iShares MSCI South Korea ETF vs iShares Semiconductor ETF — how do they compare? iShares MSCI South Korea ETF trades at $177.22 (market cap $26.25B), while iShares Semiconductor ETF trades at $559.4 (market cap $48.19B). The key difference: iShares Semiconductor ETF is the larger of the two by market cap, and iShares MSCI South Korea ETF is more actively traded (19,056,075 versus 10,257,578). Which is the better fit depends on your goals — on Pluang, investors hold iShares MSCI South Korea ETF for 47 Days and iShares Semiconductor ETF for 46 Days on average.
| EWY | SOXX | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $26.25B | $48.19B |
Volume | 19,056,075 | 10,257,578 |
Sector | Broad Market / Factor | Sector/Thematic |
52-Week High | $219.20 | $655.01 |
52-Week Low | $80.72 | $268.10 |
Typical Hold Time | 47 Days | 46 Days |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
EWY (iShares MSCI South Korea ETF) trades at $176.33, down 4.02% amid broad Asian market weakness driven by rising oil prices and global bond yields. The ETF shows bearish technical signals with moving averages indicating selling pressure, though oversold RSI levels suggest potential near-term support. EWY remains heavily concentrated in Samsung and SK hynix, benefiting from AI-driven memory demand but vulnerable to semiconductor cycle volatility.
Outlook remains cautious given high concentration risk and macroeconomic headwinds, though strong AI infrastructure spending provides fundamental support. Key risks include semiconductor cycle sensitivity, Korean market volatility, and global interest rate pressures. The ETF's 148% YoY gain highlights both opportunity and vulnerability to corrections.
SOXX trades at $563.28, down 3.37% over the past day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The ETF is supported by strong AI-driven semiconductor demand, with recent news highlighting sector gains and positive earnings revisions. A 1:3 stock split is scheduled for November 2026, and a $0.33 dividend is set for September 2026.
Outlook remains positive due to robust AI infrastructure growth, though high valuations and bearish bets by investors like Michael Burry pose risks. Earnings growth is the primary catalyst, but macroeconomic factors and sector concentration could drive volatility. Wall Street sentiment is mixed, balancing long-term potential against near-term headwinds.
Trailing returns across standard periods
What Pluang investors did over the last 30 days
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 →SOXX provides investors with exposure to U.S. companies that design, manufacture, and distribute semiconductors. It tracks the ICE Semiconductor Index, offering a targeted investment in the technology sector's foundational components, including firms that produce chips, related equipment, and services. SOXX is a key vehicle for investors seeking to capitalize on trends in artificial intelligence, 5G, and other technologies that rely heavily on advanced semiconductor technology.
Read more on SOXX →