# AI leadership gives emerging markets a stronger strategic position

- Link: https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/ai-leadership-gives-emerging-markets-a-stronger-strategic-position/4121256227
- Published: 2026-07-13T11:11:00+01:00
- Author: Amilia Stone

Emerging market equities have gained renewed attention in 2026, supported by the
growing importance of Asian semiconductor companies within the global artificial
intelligence supply chain. The strength of these businesses has given the asset 
class a clearer strategic role at a time when demand for advanced computing infrastructure
continues to shape capital spending worldwide.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index had risen by 22% in 2026 as of 1 June. A significant
share of that increase came from TSMC, Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, three companies
with established positions in semiconductor manufacturing and memory technology.
TSMC had gained 53%, while Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix had risen by 150% and
200% respectively.

This leadership reflects the importance of the products these companies supply. 
TSMC manufactures advanced chips used across artificial intelligence and high-performance
computing applications, while Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix are major producers
of memory products required by data centres and next-generation computing systems.
Their scale, technical capabilities and position within global supply chains give
them exposure to a long-term investment theme that extends beyond any single market
cycle.

Information technology recorded a total return of 62.31 per cent during the year
to 1 June, substantially ahead of other sectors. Between 1 March and 1 June, the
sector returned 44.15%. This performance shows how strongly emerging markets are
participating in the expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, rather
than remaining dependent only on traditional drivers such as commodities, exports
or domestic consumption.

The growing weight of leading technology companies also gives the benchmark greater
exposure to businesses with global revenues and strategic relevance. Following the
MSCI index rebalancing at the end of May, TSMC represented 14.5% of the index, Samsung
Electronics accounted for 7.8% and SK Hynix held a 6.6% weighting. The ten largest
companies represented 39% of the benchmark, while businesses associated with the
artificial intelligence theme accounted for approximately 33%.

Previous emerging market cycles were driven by commodities, Chinese economic expansion
or internet platforms. The current phase is more closely linked to digital infrastructure,
advanced manufacturing and the computing capacity needed to support artificial intelligence
adoption.

_**[Fidelity Emerging Markets Limited](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/company/fidelity-emerging-markets-limited/feml.l)**(
[LON:FEML](https://www.directorstalkinterviews.com/company/fidelity-emerging-markets-limited/feml.l))
is an investment trust that aims to achieve long-term capital growth from an actively
managed portfolio made up primarily of securities and financial instruments providing
exposure to emerging markets companies, both listed and unlisted._

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