Samsung Electronics’ market capitalization stood at 1,853 trillion won, approximately $1.23 trillion, based on its latest common-share closing price of 317,000 won, or about $210, according to Korean market reports. Including preferred shares, Samsung’s combined market value recently topped 2,000 trillion won for the first time, according to Korea Exchange-based estimates cited by United Press International.
The prospect of a $2 trillion valuation has drawn market attention as Samsung benefits from sustained AI-driven demand for advanced semiconductors. Under current exchange rates, Samsung’s common-share price would need to reach roughly 520,000 won to approach that threshold, according to the estimates — a gain of about 64% from the May 29 closing price.
A key driver of the optimistic outlook is Samsung’s multitrillion-won investment in Anthropic, the U.S. artificial intelligence company that developed the Claude model. Anthropic raised $65 billion in a Series H funding round that valued the company at $965 billion, with Samsung, SK hynix and Micron participating as strategic infrastructure partners, according to Korean market reports.
Industry officials said Samsung’s participation as a strategic infrastructure partner extends beyond a financial investment. The arrangement could open the door to broader cooperation in memory, AI infrastructure and potentially foundry services, according to UPI.
Samsung has also advanced its memory-chip product line. The company said it began shipping samples of its industry-first HBM4E chips to global customers. The 12-layer product is designed for next-generation AI workloads. The announcement lifted Samsung shares on optimism over AI memory and foundry opportunities, according to Korean market reports.
The outlook carries risks. Analysts said Samsung will need to defend its memory competitiveness, show clearer progress in foundry operations and expand AI partnerships with global technology companies to approach a $2 trillion valuation.
Samsung’s most urgent challenge remains its system semiconductor business. Industry officials expect system semiconductors to account for about half of the global chip market this year, but Korean companies hold only a small share of that segment, according to UPI. Unlike memory chips, system semiconductors require customized development for each customer, making research and development investment especially important.
Labor stability is also a factor. The memory shortage is widely expected to continue for several years, but semiconductor fabs require skilled workers and round-the-clock operations, according to industry analysis. Samsung’s Device Solutions division, which handles semiconductors, reported a turnover rate in the 1% range, according to sustainability reports from Samsung Electronics and SK hynix. The companies’ average overall turnover rates from 2020 to 2024 were 2.1% and 2.3%, respectively.
The combined market value figure of 2,000 trillion won represents a milestone for Samsung, South Korea’s largest company by market capitalization. The valuation trajectory now hinges on whether Samsung can sustain the current memory upcycle while reducing risks from labor disputes and strengthening its non-memory semiconductor businesses.