Key Takeaways Anthropic is expected to IPO in late 2026.Anthropic has become the fastest-growing tech company in history.The IPO will have significant ripple effects for other public companies. Anthropic IPO LoomsFounded in 2021 by former OpenAI employees Daniela and Dario Amodei, Anthropic has already become a household name. Although it is private, Anthropic is arguably the most important company on the planet currently. Beyond its scorching-hot growth, Anthropic is a critical gauge for the general market. AI-spending currently accounts for the lion’s share of GDP growth in the United States, and Anthropic is one of the biggest spenders.
When Will Anthropic IPO?Outside of the historic SpaceX ((SPCX - Free Report) ) initial public offering, Anthropic will be the most anticipated IPO of 2026 and the biggest AI pure play ever to go public. On June 1st, Anthropic filed its Form S-1 with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). An S-1 is the initial registration document a prospective IPO must file with the SEC, and it includes the prospectus, risk factors, an explanation of business operations, financial statements, and a description of how the company will use its IPO proceeds.
While there is no exact IPO date, the earliest Anthropic could go public is October. According to the Polymarket betting market, there’s currently an 83% chance Anthropic goes public by the end of October and a 93% chance it goes public by the end of 2026.
Image Source: Polymarket
How are OpenAI and Anthropic Different?ChatGPT OpenAI and Anthropic are currently the two leading artificial intelligence labs. However, they differ dramatically in terms of product focus. OpenAI generates most of its revenue through the mass-market consumer with ChatGPT. Conversely, Anthropic specializes in the enterprise market and advanced software coding through its Claude models.
Anthropic: The Fastest Growing Company in HistoryAlthough OpenAI has been around longer, Anthropic has a private valuation of ~$965 billion, while OpenAI has a valuation of ~$852 billion. Anthropic’s high-paying and sticky enterprise customer base has supercharged its growth. In fact, with an annualized revenue run rate (ARR) of approximately $65 billion, Anthropic has become the fastest-growing technology company in history.
Image Source: Ticker Trends
Which Public Companies Will Benefit from the Anthropic IPO?Several publicly traded companies hold significant Anthropic stakes, including Zoom Video ((ZM - Free Report) ), Salesforce ((CRM - Free Report) ), Amazon ((AMZN - Free Report) ), Alphabet ((GOOGL - Free Report) ), and SK Telecom ((SKM - Free Report) ). Amazon leads the pack with an Anthropic stake valued at ~$43 billion. However, Amazon’s Anthropic stake is only about 2% of its market cap. Meanwhile, SK Telecom stands to benefit most from a successful Anthropic IPO, as its $2.7 billion Anthropic stake is ~20% of its market cap.
Bottom Line
As Anthropic prepares to make its public market debut, its launch represents far more than just liquidity for early investors; it serves as a crucial barometer for the AI industry. By dominating the high-margin enterprise sector, Anthropic has become the leading AI lab.
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, hereinafter “SKT”) today announced that it will split its wholly owned subsidiary SK Broadband into a surviving company (SK Broadband) and a newly established company (SK Horizon). In connection with the spin-off, SKT has entered into a definitive agreement with funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm, and the IMM Investment-Stonebridge consortium (the “IMM consortium”) for a combined KRW 3.08 trillion equity investment in SK Horizon.
The surviving company will focus on innovation in its fixed-line, media, and enterprise businesses, while the newly established company will aim to expand Korea’s leading AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure. Based on the book value of net assets, the spin-off ratio has been set at 0.8351323 (approximately 0.84) for the surviving company and 0.1648677 (approximately 0.16) for the newly established company.
SK Horizon, whose name reflects its ambition to “open new horizons” in the AIDC sector, will be responsible for expanding its infrastructure to a total capacity of 318 MW, encompassing eight data centers already in operation - Seocho, Ilsan (two locations), Bundang, Gasan, Centum, Yangju, and Pangyo - and new AIDCs currently under construction, including those in Ulsan and Guro. It will also pursue the phased expansion of its submarine cable infrastructure, which is essential for global AI businesses.
SKT plans to strengthen its AIDC operational expertise through SK Horizon and expand into a range of AI infrastructure businesses going forward. In particular, its streamlined decision-making structure is expected to enable the company to more effectively secure funding for key business areas, including through external investment.
Kim Seong-soo, CEO of the surviving company SK Broadband, is expected to concurrently serve as CEO of the new company, SK Horizon. The appointment will be finalized through a resolution of the Board of Directors following the completion of the company’s establishment early next year.
Securing trillion-won-scale investment from KKR and the IMM consortium demonstrates the strength and future potential of the AIDC business
Alongside the spin-off, SKT announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with funds managed by KKR and the IMM consortium for a combined KRW 3.08 trillion equity investment in SK Horizon. As investors in the newly established company, KKR and the IMM consortium will provide capital to support SK Horizon’s expansion as an AI data center infrastructure platform. Upon completion of all phases of the investment under the transaction, KKR and IMM will hold 29% and 20% stakes in SK Horizon, respectively, while SKT will retain management control as the largest shareholder with a 51% stake.
