Oct. 12, 2026

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SK hynix's potential US listing of its NAND flash subsidiary Solidigm is dividing investors over whether the move could unlock hidden value for the South Korean chipmaker or dilute the interests of existing shareholders.

According to investment banking sources on Sunday, Solidigm has held meetings with several investment banks to discuss underwriters for a potential US listing. Market watchers estimate it could be valued at up to $150 billion and raise as much as $15 billion.

Solidigm was established in December 2021 as SK hynix's US subsidiary following its acquisition of Intel's NAND flash and solid-state drive business for $9 billion. The transaction was completed in two stages, in late 2021 and March 2025.

After combined net losses of more than 7 trillion won in 2022 and 2023, Solidigm returned to profitability, posting first-half 2026 revenue of 12.25 trillion won ($9.1 billion), up 265 percent year-on-year, and net profit of 5.84 trillion won.

SK hynix said it was exploring ways to strengthen Solidigm's competitiveness but had made no final decision.

Supporters of the potential IPO argue that a separate listing could prompt investors to reassess SK hynix's valuation by highlighting its NAND business, which has been overshadowed by high-bandwidth memory and DRAM.

If Solidigm were valued at 200 trillion won and SK hynix retained a 90 percent stake, its holding would be worth 180 trillion won.

“SK hynix shareholders have mainly focused on DRAM market conditions and shareholder returns, rather than NAND,” an analyst at a semiconductor research firm said.

A successful listing could bring Solidigm's value into focus and prompt a reassessment of SK hynix, the analyst added.

Proponents also argue that the case differs from LG Chem's spin-off and listing of LG Energy Solution, which drew criticism that the move eroded the parent company's value. They argue SK hynix investors have focused primarily on HBM and DRAM growth, rather than Solidigm's NAND business.

Solidigm accounted for about 9.3 percent of SK hynix's consolidated revenue and 5.9 percent of its consolidated operating profit in the first half of 2026, according to an analyst. A 20 percent listing would represent roughly 1.2 percent of the parent's operating profit on a simple proportional basis, the analyst said, suggesting a limited direct impact on earnings.

Critics counter that SK hynix shareholders helped finance Solidigm through the $9 billion acquisition and additional support during the NAND downturn. A listing could shift some future growth value away from the parent company's shareholders.

“Solidigm's current contribution to SK hynix's operating profit does not mean it will remain at that level,” Lee Young-gon, head of research at Toss Securities, said, stressing the importance of ensuring existing shareholders benefit from future growth.

The potential US listing is also drawing attention to the limits of South Korea's shareholder protection framework, particularly when a domestically listed company seeks to take a subsidiary public overseas.

In July, the Korea Exchange approved rule changes requiring parent-company boards to fulfill five shareholder-protection obligations when pursuing domestic listings of subsidiaries.

Ko Young-ho, director of the Financial Services Commission's capital markets division, said domestic listings require board approval and compliance with the five obligations.

Overseas listings are not subject to the Korea Exchange's prior review process, but regulatory penalties could still be imposed if applicable obligations were breached.

Cho Dae-hyun, an expert adviser at ACT's Corporate Governance Research Institute, said shareholder communication was as important as dilution.

He urged SK hynix to clearly explain its rationale and seek to persuade shareholders. Cho noted that the company's two disclosures since August had offered little detail, stating only that it was “reviewing various options.”

By Choi Yeon-jae (ch0221@heraldcorp.com)