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Massive performance bonuses by the world’s two largest memory chipmakers — Samsung Electronics and SK hynix — are expected to spur demand for premium imported vehicles and apartments in key semiconductor-linked residential regions, industry officials said Sunday. According to market tracker FnGuide, Samsung Electronics is expected to post operating profit of 343.5 trillion won this year. Under its recently signed labor-management agreement, which allocates 12 percent of operating profit to special performance bonuses, total payouts are estimated at about 41 trillion won. SK hynix is forecast to record operating profit of 255 trillion won, with 10 percent set aside for employee incentives, resulting in estimated payouts of about 25.5 trillion won. The combined bonus pool for employees at the two firms is projected to reach around 67 trillion won ($44.2 billion), driven by the ongoing artificial intelligence (AI)-driven semiconductor upcycle. Industry officials said the enormous cash injection could generate ripple effects across the economy, particularly boosting spending in the hou