Emerging-market equities climbed on AI-driven chip optimism, with a developing-nation stock gauge rising as much as 1.4% and heading for a record close despite concerns over stalled US-Iran peace talks. South Korea’s benchmark index surged 5% to an a

2026-05-11

Emerging-market equities climbed on AI-driven chip optimism, with a developing-nation stock gauge rising as much as 1.4% and heading for a record close despite concerns over stalled US-Iran peace talks. South Korea’s benchmark index surged 5% to an all-time high, led by semiconductor stocks including SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics and MediaTek amid fears of a memory-chip shortage. JPMorgan raised its South Korea stock target for the second time in under a month, citing a stronger semiconductor cycle and governance reforms. Still, some strategists warned valuations appear stretched and vulnerable to supply disruptions. Emerging-market currencies meanwhile slipped as rising oil prices strengthened the dollar after Donald Trump rejected Iran’s peace proposal.