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Exclusive Content from MarketBeat.com

This Country’s Stock Market Was the World’s Top Performer in 2025

Authored by Leo Miller. Article Posted: 1/28/2026. 

Key Points

• U.S. stocks have dominated global returns over the past 20 years, far outpacing developed and emerging markets overall.
• That trend flipped in 2025, when international benchmarks delivered much stronger gains than the S&P 500.
• South Korea led the global leaderboard, powered by AI-linked memory chip winners and reform-driven momentum heading into 2026.

Over long periods, U.S. stocks have been among the best performers in global equity markets. In the 20 years ended Jan. 26, 2026, the S&P 500 Index delivered a total return exceeding 650%.

The iShares MSCI EAFE ETF (NYSEARCA: EFA) and the iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (NYSEARCA: EEM) track international stock-market performance. EFA focuses on developed economies, while EEM covers emerging markets. Over the same 20-year period, these ETFs returned less than 200%.

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However, the United States got the short end of the stick in 2025. The S&P 500’s 17.7% total return was well below EFA and EEM, which gained 31.5% and 34%, respectively. Among international markets, one country stood out. This U.S. ally is a key player in the artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and saw massive gains in its top companies.

Samsung and SK Hynix Lead South Korea’s Rally

In 2025, South Korea was the best-performing stock market in the world. The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA: EWY), which tracks more than 80 South Korean stocks, returned 95% for the year. JPMorgan notes that in U.S. dollar terms the South Korean market rose nearly 101%.

South Korea’s market is highly concentrated, a dynamic that worked in its favor in 2025. Samsung Electronics (OTCMKTS: SSNLF) and SK Hynix account for 26.5% and 18.4% of EWY’s weighting, respectively—almost 45% of the fund. South Korean-listed shares of these companies surged: Samsung returned roughly 130%, while SK Hynix jumped about 278%. The catalyst was their dominant positions in the memory-chip market, alongside U.S. rival Micron Technology (NASDAQ: MU), which returned 240% in 2025.

Rising demand from AI systems combined with tight supply pushed memory-chip prices sharply higher in 2025. Analysts forecast further price increases during 2026, which has driven investor interest in these firms as higher prices boost revenue, margins and profits.

Value Up Reforms Look to Mitigate “Korean Discount”

Reforms to South Korea’s corporate governance policies have also helped fuel the rally. The market has long suffered from a so-called “Korean Discount,” where Korean stocks often trade at lower valuation multiples than peers elsewhere. A key cause has been weak protection for minority shareholders.

Chaebols—large family-controlled conglomerates—dominate much of the South Korean economy. They often limit the influence of other shareholders and make it harder to assess intrinsic value, prioritizing family control over broader shareholder returns.

South Korean policymakers are addressing these issues through the “Value Up” program. Reforms include extending the fiduciary duty of independent directors from the “Company” to the “Company and Shareholders,” which gives minority owners greater ability to challenge decisions that are not in shareholders’ interests.

Memory Stocks and Value Up Could Drive More Upside in 2026

Looking ahead, many analysts remain bullish on the South Korean stock market. Goldman Sachs projects a 23% return in 2026 in U.S. dollar terms. Samsung and SK Hynix together control roughly 80% of the global market for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips, positioning them as primary beneficiaries if tight supply persists. However, their sharp run-ups raise questions about how much further their rallies can extend.

Morgan Stanley also sees South Korea as early in its Value Up journey and highlights tax reform, treasury share cancellations and consistent government follow-through as steps that could build investor confidence. At the same time, it notes that South Korea’s tax policy can be “notoriously difficult to predict.”

EWY is the simplest way for U.S. investors to gain exposure to the South Korean market. Keep in mind that currency fluctuations between the U.S. dollar and the South Korean won will affect returns.

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