04/30/2015
Inception Date
3.35%
YTD Return
(as of 05/12/2021)
$15.44
Price
(as of 05/12/2021)
$102.89 million
Fund Assets
(as of 04/30/2021)
Long-term capital appreciation
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Asia ESG Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies of any market capitalization located in Asia that Matthews believes satisfy one or more of its environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) standards. The Fund seeks to invest in companies across the market capitalization spectrum that Matthews believes to be undervalued but of high quality and run by management teams with good operating and governance track records. In addition, the Fund seeks to invest in those Asian companies that have the potential to profit from the long-term opportunities presented by global environmental and social challenges as well as those Asian companies that proactively manage long-term risks presented by these challenges.
Investments in Asian securities may involve risks such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Investing in emerging and frontier markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets. Matthews Asia ESG Fund’s consideration of ESG factors in making its investment decisions may impact the Fund’s relative investment performance positively or negatively.
The risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus.
| Inception Date | 04/30/2015 | |
| Fund Assets | $102.89 million (04/30/2021) | |
| Currency | USD | |
| Ticker | MASGX | |
| Cusip | 577-130-727 | |
| Portfolio Turnover | 84.6% | |
| Benchmark | MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index | |
| Geographic Focus | Asia - Consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region | |
| Gross Expense Ratio | 1.42% | |
| Net Expense Ratio | 1.38% | |
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. All performance is in US$.
Assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. Performance differences between the Institutional class and the Investor class may arise due to differences in fees charged to each class.
Additional performance, attribution, liquidity, value at risk (VaR), security classification and holdings information is available on request for certain time periods.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. All performance is in US$.
The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions or redemption of fund shares.
Ratings (as of 03/31/2021)
CATEGORY: Pacific/Asia ex-Japan Stk
Quartile & Rankings (as of 03/31/2021)
CATEGORY: Pacific Region Funds
Ratings agency calculation methodology
Past performance is no guarantee of future results. High ratings and rankings does not assure favorable performance.
The Overall Morningstar® Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted-average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and (if applicable) ten-year ratings.
Morningstar RatingTM for funds, or "star rating", is calculated for managed products (including mutual funds, variable annuity and variable life subaccounts, exchange-traded funds, closed-end funds, and separate accounts) with at least a three-year history. Exchange-traded funds and open-ended mutual funds are considered a single population for comparative purposes. It is calculated based on a Morningstar Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a managed product's monthly excess performance, placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The Morningstar Rating does not include any adjustment for sales loads. The top 10% of products in each product category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars, and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. The Overall Morningstar Rating for a managed product is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five-, and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. The weights are: 100% three-year rating for 36-59 months of total returns, 60% five-year rating/40% three-year rating for 60-119 months of total returns, and 50% 10-year rating/30% five-year rating/20% three-year rating for 120 or more months of total returns. While the 10-year overall star rating formula seems to give the most weight to the 10-year period, the most recent three-year period actually has the greatest impact because it is included in all three rating periods.
Lipper Analytical Services, Inc., rankings are based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods. Funds are assigned a rank within a universe of funds similar in investment objective as determined by Lipper. For the absolute rankings shown the lower the number rank, the better the Fund performed compared to other funds in the classification group. Lipper also calculates a quartile ranking which divides the peer group into quartiles to identify funds of similar quality. Funds in the 1st or 2nd quartile had outperformed the average fund in the peer group while funds in the 3rd or 4th quartile had underperformed.
Lead Manager
Portfolio Manager
Vivek Tanneeru is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews Asia and manages the firm’s Asia ESG, Emerging Markets Small Companies and Asia Small Companies Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews Asia in 2011, Vivek was an Investment Manager on the Global Emerging Markets team of Pictet Asset Management in London. While at Pictet, he also worked on the firm’s Global Equities team, managing Japan and Asia ex-Japan markets. Before earning his MBA from the London Business School in 2006, Vivek was a Business Systems Officer at The World Bank and served as a Consultant at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting and Citicorp Infotech Industries. He interned at Generation Investment Management while studying for his MBA Vivek received his Master’s in Finance from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science in India. He is fluent in Hindi and Telugu.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
Source: FactSet Research Systems
Top 10 holdings may combine more than one security from the same issuer and related depositary receipts.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
Source: FactSet Research Systems.
Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent, so the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding. Percentage values may be derived from different data sources and may not be consistent with other Fund literature.
Visit our Glossary of Terms page for definitions and additional information.
The Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index tracks the total return performance of a bond portfolio consisting of local-currency denominated, high quality and liquid bonds in Asia ex-Japan. The Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index includes bonds from the following countries: China (on- and offshore markets), Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
The J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index (JACI) tracks the total return performance of the Asia fixed-rate dollar bond market. JACI is a market cap-weighted index comprising sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate bonds and is partitioned by country, sector and credit rating. JACI includes bonds from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
The MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of the stock markets of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
The MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of the stock markets of Australia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
The MSCI China Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of Chinese equities that includes H shares listed on the Hong Kong exchange, B shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges, Hong Kong-listed securities known as Red chips (issued by entities owned by national or local governments in China) and P Chips (issued by companies controlled by individuals in China and deriving substantial revenues in China) and foreign listings (e.g. ADRs).
