SK Hynix will begin trading in the US on Friday after a $26.5 billion share sale, giving American investors direct access to one of the biggest winners of the artificial intelligence boom. The listing comes at a tricky time for chip stocks. Semiconductor shares have pulled back in recent weeks after a sharp rally, as investors question whether AI spending can keep rising at the same pace.
SK Hynix itself has fallen about 25% from a record high hit two weeks ago, though the stock is still up 650% over the past year. The South Korean chipmaker sold American Depositary Receipts at $149 each. The price was at a 2.7% premium to its average share price over the past three trading days. Ten ADRs equal one common share. SK Hynix shares rose 2.2% in Seoul on Friday to 2.233 million won.