iShares Latin America 40 ETF

ILF

Market cap $4.33B

iShares Latin America 40 ETF offers exposure to the region's forty largest public companies. ILF's portfolio is heavily concentrated, with approximately 82% in Brazil and Mexico, limiting true regional diversification. Recent performance and long-term track record are strong, precluding a sell rating despite structural concentration concerns.

Global stocks are still outperforming US shares so far in 2026, extending last year's winning run. Using a set of ETFs through yesterday's close (Jan. 21), all the major equity regions of the world are maintaining a healthy lead over the US.

iShares Latin America 40 ETF has surged 57% since late 2022, driven by strong regional equity performance. ILF offers diversified exposure to Latin America's largest companies, with a 0.47% fee and nearly 5% dividend yield. Valuations remain attractive versus the MSCI EM Index, with a P/E of 13.7, despite the recent bull run.

The iShares Latin America 40 ETF invests in large-cap companies, primarily in Brazil, Mexico, and Chile. The ETF's zero percentage allocation to the information technology sector makes it appealing for investors looking to hedge risks associated with AI valuations. ILF is overweight in cyclical sectors such as financials, materials, and energy, making returns more volatile and dependent on the economic cycle.

Global equities strategies are having a moment this year. The SPDR S&P 500 ETF in isolation looks strong, posting an 18.3% year-to-date gain.

International equities have outperformed YTD but continue trading at discounted prices and valuations. Yields are generally quite good, if not outstanding. Lots of international equity ETFs out there. I'll be giving a quick rundown of four such ETFs in this article.

It's the year of foreign equities ETF diversification and performance. For many ETF issuers, their international or ex-U.S. ETF strategies have led their suites for performance amid rising domestic risks.

I recommend ILF for income-focused investors seeking emerging market exposure with a high and sustainable dividend yield and strong geographical diversification. ILF's portfolio is anchored in Brazil and Mexico, benefiting from financial innovation, commodity exports, and defensive sector allocations for stability. The fund's expense ratio is competitive, performance is driven by dividends, and valuation remains attractive for income rather than growth investors.

Global equities ex-US were already leading US stocks in 2025 by a wide margin ahead of the trade deal announced this week between the US and Japan. Vanguard International Stock ETF rose sharply yesterday, and is now up 21.8% year to date.

I am upgrading iShares Latin America 40 ETF to a buy, citing its strong YTD outperformance and improved momentum versus the S&P 500. ILF offers a compelling combination of low valuation (8.5x P/E), high 6.1% yield, and attractive PEG ratio, despite portfolio cyclicality risks. Technical analysis points to a bullish setup, with a breakout above $27 targeting $33, supported by double-bottom and RSI strength.