KKR is one of the most active infrastructure investors globally, with over $100 billion in infrastructure assets under management and more than $70 billion invested across digital and power assets. KKR is making this investment primarily from its Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy.
The IMM Investment-Stonebridge Consortium comprises two leading South Korean investment firms, IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital. IMM Investment, founded in 1999, is a leading South Korean alternative investment firm with over USD 7.5 billion in assets under management across venture capital, growth equity, and infrastructure. Stonebridge Capital, founded in 2008, is a leading South Korean private equity firm with approximately KRW 3.6 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) in cumulative assets under management, investing in market-leading companies in structurally growing sectors.
SKT fully set for AIDC expansion with SK Horizon and SK Hyper
With this governance restructuring, SKT has completed the establishment of a full-scale AIDC business structure together with SK Horizon and SK Hyper, a specialized company established last July.
SKT will oversee the Group’s overall AIDC business, setting business strategies and directions and collaborating with global big tech companies. Building on its expertise and capabilities in data center operations, SK Horizon will be responsible for expanding infrastructure, including existing key AIDCs and submarine cables.
SK Hyper will focus on business development for new AIDC projects, with 5 GW of capacity targeted for phased opening in 2029 and expansion toward a total capacity of 15 GW in 2035.
Meanwhile, the surviving company, SK Broadband, plans to strengthen the competitiveness of its fixed-line, media, and enterprise businesses through AX-driven innovation in products and services, while sustaining solid growth. It also plans to accelerate future growth by actively identifying new business models.
With the aim of completing the spin-off and establishing the new company in the first quarter of next year, the necessary procedures, including an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and government approvals will be carried out.
“This governance restructuring is a proactive measure aimed at strengthening expertise and enabling faster execution in the AIDC business,” said Kim Seong-soo, CEO of SK Broadband. “As an AIDC infrastructure company, we will continue to scale up SK Horizon and grow it into Korea’s leading data center operator.”
“We are pleased to support SKT as it establishes SK Horizon and expands its AI data center infrastructure platform in Korea,” said Keith Kim, Partner at KKR. “SK Horizon brings together an established operating platform, capacity under development and a strong strategic partner. Korea’s advanced digital ecosystem and growing demand for AI capacity provide a strong foundation for SK Horizon’s next phase of growth.”
“AI data centers and submarine cables will be among the core infrastructure assets shaping Korea's digital sovereignty and industrial competitiveness going forward," said Kim Byung-hun, Head of Infrastructure at IMM Investment. "By investing in SK Horizon on the back of long-term capital from Korea's leading institutional investors, the IMM Investment-led consortium aims to build a sustainable growth structure that combines the capital strength of our global partner with the stability of domestic capital."
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom has been a leader in telecommunications since 1984. Today, the company drives innovation across the full-stack AI ecosystem—encompassing infrastructure, models, and services—to create value for industries, customers, and society. For more information, please visit our newsroom at https://news.sktelecom.com/en/ or our LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR’s insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group’s website at www.globalatlantic.com.
About IMM Investment
IMM Investment is a leading alternative investment firm headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, managing over US$7.5 billion in assets across venture capital, growth equity, and infrastructure. Founded in 1999, the firm is known for its active investment approach, deep local insight, and a track record of partnering with innovative companies and large-scale platforms. IMM operates through a team of over 70 investment professionals across four offices in Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, committed to delivering differentiated investment strategies and long-term value creation.
About Stonebridge Capital
Stonebridge Capital is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with approximately US$2.5 billion in cumulative assets under management. Founded in 2008, the firm invests in companies with strong market positions across structurally growing sectors, including AI and technology, bio and healthcare, K-culture, and green energy.
Leveraging deep local market insight and the broader Stonebridge platform, including its venture capital affiliates, Stonebridge Capital has developed differentiated networks and access across emerging industries. The firm combines these capabilities with a hands-on investment approach, partnering closely with management teams to strengthen fundamental competitiveness and drive sustainable, long-term value creation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the proposed spin-off and investment transactions, the expected timing and completion thereof, the resulting ownership structure, and SK Telecom’s plans and expectations regarding its AI data center and AI infrastructure businesses, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
Such risks and uncertainties include the satisfaction of conditions to the proposed transactions, including required governmental and regulatory approvals, the possibility that the transactions may be delayed or may not be completed as anticipated, and risks relating to the development and expansion of SK Telecom’s AI infrastructure business, as well as other factors described in reports filed or furnished by SK Telecom with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, SK Telecom undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
- SK Telecom further restructures its AI infrastructure business to enhance expertise, accelerate decision-making, and enable focused investment
① Plans to establish a new company 'SK Horizon' by spinning off SK Broadband's data center and submarine cable businesses
② KKR and the IMM Investment-Stonebridge consortium will each invest in SK Horizon, with their investments totaling KRW 3.08 trillion, providing funding for large-scale expansion.
