5 ETFs to Play 2026's Top-Performing Markets

Market Overview - The S&P 500 has started 2026 poorly, underperforming most developed-market indexes as investors retreat from U.S. tech stocks with high valuations [1] - International diversification has been a successful strategy for investors over the past two years and is gaining traction in 2026, although selecting international stocks can be challenging and costly [1] International ETFs - The Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF is highlighted, with South Korea's KOSPI showing significant gains, while Japan's Nikkei 225 has risen over 11% this year due to pro-corporate policies proposed by the new Prime Minister [2] - The Global X MSCI Norway ETF (NORW) has shown strong upward momentum, breaking out last year and maintaining a bullish trend despite its volatility due to low trading volume [3] - The iShares MSCI Australian Index Fund ETF (EWA) has a significant portion of its holdings in the financial sector and minerals, with signs of a potential breakout as technical indicators remain bullish [4] - The iShares MSCI Sweden ETF (EWD) benefits from a high-trust society and strong governance, showing an upward trend with potential entry points for new investors if shares dip to the 50-day SMA [5]