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Daily Update — September 18, 2026

Corporate Climate Adaptation; South Korea’s Market Classification; and The Race for Advanced Nuclear Reactors

Today is Friday, September 18, 2026, and here’s your curated selection of Essential Intelligence on global markets from S&P Global. Subscribe to be notified of each new Daily Update.

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Climate Risk & Resilience

As climate risk mounts, more companies turn to adaptation planning to build resilience

 

Several dynamics are highlighting the importance of climate adaptation and resilience planning in 2026. Extreme weather events such as droughts, heat waves and wildfires have become increasingly visible, prompting conversations about effective responses. There is also a growing understanding that these events will only become more frequent and severe over time with climate change. According to S&P Global, there is a 50% likelihood that the average global temperature will rise by over 2.3 degrees C by 2040, compared with preindustrial levels, well above the Paris Agreement on climate change’s limit of 1.5 C.

 

These factors are driving companies and countries to invest in adaptation and resilience efforts. To explore company preparedness for climate physical risks, 9,242 responses to the S&P Global 2025 Corporate Sustainability Assessment were analyzed. S&P Global compared businesses’ progress on adaptation and resilience plans since 2022, and examined the types of adaptation plans being prioritized.

Emerging Markets

Can South Korea Steal the Spotlight in Emerging Markets?

 

South Korean equities were affected by political turmoil in 2024, but recovered to become the best-performing market globally in 2025, as measured by the S&P Korea Broad Market Index. It has continued to outperform as of August 2026. While this performance has fluctuated over the years, market classification has remained a constant point of debate. The classification of South Korea as a developed market or emerging market can materially affect its weighting in indices.

 

Since 2001, S&P Dow Jones Indices has classified South Korea as a developed market, a decision reaffirmed based on feedback from a wide range of market participants. When included in emerging market indices, however, it can crowd out less-developed economies.

Artificial Intelligence

Listen: AI demand is intensifying the race to build advanced nuclear reactors

 

Dozens of North American companies, state agencies and academic institutions are racing to develop and commercialize an advanced nuclear reactor. Their success will depend on factors including the capital plans of large tech companies, favorable federal policy and the strengths of individual reactor designs.

 

In this episode of the “Energy Evolution” podcast, S&P Global Energy reporter Abbie Bennett joined host Dan Testa to examine the companies that are ahead in the race to commercialize advanced nuclear reactors. The episode also features Bennett’s interview with Craig Bealmear, CFO of advanced reactor developer Oklo, who provided an inside view of the industry.

In case you missed it

  • Momentum of the global goods trade rose in August, with new export orders rising at one of the fastest rates in almost five years, according to the S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index surveys, sponsored by J.P. Morgan.
  • High crude oil prices, at above $100/barrel, and tighter physical supplies are creating a dual challenge for Asia. This dynamic could curb fuel demand while exacerbating inflationary pressures and economic growth risks in a region reliant on imported energy.
  • European asset managers are navigating a challenging environment as management fees decline, costs rise and competition from US peers increases.

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