- SK Telecom to oversee the AI data center business, SK Horizon to handle operations and expansion, and SK Hyper to develop GW-scale projects
- The surviving company, SK Broadband, to drive AX-based innovation to enhance competitiveness across its businesses, including fixed-line and media
, /PRNewswire/ -- SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, hereinafter "SKT") today announced that it will split its wholly owned subsidiary SK Broadband into a surviving company (SK Broadband) and a newly established company (SK Horizon). In connection with the spinoff, SKT has entered into a definitive agreement with funds managed by KKR, a leading global investment firm, and the IMM Investment-Stonebridge consortium (the "IMM consortium") for a combined KRW 3.08 trillion equity investment in SK Horizon.
The surviving company will focus on innovation in its fixed-line, media, and enterprise businesses, while the newly established company will aim to expand Korea's leading AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure. Based on the book value of net assets, the spin-off ratio has been set at 0.8351323 (approximately 0.84) for the surviving company and 0.1648677 (approximately 0.16) for the newly established company.
SK Horizon, whose name reflects its ambition to "open new horizons" in the AIDC sector, will be responsible for expanding its infrastructure to a total capacity of 318 MW, encompassing eight data centers already in operation – Seocho, Ilsan (2 locations), Bundang, Gasan, Centum, Yangju and Pangyo – and new AIDCs currently under construction, including those in Ulsan and Guro. It will also pursue the phased expansion of its submarine cable infrastructure, which is essential for global AI businesses.
SKT plans to strengthen its AIDC operational expertise through SK Horizon and expand into a range of AI infrastructure businesses going forward. In particular, its streamlined decision-making structure is expected to enable the company to more effectively secure funding for key business areas, including through external investment.
Kim Seong-soo, CEO of the surviving company SK Broadband, is expected to concurrently serve as CEO of the new company, SK Horizon. The appointment will be finalized through a resolution of the Board of Directors following the completion of the company's establishment early next year.
Securing trillion-won-scale investment from KKR and the IMM consortium demonstrates the strength and future potential of the AIDC business
Alongside the spin-off, SKT announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement with funds managed by KKR and the IMM consortium for a combined KRW 3.08 trillion equity investment in SK Horizon. As investors in the newly established company, KKR and the IMM consortium will provide capital to support SK Horizon's expansion as an AI data center infrastructure platform. Upon completion of all phases of the investment under the transaction, KKR and the IMM consortium will hold 29% and 20% stakes in SK Horizon, respectively, while SKT will retain management control as the largest shareholder with a 51% stake.
KKR is one of the most active infrastructure investors globally, with over USD 100 billion in infrastructure assets under management and more than USD 70 billion invested across digital and power assets. KKR is making this investment primarily from its Asia Pacific infrastructure strategy.
The IMM Investment-Stonebridge Consortium comprises two leading South Korean investment firms, IMM Investment and Stonebridge Capital. IMM Investment, founded in 1999, is a leading South Korean alternative investment firm with over USD 7.5 billion in assets under management across venture capital, growth equity, and infrastructure. Stonebridge Capital, founded in 2008, is a leading South Korean private equity firm with approximately KRW 3.6 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) in cumulative assets under management, investing in market-leading companies in structurally growing sectors.
SKT fully set for AIDC expansion with SK Horizon and SK Hyper
With this governance restructuring, SKT has completed the establishment of a full-scale AIDC business structure together with SK Horizon and SK Hyper, a specialized company established last July.
SKT will oversee the Group's overall AIDC business, setting business strategies and directions and collaborating with global big tech companies. Building on its expertise and capabilities in data center operations, SK Horizon will be responsible for expanding infrastructure, including existing key AIDCs and submarine cables.
SK Hyper will focus on business development for new AIDC projects, with 5 GW of capacity targeted for phased opening in 2029 and expansion toward a total capacity of 15 GW in 2035.
Meanwhile, the surviving company, SK Broadband, plans to strengthen the competitiveness of its fixed-line, media, and enterprise businesses through AX-driven innovation in products and services, while sustaining solid growth. It also plans to accelerate future growth by actively identifying new business models.
With the aim of completing the spin-off and establishing the new company in the first quarter of next year, the necessary procedures, including an extraordinary general meeting of shareholders and government approvals, will be carried out.
"This governance restructuring is a proactive measure aimed at strengthening expertise and enabling faster execution in the AIDC business," said Kim Seong-soo, CEO of SK Broadband. "As an AIDC infrastructure company, we will continue to scale up SK Horizon and grow it into Korea's leading data center operator."
"We are pleased to support SKT as it establishes SK Horizon and expands its AI data center infrastructure platform in Korea," said Keith Kim, Partner at KKR. "SK Horizon brings together an established operating platform, capacity under development and a strong strategic partner. Korea's advanced digital ecosystem and growing demand for AI capacity provide a strong foundation for SK Horizon's next phase of growth."
