Memory maker Kioxia sees $8.2 billion Q1 profit on AI boom

Fast Retailing Co

15/05/2026 08:29

TOKYO, May 15 (Reuters) - Japanese memory chipmaker Kioxia 285A.T said on Friday it expected operating profit for the April-June quarter to reach 1.3 trillion yen ($8.20 billion) as the artificial intelligence boom boosts chip demand.

The maker of NAND flash memory chips reported operating profit rose 92.7% to 870.4 billion yen in the year ended March, beating estimates.

Kioxia said it is preparing to list American depositary shares on a U.S. exchange to grow its investor base.

Its share price has more than quadrupled year-to-date, giving the chipmaker a larger market capitalisation than Sony 6758.T and Uniqlo parent Fast Retailing 9983.T.

The valuation of South Korean chipmaker Samsung Electronics 005930.KS has topped $1 trillion, with SK Hynix 000660.KS also closing in on the milestone.

Kioxia has seen years of upheaval including a carve-out from scandal-hit Toshiba by a Bain Capital-led consortium and a listing in Tokyo in late 2024.

Memory makers have large capital needs and have been exposed to volatile price cycles.

($1 = 158.4600 yen)

 (Reporting by Sam Nussey; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

 ((sam.nussey@tr.com;))