Samsung Payouts Soar as Bitcoin Rally Continues
Samsung Electronics has outlined a potential record shareholder payout of between $64.5 billion and $78.9 billion in 2026, driven by strong demand for memory chips due to the artificial intelligence boom. This would be around five times Samsung's previous annual record and follows SK Hynix's decision to buy back and cancel 40 trillion won of shares.
The company's existing policy calls for returning 50% of free cash flow, including 9.8 trillion won in regular annual dividends. KB Securities research head Kim Dong-won said Samsung's free cash flow is rising rapidly because of the AI-memory boom.
Beyond Samsung, Bitcoin is on track for its strongest weekly performance in more than two years, rising about 22% for the week and trading near $77,169. This rally has been supported by several catalysts, including the US Treasury's decision to increase longer-duration debt buybacks, which pushed bond yields lower initially.
Gold prices also surged to a more than three-month high as Treasury buybacks pressured the dollar and boosted demand for the precious metal. Oil prices climbed as fresh US sanctions threats against Iran raised concerns about further supply disruptions.