Samsung Electronics is one of the world’s largest companies by revenue and market capitalization — but buying Samsung stock as a US investor is not as straightforward as buying Apple or Microsoft. Samsung is a South Korean company listed on the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX), not on the NYSE or Nasdaq. For US investors, there are three main routes: the OTC market via SSNLF (OTCMKTS: SSNLF), the London Stock Exchange via LON: BC94, or through a broker with international market access. This guide explains every route, what SSNLF is, what LON BC94 means, and how to actually invest in Samsung from the US.
Note: This article is for general informational purposes only. It is not financial advice. Stock prices, availability, and broker access change frequently. Consult a licensed financial advisor before making investment decisions.
For more on investing in international tech companies from the US, see our guide to how to buy SpaceX stock and invest in private companies — covering OTC markets, ADRs, and international investment routes.
Is Samsung Stock Available in the US?
Samsung Electronics is not directly listed on any major US stock exchange — it does not trade on the NYSE or Nasdaq as a regular stock. This is because Samsung is a South Korean conglomerate incorporated in Seoul and primarily listed on the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX) under the ticker 005930 (common shares) and 005935 (preferred shares).
US investors have several options to gain Samsung exposure:
- OTCMKTS: SSNLF — Samsung Electronics common shares traded on the US OTC (Over-The-Counter) market
- OTCMKTS: SSNLF — the most accessible route for US retail investors using standard US brokers
- LON: BC94 — Samsung shares listed on the London Stock Exchange, accessible via international brokers
- Global mutual funds or ETFs that hold Samsung Electronics as a significant position
- Direct investment via a Korean brokerage account — complex but gives access to the primary KRX listing
What Is OTCMKTS: SSNLF?
SSNLF is the ticker symbol for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. on the OTC (Over-The-Counter) markets in the United States. OTCMKTS refers to the OTC Markets Group platform — the marketplace where SSNLF trades.
| Detail | Information |
| Full name | Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
| US ticker | SSNLF (OTC Markets) |
| Exchange | OTCMKTS (Over-The-Counter — not NYSE/Nasdaq) |
| Primary listing | Korea Stock Exchange (KRX: 005930) |
| Share type | Common shares (ordinary) |
| Currency traded (OTC) | US Dollars (USD) |
| OTC tier | OTC Pink — not OTCQB or OTCQX |
| ADR? | No — SSNLF is not an ADR; it is a direct OTC listing |
SSNLF is not an ADR (American Depositary Receipt). ADRs are specifically structured instruments where a US bank holds the foreign shares and issues receipts. SSNLF is Samsung’s shares traded directly on the OTC market in USD — sometimes called a foreign ordinary share. This distinction matters because SSNLF has lower liquidity than an ADR and may not be available at all US brokers.
SSNLF Stock Price — How It Relates to KRX 005930
SSNLF’s price in USD corresponds to Samsung’s primary KRX listing price converted to US dollars at the prevailing KRW/USD exchange rate. Because SSNLF trades on a less liquid OTC market with limited US trading hours, its price may diverge slightly from the KRX price during US trading hours. The KRX (Korea Stock Exchange) is the authoritative price reference — SSNLF reflects it approximately but not exactly in real time.
Samsung’s share price on the KRX has historically been quoted in Korean Won (KRW). At a typical KRW/USD exchange rate, Samsung common shares (KRX: 005930) translate to approximately $10-15 per share at SSNLF. This means Samsung’s total market capitalization in USD terms places it among the world’s most valuable companies despite the low per-share price in dollar terms.
What Is LON: BC94?
LON: BC94 is the ticker symbol for Samsung Electronics shares listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE). BC94 represents Samsung Electronics GDRs (Global Depositary Receipts) — instruments that represent Samsung shares and are listed on the London market.
| Detail | Information |
| Ticker | BC94 |
| Exchange | London Stock Exchange (LON) |
| Instrument type | GDR (Global Depositary Receipt) |
| Currency | USD (dollar-denominated GDR) |
| Settlement | T+2 (standard London settlement) |
| Accessible via | International brokers; Interactive Brokers; Saxo Bank |
US investors searching for LON: BC94 are typically looking for a way to access Samsung shares through a broker that offers London Stock Exchange access. GDRs (Global Depositary Receipts) are structurally similar to ADRs but listed on non-US exchanges. BC94 is the route most commonly used by institutional investors and sophisticated retail investors who want Samsung exposure without opening a Korean brokerage account.
How to Buy SSNLF — Step by Step
Step 1: Choose a Broker That Supports OTC Trading
Not all US brokers support OTC Pink market trading, which is where SSNLF trades. Brokers that currently support SSNLF:
- Fidelity: Supports OTC Pink trading — SSNLF is available. Search ‘SSNLF’ in the trade ticket.
