 4-nanometre process and introduced HBM4E memory, while SK Hynix emphasized its advanced memory capabilities and plans to expand capacity to meet demand.

Key Points

  • Samsung shares rose over 6% to 206,500 won after Nvidia said Samsung would manufacture its latest AI inference chips on a 4-nanometre process.
  • SK Hynix shares gained more than 4% to 1,010,000 won after reaffirming its advanced memory position and signaling capacity expansion to meet demand.
  • Samsung unveiled HBM4E to address growing demand from Nvidia’s upcoming AI accelerators as competition in the premium memory segment intensifies.

Shares of South Korean chipmakers moved higher on Wednesday following confirmation of deeper ties with Nvidia during the latter's GTC developer event.

Market moves

In Seoul trading, Samsung Electronics shares climbed more than 6% to 206,500 won, while SK Hynix rose over 4% to 1,010,000 won. The gains reflected investor optimism after Nvidia presented both firms as key partners in its artificial intelligence hardware supply chain.

What Nvidia announced

Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang said Samsung will manufacture the company’s latest AI inference chips using an advanced 4-nanometre process. That development was framed as supportive of Samsung’s foundry operations, which the article notes have been contending with losses and weaker order flow.

Samsung also introduced a next-generation high-bandwidth memory product named HBM4E. The company positioned HBM4E as a response to rising demand from Nvidia’s forthcoming AI accelerators, at a time when competition in the premium memory segment is intensifying.

SK Hynix response

SK Hynix was highlighted as a leading supplier of HBM chips to Nvidia. The firm reaffirmed its technological leadership in advanced memory and signalled continued capacity expansion to address robust demand for its products.

Implications for sectors

  • Semiconductor manufacturing and foundry services may see heightened attention due to Samsung’s role in producing AI inference chips on a 4-nanometre node.
  • High-bandwidth memory suppliers and the premium memory market are under focus as Samsung unveils HBM4E and SK Hynix plans capacity increases.
  • Investor sentiment toward South Korean memory and foundry companies shifted positive following Nvidia’s announcements.

Notes and limits

The article reports the price moves and the announcements as described at Nvidia’s event. It does not provide additional financial forecasts, time lines for production ramp-ups, or details beyond the statements cited about manufacturing plans, the HBM4E product, or SK Hynix’s capacity intentions.

Risks

  • Samsung’s foundry business has been described as struggling with losses and lagging orders, posing a financial and operational risk to its ability to scale production - affects semiconductor manufacturing sector.
  • Intensifying competition in the premium memory segment could pressure margins or market share for memory suppliers - affects memory and semiconductor sectors.
  • Planned capacity expansions by suppliers such as SK Hynix depend on execution and market conditions; failure to align supply with demand could create operational or financial uncertainties - affects suppliers and capital expenditure planning in the semiconductor sector.

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