Latest news with #DRAM
Arabian Post
4 days ago
- Automotive
- Arabian Post
Powerhouse Chaebols Propel South Korea's Economy to New Heights
A coalition of South Korea's top 100 firms generated an economic contribution of 1,615.2 trillion won in 2024, marking a 3.9 percent rise from the previous year, according to CEO Score data released on 18 June. Samsung Electronics led the charge with a 7 percent increase to 157.5 trillion won, accounting for 9.8 percent of the total haul. This growth reflects an integrated model of wealth distribution across stakeholders—suppliers, workers, government, shareholders and communities. Total sales of these firms reached 2,122.4 trillion won, growing 6.6 percent year-on-year, underlining the deep economic interlinkages driving expansion. Hyundai Motor secured the second position with a contribution of 115.2 trillion won, followed by Kia at 86.6 trillion won, which spectacularly posted the steepest increase thanks to surging supplier payments. Among the top ten contributors were LG Electronics, Hyundai Mobis, GS Caltex, SK Energy, Posco, Samsung C&T and LG Chem. In contrast, LG Energy Solution saw a pronounced drop of 28.3 percent to 19.2 trillion won, weighed down by lower stakeholder payouts. ADVERTISEMENT Industry breakdown highlights that electronics and IT firms contributed about 370 trillion won, followed by petrochemicals at 312 trillion won and the auto sector at 303.5 trillion won. Construction, shipbuilding, steel and distribution made further sizeable additions, reflecting a diverse industrial base. The dominance of chaebol giants—especially Samsung—continues unabated. Samsung and its affiliates, constituting nearly a quarter of national GDP, help drive national innovation and exports. Beyond scale, these conglomerates are embracing strategic shifts. Government figures show a record R&D investment of 83.6 trillion won by South Korean firms, with Samsung alone ploughing 30.2 trillion won into innovation, followed by SK hynix at 4.5 trillion won, Hyundai at 4.3 trillion won, and LG Electronics at 3.4 trillion won. Despite stepping up R&D budgets by 15.3 percent, only 40 domestic firms made the global top 2,000 by R&D outlays, compared to 681 in the US and 524 in China—underscoring scope for further thrust in innovation. Within semiconductors, South Korea continues to hold a dominant global footprint, commanding approximately 60 percent of the DRAM market and 52.6 percent of NAND, led by Samsung and SK hynix. Notably, SK hynix claimed 36 percent of DRAM market share in Q1 2025, overtaking Samsung's 34 percent. This data reveals a dual narrative: chaebol behemoths remain the backbone of the economy, but a growing reliance on innovation and global competitiveness is reshaping the corporate landscape. Hyundai's pivot to electric vehicles, Kia's ramped-up supplier integration and LG's diversification into chemicals and energy solutions are emblematic of this shift. However, concentration risk persists. Samsung and its affiliates form a significant share of GDP and exports, but reliance on a limited set of heavyweights may expose the economy to global headwinds. The comparative lag in R&D-intensive mid-sized firms risks stifling long-term resilience. Nevertheless, public policy is responding. Regulatory tweaks aimed at supporting corporate research and streamlining licensing protocols, alongside financial incentives and infrastructure development, suggest a proactive stance to broaden innovation beyond the chaebol core. As South Korea navigates economic turbulence—from fluctuating global demand to supply chain uncertainties and U.S.–China tech tensions—the measured expansion of stakeholder-driven value and intensification of R&D efforts signal a strategic repositioning.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Citi Sees Micron (MU) Climbing to $130 Supported by Better DRAM Pricing
Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) is one of the right now. On June 9, Citi analyst Christopher Danely reaffirmed his Buy rating on Micron and raised the stock's price target to $130 from the previous $110. Danely's outlook is driven by expectations of stronger DRAM pricing, which he believes will surpass initial projections. He now anticipates a quarterly price increase of at least 5%, well above the earlier forecast of 2%. This upward trend in pricing is expected to support Micron's revenue and earnings growth over the coming quarters. An automated manufacturing production line of semiconductor components on an assembly line. In response to these improving market conditions, Danely has revised his financial estimates for the company and now projects stronger sales and higher EPS for fiscal years 2025 and 2026. These higher estimates have resulted in an increase in price target. Although tariff-related developments have subsided, geopolitical tensions remain high. On June 9, Reuters reported that Chinese memory chipmaker Yangtze Memory Technologies (YMTC) filed a lawsuit in Washington, accusing Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) of orchestrating a disinformation campaign. The lawsuit claims Micron falsely portrayed YMTC's chips as containing spyware and posing a national security threat. Micron Technology Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) designs, develops, manufactures, and markets memory and storage products, including dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), flash memory (NAND), solid-state drives (SSDs), and High Bandwidth Memory (HBM) globally. While we acknowledge the potential of MU as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: The Best and Worst Dow Stocks for the Next 12 Months and 10 Unstoppable Stocks That Could Double Your Money. Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Korea Herald
10-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
SK hynix unveils 30-year DRAM road map
SK hynix, the world's largest DRAM supplier by revenue, unveiled a new DRAM technology road map for the next 30 years at a symposium in Japan on Tuesday. Participating in this year's Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Very Large Scale Integration Symposium in Kyoto, the chipmaker also presented its direction for sustainable innovation, the company said. In a keynote titled 'Driving Innovation in DRAM Technology: Towards a Sustainable Future,' SK hynix Chief Technology Officer Cha Seon-yong addressed the challenges chipmakers face in improving performance and capacity using current scaling technologies. 'To overcome these limitations, SK hynix will apply the 4F2 VG (Vertical Gate) platform and 3D DRAM technology to sub-10-nanometer nodes through innovation in structure, materials and components,' Cha said. Historically, semiconductor progress has focused on fitting more transistors into limited space, but this approach is now facing physical limitations. The 6F2 cell design enabled the development of 10 nm-class DRAM chips, but it is increasingly seen as insufficient to meet the performance demands of AI. SK hynix said its next-generation 4F2 VG cell and wafer bonding technology would relocate the circuit portion beneath the cell area, improving cell efficiency and electrical characteristics. The envisioned 4F2 VG platform is expected to minimize DRAM cell area while enabling higher integration, faster speeds, and lower power consumption through its vertical gate structure. Cha also emphasized 3D DRAM as a key pillar for future development, alongside VG. While some in the industry have raised concerns about the rising cost of stacking layers in 3D DRAM, Cha said such challenges can be addressed through continued technological innovation. The company also reaffirmed its commitment to developing a new growth engine by advancing key materials and components essential to DRAM, laying a technological foundation for the next three decades. 'Until around 2010, it was widely believed DRAM technology would hit a wall at 20 nanometers, but we've pushed far beyond that through continuous innovation,' Cha said. 'SK hynix will continue to lead long-term innovation and hopes to inspire the next generation of DRAM engineers. We will also maintain collaboration across the industry to bring the future of DRAM to life.' On Thursday, the final day of the event, Park Joo-dong, vice president and head of the Next Gen DRAM Task Force, will present findings from his recent research on how VG and wafer bonding technologies affect DRAM's electrical characteristics, the company said. SK hynix recently claimed the top spot in the global DRAM market for the first time, surpassing rival Samsung Electronics in the January–March period. According to market tracker TrendForce, SK hynix secured a 36 percent market share with $9.71 billion in revenue in the first quarter, compared to Samsung's $9.1 billion and 33.7 percent share.
