SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung said strong AI customer demand could keep the memory shortage in place through the end of 2030, while the shift from standardized memory to customized high-bandwidth memory (HBM) should make future downturns more gradual. As SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics and Micron prioritize HBM for AI data centers, reduced DRAM and NAND output is tightening supplies for laptops, phones, cameras and gaming consoles, raising component costs and potentially consumer prices. Counterpoint Research said SK Hynix held 58% of global HBM revenue in the first quarter, versus 21% each for Samsung and Micron, while Nvidia guided for roughly 70% revenue growth next fiscal year. SK Hynix raised its Indiana advanced-packaging investment above $4 billion, approved approximately ₩54.3 trillion of South Korean investment, and received a Buy rating and $250 ADR target from Bank of America, which projects more than ₩200 trillion in 2027 free cash flow and over ₩100 trillion in shareholder returns.