South Korea ETFs offer exposure to economy that may be rebounding (2024)

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

  • iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY)

  • Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR)

  • Markets News
  • ETF News

EWY, FLKR hold large- and mid-cap Korean companies

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Nathan Reiff

South Korea ETFs offer exposure to economy that may be rebounding (1)

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Nathan Reiff has been writing expert articles and news about financial topics such as investing and trading, cryptocurrency, ETFs, and alternative investments on Investopedia since 2016.

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Updated November 13, 2022

South Korea ETFs offer exposure to economy that may be rebounding (2)

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For investors optimistic that South Korea will rebound from its pandemic-era slump, the iShares MSCI South Korea and Franklin FTSE South Korea exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer broad exposure to one of Asia's largest economies.

The funds, which underperformed benchmark indexes this year, hold shares of large- and mid-cap South Korean companies. The nation's economy is expected to keep expanding this year and next after shrinking during the pandemic.

Key Takeaways

  • The two South Korea ETFs that trade in the U.S. are the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF and the Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF.
  • These funds give investors exposure to one of Asia's largest economies.
  • The South Korean economy is expected to expand this year and in 2023 after growing at the fastest rate in more than a decade in 2021.

The funds are the only U.S.-traded ETFs focused on South Korea, excluding inverse and leveraged funds and those with under $50 million in assets under management (AUM). The MSCI Korea Index, fell 33% in the past 12 months, compared with the 18% drop in the S&P 500 Index as of Nov. 4.

We look in more detail below at these two funds below. All the numbers are as of Nov. 7.

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY)

  • Performance Over One Year: -29.7%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.57%
  • Annual Dividend Yield: 0.80%
  • Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 3,360,589
  • Assets Under Management: $2.7 billion
  • Inception Date: May 9, 2000
  • Issuer: BlackRock Financial Management

EWY tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, which gauges the overall performance of the mid-cap and large-cap segments of the South Korean stock market. The fund follows a value-based investing strategy and may appeal to investors seeking a short-term position in the South Korean market or targeted international equity exposure.

Over 36% of EWY's holdings are allocated to the information technology (IT) sector. Industrials receives the next largest weighting, at about 11.4%, followed by materials stocks at 10.7%. EWY's largest holdings are Samsung Electronics Co. (005930:KRX), a manufacturer of consumer and industrial electronic equipment and products, which represents over 23% of EWY's portfolio; SK Hynix Inc. (000660:KRX), a maker of semiconductor products; and Samsung SDI Co. Ltd (006400:KRX), a battery and electronic materials maker.

Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF (FLKR)

  • Performance Over One Year: -31.5%
  • Expense Ratio: 0.09%
  • Annual Dividend Yield: 1.75%
  • Three-Month Average Daily Volume: 20,079
  • Assets Under Management: $51.7 million
  • Inception Date: Nov. 2, 2017
  • Issuer: Franklin Templeton

FLKR tracks the FTSE South Korea Capped Index, a market capitalization-weighted index composed of mid-cap and large-cap companies. The ETF focuses on value stocks and is weighted toward large caps.

Almost 35% of the fund's holdings are allocated to the IT sector, followed by industrials and consumer discretionary. One attraction of FLKR is its low expense ratio, enabling direct access to South Korean equities at a low price compared with alternatives. Its top three holdings are Samsung Electronics, SK Hynix, and Samsung SDI, all described above.

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South Korea ETFs offer exposure to economy that may be rebounding (2024)

FAQs

South Korea ETFs offer exposure to economy that may be rebounding? ›

For investors optimistic that South Korea will rebound from its pandemic-era slump, the iShares MSCI South Korea and Franklin FTSE South Korea exchange-traded funds (ETFs) offer broad exposure to one of Asia's largest economies.

What is the best ETF for South Korea? ›

  • iShares MSCI South Korea ETF. EWY | ETF | $5.14 B. 5.38% $3.30. 0.59%
  • Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF. FLKR | ETF | $280.69 M. 3.28% $0.70. 0.09%
  • Invesco S&P International Developed Momentum ETF. IDMO | ETF | $142.99 M. 1.30% $0.51. 0.25%
  • Direxion Daily MSCI South Korea Bull 3X Shares. KORU | ETF | $41.45 M. 8.54% $0.60. 1.43%

What is the largest ETF in Korea? ›

The largest South Korea ETF is the Franklin FTSE South Korea ETF FLKR with $285.74M in assets. In the last trailing year, the best-performing South Korea ETF was FLKR at 1.54%. The most recent ETF launched in the South Korea space was the Matthews Korea Active ETF MKOR on 07/17/23.

What is the return on investment in South Korea? ›

Collective buildings had the highest return on investment among commercial building types in South Korea in the second quarter of 2023 at 1.01 percent. Office buildings followed at one percent.

