• Revenue: Increased by 4% quarter-on-quarter to KRW79.14 trillion.
• DX Division Revenue: Up 28%, driven by flagship smartphones and high value-added home appliances.
• DS Division Revenue: Decreased by 17%, impacted by a decline in HBM sales.
• SG&A Expenses: Decreased by KRW0.6 trillion to KRW21.4 trillion; 27.1% of sales.
• Operating Profit: Increased by KRW0.2 trillion to KRW6.7 trillion.
• Operating Margin: 8.4%, comparable to the previous quarter.
• Currency Effects: Positive impact of KRW0.5 trillion on operating profit due to currency appreciation.
• Capital Expenditures: Decreased by KRW5.8 trillion to KRW12 trillion.
• Dividend: Quarterly per share dividend of KRW365; total annual dividend of KRW9.8 trillion.
• Smartphone Shipments: 61 million units; ASP of $326.
• Tablet Shipments: 7 million units.

• Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with XBUL:SSUN.

Release Date: April 30, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (XBUL:SSUN) reported a 4% quarter-on-quarter increase in revenue, reaching KRW79.14 trillion, marking a new all-time high for any quarter.
• The DX division saw a 28% increase in revenue, driven by strong sales of flagship smartphones and high value-added home appliances.
• Operating profit increased by KRW0.2 trillion sequentially to KRW6.7 trillion, supported by strong sales of the Galaxy S25 series and high value-added products.
• The company ranked first in a supply chain human rights assessment by Know the Chain, reflecting its commitment to sustainability and improved supply chain practices.
• Samsung Electronics Co Ltd (XBUL:SSUN) announced a quarterly per share dividend of KRW365, with a total annual dividend of KRW9.8 trillion, demonstrating a commitment to shareholder value.

Negative Points

• Revenue in the DS division decreased by 17% due to a decline in HBM sales, impacted by deferred customer demand.
• Global trade tensions and economic uncertainties are expected to pose challenges, particularly in the semiconductor industry.
• The Foundry business faced a quarter-over-quarter decline due to seasonal weakness and ongoing US-China trade tensions.
• The Mobile Display business experienced a quarter-on-quarter performance decline due to seasonal effects.
• The TV market faced stagnant demand and increased costs driven by intensified competition, leading to decreased profitability year-on-year.

Q & A Highlights

Q: What are Samsung's response strategies to the uncertainties in the IT sector due to tariffs? A: Samsung is closely monitoring policy changes and geopolitical tensions to minimize negative effects. The company is leveraging its global production capabilities and customer relationships to respond quickly. For the MX business, Samsung plans to expand sales of flagship smartphones to secure profitability. In the DS division, Samsung will review countermeasures based on various scenarios related to U.S. semiconductor tariff policies.

Q: Can you provide more details on the performance of Samsung's memory business in the first quarter? A: AI server demand remained solid, and there was a perception that prices had bottomed out for PC and mobile applications, leading to increased purchasing demand. HBM sales decreased due to deferred demand and export controls on AI chips. Despite these conditions, server DRAM bit shipments increased, and conventional DRAM saw high single-digit bit growth. NAND demand was weaker, but bit growth slightly exceeded previous guidance.

Q: What are Samsung's plans regarding the KRW10 trillion stock repurchase and potential M&A deals? A: Samsung plans to cancel KRW2.5 trillion worth of shares from the second phase of the repurchase. The remaining KRW4 trillion will be reviewed by the Board for potential cancellations. Samsung is exploring strategies for cash holdings to enhance shareholder value and pursue M&A opportunities, with details to be shared when plans are more concrete.

Q: What is the outlook for Samsung's HBM business from the second quarter onwards? A: Enhanced HBM3E samples have been shipped to major accounts, with gradual contributions to the top line expected from the second quarter. Despite tariff and export control uncertainties, HBM sales are expected to recover step-by-step as sales of enhanced HBM3 products expand. Custom HBM4 projects are under discussion, with contributions to revenue expected from 2026.

Q: How does Samsung plan to address the intense competition in the small- to medium-sized OLED market? A: Samsung aims to strengthen its competitive edge by developing new technologies with differentiated performance and cost competitiveness. The company will enhance technologies for improved brightness, low power consumption, and next-gen form factors to lead the display market in the AI smartphone era. Samsung will also expand its position in IT and automotive markets to solidify its leadership in the OLED market.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.