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
5 High-Growth US Stocks Leading the Future of Business
In a digital-first world, technological advancements in businesses are no longer just good-to-have, but a must. From Artificial Intelligence (AI) infrastructure to e-commerce, innovation is driving the next wave of successful business models. Against this backdrop, a select group of US companies has emerged as frontrunners of this wave, demonstrating rising profits and highly-scalable business models. If you aim to catch this wave, here are five US growth stocks worth keeping a close eye on. Uber has proven itself as a resilient incumbent in the industry despite the extremely competitive rideshare landscape. One of the main reasons for this can be attributed to its strategic partnerships. Uber recently announced its collaboration with Nvidia (NASDAQ: NVDA) to develop more sophisticated AI models for its autonomous-driving technology while expanding its operational efficiency. In the first quarter of 2025 (1Q 2025), Uber's revenue rose 14% year-on-year (YoY) to US$11.5 billion. This is underpinned by a year-on-year rise in revenue of 15% and 18% for its mobility and delivery segments, respectively. Uber also showed a 35% year-on-year surge in its adjusted Earnings Before Interest Tax Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA). Uber's adjusted EBITDA performance exhibits strong and healthy earnings performance by Uber. It also shows its relevance as a platform in the travel and at-home consumption 2Q 2025, Uber's gross bookings are set to grow about 16% to 20% YoY and its adjusted EBITDA by 29% to 35% YoY. With AI continuing to be the talk of the town, Micron is making strides in solidifying its position in the AI-driven semiconductor chip industry. For 2Q FY2025, Micron's revenue from its High Bandwidth Memory chips grew more than 50% quarter-on-quarter and its data centre Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) chip revenue reached a record high. Micron also has a monopoly, being the sole supplier of low-powered DRAM chips into data centres in large quantities. Micron's newly developed 1-gamma DRAM has also achieved 20% lower power, 15% better performance and over 30% in bit-density as compared to its 1-beta development places Micron in a strategic position to capture the growing demand for memory chips and data centres. In 2Q FY2025, Micron reported a revenue of US$8.05 billion, a 38% YoY increase and a more than two-fold increase in audited net income of US$1.58 billion from US$0.79 billion in 2Q FY2024. For 3Q FY2025, its revenue is projected to be between US$8.6 billion to US$9 billion. Another big player in the AI semiconductor industry is AMD. Unlike Micron, AMD produces processing units and graphic cards for AI and gaming applications. For 1Q 2025, AMD announced solid earnings as revenue increased by 36% YoY, along with an increase in net profit of 476% YoY to US$709 million. For 2Q 2025, AMD projected revenue of between US$7.1 billion to US$7.7 billion. The company's management also announced a US$6 billion share repurchase programme, demonstrating strong confidence in AMD's growth and ability to generate consistent strong free cash flow. With the recent frenzy regarding the US tariffs, it may be surprising to see Amazon, an e-commerce giant, on this in 1Q 2025 the company announced a strong performance with net sales increasing by almost 9% YoY to US$155.7 billion. Its net profit also increased from US$10.4 billion in the first quarter in 2024 to US$17.1 billion in 1Q of the largest contributors was Amazon Web Services (AWS). The cloud service division's revenue saw an increase of 17% YoY to US$29.3 billion as it is less susceptible to tariff threats. Amazon is also leveraging AI by partnering with HUMAIN with a US$5 billion investment to develop an innovation hub for AWS AI infrastructure in Saudi Arabia. Adobe's Creative Cloud and its applications is one of the most recognised tools in the creative industry, from Photoshop to InDesign. Adobe is also improving its AI products such as Adobe Experience Platform Agent Orchestrator which is used to manage AI agents and create more personalised creative content. For 1Q FY2025 ending 28 February 2025, Adobe had a record revenue of US$5.7 billion, a 10% YoY increase. Its net income also increased from US$620 million in 1Q FY2024 to US$1.8 billion in 1Q FY2025. The best performing segment was that of Digital Media, with a revenue of US$4.2 billion, representing an 11% YoY growth. Adobe projected that its 2Q FY2025 revenue will be between US$23.3 billion to US$23.55 billion. As AI and digital innovation continue to redefine the rules of competition, these five companies stand out not just for embracing change — but for turning trends into sustainable growth. These five US growth stocks are not only adapting to the new digitalised economy; they are helping to shape it. For investors seeking scalable, future-ready businesses, now is the time to take notice. Generative AI is reshaping the stock market, but not in the way most investors think. It's not just about which companies are using AI. It's about how they're using it to unlock new revenue, dominate their markets, and quietly reshape the business world. Our latest FREE report 'How GenAI is Reshaping the Stock Market' breaks the hype down, so you can invest with greater clarity and confidence. Click here to download your copy today. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Telegram for the latest investing news and analyses! Disclosure: Gabriel Lim does not own shares of Uber, Micron, Advanced Micro Devices, Amazon and Adobe. The post 5 High-Growth US Stocks Leading the Future of Business appeared first on The Smart Investor.
