Samsung Prepares $72 Billion Shareholder Return Plan

Samsung Electronics is preparing a shareholder return program valued at more than 100 trillion won, or approximately 72 billion dollars, according to reports published on August 20, 2026. The plan is expected to be formally approved during a board meeting scheduled before the end of August 2026.

The initiative will be funded by allocating 50 percent of the company's free cash flow. According to the reports, which cited industry sources, the returns will focus primarily on cash dividends rather than share buybacks. This approach is reportedly chosen due to potential regulatory complications tied to buybacks, involving affiliated entities such as Samsung Life Insurance and Samsung Fire Marine Insurance. Samsung had previously indicated in July 2026 that its board was discussing this year's return plan, including the possibility of special dividends.

The scale of the program would make it one of the largest shareholder return initiatives ever announced by a South Korean company. It follows a similar move by domestic rival SK Hynix, the world's second-largest memory chip maker. On August 19, 2026, SK Hynix unveiled a 40 trillion won, or about 29 billion dollars, share buyback and...