iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY): Complete Beginner's Guide
Last updated: March 2026 • BlackRock • South Korea Equity
Expense Ratio
0.59%
AUM
$4.0B
Dividend Yield
1.50%
Inception
2000
Beginner Score
8.5/10
What is iShares MSCI South Korea ETF?
EWY invests in South Korean companies with heavy concentration in semiconductors, automotive, and technology manufacturing. Samsung Electronics alone makes up a substantial portion of the fund, reflecting its dominance in the Korean economy. This fund provides access to one of Asia's most advanced and export-oriented technology economies.
EWY is managed by BlackRock and has been available since 2000. With $4.0B in assets under management, it's a growing fund that has attracted significant investor interest. The fund charges an expense ratio of 0.59%, which means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $59 per year in management fees.
EWY at a Glance — Key Metrics
| Expense Ratio | 0.59% |
| Total Holdings | 110 |
| P/E Ratio | 11.0 |
| Beta | 1.10 |
| Dividend Yield | 1.50% |
| AUM | $4.0B |
| Inception Year | 2000 |
| Issuer | BlackRock |
Top 10 Holdings in EWY
EWY holds 110 different securities. Here are the largest positions that make up the core of this fund:
| # | Company | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Samsung Electronics | 005930.KS | 22.00% |
| 2 | SK Hynix | 000660.KS | 8.00% |
| 3 | Hyundai Motor | 005380.KS | 4.00% |
| 4 | Samsung SDI | 006400.KS | 3.00% |
| 5 | Kia Corp. | 000270.KS | 3.00% |
| 6 | POSCO Holdings | 005490.KS | 2.50% |
| 7 | LG Energy Solution | 373220.KS | 2.50% |
| 8 | Samsung Biologics | 207940.KS | 2.00% |
| 9 | Naver Corp. | 035420.KS | 2.00% |
| 10 | KB Financial Group | 105560.KS | 1.80% |
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EWY Performance History
Here's how EWY has performed over different time periods. Remember that past performance doesn't guarantee future results, but it gives you a sense of the fund's track record:
YTD
3.00%
1 Year
8.00%
3 Year
-2.00%
5 Year
4.00%
10 Year
4.00%
Beginner Suitability Score: 8.5/10
Our proprietary Beginner Suitability Score evaluates ETFs based on five factors that matter most to new investors: fees, volatility, diversification, dividend history, and track record length.
EWY scores 8.5/10 because it has very low fees, can be more volatile than the broader market, offers broad diversification across 110 holdings, and has been available since 2000, giving it a proven track record.
How to Buy EWY — Step by Step
- Open a brokerage account — We recommend Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Vanguard for ETF investing. All offer $0 commissions on ETF trades.
- Fund your account — Transfer money from your bank. You can start with as little as $1 if your broker offers fractional shares.
- Search for "EWY" — Use the search bar in your brokerage platform to find iShares MSCI South Korea ETF.
- Place your order — Choose "Market Order" for simplicity or "Limit Order" if you want to set a specific price. Enter how many shares (or dollar amount) you want to buy.
- Set up automatic investing — Most brokers let you schedule recurring purchases (e.g., $100/month on the 1st). This is dollar cost averaging in action.
Dollar Cost Averaging Into EWY
Here's what consistent monthly investing could look like over time, assuming an average annual return of 8% (approximate historical stock market average):
| Monthly | 10 Years | 20 Years | 30 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100/mo | $18,417 | $59,295 | $150,030 |
| $250/mo | $46,041 | $148,237 | $375,074 |
| $500/mo | $92,083 | $296,474 | $750,148 |
*Projections assume 8% average annual return with monthly compounding. Actual returns will vary. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results.
Fee impact: With EWY's expense ratio of 0.59%, a $10,000 investment would lose approximately $4,837 to fees over 20 years compared to a zero-fee investment. This is significant — consider whether the fund's strategy justifies these costs.
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Pros and Cons of EWY
Pros
- ✓Dominant semiconductor exposure through Samsung and SK Hynix at a lower valuation than US chip stocks
- ✓South Korea is a global leader in memory chips, batteries, and display technology
- ✓Attractive price-to-earnings ratio compared to US and other developed technology markets
- ✓Strong corporate governance reforms are improving shareholder returns and buybacks
Cons
- ✗Extreme concentration in Samsung Electronics creates significant single-stock risk
- ✗Geopolitical tension with North Korea adds a persistent risk premium to Korean assets
- ✗Won currency volatility can meaningfully impact dollar-denominated returns
Frequently Asked Questions
Is EWY a good ETF for beginners?▾
EWY has a Beginner Suitability Score of 8.5/10 on our scale. This makes it a strong choice for new investors due to its low fees and broad diversification.
What is the expense ratio of EWY?▾
EWY has an expense ratio of 0.59%. This means for every $10,000 you invest, you pay approximately $59 per year in fees. This is considered very low and cost-efficient.
How much money do I need to invest in EWY?▾
You can invest in EWY with as little as $1 through brokers that offer fractional shares (like Fidelity, Schwab, or Robinhood). There is no minimum investment required beyond the share price itself, which changes daily. Dollar cost averaging — investing a fixed amount regularly — is a popular strategy.
Does EWY pay dividends?▾
Yes, EWY pays dividends with a current yield of approximately 1.50%. Dividends are typically paid quarterly and can be reinvested automatically through most brokers.
What are the top holdings in EWY?▾
The top holdings in EWY include Samsung Electronics (22.00%), SK Hynix (8.00%), Hyundai Motor (4.00%), and more. The fund holds 110 total positions, providing broad diversification across many companies.