SK Hynix, Intel May Make Memories in Ohio: These ETFs Are Along for the Ride

SK Hynix Inc.’s (NASDAQ:SKHY) possible U.S. manufacturing expansion is putting a fresh spotlight on the memory-chip trade — a theme that has already attracted billions of dollars into ETFs this year. Reuters reported Wednesday that SK Hynix is in exploratory talks with Intel Corp (NASDAQ:INTC) to manufacture memory chips in the U.S. for the first time. One option under discussion is leasing part of Intel’s delayed Ohio chipmaking facility, while another could involve a joint venture with Intel and major cloud companies seeking to secure memory supplies. • SK Hynix stock is showing upward movement. What’s driving SKHY shares up? But the deal is far from final. SK Hynix said it is reviewing several options, including additional production bases, and that no specific decision has been made. The company is also considering alternatives beyond an Intel partnership. Any U.S. production involving sensitive technologies such as DRAM or high-bandwidth memory (HBM) could face scrutiny from Seoul. The talks nevertheless underscore the strategic importance of memory as AI data-center demand drives a supply squeeze. See More: Top Growth Stocks DRAM ETF Has Attracted Billions The Roundhill Memory ETF (BATS: DRAM) has emerged as the clearest U.S.-listed vehicle for the theme. Launched in April, it had attracted more than $21 billion in net inflows by July, making it the fastest-growing ETF on record at that point. Currently, ETFDb shows its launch-to-date inflows at $24.8 billion. DRAM’s portfolio has also become heavily exposed to the companies at the centre of the memory cycle. SK Hynix accounts for 16.75% of the fund, while Samsung Electronics represented 19.44% and Micron Technology, Inc. (NASDAQ:MU) 14.93%. The performance has been equally dramatic. DRAM has gained about 108% since its April launch, although it was still roughly 31% below its June peak. EWY Offers a Broader Korea Bet Investors have also been using the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSE:EWY) to access the memory trade. Samsung and SK Hynix together account for more than 40% of the portfolio, giving the fund significant exposure to the AI-memory cycle while also holding Korean companies outside semiconductors. EWY attracted almost $9 billion in 2026 net inflows, according to ETFDb. the fund has gained 81.3% so far this year. Leveraged SK Hynix Bets Have Emerged The ETF industry has gone even further, with products such as ProShares Ultra SK Hynix (NYSE:SKHU) and Direxion Daily SK Hynix Bull 2X (NYSE:SKHL) offering 2x daily exposure to the company’s U.S.-listed ADR. For ETF investors, the SK Hynix-Intel talks therefore add another layer to an already crowded memory trade. Whether SK Hynix ultimately builds in Ohio, chooses another location or does not pursue a U.S. fab at all, the flow data shows investors have already placed a sizeable bet on the companies supplying the AI boom’s most critical memory. Read Also: Elon Musk Flags Taiwan as AI’s Weak Link. These Semiconductor ETFs Could Offer a Hedge Photo: Shutterstock