"AI data centers and submarine cables will be among the core infrastructure assets shaping Korea's digital sovereignty and industrial competitiveness going forward," said Kim Byung-hun, Head of Infrastructure at IMM Investment. "By investing in SK Horizon on the back of long-term capital from Korea's leading institutional investors, the IMM Investment-led consortium aims to build a sustainable growth structure that combines the capital strength of our global partner with the stability of domestic capital."
About SK Telecom
SK Telecom has been a leader in telecommunications since 1984. Today, the company drives innovation across the full-stack AI ecosystem—encompassing infrastructure, models, and services—to create value for industries, customers, and society.
For more information, please visit our newsroom at https://news.sktelecom.com/en/ or our LinkedIn page at www.linkedin.com/company/sk-telecom.
About KKR
KKR is a leading global investment firm that offers alternative asset management as well as capital markets and insurance solutions. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and supporting growth in its portfolio companies and communities. KKR sponsors investment funds that invest in private equity, credit and real assets and has strategic partners that manage hedge funds. KKR's insurance subsidiaries offer retirement, life and reinsurance products under the management of Global Atlantic Financial Group. References to KKR's investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds and insurance subsidiaries. For additional information about KKR & Co. Inc. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR's website at www.kkr.com. For additional information about Global Atlantic Financial Group, please visit Global Atlantic Financial Group's website at www.globalatlantic.com.
About IMM Investment
IMM Investment is a leading alternative investment firm headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, managing over US$7.5 billion in assets across venture capital, growth equity, and infrastructure. Founded in 1999, the firm is known for its active investment approach, deep local insight, and a track record of partnering with innovative companies and large-scale platforms. IMM operates through a team of over 70 investment professionals across four offices in Seoul, Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, committed to delivering differentiated investment strategies and long-term value creation.
About Stonebridge Capital
Stonebridge Capital is a leading private equity firm headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, with approximately US$2.5 billion in cumulative assets under management. Founded in 2008, the firm invests in companies with strong market positions across structurally growing sectors, including AI and technology, bio and healthcare, K-culture, and green energy.
Leveraging deep local market insight and the broader Stonebridge platform, including its venture capital affiliates, Stonebridge Capital has developed differentiated networks and access across emerging industries. The firm combines these capabilities with a hands-on investment approach, partnering closely with management teams to strengthen fundamental competitiveness and drive sustainable, long-term value creation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release, including statements regarding the proposed spin-off and investment transactions, the expected timing and completion thereof, the resulting ownership structure, and SK Telecom's plans and expectations regarding its AI data center and AI infrastructure businesses, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations.
Such risks and uncertainties include the satisfaction of conditions to the proposed transactions, including required governmental and regulatory approvals, the possibility that the transactions may be delayed or may not be completed as anticipated, and risks relating to the development and expansion of SK Telecom's AI infrastructure business, as well as other factors described in reports filed or furnished by SK Telecom with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F.
These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date hereof. Except as required by applicable law, SK Telecom undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements.
KKR and a consortium of South Korean firms are investing $2.2 billion in an AI data-center company being created by telecommunications firm SK Telecom through a spinoff.
Key Takeaways SKM plans to split SK Broadband, creating SK Horizon to focus on AI data center infrastructure.KKR and IMM will invest KRW 3.08 trillion, with SKM retaining a controlling 51% stake.SK Horizon will oversee 318 MW across eight data centers as SK Hyper targets 5 GW by 2029. To capitalize on the rapidly growing demand for AI infrastructure, SK Telecom Co. (SKM - Free Report) plans to split its wholly owned subsidiary SK Broadband into two entities: the surviving SK Broadband and a newly established company, SK Horizon, dedicated primarily to AI data center (AIDC) infrastructure. The restructuring separates SKM's traditional connectivity and media businesses from a potentially much faster-growing AI infrastructure opportunity. Moreover, SKM is bringing in heavyweight financial partners KKR and the IMM Investment-Stonebridge consortium with a combined KRW 3.08 trillion equity investment.
Following completion of the investment, KKR will hold 29%, the IMM consortium will own 20% and SKM will retain a controlling 51% stake. The transaction is likely to provide SK Horizon with the capital, focus and governance needed to become a major player in South Korea's AI data center market. Under the planned structure, SK Broadband will continue operating its fixed-line, media, and enterprise businesses. SK Horizon will focus on expanding AI data center infrastructure. The new company will have a substantial operating base. SK Horizon is expected to oversee infrastructure with a total capacity of 318 MW, including eight existing data centers.
The creation of SK Horizon also fits into a broader restructuring of SKM's AI infrastructure strategy. SKM plans to oversee the group's overall AIDC business, including strategic direction and collaboration with global technology companies. SK Horizon will focus on infrastructure expansion and operations, leveraging SKM's existing data center expertise. Meanwhile, SK Hyper, established in July, will focus on business development for new AIDC projects. SK Hyper is targeting 5 GW of capacity by 2029, with ambitions to expand to 15 GW by 2035.
