(LEAD) SK hynix beats Samsung Electronics in market cap to become most valuable company

Lead

SK hynix Inc. has surpassed Samsung Electronics Co. in market capitalization, becoming South Korea's most valuable listed company for the first time, according to multiple reports from Yonhap News Agency. The shift marks the end of Samsung's 25-year run as the top stock on the benchmark Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI).

Coverage Comparison

Two separate Yonhap reports, both published on June 22, document the milestone. The first, citing the Korea Exchange (KRX), reported that SK hynix's market capitalization reached 2,091 trillion won (approximately US$1,358 billion) at 12:42 p.m., surpassing Samsung's 2,090 trillion won. Intraday trading figures showed SK hynix shares rising 6.15 percent to 2,934,000 won, while Samsung gained 0.99 percent to 357,500 won.

The second report, which recasts the headline and adds more context, provides closing figures: SK hynix ended the day up 5.61 percent, with a market cap of 2,080.37 trillion won (US$1,350.98 billion), while Samsung slipped 0.14 percent to 2,066.66 trillion won. Both reports agree on the historic nature of the event, noting it is the first time since 2000 that Samsung has relinquished the top spot—though Samsung first claimed the No. 1 position in 1999.

Key Claims

• Market Capitalization: SK hynix's market capitalization ranged from 2,080.37 trillion won to 2,091 trillion won depending on the time of measurement, while Samsung's was between 2,066.66 trillion won and 2,090 trillion won, according to the two Yonhap reports.
• Stock Movement: SK hynix shares rose between 5.61 and 6.15 percent (depending on closing vs. intraday), while Samsung shares moved between -0.14 and +0.99 percent.
• Historical Context: The reports both note that Samsung had been the KOSPI leader since 2000, with its first No. 1 ranking in 1999.
• Drivers of Growth: The second report attributes the shift to robust semiconductor demand fueled by the artificial intelligence (AI) boom, with SK hynix identified as the dominant supplier of high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips used in AI systems by customers including Nvidia and Google. It also states that SK hynix shares have surged more than 340 percent so far this year, compared to Samsung's 197.7 percent gain.

Perspectives

• Market Perspective: The reports suggest that investors are increasingly favoring semiconductor-focused companies amid the AI-driven rally. SK hynix's heavy concentration in memory chips, particularly HBM, has made it a key beneficiary, while Samsung's diversified portfolio—spanning smartphones, consumer electronics, and displays—has tempered its ability to fully capitalize on semiconductor enthusiasm.
• Samsung's Position: While the milestone is significant, the reports note that Samsung remains a major player, and its broader business segments may offer stability that a pure-play memory maker like SK hynix lacks.
• Caveats: The exact figures vary between the intraday and closing reports, and the long-term sustainability of SK hynix's lead is not addressed. Neither report speculates on whether the shift is temporary or durable.