Samsung Electronics is projected to report an operating profit of approximately ₩106.1 trillion, or $79.1 billion, for the third quarter of 2026. This represents a nearly nine-fold increase compared to the ₩12.17 trillion recorded in the same period last year. The company is set to release its preliminary earnings guidance on October 8, 2026.
The growth is primarily driven by demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is essential for AI infrastructure. The Device Solutions division is expected to achieve operating margins between 72% and 76%. Revenue is estimated to reach between ₩199 trillion and ₩202 trillion, potentially marking a year-over-year growth exceeding 130%.
Revenue from HBM4, the latest generation of the technology, is expected to triple sequentially in the third quarter. By the second half of 2026, HBM4 is projected to represent over 60% of the company's HBM revenue. Increased demand for data centers is also boosting sales of traditional DRAM and enterprise solid-state drives.
Despite the positive outlook, analyst projections have been revised downward by 7.7% to 8% since late August. This adjustment is attributed to a moderation in memory chip price gains and the strengthening of the South Korean won, which impacts the conversion of dollar-denominated global sales into local currency.