However, the AI infrastructure market is becoming increasingly competitive. Global cloud providers like CoreWeave, Inc. (CRWV - Free Report) , hyperscalers like Microsoft (MSFT - Free Report) , infrastructure funds, semiconductor companies and specialist data-center operators are all pursuing the same opportunity.
How Intense is Competition in AI Infrastructure for SKM?CoreWeave has emerged as a prominent AI-focused cloud infrastructure provider. Its platform is designed specifically for accelerated computing and AI workloads, giving customers access to large amounts of GPU computing capacity without having to build their own infrastructure. Its relationships include AI labs, hyperscalers and enterprises, while recent customer wins and expansions include companies such as Hudson River Trading and Runway ML. Active power reached 1.5 GW, while contracted power rose to 3.7 GW by quarter-end and 4.2 GW afterward, keeping it on track for more than 8 GW of active power by 2030. CRWV also expects more than 1.85 GW of active power by year-end.
MSFT capitalizes on the momentum of the AI business and Copilot adoption, alongside the expansion of Azure cloud infrastructure. In July, Microsoft launched MAI-Cyber-1-Flash, its first cybersecurity-specialized AI model, alongside a new agentic security platform called Project Perception, with the company claiming the model — when combined with OpenAI's GPT-5.4 inside its MDASH vulnerability management harness — delivers 96% on the CyberGym benchmark at 50% of the cost of its current MDASH configuration. Multi-model flexibility, paired with continued access to OpenAI's frontier models under an IP arrangement extending to 2032, allows customers to optimize cost and performance while keeping Microsoft central to their AI infrastructure decisions.
SKM’s Price Performance, Valuation and EstimatesShares of SKM have gained 33.1% in the past month against the Zacks Wireless Non-US industry’s fall of 1%.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In terms of Price/Book, SKM’s shares are trading at 1.62X, lower than the industry’s 2.34X.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for SKM’s earnings for the current year has been revised downward over the past 60 days.
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
SK Telecom currently carries a Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell).
You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
AI Race Accelerates with Amazon's Investment In AnthropicSK Telecom NYSE: SKM reported second-quarter 2026 consolidated revenue of KRW 4.36 trillion, up 0.5% from a year earlier, as continued data-center growth supported its top line. Consolidated operating income rose 67.3% year over year to KRW 566 billion, reflecting a comparison against cybersecurity incident-related expenses recorded in the second quarter of 2025, along with cost controls and profitability-focused management.
Chief Financial Officer Park Jong-seok said the company’s mobile business was showing a “clear recovery” as SK Telecom focused on customer value and profitability. At the same time, the company said its AI operations were moving from strategy development into execution and expansion, led by investments in AI data-center infrastructure, or AIDC.
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Joby Aviation Goes Airborne as News Flow AcceleratesSK Telecom set its second-quarter dividend per share at KRW 830. Park said the company intends to maintain stable shareholder returns while balancing growth investments, financial soundness and dividends.
Mobile Business Focuses on Retention and Higher-Quality Adds Park said the mobile market had stabilized compared with the prior quarter, and SK Telecom continued to post net additions of handset subscribers by targeting higher-quality customer segments and using differentiated marketing campaigns.
In July, the company introduced new mobile plans that integrate its 5G and LTE pricing structures and simplify its overall offerings. SK Telecom said the changes are intended to improve customer experience and service accessibility, supporting customer retention.
The company did not provide subscriber totals, average revenue per user figures or further mobile-service financial details during the call.
SK Hyper Formed to Pursue AI Data-Center Development SK Telecom announced the establishment of SK Hyper, a dedicated subsidiary for AIDC business development. The company said the new unit will secure land, sites, power and water resources, attract global customers and lead project development for large-scale AI data centers.
Park said securing land and power is an essential prerequisite for the AIDC business. He said SK Hyper was designed to obtain those assets preemptively while creating a more flexible business structure that can actively use external funding.
SK Telecom has committed KRW 750 billion to SK Hyper, including KRW 330 billion planned for investment this year. The funds will initially be used for such activities as securing sites, including in Ulsan, and building substations needed for gigawatt-scale data-center operations. The remaining commitment is expected to be injected in installments beginning next year.
SK Hyper is separate from SK Broadband’s existing data-center business, according to Park. The company said it will use SK Telecom’s relationships with global technology customers and SK Broadband’s data-center construction and operational experience to pursue group synergies.
AIDC revenue increased 92.5% year over year in the second quarter, primarily due to the Pangyo Data Center. Construction of a new Seoul data center began in May. SK Telecom plans to pursue phased expansion toward 5 gigawatts of capacity, depending on customer demand. Management Sees Structural Demand for AI Infrastructure Lee Jae-shin, vice president and head of Global Business Development, said SK Telecom views demand for AI infrastructure as a structural rather than temporary trend. He cited rising demand for inference computing power and broader AI adoption by the public sector and industries.
