Samsung reports operating profit tripling to record amid rising memory-chip demand

Samsung said its fourth-quarter operating profit likely tripled to 20 trillion won ($13.81 billion) as higher memory-chip prices lifted results, and it forecast record quarterly revenue of about 93 trillion won.

Samsung expects its fourth-quarter operating profit to have tripled to 20 trillion won, about $13.81 billion. The company attributes the gain to sharply higher memory-chip prices amid a semiconductor shortage and rising demand tied to AI. Its semiconductor business became the main contributor to earnings in the second half of 2025, overtaking smartphones. Samsung also forecast record quarterly revenue and provided preliminary full-year figures for 2025. Key facts: - Samsung estimated fourth-quarter operating profit at 20 trillion won, a threefold increase from a year earlier. - The preliminary Q4 figure exceeded a FactSet consensus estimate of 17.679 trillion won and topped Samsung's previous record of 17.57 trillion won from Q3 2018. - The company forecast quarterly revenue of about 93 trillion won and reported that 2025 revenue likely rose to 332.77 trillion won with operating profit projected at 43.53 trillion won. - Industry trackers and banks cited in the article projected large increases in memory prices: TrendForce forecast conventional DRAM contract prices rising 55%–60% and NAND flash up 33%–38% in the current quarter, while Citigroup projected 2026 average selling price jumps of 88% for DRAM and 74% for NAND. - The article notes S&P Global Ratings, Nomura and HSBC analysts expect elevated memory prices and increased focus on high-bandwidth memory for AI servers. Summary: Higher memory-chip prices driven by AI demand and tight supply pushed Samsung's preliminary fourth-quarter operating profit to an estimated record level, and the company forecast record quarterly revenue. The article mentions shares hit an intraday record before closing lower on profit-taking, and Samsung is scheduled to release full quarterly results with a segment breakdown later this month.