SK Telecom (017670) Q1 2026 earnings summary

Executive summary

• Consolidated revenue for Q1 2026 was KRW 4.3923 trillion, up 1.5% quarter-on-quarter but down 1.4% year-over-year, signaling a return to pre-cybersecurity incident performance.

• Operating income reached KRW 537.6 billion, exceeding KRW 500 billion for the first time since Q1 2025, though down 5.3% year-over-year.

• Net income attributable to owners was KRW 316.4 billion, a decrease of 11.5% year-over-year, with a reinstated quarterly dividend of KRW 830 per share.

• Net handset subscriber additions totaled 210,000 in Q1, reversing previous declines and reflecting restored customer trust.

• Dividend payments resumed, signaling normalization of business fundamentals.

Financial highlights

• Consolidated revenue: KRW 4.3923 trillion (+1.5% QoQ, -1.4% YoY), operating income: KRW 537.6 billion, net income: KRW 316.4 billion.

• EBITDA was KRW 1.42 trillion, down 3.3% year-over-year, with a margin of 32.2%.

• CapEx for the quarter was KRW 136.5 billion, up 28.9% year-over-year but down 85.3% sequentially.

• Dividend per share for Q1 2026 was KRW 830.

• SK Broadband revenue grew 3.2% year-over-year, with operating income up 21.4% year-over-year.

Outlook and guidance

• Aims to surpass pre-incident annual earnings through telecom profitability recovery, AI data center growth, and productivity enhancements.

• Plans to reinforce competitiveness across the AI Data Center value chain and expand infrastructure footprint.

• Shareholder return policy targets more than 50% of adjusted net profit for FY2024–2026.

• Full-year dividend size to be determined based on business performance and financial structure.

• Continued focus on restoring earnings and delivering sustained results.