Samsung posts record Q3 profit but shares slide 6% on vague return plans
Samsung Electronics reported record third-quarter operating profit of 107.44 trillion won, up 783% year-on-year, driven by strong demand for AI memory chips. Despite the historic financial performance, shares fell 5-6% in Seoul trading. Investors reacted negatively to the lack of immediate detail on shareholder returns, with the company delaying specific buyback and dividend plans until late January 2027. The semiconductor division generated 106.5 trillion won in operating profit, accounting for nearly all of the company's total earnings.