iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF

EWT

Market cap $8.51B

Emerging market ETFs are back in focus. Two of the ten largest U.S.-listed ETF inflow winners year-to-date are broad EM funds.

A new US-Taiwan trade deal cuts tariffs to 15%, putting ETFs like EWT into focus.

iShares MSCI Taiwan ETF (EWT) remains a buy, supported by attractive valuation and robust technical momentum. EWT boasts a 4.18% yield, a PEG ratio below 1, and a dominant 66% IT sector allocation led by TSM. Technical indicators signal bullish continuation, with a new upside target near $74 following an all-time high close.

Easing tensions between China and the U.S. may be supportive of markets. Still uncertainty amid plans for Trump to visit China in 2026.

Global market leadership may be shifting again as trade tensions escalate, the U.S. dollar trades at multi-year lows, and gold at all-time highs. This brings back for the second time this year the quest for the best international ETFs. The most recent global outlook from the IMF points to ongoing strengths in emerging markets and developing economies vs. the U.S. and other advanced economies in 2026.

EWT offers exposure to Taiwan's large- and mid-cap stocks, with a heavy tilt toward tech (66% of holdings), especially Taiwan Semiconductor, which alone makes up ~24% of the ETF. The expense ratio is relatively high at 0.59%, especially compared to the Franklin FTSE Taiwan ETF at 0.19%. At a P/E around 21x, the risk-reward balance doesn't seem compelling, as the country faces geopolitical risks.

Despite mounting macro headwinds at the start of the year, Chinese equities have continued to deliver positive performance. While near-term flows can provide further upside, the durability for the equity rally will hinge on policy choices ahead.

Among APAC equity markets, Australia has a higher beta to oil prices while India, Indonesia and Thailand have lower betas. Domestic political uncertainties have been one main reason for the decoupling trend seen in Indonesia and Thailand.

EWT remains a buy due to strong momentum, attractive valuation, and a technical breakout above key resistance. The ETF's performance is heavily tied to Taiwan Semiconductor, which now makes up over 24% of the fund and benefits from the AI rally. EWT offers a high dividend yield, growing assets, and robust liquidity, but investors should note its elevated risk and sector concentration.

Herald van der Linde from HSBC Global Research shares his Asian markets picks and explains why 'particularly cheap' South Korean equities could outperform Taiwanese equities this year.