EWY ETF — iShares MSCI South Korea ETF

iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY)

EWY is an ETF that tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index. As of August 19, 2026, its distribution rate is 1.20%, its trailing-12-month yield is 1.20%, its expense ratio is 0.59%. Dividend Vision Distribution Safety Score™ is 56/100 (Caution). Fund total return is 1103.6% over the past 26.3 years, 348.1 points ahead of SPY at 755.5%.

At the current 1.20% distribution rate, a $10,000 investment would generate approximately $120 per year, or $10.00 per month on an equivalent basis. Actual annual payments vary.

This ETF tracks the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, providing exposure to large- and mid-capitalization Korean equities. It carries a modest current distribution rate, paid annually, and has an expense ratio of 0.59%. The fund appeals to investors seeking international equity exposure with some income generation.

EWY performance versus SPY

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Fund total return is 1103.6% over the past 26.3 years, 348.1 points ahead of SPY at 755.5%. Its deepest 1-year drawdown was 34.2%.

EWY key facts

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution Safety Score™

56 · Caution

Safety-Adjusted Yield

0.67%

Issuer

iShares

Asset type

ETF

Asset class

Equity

Inception date

05/09/2000

Expense ratio

0.59%

Distribution rate

1.20%

Distribution frequency

Annual

Trailing yield

1.20%

Last close

$170.05

AUM

$28,163,542,485

Average volume

34258962.0

Last dividend

$2.0370

Ex-dividend date

12/16/2025

Payment date

12/19/2025

Beta

2.45

P/E ratio

16.5842

How Dividend Vision calculates yield and returns

Distribution rate (1.20%) is the latest regular payout annualized by the fund's stated frequency, divided by the last close. Issuers often publish this as “Distribution Rate” on the fact sheet. Trailing-12-month yield (1.20%) is the sum of distributions paid in the last 12 months, split-adjusted, divided by the last close. It lags a recent raise or cut. We show a 30-day SEC yield when the fund publishes one. Schwab and other issuers may report a TTM distribution yield or SEC yield on a different date — all can be valid; they are not interchangeable. Fund total return uses split-adjusted close with distributions reinvested from the first stored bar on or after inception through the latest bar, compared with the same window on the benchmark. That is what the fund did, not your personal gain/loss. Figures below use Dividend Vision data as of August 19, 2026.

Distribution rate methodology · Distribution Safety Score methodology · SEC yield

Sources and review

Data as of August 19, 2026.

Primary sources: iShares fund page; Index: MSCI Korea 25/50 Index; prices and distributions from Dividend Vision, derived from vendor EOD data.

Reviewed by Bert Sweet, CEO and Co-owner of Dividend Vision. Methodology: Distribution Safety Score.

EWY risks and drawbacks

EWY's current distribution rate is moderate, not a high-yield payout — the strategy is dividend quality more than maximum income. Payments are annual, so cash flow is lumpy versus a monthly fund. The deepest 1-year drawdown on record here is 34.2%.

Who may consider EWY — and who may not

It is a weaker fit for investors who need monthly cash flow (EWY pays annual); investors hunting double-digit covered-call yields. This is educational context, not a recommendation to buy or sell.

Compare EWY

EWY vs similar funds:

• EWY vs SPY
• EWY vs QQQ

Frequently asked questions

More funds from iShares.