ISHARES MSCI AUSTRALIA ETF $18.36 - New York symbol EWA

ISHARES MSCI AUSTRALIA ETF $18.36 (New York symbol EWA; buy or sell through brokers) is an ETF that holds the 73 largest Australian stocks. The fund’s top holdings include Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 11.2%; Westpac Banking Corp., 8.8%; National Australia Bank, 6.0%; Australia and New Zealand Banking Group, 6.0%; BHP Billiton, 4.7%; CSL Ltd., 4.4%; Wesfarmers, 4.2%; Woolworths Ltd., 2.6%; Scentre Group, 2.2%; and Transurban Group, 2.1%. The ETF’s industry breakdown consists of Financials, 54.8%; Materials, 12.1%; Consumer Staples, 7.7%; Health Care, 6.5%; Industrials, 6.1%; Energy, 4.7%; Utilities, 2.6%; Consumer Discretionary, 2.4%; and Telecommunications, 2.3%. The iShares MSCI Australia ETF was launched on March 12, 1996. It has a 0.48% expense ratio. Australia benefits from its stable banking and political systems. It is also rich in natural resources. While low commodity prices have hurt the country’s economy, its proximity to Asian markets with vast potential, including India and China, gives it strong long-term prospects. iShares MSCI Australia ETF is a buy.