iShares MSCI South Korea ETF vs Altria Group Inc — how do they compare? iShares MSCI South Korea ETF trades at $168.72, while Altria Group Inc trades at $65.18 (market cap $114.13B). The key difference: Altria Group Inc pays a 6.2% dividend while iShares MSCI South Korea ETF pays none, and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is trading nearer its 52-week high, Altria Group Inc nearer its low. Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| EWY | MO | |
|---|---|---|
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Consumer Staples |
52-Week High | $219.20 | $74.92 |
52-Week Low | $71.22 | $54.72 |
Market Cap | — | $114.13B |
Enterprise Value | — | $136.34B |
Dividend Yield | — | 6.2% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
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.
Altria Group (MO) trades at $68.35, up 0.89% with mixed technical signals showing bearish moving averages but oversold RSI levels. The company maintains strong profitability with 39% net income margin and $6.95B net income for 2025, though revenue declined slightly to $20.14B. Recent earnings show alternating beats and misses, with Q3 2026 results pending. Analyst consensus remains bullish with 61.5% buy ratings and $71.50 price target, while the stock offers a 6.3% dividend yield with 56 consecutive annual increases expected.
MO presents value opportunity with 14.4x P/E ratio and strong cash flow generation, but faces headwinds from cigarette volume declines and regulatory pressures. The smoke-free product transition shows progress but remains early stage. Current price near support at $67 suggests limited downside, while analyst targets indicate 4.6% upside potential. Key risks include litigation exposure and slower-than-expected diversification from traditional tobacco products.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Altria comprises Philip Morris USA, U.S. Smokeless Tobacco, John Middleton, Helix Innovations, and Philip Morris Capital, although the company plans to wind down Philip Morris Capital by the end of 2022. It holds a 10% interest in the world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev. Through its tobacco subsidiaries, Altria holds the leading position in cigarettes and smokeless tobacco in the United States and the number-two spot in machine-made cigars. The company's Marlboro brand is the leading cigarette brand in the U.S. with a 43% share in 2020. Altria holds strategic investments in JUUL Labs (35% economic interest) and Cronos (42%).
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