Key Highlights

  • The fund holds 40 Swiss companies, led by Roche, Novartis and Nestlé.
  • Roche and Novartis together represent about 27% of market value.
  • Net Assets total approximately $3.13 billion, and NAV stands at $65.80.
  • The expense ratio is 0.50%, with distributions paid semi-annually.

Single-country funds give investors a focused way to express a view on one national market, and the iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF (NYSEARCA:EWL) offers that route to Swiss equities. Figures in this article are current to November 9, 2026. The fund seeks to track an index of Swiss stocks, providing targeted access to companies listed in Switzerland, many of which operate in pharmaceuticals, food and industrial goods. The fund has traded on NYSE Arca since March 1996.

Fund Fact

Detail

Exchange and ticker

NYSE Arca: EWL

Fund inception

March 12, 1996

Net assets

$3.13 billion

Net asset value

$65.80

Daily NAV change

+$1.07 (+1.66%)

Expense ratio

0.50%

30-day SEC yield

1.72%

Distribution frequency

Semi-annual

Number of holdings

40

Health Care and Consumer Concentration

Health care stocks account for a substantial share of the portfolio. Roche Holding participation certificates represent about 14.7% of market value, while Novartis holds roughly 12.7%. Together the two pharmaceutical groups make up more than a quarter of the fund, which shapes its sensitivity to drug pricing and clinical trial news.

Nestlé, at about 11.5%, adds a consumer staples component, and financial names including UBS Group and Zurich Insurance Group provide further exposure. Industrial and materials companies such as ABB and Givaudan complete the leading positions, giving the portfolio a mix of defensive and cyclical businesses.

Trading Profile and Market Activity

The net asset value gained $1.07, or 1.66%, in the latest session. Average Daily Volume over the past 30 sessions has been about 551,000 shares, and the 30-day median bid-ask spread of 0.02% indicates tight trading conditions.

With about 47.6 million shares outstanding, the fund offers a sizable base for trading. The premium or discount to NAV was -0.10 in recent figures, meaning shares were trading close to the value of underlying holdings.

Costs, Income and Structural Considerations

The expense ratio of 0.50% reflects a management fee of 0.49% and minimal other costs. The 30-day SEC Yield of 1.72% and the 12-month trailing yield of 1.85% describe a modest income profile, with semi-annual distributions most recently paid in June 2026.

Single-country funds carry concentrated exposure to the Swiss franc and domestic policy. With 40 companies in the portfolio, moves in one or two large positions can have a noticeable effect on the fund’s results.

Final Word

The iShares MSCI Switzerland ETF gives investors a focused tool for Swiss Equity exposure, anchored by a pharmaceutical core and a consumer staples presence. Its semi-annual income pattern and concentrated holdings suit investors comfortable with single-market risk. How the fund fits within a portfolio depends on how Swiss exposure complements the rest of an overall allocation.