Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA vs iShares MSCI South Korea ETF — how do they compare? Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA trades at $28.62 (market cap $157.51B), while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF trades at $170.98. The key difference: Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA pays a 3.8% dividend while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF pays none, and Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria SA is trading nearer its 52-week high, iShares MSCI South Korea ETF nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| BBVA | EWY | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $157.51B | — |
Sector | Financials | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $28.50 | $219.20 |
52-Week Low | $17.96 | $71.22 |
Dividend Yield | 3.8% | — |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
BBVA trades at $28.35, up 0.75% today, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and strong fundamental performance. The bank reported Q2 2026 net profit growth of 11.4% year-over-year, driven by Mexico operations, and announced a $2.3 billion buyback. Revenue reached $39.42 billion in 2025, with net income margin at 26.13% and ROE of 18.5%, though cash flow was negative in 2024.
Outlook is positive with raised profitability guidance (ROTE ~21%) and analyst consensus leaning buy (54%), but risks include a Spanish court trial for spying allegations and antitrust probes. The stock offers value with a P/E of 12.98, yet investors should monitor legal overhangs and macroeconomic volatility in core markets like Spain and Mexico.
EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) trades at $166.09, up 1.2% with a neutral technical signal. The ETF faces volatility from South Korea's AI and semiconductor exposure, with recent news highlighting both government support initiatives and significant market swings. Technical indicators show mixed signals with RSI at 75.01 suggesting overbought conditions while moving averages remain bullish.
The outlook remains cautious as South Korean equities navigate AI-driven volatility and regulatory changes. Goldman Sachs maintains strong conviction with 90% upside potential for Korean stocks, but recent ETF speculation curbs and semiconductor stock declines present near-term headwinds for EWY investors.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Despite its Spanish origins, BBVA generates three quarters of its profits in emerging markets, especially Mexico that contributes nearly half of BBVA's net profit. BBVA is overwhelmingly a retail and commercial bank with corporate and investment banking forming a smaller part of the overall business.
Read more on BBVA →EWY tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, offering targeted exposure to large and mid-cap companies in South Korea. It is structurally centered on the global technology supply chain, industrials, and financial services, serving as a liquid tool for investors seeking a single-country view of this advanced, innovation-led economy.
Read more on EWY →