Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF is trading 5.1% higher in pre-market on June 18, 2026, as South Korean equities rebound on surging AI-driven demand for high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chips.
- The rally is led by major semiconductor firms benefiting from the global expansion of AI infrastructure and booming demand for specialized memory components.
- Market sentiment was further bolstered after the Federal Reserve held interest rates steady on June 17, 2026, providing a tailwind for risk-sensitive and export-oriented markets.
- The pre-market jump follows a multi-day recovery in South Korean indices, supported by a broader rise in U.S. equity futures.