Samsung posts record quarterly profit as AI chip demand grows

Samsung Electronics reported preliminary third-quarter operating profit of 107.4 trillion won on October 8, a record quarterly result and a 782% increase from a year earlier, as demand for memory chips used in artificial intelligence systems lifted revenue to about 195 trillion won. The company said revenue rose nearly 127% year over year. The operating profit was the first time Samsung had exceeded 100 trillion won in a quarter. The figures are preliminary; detailed results, including divisional performance, are scheduled for release on October 29. The strong results have not prevented volatility in Samsung shares. One report said the stock fell 0.7% on the day the preliminary figures were announced. A separate market-data report recorded a 2.6% gain on October 16, when shares closed at 215,500 won. Those movements reflect different trading days, not a single-session trend. A separate estimate from KB Securities points to continued demand for Samsung’s memory output. The brokerage estimates that long-term supply agreements cover about 80% of the company’s planned memory production for 2027. Its estimate comprises commitments for 70% of planned conventional DRAM and NAND...