SEOUL – Shares in Samsung Electronics extended declines to a fourth straight session on Wednesday, hitting their lowest level in more than four years.

Shares traded down 2.1 percent as of 0025 GMT, after falling as much as 2.5 percent to 51,700 won, the lowest since June 24, 2020, while the broader KOSPI market fell 1.1 percent.

READ MORE: Samsung's profit recovery seen weakening in Q3

The South Korean chipmaker, down 34 percent in the year-to-date, is on course to post its worst annual performance in more than two decades. Rival SK Hynix has risen 32 percent so far this year, and US chipmaker Nvidia has gained 199 percent.

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Last month, Samsung apologized for its disappointing profit, since it has lagged rivals in tapping booming demand for artificial intelligence chips.