Lee said global technology companies are increasing related investments, while sites with the power, connectivity and water supply required to operate AI data centers remain limited. He said Korea has competitive advantages in serving global technology companies’ AI infrastructure requirements.
“Currently, discussions with global tech companies are underway with respect to AI infrastructure demand,” Lee said, adding that SK Telecom plans to respond flexibly to customer needs through phased capacity expansion.
Park said the total investment required for the company’s 5-gigawatt goal has not been determined because discussions with potential customers remain ongoing and depend on demand, business models and project schedules. He said SK Telecom expects to use financial investors, strategic partners, project financing and other funding mechanisms for construction and operations.
External Funding Intended to Support Dividends and Financial Discipline Management acknowledged that gigawatt-scale AIDC projects require substantial capital. Park said SK Telecom does not expect to finance the entire construction and operation of planned capacity itself, and instead intends to lead projects while minimizing direct investment relative to traditional data-center development approaches.
Park said the KRW 330 billion planned for this year is manageable given the company’s free cash flow. He added that direct investments would be made with consideration for financial soundness and stable dividend payments.
Separately, Choi Dong-hee, vice president and head of the AI Strategy & Planning Office, said SK Telecom has decided to make a capital contribution to an AI company associated with SK Hynix. Choi said the investment is intended to strengthen SK Telecom’s AIDC competitiveness through access to innovative AI companies, global relationships and AI infrastructure value-chain capabilities. The capital contribution will be paid in installments upon request to limit the impact on earnings, he said.
SK Telecom said it aims to evolve from Korea’s largest telecommunications operator into what it described as Korea’s leading AI infrastructure company, while continuing to rely on stable telecom income to support its expansion.
About SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM)SK Telecom Co, Ltd. NYSE: SKM is South Korea's largest wireless carrier, offering a comprehensive range of mobile telecommunications services. The company operates 5G, 4G LTE and IoT networks, providing voice, data and messaging solutions to consumers and businesses. Beyond traditional wireless services, SK Telecom delivers fixed-line broadband, digital content platforms, cloud computing and cybersecurity offerings designed to support enterprise digital transformation and the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.
Established in 1984 as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Services, SK Telecom pioneered cellular service commercialization in South Korea and has continually expanded into new technology areas.
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Should You Invest $1,000 in SK Telecom Right Now?Before you consider SK Telecom, you'll want to hear this.
MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and SK Telecom wasn't on the list.
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Robotics and automation are rapidly becoming essential infrastructure across healthcare, manufacturing, logistics, and many other industries.
"Physical AI" is coming to the United States, and there are four ways that investors can gain exposure to this new robotics revolution. Plus, learn which seven companies are most positioned to benefit as intelligent robots enter the workforce.
Here at Zacks, we focus on our proven ranking system, which places an emphasis on earnings estimates and estimate revisions, to find winning stocks. But we also understand that investors develop their own strategies, so we are constantly looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong companies for our readers.
Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use fundamental analysis and traditional valuation metrics to find stocks that they believe are being undervalued by the market at large.
Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.
One company value investors might notice is SK Telecom Co. (SKM - Free Report) . SKM is currently sporting a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock is trading with a P/E ratio of 11.1, which compares to its industry's average of 12.21. Over the past year, SKM's Forward P/E has been as high as 11.82 and as low as 8.35, with a median of 9.75.
Another notable valuation metric for SKM is its P/B ratio of 1.03. The P/B is a method of comparing a stock's market value to its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 1.42. Over the past year, SKM's P/B has been as high as 1.12 and as low as 0.94, with a median of 1.02.
Value investors also love the P/S ratio, which is calculated by simply dividing a stock's price with the company's sales. Some people prefer this metric because sales are harder to manipulate on an income statement. This means it could be a truer performance indicator. SKM has a P/S ratio of 0.99. This compares to its industry's average P/S of 1.45.
These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that SK Telecom Co. is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, SKM feels like a great value stock at the moment.
The Zacks Wireless Non-US industry is navigating a challenging environment marked by elevated infrastructure investments, margin pressure, supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical instability, ongoing global conflicts and elevated customer inventory levels. Nevertheless, secular demand for high-speed wireless and fiber services remains intact, fueled by increasing digitalization, expanding IoT adoption and continued 5G rollouts.
In this backdrop, America Movil, S.A.B. de C.V. (AMX - Free Report) , SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SKM - Free Report) and SoftBank Group Corp. (SFTBY - Free Report) are likely to gain from significant long-term growth opportunities and are well positioned to capitalize on robust demand for advanced connectivity solutions and next-generation network services.
