ISRA: VANECK ISRAEL ETF
ETF Education Report: VANECK ISRAEL ETF (ISRA)
What this ETF is trying to do
The VANECK ISRAEL ETF (ticker: ISRA) is an exchange-traded fund that holds a variety of different companies. Based on its top holdings, it includes companies in sectors like technology and banking. This report uses data as of September 21, 2026.
What the numbers show
When looking at an ETF, it is important to understand two different types of returns: price return and total return.
• Price Return: This measures only how much the share price has changed.
• Total Return: This includes both the change in share price *and* any cash distributions (dividends) paid out.
For ISRA, the numbers show significant growth over different time periods:
• Year-to-Date (YTD): The YTD price return is approximately 16.32%. In this case, the total return is also 16.32%.
• One Year: The one-year price return was approximately 29.53%. However, the one-year total return was higher, at approximately 31.40%.
• Three Years: The three-year price return was approximately 102.55%, while the three-year total return was approximately 111.96%.
To visualize the price change, we can look at an estimated price from roughly one year ago. The price was approximately $52.81, and the current price is $68.40.
Income and distribution explanation
Some investors look for "income," which is cash paid out by the ETF. ISRA has a distribution yield of approximately 1.27%. This means the cash distributed is about 1.27% of the ETF's price. The distributions for this fund are described as "irregular" or "less frequent," with one payout recorded in the last 12 months.
NAV erosion explanation
"NAV erosion" is a term used to describe when the value of the underlying assets in an ETF decreases significantly over time. It is important to note that a falling share price does not always mean NAV erosion is happening.
For ISRA, the erosion-risk score is 100, which is labeled as "No price erosion detected." Additionally, there is no severe erosion-risk flag for this ETF.
Top Holdings
The following are the top holdings in this portfolio (note that this is a partial list):
• Palo Alto Networks Inc: 12.93%
• Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd ADR: 6.98%
• Bank Leumi Le-Israel BM: 5.58%
• Bank Hapoalim BM: 5.08%
• Elbit Systems Ltd: 4.52%
• Tower Semiconductor Ltd: 3.96%
• Phoenix Financial Ltd: 2.26%
• Mizrahi Tefahot Bank Ltd: 2.25%
• Israel Discount Bank Ltd Class A: 2.12%
• JFrog Ltd Ordinary Shares: 2.04%
Pros
• The ETF has shown positive price returns over the one-year and three-year periods.
• The total return is higher than the price return, meaning distributions added value to the overall performance.
Cons
• The distribution frequency is irregular, meaning investors cannot rely on a steady, predictable schedule of cash payments.
Beginner takeaway
When studying ISRA, notice the difference between the share price movement and the total return. Because the total return is higher than the price return, it shows that distributions played a role in the overall growth. Always remember that a high yield is not the same as total return.
Top Holdings
Structured portfolio holdings supplied by the ETF data provider. These figures are not generated by the AI article.
| # | Holding | Ticker | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | PALO ALTO NETWORKS INC | PANW | 12.93% |
| 2 | TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRIES LTD ADR | TEVA | 6.98% |
| 3 | BANK LEUMI LE-ISRAEL BM | n/a | 5.58% |
| 4 | BANK HAPOALIM BM | n/a | 5.08% |
| 5 | ELBIT SYSTEMS LTD | n/a | 4.52% |
| 6 | TOWER SEMICONDUCTOR LTD | n/a | 3.96% |
| 7 | PHOENIX FINANCIAL LTD | n/a | 2.26% |
| 8 | MIZRAHI TEFAHOT BANK LTD | n/a | 2.25% |
| 9 | ISRAEL DISCOUNT BANK LTD CLASS A | ISDAF | 2.12% |
| 10 | JFROG LTD ORDINARY SHARES | FROG | 2.04% |