iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Vanguard S&P 500 ETF — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $97.42 (market cap $23.87B), while Vanguard S&P 500 ETF trades at $714.32 (market cap $1.80T). The key difference: Vanguard S&P 500 ETF is far larger — about 75.4× iShares MSCI Japan ETF's market cap, and iShares MSCI Japan ETF is more actively traded (5,412,820 versus 4,722,271). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI Japan ETF for 56 Days and Vanguard S&P 500 ETF for 55 Days on average.
| EWJ | VOO | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.87B | $1.80T |
Volume | 5,412,820 | 4,722,271 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Broad Market / Factor |
52-Week High | $99.32 | $716.17 |
52-Week Low | $78.36 | $580.93 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 55 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.
VOO trades at $714.42, down 0.24% with a mild bearish daily move. Technical indicators show a bullish moving average signal but neutral oscillators, with RSI at 75.83 suggesting potential overbought conditions. Recent news highlights the ETF's role in long-term wealth building amid expectations of slowing S&P 500 profit growth from 35% to 15% in 2027. Short interest increased 46.9% in September, indicating growing bearish bets.
The outlook remains cautiously optimistic given VOO's diversified exposure to the S&P 500, though elevated RSI and rising short interest signal near-term pressure. Key risks include macroeconomic headwinds from Fed rate hikes and projected earnings slowdown. The ETF continues to be favored for recession resilience and long-term dollar-cost averaging strategies.
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 →VOO is a foundational ETF that tracks the S&P 500 Index, providing exposure to 500 of the largest and most established companies in the United States. Renowned for its ultra-low expense ratio and tax efficiency, it serves as a core building block for long-term investors seeking to capture the total return of the U.S. large-cap market in a single, highly liquid vehicle.
Read more on VOO →