SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM) Downgraded by Zacks Research to “Strong Sell”

Posted by George Bondi on Aug 29th, 2026

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM – Get Free Report) was downgraded by stock analysts at Zacks Research from a “strong-buy” rating to a “strong sell” rating in a report released on Thursday,Zacks.com reports.

A number of other research firms have also issued reports on SKM. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised shares of SK Telecom from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 16th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of SK Telecom from a “hold (c)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, August 13th. HSBC raised shares of SK Telecom from a “reduce” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, May 7th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised shares of SK Telecom from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, July 4th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Reduce”.

Check Out Our Latest Analysis on SKM

SK Telecom Stock Down 0.3%

SK Telecom stock opened at $39.35 on Thursday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $34.30 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $34.41. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.18. The company has a market cap of $15.10 billion, a PE ratio of 31.48 and a beta of 0.64. SK Telecom has a fifty-two week low of $19.66 and a fifty-two week high of $47.18.

SK Telecom (NYSE:SKM – Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, August 6th. The Wireless communications provider reported $0.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.22. SK Telecom had a return on equity of 5.59% and a net margin of 4.23%.The firm had revenue of $2.81 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $2.96 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that SK Telecom will post 2.21 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in SKM. Kestra Advisory Services LLC acquired a new stake in shares of SK Telecom during the 4th quarter valued at about $28,000. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC acquired a new position in SK Telecom in the 4th quarter worth about $30,000. Wexford Capital LP purchased a new position in SK Telecom during the third quarter worth approximately $39,000. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC purchased a new position in SK Telecom during the first quarter worth approximately $85,000. Finally, Matthews International Capital Management LLC grew its holdings in SK Telecom by 33.5% in the first quarter. Matthews International Capital Management LLC now owns 3,326 shares of the Wireless communications provider’s stock valued at $97,000 after purchasing an additional 835 shares during the period.

SK Telecom News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting SK Telecom this week:

Positive Sentiment: AI data-center spin-off attracts ₩3.08 trillion: SK Telecom is creating SK Horizon, a dedicated AI data-center infrastructure company, and plans to raise approximately ₩3.08 trillion through a partial sale and capital injection backed by KKR and IMM. The transaction provides funding and external validation for SKM’s AI growth strategy while allowing the new unit to pursue focused investment. SK Telecom to Raise ₩3.08 Trillion via Partial Sale and Capital Injection into New Data Center Unit SK Horizon
Positive Sentiment: Infrastructure strategy gains investor focus: Coverage describes SK Horizon as a potential new AI growth engine and highlights the roughly $2.2 billion data-center deal. Separating the infrastructure business may improve decision-making, attract specialist capital and clarify the value of SK Telecom’s data-center operations. SK Telecom’s SK Horizon Spinoff: A New AI Growth Engine for SKM?
Positive Sentiment: Cybersecurity AI partnership: SK Telecom is working with Upstage and AhnLab on an AI model for cybersecurity, supporting its broader effort to build AI-related products and services beyond traditional wireless communications. SK Telecom teams up with Upstage, AhnLab on AI model for cybersecurity
Neutral Sentiment: Independent directors to receive treasury shares: SK Telecom plans to grant treasury shares to independent directors as bonus compensation. The move may align directors with shareholders, although investors could scrutinize the size and terms of the awards as part of governance and capital-allocation discussions. SK Telecom to Grant Treasury Shares to Independent Directors as Bonus Compensation
Neutral Sentiment: Analyst stance remains cautious: SKM has received a consensus “Hold” rating, suggesting analysts see a balanced risk-reward profile while the company executes its AI and data-center transformation. SK Telecom Receives Consensus Rating of Hold

SK Telecom Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

SK Telecom Co, Ltd. (NYSE:SKM) is South Korea’s largest wireless carrier, offering a comprehensive range of mobile telecommunications services. The company operates 5G, 4G LTE and IoT networks, providing voice, data and messaging solutions to consumers and businesses. Beyond traditional wireless services, SK Telecom delivers fixed-line broadband, digital content platforms, cloud computing and cybersecurity offerings designed to support enterprise digital transformation and the growing demand for high-speed connectivity.

Established in 1984 as Korea Mobile Telecommunications Services, SK Telecom pioneered cellular service commercialization in South Korea and has continually expanded into new technology areas.