Samsung board approves estimated KRW 90–110 trillion 2026 shareholder-return plan

Samsung Electronics said its board approved a 2026 shareholder-return plan estimated at KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion, a package the company described as the biggest of its kind in South Korea even though only part of it is being set in motion now.

In a press release Friday, the South Korean technology giant said, “Samsung Electronics’ Board of Directors convened today and approved a shareholder return plan for 2026, estimated at approximately KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion.” It also said, “The 2026 shareholder return is estimated at KRW 90 ~ 110 trillion — the largest ever by a Korean company.” Using Reuters’ cited exchange rate of 1,383.5 won per U.S. dollar, that range is roughly $65 billion to $79.5 billion.

The scale matters because Samsung Electronics is South Korea’s biggest listed company, making any capital return plan of this size significant for domestic equity markets and global technology investors. But the headline number is not an immediate full cash payout. Samsung is locking in some elements now while leaving the rest to be determined after its 2026 results are confirmed.

The company said it plans to distribute about KRW 30 trillion in cash dividends, including regular payouts in the third quarter of 2026. Details of those dividends will be finalized at an October board meeting, Samsung said. Separately, the board approved a share buyback of about KRW 15 trillion intended for employee compensation. The remaining shareholder return will be decided at a January 2027 board meeting, after Samsung confirms its 2026 financial performance. The company said that later portion could include cash dividends, share buybacks and share cancellations.

That distinction is important because “shareholder return” can cover several different tools, not just cash paid directly to investors. In Samsung’s plan, part of the package is slated for dividends, part is a buyback tied to employee compensation, and a sizable remainder has yet to be allocated among dividends, buybacks or share cancellations.

Samsung said the KRW 90 trillion to KRW 110 trillion figure is an estimate and is subject to business performance, investment and cash flow. In other words, the company is outlining a planned range rather than committing to distribute the full amount immediately in 2026.

The company said the estimated 2026 package is about five times its previous high of KRW 20.3 trillion in 2020. That comparison underscores how unusual the plan is, even for a company of Samsung’s scale.

The announcement comes after a period of unusually strong earnings. In its second-quarter 2026 results released July 30, Samsung reported record consolidated revenue of KRW 171.5 trillion and record operating profit of KRW 89.5 trillion. Samsung also said the new plan fulfills its fiscal 2024-2026 policy of returning 50% of free cash flow to shareholders over three years.

Even so, Samsung is pairing the return plan with a large investment program rather than signaling a retreat from spending. The company has said it plans to invest more than KRW 110 trillion in facilities and research and development in 2026. Including the newly announced 2026 plan, Samsung said its total shareholder returns for 2024 through 2026 are expected to reach KRW 120 trillion to KRW 140 trillion.