Emerging-market stocks rise to six-month high vs S&P 500

• MSCI Index hands 19% excess returns over S&P 500 since October
• China reopening, weaker dollar key reasons for outperformance

Emerging-market stocks extended their lead over US shares in the early days of the new year, with the equity benchmark rising to a six-month high against the S&P 500 Index.

The MSCI Emerging Markets Index has advanced 3% this week, compared with a 0.8% decline in the US gauge, continuing a turnaround that began in recent months following its worst annual losses since the 2008 global financial crisis. China’s reopening, a softer dollar, and signs of easing global inflation have been spurring gains, leading the gauge to rise Friday for a fourth day to its highest since August.