Samsung Electronics Announces Major Share Buyback Amid Semiconductor Recovery

Samsung plans a major share retirement in 2026, valued at 16 trillion won, as its semiconductor business recovers and TV dominance continues for a 20th year.

Samsung Electronics has revealed plans to retire approximately 87 million of its own shares during the first half of 2026. According to the company's annual report, this share cancellation initiative carries an estimated value of 16 trillion won. The move coincides with a significant improvement in the broader semiconductor market environment.

A Leader Beyond Chips: Dominance in Television

While its semiconductor business garners much attention, Samsung Electronics continues to demonstrate formidable strength in the consumer electronics space. Research from Omdia confirms that the company maintained its position as the world's leading TV manufacturer in 2025, marking the twentieth consecutive year it has held the top spot. It commanded a 29.1% global market share. Within the premium segment, defined as TVs priced at $2,500 and above, Samsung's dominance was even more pronounced, capturing 54.3% of the market.

This corporate action follows a notable shift in its shareholder base. Last year, the number of individual investors in Samsung fell by nearly one million, as many opted to realize gains following a stock price recovery. The ongoing share retirement program is expected to counter this trend by providing direct value to remaining shareholders through a reduction in share count.

Semiconductor Segment Gains Momentum

The memory chip market, a core division for Samsung, is experiencing favorable tailwinds. Prices for mainstream DRAM and NAND Flash memory are on an upward trajectory, a trend analysts believe will bolster manufacturer margins. This recovery is being driven substantially by burgeoning demand for High-Bandwidth Memory (HBM), which is critical for artificial intelligence applications.

Samsung has expressed confidence in its competitive standing within the HBM sector. The company is also reporting technical advances, including progress on its 2-nanometer chip fabrication process. In a strategic manufacturing expansion, it plans to commence wafer production at its foundry facility in Taylor, Texas. Looking further ahead, Samsung outlined a strategy in March 2026 to transform its global production sites into "AI-driven smart factories" by the year 2030.