Samsung Foundry Wins Nvidia AI Inference Chip 'Grok 3 LPU' Production Contract

AI PRISM Custom Economic Briefing

*Editor's note: 'AI PRISM' (Personalized Report & Insight Summarizing Media) is an AI-based customized news recommendation and summary service developed with support from the Korea Press Foundation. It selects and provides six tailored news items for each reader type.*

Samsung Electronics Strengthens AI Semiconductor Position: Samsung Electronics' foundry division has officially won the contract to produce Nvidia's new inference chip 'Grok 3 LPU,' emerging as a core player in the AI semiconductor supply chain. Analysts say the division's performance turnaround will gain momentum as it now handles both HBM supply and chip production.

Battery Big 3 ESS Contract Competition Intensifies: The U.S. Department of the Interior officially confirmed that Tesla is the customer for LG Energy Solution's 6 trillion won battery supply contract, raising expectations for ESS market expansion. Industry observers note the Big 3 battery makers are converting 20-30% of total production capacity to ESS in an all-out effort to offset slowing EV demand.

KOSDAQ Quality Improvement Takes Shape: One month after KOSDAQ reform announcements, the blue-chip-focused KOSDAQ150 index rose 3.1% and foreign net purchases reached 900 billion won, signaling market confidence recovery. Analysts note the KOSDAQ investment landscape is rapidly reshaping as 1.2 trillion won flowed into active ETFs within one week of listing.

1. Samsung to Manufacture Nvidia's New Inference Chip

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang officially announced during his GTC 2026 keynote that Samsung Electronics will produce the inference chip 'Grok 3 LPU.' This is Nvidia's first product following its $20 billion (approximately 30 trillion won) acquisition of Grok, amid surging demand for inference chips as the AI market shifts toward agentic AI.

Samsung has already begun production, with shipments expected in Q3 this year. Meanwhile, SK Hynix unveiled its HBM4 combined with Vera Rubin, and SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won said he is "positively reviewing" a U.S. ADR listing for SK Hynix.

2. LG Energy Solution Lands 6 Trillion Won Battery Jackpot—Customer Confirmed as Tesla

The U.S. Department of the Interior officially confirmed that Tesla is the customer for LG Energy Solution's $4.3 billion (approximately 6.4 trillion won) LFP battery supply contract. Batteries produced at the standalone Michigan Lansing plant will be applied to Tesla's next-generation ESS 'Megapack 3' starting in 2027.

This marks the first time LG Energy Solution has secured a prismatic LFP battery customer. Industry observers expect this large-scale contract with a global Big Tech company to provide momentum for additional supply deals. Samsung SDI also signed a 1.5 trillion won ESS contract, continuing the Big 3 battery makers' ESS contract streak.

3. Chey Tae-won: "Chip Supply Shortage Until 2030... Price Stabilization Plan Coming Soon"

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won warned at GTC 2026 that global wafer supply shortages will persist at over 20% until 2030. He explained that while surging HBM demand has increased wafer consumption, expanding supply takes at least 4-5 years, making short-term resolution difficult.

SK Hynix CEO Kwak Noh-jung said he will soon announce a new plan for DRAM price stabilization. However, Chey ruled out plans for new overseas factory construction due to power and water supply challenges, suggesting the supply shortage could become structurally prolonged.

4. One Month After KOSDAQ Reform Announcement—Blue Chips Rise, Foreign Inflows Increase

One month after KOSDAQ reform announcements, the blue-chip-focused KOSDAQ150 index rose 3.1%, outperforming the broader KOSDAQ index (2.0%). Foreign investors net purchased 900 billion won in KOSDAQ during the same period, and trading value share expanded from 20.5% to 24.0%.

Meanwhile, stocks with market capitalization below 20 billion won saw their market cap plunge 20.8%, intensifying pressure to delist troubled small-caps. Analysts note investors should be aware that up to 220 KOSDAQ stocks are estimated to face delisting as penny stock delisting criteria and raised market cap delisting standards take effect in July.

5. Retail Investors Pour 1.2 Trillion Won in One Week—KOSDAQ Active ETF Market Expands

Four KOSDAQ active ETFs listed in succession, drawing over 1.2 trillion won in one week. 'KoAct KOSDAQ Active' attracted 832.5 billion won and 'TIME KOSDAQ Active' drew 396.1 billion won in retail net purchases, driving investment enthusiasm.

However, initial returns were weak, with 'KoAct' at -2.68% and 'TIME' at -3.02%. Analysts emphasize that with over 1,800 KOSDAQ-listed companies, fund management strategy and stock selection capability are emerging as key variables determining returns. Observers also warn of vigilance against 'tail wagging the dog' phenomena where ETF fund flows move stock prices.

6. Response Strategies for Mandatory Treasury Stock Cancellation

The Commercial Act revision mandating treasury stock cancellation signals structural changes to corporate capital allocation strategies. Directly acquired treasury shares must be cancelled within one year after six months from the implementation date (March 6), and shareholder meeting approval is now required for disposal.

Analysts interpret this revision as institutionally blocking the asset-like utilization of treasury shares while enhancing equity among shareholders. Given that global investors use capital policy and shareholder return plans as core investment criteria, proactive cancellation plan announcements and communication strategies will be important variables for enhancing corporate value.