Tesla’s surge limits the sell-off in emerging stocks

Now even emerging-market stock investors are celebrating Tesla Inc.’s eye-watering rally.

The Palo Alto company’s more than 110% jump this year is helping offset the impact of the coronavirus in developing nations by buoying companies that provide electric-vehicle technology. The beneficiaries include LG Chem Ltd. Samsung SDI Co., WEG SA and Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Ltd.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index has dropped 5.9% in the 12 trading days since Jan. 17, when the viral epidemic halted the new year equity rally. That’s about half the loss it suffered in the same number of days following Donald Trump’s first announcement of tariffs in 2018. Four of the top 10 stocks that have positively contributed to the benchmark this time around are rising because of optimism around Tesla, now the world’s second-biggest automaker.

The coronavirus that originated in China’s Wuhan province has claimed more than 400 lives since it was first identified in early December, denting the growth outlook for the world’s second-largest economy. Investors have dumped locally-listed stocks as well as shares of non-Chinese companies that export goods and services to the country.

The selloff has more than erased a start-of-the-year rally in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index that had been stoked by optimism over the signing of a phase-one trade deal between the U.S. and China.

Yet, investors have looked for regions and investment themes that are relatively immune to a sluggish global economy. Brazilian value stocks and Indian consumer-staple companies have proved popular.

One exception to this atmosphere of caution: companies that produce parts or technology for electric vehicles. Tesla shares have been on a tear since October and added more than $80 billion to their market capitalization this year alone as the company reported earlier-than-expected profitability at its Gigafactory and delivered blowout quarterly results. Its supplier Panasonic Corp. returned to profitability, adding to the optimism.