Sources: SK Hynix is in talks with Intel to make memory chips in the US for the first time, but a deal could face opposition from Seoul; both stocks jump 4%

South Korea's SK Hynix (000660.KS) is in talks with Intel (INTC.O) about a deal that would see it manufacture memory chips on U.S. soil …

Reuters 2026-09-16

Context & Ripple Effects

SK Hynix has been adding capacity in South Korea, including a planned advanced-packaging plant and an August plan for major new DRAM and NAND facilities. At the same time, its large customers have floated investments in dedicated memory production lines to secure supply, making the location and ownership of new capacity a commercial issue as well as a manufacturing one.

The reported Intel discussions introduce a possible U.S. route alongside that Korean buildout. SK Hynix's newsroom said no plans had been confirmed, and the reported prospect of opposition from Seoul means the talks are not an established capacity commitment.

First-order effects

The report lifted both SK Hynix and Intel shares 4%, while positioning Intel as a potential U.S. manufacturing partner and SK Hynix as a prospective user of U.S.-based capacity.
No production shift is in effect: SK Hynix has said that no plan regarding the reported talks has been confirmed.

Second-order effects

A U.S. arrangement would give SK Hynix customers that have proposed funding dedicated lines more leverage to seek supply commitments tied to a specific production location.
Reported resistance from Seoul could force SK Hynix to weigh any U.S. manufacturing plan against its announced South Korean expansion, affecting the structure and timing of a potential agreement.

Third-order effects

If customer-backed, location-specific memory lines become more common, memory suppliers may allocate new capacity through strategic partnerships rather than relying only on internally directed expansions.
A deal would also test whether memory production increasingly follows national industrial priorities, with manufacturers balancing access to overseas capacity against commitments in their home markets.

The trend: AI-linked memory demand is pushing capacity decisions toward customer-backed and geographically strategic manufacturing partnerships.

Discussion

r/intelstock r on reddit
EXCLUSIVE: SK Hynix in talks with Intel about deal to make memory chips in the US for the first time, sources say
r/hardware r on reddit
SK Hynix in talks with Intel about deal to make memory chips in the US for the first time, sources say
SK hynix Newsroom SK hynix Newsroom on x
No plans have been confirmed regarding the reported talks between SK hynix and Intel on memory chip production in the U.S.
@kristinaparts Kristina Partsinevelos on x
SK Hynix eyeing Intel's Ohio fab for memory is politics as much as economics. Seoul + DC close a $350B onshoring package this week and $SKHY risks being targeted if it sits out. But the $INTC fab does not open until end of decade so a signing now says little about output later...
@alex_intel_ Alex on x
Bad misconception, not 2025 anymore. I don't see Intel leasing out Fab 27. JV is likely going to lead to Intel increasing CAPEX and lowering FCF in next few years. Intels CAPEX for logic biz is heading to $35-40B+ range in 2028. This JV is probably a $5-10B a year commitment in a…
@fundaai Funda on x
We view the report of a potential partnership between SK Hynix and Intel as highly credible. Through this alliance, SK Hynix can establish U.S.-based memory chip manufacturing capacity in a more efficient and cost-effective manner, swiftly aligning with “Made in USA
@alex_intel_ Alex on x
To many people/analyst think Hynix splitting Ohio is what this is (a 350k sqft mod with $6B in dram tooling is what Lutnick is after haha) High likely to see Intel use all of Fab 27, build it's pair Fab 37 for 14A Then Hynix could use the rear 2 spaces of Fab 47/Fab 57. Or more l…
@scroogecap @scroogecap on x
My 2 thoughts on $SHKY and $INTC deal: Leasing this Ohio fab space or structuring a JV turns INTC heaviest capex drag into immediate FCF and shared balance-sheet risk. But more importantly, anchoring an external titan like SK Hynix provides the ultimate market validation that INT…
@alex_intel_ Alex on x
@KristinaParts Tool in is late 2028. U haven't been watching the construction pace As Dave said they are going as fast as possible. 2030 date is old before acceleration
@alex_intel_ Alex on x
A scenario to consider for the Intel and Hynix JV If Hynix Intel JV built 4 600k sqft cleanrooms ($100B project) that would be $120B in revenue from DRAM (maybe NAND is also made, as there's no NAND production in the US which Lutnick might want). Let's assume a 60% gross margin L…
@jukan05 Jukan on x
Not many people are paying attention, but what matters in the Hynix and Intel news is that Hynix and Intel could form a JV with hyperscalers hungry for memory supply. That's more important than the Hynix and Intel news itself.
@jukan05 Jukan on x
Remember that SK hynix said “We have no plans for an ADR listing” even before it listed its ADRs.
@stocksavvyshay Shay Boloor on x
$SKHY and $INTC are in talks to make memory chips in the U.S. for the first time. One option under discussion would have SK Hynix produce memory at Intel's Ohio fab as AI demand continues to tighten supply.
@deitaone @deitaone on x
SK HYNIX INC: NO PLANS HAVE BEEN CONFIRMED REGARDING THE REPORTED TALKS BETWEEN SK HYNIX AND INTEL ON MEMORY CHIP PRODUCTION IN THE U.S.
@markosaaig Markos on x
I understand @jukan05 thinking, but I think the most likely outcome will be some form of SK hynix-Intel Ohio agreement first, which may later develop into a JV. At least, that is the scenario I personally give the most chance at the moment, rather than them forming a formal JV wi…

Chronicles