3 iShares ETFs to Buy Now as South Korea and Taiwan Soar Past 100% Gains in 2026

North Asian equity markets, particularly South Korea and Taiwan, have delivered exceptional 2026 returns driven by semiconductor fabrication dominance. The concentration of advanced chip production capacity in these two regions has created a sustained tailwind as global demand for semiconductor infrastructure remains elevated. This geographic concentration creates both opportunity and vulnerability for international investors seeking exposure to semiconductor supply chains.

The EWY ETF's 103% year-to-date gain and EWT's 67% return reflect market recognition of Korea and Taiwan's irreplaceable roles in global semiconductor manufacturing. The broader AIA fund's more moderate 43% performance suggests that exposure to other Asian markets has lagged the two semiconductor powerhouses, indicating that gains are not uniformly distributed across the region but concentrated in critical tech hubs.

ETF structures offer institutional-grade liquidity and tax efficiency for gaining regional exposure, though the advertised "buy now" framing risks anchoring investors to recent momentum rather than forward valuations. Valuations in both markets may already reflect substantial portions of expected semiconductor demand growth, warranting consideration of entry timing relative to earnings revisions and macro semiconductor cycle indicators.

Sector implication: Technology sector exposure through Asian equity ETFs provides indirect semiconductor and manufacturing leverage. However, concentration risk in two countries and heavy weighting toward cyclical semiconductor demand create sensitivity to supply chain shifts, geopolitical tensions in the Taiwan Strait, and global chip demand normalization. Macro correlation to broad equities remains elevated but subject to regional policy and cross-strait dynamics.