iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) Is Changing Its Underlying Index: Key Details on the Notice

Sonal Goyal

27 October 2026 05:28 PM AEDT

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) Is Changing Its Underlying Index: Key Details on the Notice

Image Source: Shutterstock

You are reading a free article with opinions that may differ from the recommendation given by Kalkine in its paid research reports. Become a Kalkine member today to get access to our research reports, in-depth technical and fundamental research. Learn more

Start Your Free Trial Now!

Key Highlights

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) had net assets of about $22.51 billion and a NAV of $153.62 as of Oct 26, 2026.
The fund tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (Net) with an expense ratio of 0.59%.
Its 30-day SEC yield was 0.46%, with annual distributions.

The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) offers single-country exposure to South Korean equities. As of Oct 26, 2026, net assets were about $22.51 billion and NAV was $153.62 per share.

Index and Investment Approach

The fund currently tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (Net) and has traded since May 9, 2000. It makes an annual distribution, with the most recent payment of $2.037071 per share on Dec 19, 2025.

Portfolio Composition

Two semiconductor companies dominate: Samsung Electronics (22.81%) and SK Hynix (22.34%), together about 45% of assets. Next were SK Square (2.64%), Samsung Electro-Mechanics (2.53%) and KB Financial Group (2.17%) among 76 holdings.

Benchmark Change Notice

On Oct 23, 2026 iShares announced that the fund will change its underlying index to the MSCI Korea 25/50 Daily 25 Capped Index, effective on or around Nov 9, 2026, as described in the prospectus and Statement of Additional Information. The fund reported a market premium/discount of -0.59 and a non-fair-value NAV of $150.38.

Yield and Distributions

The fund reported a 30-day SEC yield of 0.46% as of Sep 30, 2026 and a 12-month trailing yield of 1.11%. Distributions are paid annual. The most recent distribution was $2.037071 per share, with an ex-date of Dec 16, 2025 and payment on Dec 19, 2025. iShares notes that distribution yield and trailing yield can vary from period to period for reasons such as tax treatment and changes in fund shares outstanding.

Portfolio Characteristics

As of Oct 23, 2026 the portfolio held 76 securities, with a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.69 and a price-to-book ratio of 1.95.

Concentration and Holdings Profile

76 securities were held as of Oct 23, 2026. The five largest positions listed on the fund page totalled about 52.49% of assets, leaving roughly 47.51% across the remaining holdings. That makes the top of the portfolio notably concentrated compared with a broad-market fund. iShares notes that holdings are subject to change and that the weights shown are calculated from vendor prices, which may differ from the fund’s own valuation prices.

Fund Details at a Glance

The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) is an index-based equity fund that began trading on May 9, 2000. Its benchmark is the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (Net), and it pays distributions annual. As of Oct 26, 2026 it had 146.55 million shares outstanding and net assets of $22,513,418,277. An annual fee of 0.59% works out to $59 for every $10,000 held, before any brokerage commissions.

Risk Disclosures Noted by iShares

International investing involves risks including foreign currency, limited liquidity, less government regulation and the possibility of substantial volatility due to adverse political, economic or other developments, which are often heightened in emerging markets or concentrations of single countries. Shares of ETFs are bought and sold at market price rather than NAV and are not individually redeemed from the fund, and brokerage commissions will reduce returns. Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal.

Costs and Trading Details

The expense ratio is 0.59%. The fund is listed on NYSE Arca with 146.55 million shares outstanding and net assets of $22,513,418,277 as of Oct 26, 2026. The closing price was $152.72 as of Oct 26, 2026, against a NAV of $153.62 on Oct 26, and the premium/discount was -0.59. The 30-day median bid/ask spread was 0.02% and 30-day average volume was 14,936,191 shares.

The Bottom Line

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA:EWY) reported net assets of about $22.51 billion and 76 holdings, with its index, fees and distribution schedule as set out above. The annual distribution schedule, 0.59% expense ratio and 0.02% median bid/ask spread are the main cost and income details reported for the fund.

Download Free Report – Explore 3 Stock Ideas & Industry Insights

Unlock 3 stock ideas and key industry insights in our free report. This information is general in nature and does not consider your personal objectives, financial situation, or needs. It is not financial advice.

All investments involve risk—consider independent advice before making any investment decisions.

View 3 Research Reports

Disclaimer:

This article (“Article”) has been prepared by Kalkine Pty Limited (ABN 34 154 808 312) (Australian financial services licence number 425376) (“Kalkine”) and its related bodies corporate who are authorised to provide general financial product advice. Kalkine.com.au and its associated pages are published by Kalkine.

Any information/advice provided in this article is general in nature and does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should therefore consider whether the information is appropriate for your objectives, financial situation and needs before acting upon it.

There may be a Product Disclosure Statement, Information Memorandum or other offer document (“Offer Document”) for the securities or other financial products referred to in Kalkine articles. You should obtain a copy of the Offer Document and consider it before making any decision about whether to acquire the security or financial product.

Kalkine strongly recommends that you seek advice from a financial adviser, stockbroker or other professional (including taxation and legal advice) before acting on any advice/information in this Article or on the Kalkine website. Not all investments are appropriate for all people.

The information in this Article and on Kalkine website has been prepared from a wide variety of sources, which Kalkine, to the best of its knowledge and belief, considers accurate. Kalkine has made every effort to ensure the reliability of the information contained in its articles (including this Article), newsletters and websites. All information represents our views at the date of publication and may change without notice.

The information in this Article does not constitute an offer to sell securities or other financial products or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities or other financial products.

Kalkine does not issue, sell or deal in any financial products.

This Article may contain information on past performance of particular investments. Please note past performance is neither an indicator nor a guarantee of future performance.

To the extent permitted by law, and excluding any dishonesty or gross negligence by Kalkine, Kalkine disclaims and excludes all liability for any direct, indirect, implied, punitive, special, incidental or other consequential loss or damage arising from the use of or reliance on this Article, the Kalkine website and any information published on the Kalkine website without any warranties or representations by Kalkine to you. To the extent the law prohibits or limits this exclusion, Kalkine limits its liability to the resupply of services.

Please also read our Terms & Conditions and Financial Services Guide for further information.

Employees and/or associates of Kalkine and its related entities may hold interests in the securities or other financial products covered in this Article or on the Kalkine website. Any such employees and associates are required to comply with certain safeguards, procedures and disclosures as required by law.

Some of the images/music that may be used in the Article are copyright to their respective owner(s). Kalkine does not claim ownership of any of the pictures displayed/music used in the Article unless stated otherwise. The images/music that may be used in the Article are taken from various sources on the internet, including paid subscriptions or are believed to be in public domain. We have used reasonable efforts to accredit the source wherever it was indicated or was found to be necessary.

Kalkine Media Pty Ltd, an affiliate of Kalkine Pty Ltd, may have received, or be entitled to receive, financial consideration in connection with providing information about certain entity(s) covered on its website.