Cetera Investment Advisers has announced a significant increase in its holdings of the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (NYSEARCA: EWY), raising its stake by 7.4% during the first quarter of 2023. As reported in its latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the firm now owns 8,895 shares valued at approximately $481,000 following the acquisition of an additional 612 shares in the period.
A number of other institutional investors have also adjusted their positions in the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, indicating growing interest in the fund. Notably, Bank of America Corp DE expanded its stake by an impressive 113.1% during the fourth quarter of 2022, bringing its total holdings to 2,012,789 shares valued at $102,431,000 after purchasing an additional 1,068,280 shares.
Major Increases from Other Institutional Investors
Other firms have reported substantial increases in their holdings as well. Rafferty Asset Management LLC raised its stake by 280.4%, now holding 1,289,299 shares valued at $65,612,000 following the acquisition of 950,379 shares. Similarly, USS Investment Management Ltd increased its holdings by 226.6%, owning 851,794 shares worth $43,352,000 after purchasing 591,003 shares.
In addition, D. E. Shaw & Co. Inc. raised its position by 139.5%, acquiring 520,630 additional shares to reach a total of 893,742 shares valued at $45,483,000. Furthermore, Barclays PLC made the most significant leap, boosting its holdings by 420.6% to 479,402 shares, now valued at $24,397,000.
Collectively, institutional investors and hedge funds control approximately 49.22% of the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF shares, underscoring the growing confidence in this investment vehicle.
Performance Metrics for iShares MSCI South Korea ETF
As of the latest trading session, the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF opened at $73.39. The fund has exhibited a 52-week low of $48.49 and a high of $74.96. The stock’s 50-day moving average stands at $71.60, while the 200-day moving average is $61.75. The ETF has a market capitalization of $5.27 billion, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 10.35, and a beta of 1.05.
The iShares MSCI South Korea Capped ETF aims to replicate the performance of the MSCI Korea 25/50 Index, which includes stocks primarily traded on the Korean Exchange. The ETF provides investors with exposure to the South Korean equity market, making it a popular choice among institutional and retail investors alike.
For those interested in tracking the latest movements and holdings in the iShares MSCI South Korea ETF, detailed information is available through various financial news outlets and investment platforms, which regularly publish updates on institutional investments and fund performance.