iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) IV/HV History
Comparing implied volatility to historical (realized) volatility reveals whether options are priced rich or cheap relative to actual price movement. Persistent gaps can signal trading opportunities.
iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically the Asset Management industry, with a market capitalization near $14.26B, listed on AMEX, carrying a beta of 2.13 to the broader market. The iShares MSCI South Korea ETF seeks to track the investment results of an index composed of South Korean equities. public since 2000-05-12.
Snapshot as of May 15, 2026.
- Spot Price
- $179.10
- ATM IV
- 65.6%
- HV 20-Day
- 64.8%
- HV 60-Day
- 64.4%
- IV Rank
- 70.5%
- IV Percentile
- 96.4%
As of May 15, 2026, iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) ATM implied volatility is 65.6%. 20-day realized volatility is 64.8%, producing an IV-HV spread of +0.8 vol points. Options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently delivered, the volatility risk premium. IV rank is 70.5%.
How EWY iv/hv history Data Feeds Strategy Selection
Strategy selection on iShares MSCI South Korea ETF options does not derive from any single metric in isolation. The iv/hv history view above sits inside a broader read: ATM IV currently sits at 65.6% and dealer gamma exposure is negative, so dealer hedging amplifies directional moves. Combine the iv/hv history data here with the volatility-skew surface, dealer-gamma exposure, max-pain level, and upcoming-events calendar to build a positioning thesis. Risk-defined structures (credit spreads, debit spreads, iron condors) are usually safer than naked positions while the regime is uncertain; the data on this page anchors the inputs but does not by itself constitute a trade thesis.
Learn how implied vs realized volatility is reported and how to read the data →
EWY highest implied-volatility contracts
| Type | Strike | Expiration | Volume | OI | IV | Bid | Ask |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PUT | $160.00 | May 22, 2026 | 51.8K | 1.3K | 83.5% | $1.70 | $1.80 |
| PUT | $160.00 | May 22, 2026 | 51.8K | 1.3K | 83.5% | $1.70 | $1.80 |
Top 2 contracts from the ORATS-sourced nightly scan; ranked by iv within the broader S&P 500/400/600 + ETF universe.
Frequently asked EWY iv/hv history questions
- Is EWY options pricing rich or cheap right now?
- As of May 15, 2026, iShares MSCI South Korea ETF (EWY) ATM IV is 65.6% against 20-day realized volatility of 64.8%. IV rank is 70.5%. EWY options are pricing in more volatility than the stock has recently realized: a positive variance risk premium worth 0.8 vol points.
- What is the EWY variance risk premium?
- The variance risk premium is the persistent gap between implied and subsequently realized volatility. In equity markets it averages positive because option sellers demand compensation for bearing variance shocks. EWY is currently priced consistently with this premium, which is one input to whether short-vol or long-vol structures carry their typical edge.
- What does EWY IV rank mean for strategy selection?
- IV rank normalizes the current ATM IV to its 1-year range: 0% is the low, 100% is the high. EWY's current rank of 70.5% signals where current pricing sits in its own 1-year history. High-rank regimes typically favor premium-selling structures (credit spreads, condors, covered calls); low-rank regimes typically favor premium-buying or long-volatility structures.