[Edaily Reporter Choi Oh-hyun ] SK hynix announced that it is reviewing various shareholder return measures, including the possibility of a special dividend using the capital gains from its investment in Japanese semiconductor company Kioxia. Specific shareholder return plans are scheduled to be disclosed during the third-quarter earnings announcement on the 28th.

In a regulatory filing on the 26th, SK hynix stated, “We are reviewing various shareholder return measures to enhance shareholder value, but nothing has been finalized as of yet.” However, the company explained, “Details regarding additional shareholder return measures will be announced on October 28, 2026, during the third-quarter earnings release, following a resolution by the board of directors.” The date for the follow-up disclosure was also set for the same day.

The company issued this clarification following reports by some media outlets that day claiming SK hynix was planning a special dividend using the 16 trillion won in capital gains generated from its investment in Japan’s Kioxia. Kioxia is a NAND flash manufacturer established after the spin-off of Toshiba’s memory semiconductor business; SK hynix became a major investor in 2018 by participating in an acquisition consortium led by U.S.-based Bain Capital.

Amid a boom in the artificial intelligence (AI) semiconductor market, the market is focusing on additional shareholder returns from SK hynix. During a conference call following the announcement of its second-quarter earnings, SK hynix responded to a question about how it would utilize the increased cash reserves—generated in part by the sale of its Kioxia stake—by stating, “We are currently reviewing various options for additional shareholder returns,” and added, “We will prepare to share our plans within the year as soon as specific measures are finalized.”

SK hynix had previously completed a 40 trillion won share buyback. The company had originally planned to complete the 40 trillion won share buyback—one of its shareholder return measures—by November 19, but finished the process a month early on the 21st. All acquired shares are scheduled to be canceled.

Meanwhile, the scale of SK hynix’s shareholder returns this year has increased significantly compared to last year. Last year, SK hynix executed a total of 14.3 trillion won in shareholder returns, including 2.1 trillion won in dividends and the cancellation of 12.2 trillion won worth of treasury stock.