iShares MSCI South Korea ETF vs First Solar, Inc. — how do they compare? iShares MSCI South Korea ETF trades at $177.36 (market cap $26.25B), while First Solar, Inc. trades at $177.82 (market cap $19.22B). The key difference: iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is the larger of the two by market cap, and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, First Solar, Inc. nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI South Korea ETF for 47 Days and First Solar, Inc. for 76 Days on average.
| EWY | FSLR | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.25B | $19.22B |
Volume | 19,056,075 | 2,067,793 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Energy |
52-Week High | $219.20 | $318.30 |
52-Week Low | $80.72 | $172.11 |
Typical Hold Time | 47 Days | 76 Days |
Enterprise Value | — | $17.69B |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWY, the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, trades at $177.22, down 3.54% amid broad Asian market pressure from rising oil prices and US Treasury yields. Technical indicators show a bearish trend with support at $174 and resistance at $179, while RSI levels suggest potential oversold conditions. The ETF remains heavily concentrated in Samsung and SK hynix, benefiting from AI-driven memory demand but vulnerable to semiconductor cycle volatility.
Outlook remains cautious as geopolitical tensions and high concentration risk offset strong AI fundamentals. The ETF's 148% YoY gain highlights growth potential, but investors face headwinds from global monetary tightening and oil price shocks. Key catalysts include semiconductor investment developments and US-Korea trade relations.
First Solar (FSLR) trades at $177.82, down 1.28% on the day, amid a bearish technical signal and recent sector-wide pressures. The stock shows strong fundamentals with a P/E of 11.03, net income margin of 32.47%, and robust cash flow from operations of $2.06B in 2025. Recent news includes a patent infringement lawsuit filed on October 1, 2026, which briefly lifted the stock, while high put option volume on October 3, 2026, indicates investor caution.
FSLR presents a mixed outlook: solid profitability and analyst consensus support a 'Moderate Buy' with a $267.59 price target, but technical weakness and solar sector headwinds from high borrowing costs pose near-term risks. The stock's 44.9% decline from its all-time high highlights volatility, yet earnings beats in Q1 and Q2 2026 underscore operational strength.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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 →First Solar designs and manufactures solar photovoltaic panels, modules, and systems for use in utility-scale development projects. The company's solar modules use cadmium telluride to convert sunlight into electricity. This is commonly called thin-film technology. First Solar is the world's largest thin-film solar module manufacturer. It has production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, the United States, and a new factory under construction in India.
Read more on FSLR →