Seoul:Samsung Electronics Co. is on the verge of becoming the first South Korean company to hold cash assets exceeding 200 trillion won, driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence-led chip supercycle.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Samsung's cash and cash equivalents were estimated at 214.8 trillion won by the end of the third quarter, marking an increase of 24.8 trillion won from the previous quarter's 190 trillion won. This amount is nearly double the 108.5 trillion won reported at the end of the third quarter in 2025.

The company's total assets reached 791.8 trillion won as of the end of September, reflecting an increase of 32.4 trillion won over the previous quarter. Analysts suggest that Samsung's current cash reserves are sufficient to support its major shareholder return policy, announced in August, which anticipates returns between 90 trillion won and 110 trillion won in 2026.

Furthermore, Samsung is investing heavily in chipmaking infrastructure and research and development, with expenditures expected to exceed 100 trillion won this year. Of this, 84.4 trillion won is designated for expanding its memory production facilities.

Samsung Electronics expects the semiconductor supercycle to continue into the next year, fueled by ongoing investments in AI and a memory supply crunch. The company plans to disclose its shareholder policy for the upcoming year at a board meeting in January.