Chinese chipmaker ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT) surpassed the second-quarter operating profit margins of SK Hynix and Samsung Electronics on September 12, 2026. This performance signals intensifying competition within the global memory market.
Major manufacturers like SK Hynix shifted production capacity toward high-bandwidth memory (HBM) for artificial intelligence. This strategic pivot tightened the supply of standard DRAM. Resulting price increases for conventional chips directly boosted CXMT’s profitability.
Shares of SK Hynix and Samsung declined following the reports. Investor concerns grew after AI firm DeepSeek announced a reduction in its HBM requirements. CXMT’s success in standard DRAM presents a significant strategic challenge for established industry leaders.