SK Hynix reported its highest-ever quarterly revenue of 19.77 trillion won (US$15.1 billion) in the fourth quarter, fueled by robust demand for AI memory chips. The Korean memory maker’s sales increased 12% from the previous quarter and 75% year-over-year.
Operating profit reached 8.08 trillion won (US$6.2 billion), marking a 15% increase from Q3 and a dramatic turnaround from just 346 billion won a year earlier. The company achieved a 41% operating margin, reflecting strong pricing power in high-end segments.
The stellar performance was driven by HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) sales, which grew more than 4.5 times in 2024. SK Hynix strengthened its market position by launching the industry’s first HBM3E 12Hi product in Q4.
Net profit rose 39% quarter-on-quarter to 8.0 trillion won (US$6.1 billion), aided by foreign exchange gains and proceeds from selling a stake in System IC Wuxi.
Looking ahead, the company expects some headwinds in Q1 2025, forecasting a high-teen percentage drop in DRAM shipments due to seasonally weak IT device demand. However, management remains optimistic about long-term AI-driven growth, planning to increase infrastructure investment for new fab construction.
