Samsung Electronics’ original common and preferred shares trade on the Korea Exchange (KRX) under codes 005930 and 005935. Its global depositary receipts (GDRs) trade on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) as SMSN for common shares and SMSD for preferred shares. These are different instruments on different exchanges, and which one you can buy depends on where you live and what your broker supports.
This article covers Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the listed company most people mean by “Samsung stock.” Other companies in the wider Samsung group may have different listings and symbols, which this article does not address.
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Where Samsung Electronics shares trade
Samsung Electronics has two share classes, and each is available in two forms: the original Korean share and a London-listed GDR. The table below shows all four.
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| Share class | Instrument | Venue | Symbol or code | ISIN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Common | Original share | Korea Exchange (KRX) | 005930 | KR7005930003 |
| Preferred | Original share | Korea Exchange (KRX) | 005935 | KR7005931001 |
| Common | Global depositary receipt (GDR) | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | SMSN | US7960508882 |
| Preferred | Global depositary receipt (GDR) | London Stock Exchange (LSE) | SMSD | US7960502018 |
The symbols and ISINs above are taken from Samsung Electronics’ investor-relations listing table. Samsung’s Korean listing information also states that the company’s original shares are listed on the Korea Exchange.
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Original shares on the Korea Exchange
The original common shares (005930) and preferred shares (005935) are the Korean-listed securities of Samsung Electronics. Holding one gives you the Korean share itself rather than a receipt representing it. Trading takes place in Korean won on KRX, so a non-Korean investor typically needs a Korean securities-firm account to buy them directly. Samsung’s FAQ describes this route, including the registration steps that come with it (see the access section below).
London GDRs: what they are
A GDR is a certificate that represents underlying shares held by a depositary, traded on a foreign exchange. The LSE lists two Samsung Electronics GDRs:
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- SMSN is the common-share GDR. The LSE instrument description states that each SMSN GDR represents 25 common shares.
- SMSD is the preferred-share GDR. The LSE page lists it, but the representation ratio for the preferred GDR is not stated in the source material, so do not assume it matches the common ratio.
Because a GDR is priced and traded in London, its price reflects the underlying Korean shares, but it is not the same security. Check the instrument you intend to buy before placing an order.
Symbol check
Some Samsung Global search results have shown SMSEL for the preferred GDR. That conflicts with Samsung’s Korean listing page and the LSE instrument page, both of which use SMSD. Use SMSD, and confirm it against Samsung’s investor-relations listing table before you trade.
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Who can trade which route
Samsung’s “How to Buy Stock” guidance describes two routes. The table summarises them, using the conditions Samsung states.
| Route | Instrument | Who Samsung’s guidance says can use it | Key requirement or restriction |
|---|---|---|---|
| Through an eligible securities firm | LSE GDRs (SMSN, SMSD) | Individuals residing outside the United States | An account with an eligible securities firm. Samsung states that U.S. residents are prohibited from trading the GDRs under Rule 144A, as described on that page. |
| Direct purchase on KRX | Original shares (005930, 005935) | Foreign investors | A Korean securities-firm account and the registration steps described in Samsung’s FAQ. |
The U.S. restriction
The U.S. limitation applies to the GDRs covered by Samsung’s guidance. Samsung’s statement is the basis for this point, and it describes its own restriction rather than a general rule for every broker or every U.S. investor’s situation. If you live in the United States, confirm with your broker and the relevant authorities whether you can access either route before you open an account.
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What the issuer guidance does not settle
Samsung’s guidance does not assess your personal legal eligibility, nor does it guarantee that any particular broker offers these instruments. It also does not quantify fees, currency-conversion costs or other holding costs. Those depend on your broker and your jurisdiction, and they need to be checked directly.
Share counts at the end of Q2 2026
Samsung Electronics reported the following share counts at the end of the second quarter of 2026. These figures are dated and change over time.
Quick Recap
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- Total shares outstanding: 6,648,649,811
- Common shares outstanding: 5,846,278,608
- Preferred shares outstanding: 802,371,203
How to confirm before you buy
- Open Samsung Electronics’ investor-relations listing table and confirm the symbol and ISIN for the share class you want.
- Check the LSE instrument page for SMSN or SMSD, and note the 25-share ratio for SMSN.
- Ask your broker whether it offers KRX shares, LSE GDRs, or both, and whether it serves your country of residence.
- If you plan to buy the Korean shares directly, confirm the Korean securities-firm account and registration requirements described in Samsung’s FAQ.
- Ask the broker to state its fees, currency conversion rate and any other holding costs in writing before you place an order.
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