- Charles Schwab: Supports OTC trading — verify SSNLF availability in your account type.
- Interactive Brokers (IBKR): Strong OTC support; also provides access to KRX directly and LON: BC94. Recommended for international stocks.
- TD Ameritrade / Schwab (merged): OTC trading supported.
- Robinhood: Does NOT support OTC Pink market stocks as of 2026 — SSNLF is not available on Robinhood.
- Webull: Limited OTC support — verify current SSNLF availability before opening an account for this purpose.
Step 2: Search for SSNLF
In your broker’s trade platform, search for the ticker symbol SSNLF. If the broker supports OTC Pink trading and Samsung’s OTC listing, it should appear as ‘Samsung Electronics Co Ltd’ with the SSNLF ticker on the OTCMKTS exchange.
Step 3: Check Liquidity Before Buying
SSNLF is an OTC Pink stock with significantly lower daily trading volume than a major US exchange listing. Always check the bid-ask spread before placing an order — a wide spread (difference between buy and sell price) means higher implicit transaction cost. Use limit orders rather than market orders to avoid buying at a significantly above-market price.
Step 4: Place a Limit Order
When buying SSNLF, always use a limit order — specify the maximum price you are willing to pay per share. A market order on a low-liquidity OTC stock can execute at a price well above the quoted price if there are few sellers at the current ask.
Samsung Preferred Stock — SSNLF vs Preferred Shares
Samsung Electronics has two classes of shares on the KRX: common shares (005930) and preferred shares (005935). The preferred shares have no voting rights but historically pay a higher dividend than common shares. In the US OTC market:
- SSNLF: Represents Samsung common shares (005930) — voting rights, standard dividend
- Samsung preferred shares: A separate OTC listing exists for Samsung preferred shares — check OTC Markets for the current ticker. The preferred shares typically trade at a discount to common shares due to the lack of voting rights.
- Dividend: Samsung Electronics pays dividends — both common and preferred shareholders receive dividends, with preferred shareholders typically receiving a slightly higher per-share amount. Dividends are paid in Korean Won and converted to USD for SSNLF holders.
Samsung Stock via ETFs — The Easier Alternative
For many US investors, buying Samsung exposure through an ETF (Exchange-Traded Fund) is simpler and more liquid than buying SSNLF directly. ETFs with significant Samsung Electronics holdings:
| ETF | Samsung Weighting | Notes |
| iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) | ~25% of fund | Largest Samsung exposure via US-listed ETF |
| iShares Semiconductor ETF (SOXX) | Small position | Samsung as a chipmaker; diluted exposure |
| Invesco QQQ (QQQ) | Not included | Samsung not on Nasdaq — not in QQQ |
| iShares MSCI EM ETF (EEM) | ~3-4% | Broader emerging markets; Korea is ~15% of EEM |
EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) is the most direct US-listed ETF route to Samsung exposure — Samsung Electronics typically constitutes approximately 20-25% of the fund. It trades on the NYSE like any US stock and has far higher liquidity than SSNLF. The trade-off: EWY gives you Korea market exposure broadly, not pure Samsung exposure.
Risks of Buying SSNLF
- Currency risk: SSNLF’s value is affected by KRW/USD exchange rate fluctuations. A strengthening US dollar reduces the dollar value of your Samsung holding even if the KRX price is stable.
- Liquidity risk: SSNLF trades on the OTC Pink market with lower volume than major exchange listings. Selling large positions quickly may be difficult without impacting the price.
- Information asymmetry: Samsung’s primary filings are in Korean. English translations are available but may lag Korean disclosures.
- No SEC oversight: OTC Pink companies are not required to meet SEC reporting standards. Samsung does publish financials in English as a major global company, but the OTC listing itself has fewer protections than a NYSE/Nasdaq listing.
- Wide bid-ask spreads: Low liquidity often means wide spreads — always check the spread before buying.
For investing in other major tech companies from the US including SpaceX, see our guide to how to buy SpaceX stock — IPO, ticker, and investment guide — covering the SpaceX IPO and how US investors can access SpaceX shares.
For current SSNLF price, trading volume, and OTC market data, see the SSNLF on OTC Markets. For Samsung Electronics investor relations and official financial reports, see Samsung Electronics Investor Relations.
Samsung Electronics — Company Overview for US Investors
Samsung Electronics is the world’s largest manufacturer of smartphones, memory chips (DRAM and NAND flash), and OLED displays. It operates three major divisions: Consumer Electronics (TVs, appliances), IT and Mobile Communications (Galaxy smartphones and tablets), and Device Solutions (semiconductors and displays). Understanding which division drives revenue is important for evaluating Samsung as an investment.
