Compare iShares MSCI Japan ETF (EWJ) vs Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund (XLB) Price & Performance
Price performance (Past 24H)
Key statistics
Key statistics
iShares MSCI Japan ETF vs Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund — how do they compare? iShares MSCI Japan ETF trades at $97.88 (market cap $23.87B), while Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund trades at $49.42 (market cap $7.73B). The key difference: iShares MSCI Japan ETF is far larger — about 3.1× Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund's market cap, and iShares MSCI Japan ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI Japan ETF for 56 Days and Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund for 70 Days on average.
| EWJ | XLB | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $23.87B | $7.73B |
Volume | 5,412,820 | 13,681,146 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | — |
52-Week High | $99.32 | $53.67 |
52-Week Low | $78.36 | $42.23 |
Typical Hold Time | 56 Days | 70 Days |
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Aura AI Summary
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWJ, the iShares MSCI Japan ETF, trades at $97.76, down 0.57% on the day amid mixed technical signals with a neutral overall rating. The ETF faces headwinds from Japan's monetary policy uncertainty as the Bank of Japan continues its tightening cycle, while benefiting from international equity outperformance trends in 2026. Technical indicators show the ETF trading near pivot point resistance at $98 with support at $97.
The outlook remains balanced with potential upside from Japan's AI and semiconductor exposure offset by currency volatility and rising bond yields. Key risks include yen fluctuations and global rate pressures, while institutional interest in Japanese equities provides support. The ETF's performance will hinge on BOJ policy effectiveness and sustained international market strength.
XLB, the Materials Select Sector SPDR ETF, trades at $49.55, up 1.16% today, but technical indicators signal a bearish trend with moving averages and ADX pointing lower. The fund is heavily concentrated in chemicals (49% of assets) and faces cyclical pressures, with recent news highlighting sector volatility amid AI-driven infrastructure demand. Key support sits at $48, while resistance is at $50.
The outlook for XLB is cautious due to sector overvaluation concerns and bearish technicals. Opportunities lie in long-term infrastructure trends, but risks include economic sensitivity and high concentration. Investors should weigh cyclical exposure against potential growth from manufacturing and AI-related material demand.
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Returns comparison
Trailing returns across standard periods
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
Investor sentiment on Pluang
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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About iShares MSCI Japan ETF
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 →About Materials Select Sector SPDR Fund
In seeking to track the performance of the index, the fund employs a replication strategy. It generally invests substantially all, but at least 95%, of its total assets in the securities comprising the index. The index includes securities of companies from the following industries: chemicals; metals and mining; paper and forest products; containers and packaging; and construction materials. The fund is non-diversified.
Read more on XLB →
