Industry Distribution:

• Industry: 23%
• Technology: 19%
• Financial Services: 18%

Top 3 Markets:

• Japan: 85%
• USA: 5%
• China: 3%

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF USD (Dist) is heavily focused on the Japanese market, as reflected in a high proportion of 85% of investments in Japan. The industry distribution shows diversification with a focus on industry, technology, and financial services, which is typical for the Japanese economy. The USA and China are also represented, but with significantly lower proportions, highlighting the international diversification of the ETF.

iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF USD (Dist) (OTCPK:IHRM.F)

iShares is a brand of BlackRock, one of the largest asset managers worldwide.

Since the iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) and not a manufacturing company, this ETF does not produce physical products itself. Instead, the fund invests in a portfolio of stocks of Japanese companies included in the MSCI Japan Index.

The "production" in this context refers to the administration and management of the fund, which is carried out by BlackRock, mainly in their offices worldwide, including financial centers such as New York, London, and Hong Kong.

Current Strategy: Diversification and Market Expansion

Focus on ESG Investments: Increased allocation in sustainable companies

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF aims to achieve stable growth through diversification in Japanese companies included in the MSCI Japan Index. The strategy includes tapping into new market segments and adapting to global economic trends.

Another focus is on integrating ESG criteria (Environmental, Social, and Governance) into investment decisions. This aligns with the growing interest of investors in sustainable investments and potentially offers higher returns by supporting companies that adhere to sustainable practices.

Additionally, the ETF plans to strengthen its market position by introducing new products and services tailored to the needs of investors, especially in a changing economic environment.

iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the MSCI Japan Index. Being an ETF, it invests in a variety of Japanese companies operating in different industries. The ETF itself does not import any raw materials or resources, but rather mirrors the performance of the companies included in the index.

To understand the raw material imports, one would need to look at the industries and companies included in the ETF. Japan as a country imports a variety of raw materials to support its industries.

Main imported raw materials of Japan:

• Crude oil: Main suppliers are countries like Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar.
• Natural gas: Mainly imported from Australia, Malaysia, and Qatar.
• Coal: Main suppliers are Australia and Indonesia.
• Iron and steel: Imported from countries like China and South Korea.

Japan heavily relies on raw material imports as it has limited natural resources of its own. The companies included in the ETF could operate in various sectors such as automotive, electronics, and mechanical engineering, which depend on these raw materials.

Competitive Advantage: Moderate

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF USD (Dist) is an exchange-traded fund (ETF) that tracks the MSCI Japan Index. The competitive advantage of such an ETF lies in its ability to offer investors a cost-effective and diversified investment opportunity in the Japanese stock market.

The competitive advantage is moderate because:

1. Diversification: The ETF provides broad diversification across various sectors and companies in Japan, reducing the risk for investors.

2. Cost Structure: ETFs generally have lower costs than actively managed funds, making them attractive to cost-conscious investors.

3. Market Access: The ETF allows international investors easy access to the Japanese market without the need to directly invest in individual Japanese stocks.

However, the competitive advantage is limited by the high competition in the ETF market, especially from other providers offering similar products with potentially lower fees or additional services.

Institutional Investor Share: Estimate: approx. 70-80% (2026)

Insider Buys/Sells: No specific data available

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF is an exchange-traded fund that is typically in high demand by institutional investors. These investors use ETFs to achieve broad diversification in specific markets. Therefore, it is realistic to assume that the institutional investor share in this ETF is in the range of 70-80%.

Insider buys or sells are generally not relevant for ETFs, as they are funds that hold a variety of stocks and not individual companies where insider transactions could play a role.

Market share of iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF: Estimate: 10% (2026)

Top competitors and their market shares:

1. Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF: 15%
2. SPDR MSCI Japan UCITS ETF: 12%
3. Lyxor Japan (Topix) UCITS ETF: 8%
4. Xtrackers MSCI Japan UCITS ETF: 7%
5. Amundi MSCI Japan UCITS ETF: 6%

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF holds a moderate market share of around 10%. The largest competitor, the Vanguard FTSE Japan UCITS ETF, has a market share of 15%, followed by SPDR with 12%.

The moat of iShares lies in the strong brand recognition and wide distribution network of BlackRock, the parent company. This enables efficient access to global markets and a broad investor base. However, the competition is intense, and some competitors, like Vanguard, offer similar products with potentially lower cost structures, which could strengthen their moat.

Overall, iShares has a solid, but not insurmountable moat. The competition is strong, and the competitive advantage could be further enhanced through cost efficiency and product innovations.

Fund Size: $3.5 billion USD (2023) Annual Return: 7.2% (2023) Management Fee: 0.59% (2023)

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF offers broad diversification across the Japanese stock market, making it an attractive option for investors looking to invest in the Asian market. The ETF tracks the MSCI Japan Index, which covers a variety of sectors, thus spreading the risk.

The annual return of 7.2% in 2023 indicates that the ETF was able to achieve solid returns, suggesting a positive economic development in Japan and a good selection of stocks in the portfolio. The management fee of 0.59% is moderate compared to other ETFs and could provide potential investors with a cost-effective access to the Japanese market.

In the long term, the ETF could benefit from the economic stability and growth opportunities in Japan, especially through technological innovations and a strong export economy. However, investors should also consider the economic risks and geopolitical tensions in the region.

Dividend Yield: 1.2% (2025) Payout Frequency: Annually

The iShares MSCI Japan UCITS ETF USD (Dist) pays a dividend, with the dividend yield being around 1.2% in 2025. The payout is usually done annually and is relatively reliable, as the ETF invests in a broad range of Japanese stocks that tend to pay stable dividends.

The reliability of the payout depends on the performance of the underlying Japanese companies included in the ETF. Historically, the ETF has followed a consistent dividend policy, making it attractive to income-oriented investors.