Industry Description The Zacks Wireless Non-US industry comprises overseas providers of mobile telecommunications and broadband services. These companies primarily offer voice services, including local, domestic and international calls, roaming services and prepaid and postpaid. The firms provide value-added services, such as IoT, comprising logistics and fleet management and automotive and health solutions. They also offer content streaming, interactive applications, wireless security services and mobile payment solutions. Some industry players sell mobile handsets and accessories through dealer networks and offer co-billing services to other telecommunications service providers. The firms provide IT solutions, cable and satellite pay television subscriptions, as well as data services and hosting services to residential and corporate clients.
What's Shaping the Future of Wireless Non-US Industry? Waning Legacy Services: Increased infrastructure spending for network upgrades has largely compromised short-term margins. Aggressive promotional expenses, lucrative discounts and the adoption of several low-priced service plans to attract and retain customers are eroding profits. A steady decline in linear TV subscribers and legacy services due to a challenging macroeconomic environment and high inflation adds to the margin woes. Consequently, the firms within the industry are increasingly seeking diversification from legacy telecom services to more business, enterprise and wholesale opportunities. The companies are making significant investments to upgrade their network and product portfolio, including considerable advances in software-defined, wide-area network capabilities and a new Cloud Core architecture.
Network Optimization: The convergence of network technologies requires considerable investments from traditional carriers (telecom and cable) and cloud service providers. With the exponential growth of mobile broadband traffic and home Internet solutions, user demand for coverage speed and quality has increased manifold. This has resulted in a massive demand for advanced networking architecture, forcing service providers to upgrade their networks to support the surge in home data traffic. The industry participants continue to invest in networks to increase coverage and implement new technologies to optimize network capabilities. There is a continuous need for network tuning and optimization to maintain superior performance standards, creating demand for state-of-the-art wireless products and services. Telecom services show a weak correlation to macroeconomic factors, as these are considered necessities. This, in turn, has led the carriers to focus more on network upgrades to cater to the evolving customer needs.
Depleting Margins: High raw material prices due to the Iran war, on-again-off-again shipping restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz, soaring energy prices, the prolonged Russia-Ukraine war and the consequent economic sanctions against the Putin regime have affected the operation schedule of various firms. The demand-supply imbalance has crippled operations and largely affected profitability due to inflated equipment prices. Wireless operators have been facing challenges due to the disruptive rise of over-the-top service providers in this dynamic industry. Price-sensitive competition for customer retention in the core business is expected to intensify in the coming days. Aggressive competition is likely to limit the ability to attract and retain customers and affect operating and financial results.
Zacks Industry Rank Indicates Bearish Trends The Zacks Wireless Non-US industry is housed within the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector. It currently has a Zacks Industry Rank #184, which places it in the bottom 26% of more than 250 Zacks industries.
The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bleak near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperform the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.
Before we present a few non-US wireless stocks that you may want to consider for your portfolio, let’s take a look at the industry’s recent stock market performance and valuation picture.
Industry Outperforms S&P 500, Sector The Zacks Wireless Non-US industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Computer and Technology sector and the S&P 500 composite in the past year.
The industry has soared 37.2% over this period compared with the S&P 500’s and sector’s rise of 20% and 28.4%, respectively.
One-Year Price Performance
Industry's Current Valuation The Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio is commonly used for valuing wireless stocks. The industry currently has a trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 5.39X compared with the S&P 500’s 18.5X. It is also trading below the sector’s trailing 12-month EV/EBITDA of 20.43X.
Over the past five years, the industry has traded as high as 11.23X and as low as 3.1X, with a median of 5.31X, as the chart below shows.
Enterprise Value-to-EBITDA Ratio (Past Five Years)
3 Non-US Wireless Stocks to Buy América Móvil: Based in Mexico City, America Movil is the leading provider of integrated telecommunications services in Latin America. It offers enhanced communications solutions in 25 countries in Latin America, the United States and Central and Eastern Europe. America Movil’s principal markets are Mexico and Brazil, the two largest economies in Latin America. The company’s biggest subsidiary, Telcel, is the largest wireless service provider in Mexico. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current-year and next-year earnings has been revised 19.3% and 22.5% upward, respectively, over the past year. The stock has gained 41.5% in the past year. It has a VGM Score of B. America Movil carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Price and Consensus: AMX
SK Telecom: Headquartered in Seoul, the company provides wireless telecommunication services in South Korea and globally. Together with its affiliates, it operates diverse Information and Communications Technology (“ICT”) businesses. With capabilities in 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), Big Data analysis and quantum cryptography communications, SK Telecom is strengthening its position as a global ICT leader. It has embarked on the “AI Pyramid Strategy” to accelerate innovation centered around three key areas — AI Infrastructure, AI Transformation and AI Service. It has gained 57% in the past year. This Zacks Rank #2 company has long-term earnings growth expectations of 59.1% and has a VGM Score of B.