What is the main benefit of using an ETF to gain long term exposure to a stock sector? ›

The 4 most prominent advantages are trading flexibility, portfolio diversification and risk management, lower costs versus like mutual funds, and potential tax benefits.

What is the Korean equivalent of the S&P 500? ›

It is the representative stock market index of South Korea, analogous to the S&P 500 in the United States. KOSPI was introduced in 1983 with the base value of 100 as of 4 January 1980.

What is the best way to invest in Korea? ›

The easiest way to invest in the whole South Korean stock market is to invest in a broad market index. This can be done at low cost by using ETFs. On the South Korean stock market you'll find 3 indices which are tracked by ETFs. Alternatively, you can invest in indices on the Asia-Pacific region and Emerging Markets.

What is the ETF with the highest return? ›

100 Highest 5 Year ETF Returns
SymbolName5-Year Return
QQQInvesco QQQ Trust Series I18.25%
IGMiShares Expanded Tech Sector ETF18.06%
IWYiShares Russell Top 200 Growth ETF17.93%
SCHGSchwab U.S. Large-Cap Growth ETF17.29%
93 more rows

What is the largest ETF in Asia? ›

The largest Asia-Pacific ETF is the iShares MSCI Japan ETF EWJ with $17.14B in assets. In the last trailing year, the best-performing Asia-Pacific ETF was DXJ at 56.56%. The most recent ETF launched in the Asia-Pacific space was the Rayliant SMDAM Japan Equity ETF RAYJ on 04/04/24.

What is the highest paying ETF? ›

Top 100 Highest Dividend Yield ETFs
SymbolNameDividend Yield
NIKLSprott Nickel Miners ETF19.95%
MSFOYieldMax MSFT Option Income Strategy ETF19.64%
PYPYYieldMax PYPL Option Income Strategy ETF19.28%
TLTWiShares 20+ Year Treasury Bond BuyWrite Strategy ETF18.76%
93 more rows

Is $2,000 dollars a month good in South Korea? ›

The cost of living in Seoul can vary depending on various factors such as accommodation, food, transportation, and personal lifestyle choices. However, in general, $2000 per month should be enough for a basic standard of living in Seoul, especially if you are comfortable with living in shared accommodation.

How much usd to retire in South Korea? ›

If your budget is somewhere between 2,000 USD and 3,000 USD, or 2,266,160 KRW and 3,396,000 KRW, you can retire comfortably. Although this is a fairly modest salary, you can plan to go out to dinner, take the occasional trip and even own a car.

Why are South Korean stocks so cheap? ›

The first part of the much-awaited initiative, announced on Feb. 26, fell short of tackling the fundamental cause of the "Korea discount" phenomenon of relatively low valuations: a high inheritance tax that incentivizes large family-run conglomerates to keep stock prices low.

Why is ETF not a good investment? ›

ETFs are subject to market fluctuation and the risks of their underlying investments. ETFs are subject to management fees and other expenses. Unlike mutual funds, ETF shares are bought and sold at market price, which may be higher or lower than their NAV, and are not individually redeemed from the fund.

Is it bad to hold ETF long-term? ›

Nearly all leveraged ETFs come with a prominent warning in their prospectus: they are not designed for long-term holding. The combination of leverage, market volatility, and an unfavorable sequence of returns can lead to disastrous outcomes.

What is the best ETF to invest in 2024? ›

Best ETFs as of April 2024
TickerFund name5-year return
SOXXiShares Semiconductor ETF30.70%
XLKTechnology Select Sector SPDR Fund24.57%
IYWiShares U.S. Technology ETF24.09%
FTECFidelity MSCI Information Technology Index ETF22.79%
1 more row
Mar 29, 2024

How to invest in Korean stocks from us? ›

Foreigners (non residents) need to obtain registered 「Investors Registration Certificate (IRC)」from FSS before opening a trading account. Foreigners need to appoint a Standing Proxy, most likely a global bank offering custodian services and foreign exchange, and conducting these processes on their behalf.

What are South Korea preferred securities? ›

South Korean preference shares are equity shares that are generally entitled to receive the same dividends as common shares. Unlike the common shares, preference shares typically receive an additional fixed payment and have limited voting rights.

How to invest in South Korean market? ›

Buying stocks in South Korea can simply mean picking individual companies you want to invest in, but there are other options available too. You can buy shares in an ETF, sign up to an automated investment platform, buy and sell stock CFDs, or use your bank account to open a stocks-savings account.

What is South Korea main stock index? ›

South Korea Indices
NameLastChg% Clear Save
FTSE Korea396.26-1.76%
KOSDAQ841.90-1.61%
KOSPI2,591.99-1.62%
KOSPI 1002,653.18-1.85%
7 more rows

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