BlackRock Returns As Major SK Hynix Shareholder

On February 20, 2026, the world’s largest asset management company, BlackRock, announced that it has become a major shareholder in SK Hynix once again, marking a significant return to the South Korean semiconductor giant’s top investor ranks after nearly eight years. According to the Financial Supervisory Service’s electronic disclosure system, BlackRock, through its Fund Advisors and a network of 13 related entities, now holds 36,407,157 shares of SK Hynix, representing a 5.00% stake. This move positions BlackRock as the fourth largest shareholder, trailing only SK Square (20.07%), the National Pension Service (7.35%), and Capital Research and Management (5.05%). BlackRock’s re-entry into SK Hynix’s major shareholder list comes at a time of heightened optimism in the memory semiconductor sector, with global investors increasingly drawn to the industry’s prospects amid a surge in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure investment and growing demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM). The company’s last appearance as a major stakeholder in SK Hynix dates back to May 9, 2018, when it held over 5% of shares, but it subsequently reduced its position to just 1.06% by November 2019, stepping away from the top shareholder list for more than five years. This latest acquisition was executed through a series of on-market purchases for what BlackRock describes as “simple investment purposes.” As detailed in the mass shareholding report filed under Korea’s Capital Markets Act, BlackRock Fund Advisors directly owns 2.15% of SK Hynix, while its related entities collectively hold another 2.85%. These entities include BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A. (0.98%), BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited (0.84%), and BlackRock Financial Management, Inc. (0.07%). The purchase activity intensified in early February, with BlackRock Fund Advisors acquiring 15,577,776 shares on February 9, 2026, followed by an additional 63,084 shares on February 10, 2026. The combined holdings surpassed the 5% reporting threshold, triggering a legal obligation to publicly disclose the stake, as stipulated by South Korean financial regulations. BlackRock’s acquisition is notable not only for its scale but also for its explicit investment rationale. In official statements reported by multiple outlets, including Herald Economy and DealSite, BlackRock emphasized, “The shares were acquired through on-market purchases for simple investment purposes.” This clarification is important, as it distinguishes BlackRock’s stake from any intent to participate in company management or influence corporate governance. Instead, the investment is classified as a portfolio move, consistent with BlackRock’s global strategy of seeking value in sectors showing strong momentum and potential upside. The timing of BlackRock’s renewed interest in SK Hynix is no accident. The semiconductor industry is experiencing a wave of positive sentiment, driven largely by the proliferation of AI applications and the resulting need for advanced memory chips. Analysts have pointed out that the sector’s relative valuation is particularly attractive at the moment. According to Hyun-Kook Ahn, a researcher at Hanwha Investment & Securities, “The current price-to-earnings ratio (PER) for semiconductor stocks is lower than at the COVID-19 crash low, while the KOSPI excluding semiconductors is at levels similar to the COVID-19 bull market peak.” This suggests that semiconductors, and SK Hynix in particular, offer compelling opportunities compared to other sectors. Momentum in the semiconductor space is expected to continue, with key events on the horizon. Jae-Won Lee of Shinhan Investment & Securities noted, “During the Lunar New Year holiday, the U.S. stock market maintained a neutral to positive trend, with continued strength in AI infrastructure and memory stocks pushing indices to record highs. Lower-than-expected consumer price inflation has also contributed to the rally. Upcoming events such as Nvidia’s earnings report at the end of February and the GTC 2026 conference in March are expected to sustain the semiconductor momentum.” BlackRock’s move is set against a backdrop of increasing global capital flows into South Korean equities. Notably, on February 12, 2026, BlackRock’s iShares MSCI South Korea ETF experienced a record single-day net inflow of $281 million USD, the largest in the ETF’s 25-year history. Cumulative net inflows over the past three months have surpassed $3 billion USD, reflecting robust international interest in Korea’s stock market, particularly in technology and semiconductor-related companies. Dave Lutz, a strategist at JonesTrading, commented to Bloomberg, “In a climate where concerns about the spread of artificial intelligence are affecting various industries, the safest bet appears to be memory semiconductor stocks.” BlackRock’s reemergence as a top shareholder in SK Hynix is not limited to this single company. On the same day as the SK Hynix disclosure, BlackRock also revealed that it had acquired a 5% stake in Samsung Electro-Mechanics, making it the third largest shareholder there as well. Moreover, in late January 2026, BlackRock increased its stake in Samsung Electronics to 5.07% by purchasing roughly 2.1 million additional shares, a move interpreted by market watchers as a strategic bet on the company’s rebound potential. Financial details of the SK Hynix transaction provide additional context. On February 10, 2026, the closing price of SK Hynix shares was 876,000 KRW, with BlackRock’s purchase price on that day averaging 884,479 KRW per share. As of the morning of February 20, the company’s market capitalization stood at a staggering 643.55 trillion KRW, underscoring its significance within both the South Korean and global tech sectors. BlackRock’s global scale adds further weight to these transactions. Headquartered in the United States and led by CEO Laurence Fink, BlackRock managed approximately $13.966 billion USD in assets at the end of 2024 (as reported by Datatooza). The firm is renowned for its focus on exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and pension fund management, and it has a history of large-scale, diversified investments in Korean companies. Despite its size and influence, BlackRock has typically maintained a low public profile regarding its positions in individual Korean firms, rarely making activist demands or public statements about management. Under Korea’s financial regulations, shareholders who acquire more than 5% of a listed company must file a detailed report outlining their holdings, purpose, and any related contracts. BlackRock’s filings have been explicit: the investment is for portfolio purposes only, with no intention to participate in management or influence control. All related entities’ transactions have been reported in full compliance with local laws, with no omissions or inaccuracies, as required by the Capital Markets Act. For investors and market watchers, BlackRock’s return as a major shareholder in SK Hynix is a clear signal of international confidence in the company’s future—and by extension, the broader memory semiconductor sector. With AI infrastructure spending on the rise and global capital pouring into Korean equities, the stage is set for continued volatility and opportunity in the months ahead. As the world’s largest asset manager quietly increases its bets on Korean technology, all eyes will be on SK Hynix and its peers to see if this surge in confidence translates into sustained performance and innovation in a rapidly evolving industry.