Al Bawaba
29-05-2025
- Business
- Al Bawaba
Kingston Technology empowers Middle East Enterprises to Securely Transition from Windows 10 with advanced SSD and DRAM Solutions
As Microsoft prepares to end support for Windows 10 in October 2025, Kingston Technology, a world leader in memory products and technology solutions, is helping organizations across the Middle East take control of their upgrade path with future-ready SSD and DRAM solutions. Through its trusted expertise and high-performance technology, Kingston is guiding enterprises toward a secure, seamless transition to modern platforms such as Windows 11 and Windows digital transformation being a cornerstone of UAE's and Saudi Arabia's national visions, particularly under initiatives like the UAE Digital Government Strategy 2025 and Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030, enterprises cannot afford to run critical operations on unsupported software. Kingston is committed to guiding IT leaders through a rapid, smooth and cost-effective migration that minimizes risk while boosting productivity and compliance.'As organizations in the Middle East plan their next move, Kingston stands ready as a strategic partner to deliver the tools and knowledge needed for a smooth migration,' said Khalil Yazbeck, Business Development Manager – UAE, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman, Kingston Technology. 'Our next-generation SSD and DRAM solutions not only support Windows 11's hardware requirements but also unlock higher performance and longer device life, enabling smarter investments and faster returns.'Upgrading to Windows 11 goes beyond meeting basic hardware specifications, it's about unlocking the full potential of modern systems. While compatibility with TPM 2.0 and the latest CPUs is required, transitioning to higher-capacity next-generation memory and storage can significantly boost system performance, enhance user productivity and enable organizations to fully leverage the capabilities of the new platform. Kingston's NVMe SSDs and high-performance DRAM are designed to meet these demands by enabling smooth system upgrades, accelerating boot times and file access, supporting efficient multitasking and extending the lifespan of existing hardware. This results in improved productivity and the ability to handle demanding workloads including those driven by AI and data-intensive many organizations in the region, upgrading existing devices represents the most practical and future-proof approach. It strikes the right balance between cost and performance while aligning with long-term IT strategy as the Windows ecosystem continues to enterprises may consider doing nothing, an approach fraught with risk. Unsupported Windows 10 systems will no longer receive critical security updates, leaving organizations vulnerable to cyber threats and compliance issues. Others may opt to stay on Windows 10 and pay for extended support. While this buys time, it's a costly short-term fix that delays the inevitable migration and doesn't improve system new devices is another path. It guarantees compatibility and offers the latest in performance and features. However, it comes with high upfront costs, especially when evaluating AI PCs, which may still face software and compatibility challenges, as well as limitations in memory and storage upgradability, especially in AI existing devices stands out as the smartest path forward. By enhancing current systems with Kingston SSDs and DRAM, organizations can run Windows 11 efficiently, boost system performance and extend device lifespans, delivering high ROI without major capital expenditure.'Kingston's role goes beyond providing hardware, we are enabling Middle East enterprises to future-proof their operations,' added Yazbeck. 'Our mission is to deliver performance without compromise, helping organizations turn a looming challenge into a competitive advantage.' With a legacy of trust, innovation, and global reach, Kingston Technology is the reliable partner enterprises need to navigate this critical transition with clarity and confidence.
