iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs SPDR Gold Trust — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $97.39 (market cap $23.87B), while SPDR Gold Trust trades at $382.75 (market cap $139.66B). The key difference: SPDR Gold Trust is far larger — about 5.9× iShares MSCI Japan ETF's market cap, and iShares MSCI Japan ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, SPDR Gold Trust nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI Japan ETF for 56 Days and SPDR Gold Trust for 74 Days on average.
| EWJ | GLD | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.87B | $139.66B |
Volume | 5,412,820 | 9,544,773 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | — |
52-Week High | $99.32 | $495.90 |
52-Week Low | $78.36 | $362.32 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 74 Days |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWJ, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF, trades at $98.32, down 1.01% on the day amid broader Asian market pressures. Technical indicators show a bullish trend with strong moving average support, though oscillators remain neutral. Recent news highlights Japan's monetary policy shifts with BOJ rate hikes and yen volatility creating both opportunities and challenges for Japanese equities. The ETF has demonstrated strong performance in 2026, outperforming the S&P 500 with gains exceeding 20% according to Zacks Investment Research (September 30, 2026).
The outlook for EWJ remains constructive given Japan's economic reforms and AI sector growth, though rising bond yields and currency fluctuations present near-term headwinds. Institutional interest appears strong as Japan's market rotation toward technology and AI plays supports continued ETF inflows. Key risks include BOJ policy uncertainty and global interest rate dynamics that could pressure Japanese equities.
GLD is trading at $375.88, down 1.66% over the past 24 hours amid broader market pressure from rising Treasury yields and Federal Reserve policy uncertainty. The technical picture remains bearish with moving averages and oscillators signaling continued downward momentum, while key support levels cluster around $372-375. Recent news highlights gold's struggle to maintain gains despite weak economic data, with prices testing critical support zones.
The outlook for GLD remains challenged by persistent headwinds from elevated yields and dollar strength, though some analysts see tactical buying opportunities at current levels. Key risks include further Fed tightening and deteriorating technical momentum, while potential catalysts include sustained inflation concerns and geopolitical tensions that could revive safe-haven demand.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Latest headlines on both assets
EWJ tracks the MSCI Japan Index, providing broad exposure to over 180 large and mid-cap companies in Japan. It is the most established and liquid vehicle for accessing the Japanese equity market, featuring a diversified portfolio across industrials, consumer discretionary, and financial sectors.
Read more on EWJ →GLD is the largest physically backed gold ETF in the world. It offers investors a cost-efficient and secure way to track the price of gold bullion without the need for physical storage.
Read more on GLD →