Samsung Electronics has projected a nearly nine-fold jump in third-quarter operating profit. The company estimated 107.4 trillion won, or $80.17 billion, for the July-September period.

The figure beat the LSEG SmartEstimate of 106.1 trillion won. It marks Samsung’s fourth straight quarter of record operating profit. The profit is up from just 12.17 trillion won a year earlier, a rise of about 782 per cent. Revenue likely rose 127 per cent to 195 trillion won.

Booming demand for AI memory chips drove the result. Strong sales of DRAM and high-bandwidth memory lifted earnings. Prices have soared as AI infrastructure demand outpaced supply growth. Memory chips are expected to account for most of the earnings gain.

The company expects the supply gap to persist into 2027. Samsung and Micron both see the imbalance continuing. But Chinese competition and a possible slowdown in AI spending are risks. Analysts also trimmed forecasts as the stronger won reduces the value of overseas sales.

Samsung shares slipped 0.2 to 0.3 per cent despite the record. Detailed results with a division-wise breakdown come on October 29. Investors will watch for signs that the AI boom is sustainable.