SKM

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. (SKM) Q3 2026 Earnings Call Transcript

SK Telecom NYSE: SKM reported third-quarter 2026 consolidated revenue of KRW 4,497.3 billion, up 3.2% from the prior quarter and 13.1% from a year earlier, as mobile service revenue increased. Consolidated operating income totaled KRW 552.3 billion, marking the third consecutive quarter above KRW 500 billion.

SK Telecom (SKM) is rated 'Buy' as it accelerates margin-accretive AI Data Center (AIDC) exposure via new units SK Hyper and SK Horizon. SKM monetized its existing AIDC assets by selling a 49% stake in Horizon for ₩3.1T, unlocking value equal to 27% of its market cap. SK Hyper targets 5GW/15GW AIDC capacity by 2029/2035, leveraging group synergies and a commitment-backed pre-leasing model for measured growth.

SKM's SK Horizon spin-off targets AI data center growth with KRW 3.08 trillion from KKR and IMM, reshaping its infrastructure strategy.

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.

SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SK Telecom Launches AI Data Center Infrastructure Company ‘SK Horizon' and Secures Investments from KKR and IMM.

By dominating the high-margin enterprise sector, Anthropic has become the leading AI lab ahead of its late 2026 public market debut.

Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.

The fast-track 5G rollout and solid wireless traction should help the Zacks Wireless Non-US industry thrive despite short-term headwinds. AMX, SKM and SFTBY are well-positioned to make the most of the demand for seamless connectivity solutions.

SK Telecom retains a "Buy" rating, driven by robust AI data center (AIDC) growth and potential funding from reputable investors. The company's AIDC revenues surged 89% YoY in 1Q26, with ambitious plans for up to 15GW capacity, far outpacing domestic peers. SKM's diverse funding strategies, including third-party capital, should limit financial leverage risks as it scales up its AIDC network.