South Korean chipmaker SK hynix Inc. has announced its intentions to list on the U.S. stock market, a move aimed at enhancing access to global investors, particularly in light of the company’s ambitions in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector. The company submitted a “confidential submission” to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is targeting a listing for its American depositary receipts (ADRs) within the year.
During a shareholders meeting held in Icheon, CEO Kwak Noh-jung expressed optimism about the proceedings, stating, “We are preparing with the goal of listing in the second half.” While he acknowledged that specific details regarding the issuance size and method have yet to be determined, he emphasized that the decision will be made in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
ADRs are beneficial for foreign firms as they enable trading on U.S. stock exchanges, thereby facilitating access to a broader pool of U.S.-based investors without necessitating a full listing of common shares. Industry analysts predict that SK hynix’s planned listing could significantly enhance its funding capabilities in overseas markets.
The chipmaker plans to make another regulatory filing related to this initiative within the next six months, potentially sooner if developments arise. In a strategic outlook, Kwak also outlined the company’s goal of securing more than 100 trillion won (approximately US$66.8 billion) in net cash to bolster long-term investments for sustained growth. He highlighted the importance of financial stability in responding to structural demand growth and maintaining a competitive edge in the market.
As per its annual report, SK hynix reported maintaining a net cash position of 12.7 trillion won at the end of 2025. In terms of product development, Kwak stated that the company will continue its planned shipments of high bandwidth memory (HBM) chips this year and is on track to reveal samples of the next-generation HBM4E product later in the year. He reassured stakeholders that “HBM3E chips remain the mainstay,” and shipments of HBM4 are expected to increase in the latter half of the year, indicating that overall shipment schedules remain largely unchanged.
