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Samsung apologises for disappointing quarterly results during AI chip boom

In a rare apology, the company vows to review its culture and processes to enhance competitiveness

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Samsung reported worst-than-expected revenue and operating profit for the September quarter. Photo: dpa
Bloomberg
Samsung Electronics issued a lengthy apology after posting disappointing results, an unusual admission by the world’s largest memory maker that it is grappling with a potential crisis.

The company will review its organisational culture and processes, Jun Young-hyun, the newly appointed head of its chip business, said in a statement. “Rather than relying on short-term solutions, we will focus on reinforcing our long-term competitiveness,” he said. “These are testing times.”

The world’s biggest maker of both memory and smartphones reported preliminary operating profit of around 9.1 trillion won (US$6.8 billion) in the September quarter versus the 11.5 trillion won projected. A one-time cost related to provisions for performance-related bonuses weighed on earnings, it said.

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Revenue came to 79 trillion won, compared with expectations for 81.57 trillion won.

A Samsung store in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Bloomberg
A Samsung store in Seoul, South Korea. Photo: Bloomberg

Samsung plans to provide a full financial statement with net income and divisional breakdowns later this month.

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“We have caused concerns about our technical competitiveness, with some talking about the crisis facing Samsung,” Jun said. “As leaders of the business, we take full responsibility for this.”

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