截至发稿，三星韩股上涨了3.79%，现报57500韩元/股。Samsung Electronics' fourth quarter revenue and profit both fell short of market expectations. Analysts pointed out that the main reasons for poor performance include falling behind competitors such as SK Hynix and Micron Technology in the field of AI chips, weak demand for traditional memory, increased competition in the smartphone business, a decline in the operating rate of the OEM business, and an increase in R&D investment.
Samsung Electronics' quarterly profit fell short of expectations, and the AI chip business faced challenges.
On Wednesday, January 8, South Korean electronics giant Samsung announced disappointing quarterly results: preliminary data showed that Samsung's operating profit for the fourth quarter of 2024 was 6.5 trillion won (about 4.5 billion US dollars), lower than analysts' average forecast of 8.96 trillion won; revenue was 75 trillion won, which was also lower than market expectations.
As of press release, Samsung's Korean stock has risen 3.79% and is now reported at 57,500 won per share.
Analysts pointed out that the main reasons for Samsung's poor performance include:
1. The AI chip field is lagging behind competitors such as SK Hynix and Micron Technology in the artificial intelligence chip market. Samsung failed to obtain Nvidia's certification in a timely manner, leading to a decrease in the market share of high-bandwidth memory (HBM);
2. Weak demand for traditional memory: Demand for conventional semiconductor products from PCs and mobile devices has weakened, causing a drag on Samsung's performance;
3. Increased R&D investment: In order to catch up with the rapidly growing AI market, Samsung has increased R&D spending and production capacity expansion;
4. Competition in the smartphone business has intensified: competition in the mobile device field is becoming increasingly fierce, affecting Samsung's performance in this business segment;
5. The operating rate of the foundry business has declined: The operating efficiency of the foundry business has decreased.
In the face of these challenges, Samsung is taking a series of measures:
1. Organizational culture change: Jun Young-hyun, head of Samsung's chip department, previously acknowledged that the company had delays in obtaining Nvidia certification, and that the company needed to review organizational culture and processes;
2. Layoff plans: Samsung has begun layoffs in Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and plans to cut thousands of jobs worldwide;
3. Increase investment in AI chips: Samsung is trying to catch up with the high-end memory market, but this requires continuous high investment in R&D and capacity expansion.