• Semiconductors: Samsung’s chip business — particularly DRAM and NAND flash memory — is the highest-margin division and most sensitive to global memory price cycles. When memory prices rise (typically driven by AI server demand), Samsung’s semiconductor revenue and profits spike. When memory prices fall (oversupply), semiconductor profits collapse.
• Smartphones: The Galaxy S and A series compete directly with Apple iPhone globally. Samsung is the world’s largest smartphone maker by unit volume. The mobile division is lower-margin than semiconductors but more stable revenue.
• Displays: Samsung Display (an affiliate, not the same entity) is the world’s largest OLED manufacturer. Samsung Electronics benefits from display market trends but display manufacturing is largely in Samsung Display.
For US investors, Samsung’s semiconductor exposure is particularly relevant given the AI boom driving demand for HBM (High Bandwidth Memory) and NAND flash. Samsung competes with SK Hynix and Micron Technology (MU) in memory — Micron is the US-listed comparable if you prefer a domestic alternative with similar semiconductor exposure.
Samsung Stock vs Apple Stock — A US Investor Comparison
US investors often compare Samsung and Apple as investment options. Key differences:
• Listing accessibility: Apple (AAPL) trades on Nasdaq — fully accessible via any US broker. Samsung (SSNLF) trades on OTC Pink — limited broker availability, lower liquidity.
• Market cap: Both are multi-hundred-billion dollar companies, but Apple at approximately $3+ trillion is significantly larger in dollar terms.
• Business mix: Apple is primarily a premium consumer electronics and services company. Samsung is more diversified — consumer electronics, semiconductors, and industrial components.
• Dividend: Samsung pays a meaningful dividend — typically 2-4% yield on the KRX price. Apple pays a smaller dividend (~0.5% yield) but has an aggressive share buyback program.
• Volatility: Samsung’s semiconductor division makes it more cyclical than Apple — Samsung stock can swing dramatically with memory price cycles. Apple’s high-margin services business provides more revenue stability.
For Samsung Galaxy wallpapers and the complete Samsung phone guide, see our dedicated article on Samsung Galaxy stock wallpapers — S7, S9, Note 9, and all models.
Bottom Line
| US ticker for Samsung | OTCMKTS: SSNLF (common shares) |
| LON: BC94 | Samsung GDR on London Stock Exchange — USD-denominated |
| Best US broker for SSNLF | Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Interactive Brokers |
| Robinhood available? | No — Robinhood does not support OTC Pink stocks |
| Easiest Samsung exposure | EWY ETF (iShares MSCI South Korea) — NYSE-listed |
| Order type | Always use limit orders — OTC spreads can be wide |
| Currency risk | Yes — KRW/USD fluctuations affect SSNLF value |
| Samsung preferred stock | Separate OTC ticker — higher dividend, no voting rights |
| This is financial advice? | No — informational only. Consult a licensed advisor. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I buy Samsung stock in the US?
Yes — US investors can buy Samsung Electronics shares through the OTC market using the ticker SSNLF (OTCMKTS: SSNLF) via brokers that support OTC Pink trading, including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and Interactive Brokers. Alternatively, the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) provides Samsung exposure through a NYSE-listed fund without the OTC market’s liquidity limitations.
What is OTCMKTS: SSNLF?
SSNLF is the OTC market ticker symbol for Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. in the United States. It represents Samsung common shares (Korea Stock Exchange: 005930) traded on the OTC Pink market in US dollars. It is not an ADR — it is a direct foreign ordinary share listing. SSNLF is available at select US brokers including Fidelity and Charles Schwab, but not at all retail brokers (Robinhood does not support OTC Pink stocks).
What is LON: BC94?
LON: BC94 is Samsung Electronics’ Global Depositary Receipt (GDR) listed on the London Stock Exchange. It is dollar-denominated and provides exposure to Samsung shares for investors with access to LSE-listed securities. US investors can access BC94 through international brokers such as Interactive Brokers or Saxo Bank. GDRs are similar to ADRs but listed on non-US exchanges.
How do I invest in Samsung from the US?
There are four main routes: buy SSNLF on the OTC market via Fidelity or Charles Schwab; buy LON: BC94 GDRs through an international broker like Interactive Brokers; buy the EWY ETF (iShares MSCI South Korea) for broad Korea market exposure with heavy Samsung weighting; or open a Korean brokerage account for direct KRX access. EWY is the simplest and most liquid option for most US investors.
Is Samsung stock on the NYSE or Nasdaq?
No — Samsung Electronics is not listed on the NYSE or Nasdaq. It is primarily listed on the Korea Stock Exchange (KRX: 005930 for common shares). US investors access Samsung through SSNLF on the OTC Pink market, through the LON: BC94 GDR on the London Stock Exchange, or through Korea-focused ETFs like EWY.