Evening digest: Samsung buybacks rise as Bitcoin, oil rally

On Friday, Samsung Electronics outlined a potential record shareholder payout as AI-memory demand boosts cash generation.

Bitcoin extended its strongest weekly rally in more than two years.

Oil prices climbed as fresh US sanctions threats against Iran raised concerns about further supply disruptions.

Gold also surged to a more than three-month high as Treasury buybacks pressured the dollar and boosted demand for the precious metal.

Samsung plans record shareholder returns

Samsung Electronics said shareholder returns could reach 90 trillion won to 110 trillion won, or roughly $64.5 billion to $78.9 billion, in 2026.

The potential payout would be around five times Samsung's previous annual record and comes as the artificial intelligence boom drives strong demand for memory chips.

The announcement follows SK Hynix's decision to buy back and cancel 40 trillion won of shares.

SK Hynix has also raised its shareholder-return policy to at least 50% of cumulative free cash flow for 2025-2027.

Samsung's existing 2024-2026 policy calls for returning 50% of free cash flow, including 9.8 trillion won in regular annual dividends.

The company also plans to spend more than 110 trillion won on facilities and research and development in 2026, including investments in advanced semiconductor technologies.