Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF

FLKR

Market cap $473M

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF FLKR is probably on the radar for investors seeking momentum. The fund just hit a 52-week high and has moved up 201.99% from its 52-week low price of $16.54 per share.

South Korea ETFs are surging as AI-driven semiconductor demand fuels market highs, strong earnings momentum and bullish outlook for Korean equities.

Market predictions are not easy to make and looking at the YTD winners, there are some head-scratchers.  Let's take a closer look and make some sense out of the recent performance winners: wet and dry shipping; South Korea; and oil services ETFs.

Kospi, South Korea's benchmark index, hit an all-time high above 5,600 on Thursday, after gaining about 3.09% in a single trading session. South Korea remains one of Asia's most lucrative markets, with the Kospi surging 79.35% over the past six months and 115.54% over the past year.

The S&P 500 is off to a dismal start in 2026, lagging most developed-market indexes as investors pull back from U.S. tech stocks with elevated valuations.

South Korea, via the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY), has dramatically outperformed US indices over the past year, driven by semiconductor sector momentum. EWY remains attractively valued relative to US benchmarks, trading at a P/E of 19 and P/B of 2.23, despite the recent surge.

From shipping and robotics to uranium and Japan, niche ETFs outperformed in Jan 2026 amid geopolitics, AI demand and weather shocks.

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF offers strategic exposure to Korea's surging equity market, driven by AI-fueled semiconductor strength and supportive fiscal policy. Semiconductor giants Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, comprising nearly 40% of the ETF, have propelled its 91% one-year return. Korean monetary policy, with a 100bps rate cut since late 2024 and stable rates ahead, underpins continued equity market momentum.

U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer discusses President Donald Trump's decision to raise tariffs on South Korea and a trade agreement between India and the EU on ‘Kudlow.' #fox #media #breakingnews #us #usa #new #news #breaking #foxbusiness #kudlow #trump #donaldtrump #tariffs #trade #economy #business #global #southkorea #korea #imports #policy #government #politics #political #politicalnews #international #markets

President Donald Trump threatened to hike tariffs on goods imported from South Korea to 25%, citing the failure of the country's legislature to codify the trade deal. The new rate would apply to autos, lumber, pharmaceutical products and "all other Reciprocal TARIFFS", under which the president set a 15% levy on South Korean exports.