Price and Consensus: SKM
SoftBank: Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, SoftBank provides telecommunication services in Japan and internationally. The company is evolving from a traditional telecommunications carrier into an AI infrastructure provider, enabling intelligence across distributed edge and cloud environments so that devices, robots and connected systems can operate beyond their standalone capabilities. This Zacks Rank #2 company has gained 71.2% in the past year.
ABN Amro Investment Solutions lifted its holdings in shares of SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE: SKM) by 136.8% in the undefined quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 568,343 shares of the Wireless communications provider's stock after acquiring an additional 328,300 shares during the
Analyst’s Disclosure: I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.
Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or advice is being given as to whether any investment is suitable for a particular investor. Any views or opinions expressed above may not reflect those of Seeking Alpha as a whole. Seeking Alpha is not a licensed securities dealer, broker or US investment adviser or investment bank. Our analysts are third party authors that include both professional investors and individual investors who may not be licensed or certified by any institute or regulatory body.
SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM - Get Free Report) and MTN Group (OTCMKTS:MTNOY - Get Free Report) are both large-cap computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, profitability, earnings and dividends. Volatility and Risk SK Telecom
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- #AIInfrastructure--Rebellions, SK Telecom, and Arm collaborate to build sovereign AI inference infrastructure combining RebelCard™ and Arm AGI CPU.
AI and data center momentum powered a sharp rally across tech and infrastructure names, with several stocks posting outsized weekly gains.
Short squeezes, major AI deals, and hyperscaler demand drove the surge, highlighting strong investor appetite for next-gen computing plays.
These ten large-cap stocks were top performers last week. Are they a part of your portfolio?
Avis Budget Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:CAR) jumped 51.15% in the last week following an overheated short squeeze run that pushed the stock into record territory.
Astera Labs, Inc. (NASDAQ:ALAB) gained 27.6% this week.
TTM Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:TTMI) soared 25.08% this week.
Amkor Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMKR) increased 19.98% this week.
Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) increased 22.42% this week after the company posted on social media that it is set to join the Terafab project.
SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (NYSE:SKM) soared 21.04% this week.
Bloom Energy Corporation (NYSE:BE) gained 21.18% this week. Susquehanna analyst Biju Perincheril maintains a Positive rating on the stock.
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SEOUL, South Korea, April 29, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- On April 29, 2026, SK Telecom Co., Ltd. filed its Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2025 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The 2025 Annual Report on Form 20-F can be viewed on www.sktelecom.com, as well as from the website of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. Printed copies of SK Telecom's complete audited financial statements (including footnotes) as of and for the year ended December 31, 2025 can be requested, free of charge, by written request to [email protected].
I stick with a 'Buy' rating for SK Telecom following my assessment of its financial performance and re-rating triggers. SKM's 1Q2026 operating profit represented a 4.7% beat over consensus. This is attributable to up-selling, portfolio reshaping, and AI-driven growth in data center operations. SKM is getting closer to realizing the full-year dividend restoration and Anthropic stake monetization catalysts in my view.
On May 12, 2026, SK Telecom Co Ltd (SKM) shares rose 3.2% to a current price of $39.07. This price is within a 52-week range of $19.66 to $40.49, reflecting an
On June 01, 2026, SK Telecom Co Ltd (SKM) shares rose 19.0%, bringing the current price to $44.43. The stock has experienced significant price changes in the pa
Nvidia Strengthens AI Supply Chain With SK Hynix PartnershipThe chip giant announced a multi-year technology partnership with memory maker SK Hynix, reinforcing access to high-bandwidth memory, or HBM, a key component powering advanced AI systems.
Speaking after meeting SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang highlighted the importance of the relationship.
"SK Hynix has been Nvidia’s largest memory partner. SK Hynix will continue to be Nvidia’s largest memory partner," Huang said, Reuters reported.
Huang added that Nvidia already buys "billions and billions of dollars each year" worth of products from SK Hynix and expects that spending to increase significantly.
The agreement comes as memory suppliers race to keep pace with soaring AI demand, and as Nvidia expands beyond GPUs into robotics, AI PCs and supercomputing.
AI Data Centers Become The Next BattlegroundSK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) said it plans to build a gigawatt-scale AI cloud infrastructure platform using Nvidia technology, with its first AI data center expected to launch in 2027.
Meanwhile, internet giant Naver and industrial conglomerate Doosan said they would use Nvidia technology to support AI data center expansion and industrial AI applications.
Doosan also expects its energy solutions and robotics initiatives to integrate with Nvidia's physical AI technologies.
Jensen Huang Brushes Off Chip Market FearsWhen asked about the semiconductor selloff, Huang dismissed concerns, the report noted.
"Everybody should be very excited; they can now buy stock at a cheaper price," he said, adding that "the future of AI is very bright."
Price Action: Shares of Nvidia closed Friday down 6.2% at $205.10 and declined another 0.52% to $204.04 in after-hours trading, according to Benzinga Pro.
Benzinga Edge Stock Rankings place NVDA in the 98th percentile for Growth, highlighting its strong performance across short, medium and long-term periods.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
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