The MSCI China All Shares Index captures large and mid-cap representation across China A shares, B shares, H shares, Red chips (issued by entities owned by national or local governments in China), P chips (issued by companies controlled by individuals in China and deriving substantial revenues in China), and foreign listings (e.g. ADRs). The index aims to reflect the opportunity set of China share classes listed in Hong Kong,Shanghai, Shenzhen and outside of China.
The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Asia Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index of the stock markets of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of the stock markets of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of the stock markets of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 (S&P BSE 100) Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of 100 stocks listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange.
The MSCI Japan Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of Japanese equities listed in Japan.
The Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) is a market capitalization–weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Korea Stock Exchange.
The MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted small cap index of the stock markets of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.
The MSCI China Small Cap Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted small cap index of the Chinese equity securities markets, including H shares listed on the Hong Kong exchange, B shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges,Hong Kong-listed securities known as Red Chips (issued by entities owned by national or local governments in China) and P Chips (issued by companies controlled by individuals in China and deriving substantial revenues in China), and foreign listings (e.g., ADRs).
The information contained herein has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of compilation, but no representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of this information. Neither the funds nor the Investment Advisor accept any liability for losses either direct or consequential caused by the use of this information.
The views and opinions in the commentary were as of the report date, subject to change and may not reflect current views. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the Fund's future investment intent. It should not be assumed that any investment will be profitable or will equal the performance of any securities or any sectors mentioned herein. The information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any securities mentioned.
Commentary
Period ended March 31, 2021
For the quarter ending March 31, 2021, the Matthews Asia ESG Fund returned 5.02% (Investor Class) and 5.03% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 2.75%.
Market Environment:
In January and early February, North Asia equities continued to climb, leading the region with strong absolute performance. However, in the middle of February, Asia equity prices became more volatile as growth prospects and talks of U.S. stimulus led to a spike in U.S. Treasury rates. The U.S. dollar strengthened and commodity prices grinded higher causing analysts to speculate about higher inflation. Stocks associated with a cyclical recovery and value-oriented companies outperformed growth stocks. Cyclical sectors like energy, materials, real estate and financials performed well while health care and consumer stocks lagged. By the end of the quarter, Asian large caps and growth stocks suffered the most while small caps and lower quality, cyclically oriented stocks rallied the most.
Chinese equities were particularly volatile in the quarter. During the first six weeks of the reporting period, Chinese equities rose amid the transition of power to a Biden administration and persistent upward revisions to 2021 consensus earnings and GDP growth estimates. China’s broader markets then weakened, ending the quarter slightly negative, led by selling among Chinese retail investors. Meanwhile, Indian equities were a brighter spot in the region. Proposed government spending is favorable for growth. In addition, India’s current account has switched from deficit to surplus as foreign exchange reserves have grown.
From an environmental, social and governance (ESG) perspective, markets were keenly focused on the details of China’s 14th Five Year plan and the Biden administration’s infrastructure plan, both of which didn’t disappoint with their emphasis on renewable energy and sustainable infrastructure.
Performance Contributors and Detractors:
Samsung SDI, a South Korean battery maker, was a notable contributor during the quarter. The market took a view that Samsung SDI, a current prismatic cell supplier to Volkswagen (VW), would benefit from VW’s reliance on prismatic form factors for the majority of its future battery needs when the company detailed its ambitious plans for ramping up electric vehicle (EV) production over the coming decade. On the other hand, Flat glass, a leading solar glassmaker in China, detracted from performance. Following a strong run-up in share price in 2020, the company’s stock fell a bit in the first quarter as investors took profits. However, we remain constructive on Flat glass, as the company continues to execute well and is rapidly expanding its capacity over the coming quarters. We expect the company to continue to benefit from the long-term demand and attractive margin profile in the future driven by its scale and operational excellence.
Notable Portfolio Changes:
During the quarter, we initiated a position in Bank Tabungan Negara, an Indonesian mortgage lender. Bank Tabungan is a leader in the lower-income mortgage lending. After a six-year downturn in the Indonesian property market, we think conditions are looking conducive to a rebound driven by pent up demand, very favorable regulatory changes, lower rates, better affordability and prospects of strong recovery post-COVID. We believe the company is well positioned to benefit from those trends and also from strong recovery in profitability driven by credit cost normalization. During the quarter, we also exited some small positions such as Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Keppel DC REIT as we found more attractive investment opportunities elsewhere and consolidated our holdings.
Outlook:
Looking ahead, earnings growth, liquidity and valuations all appear supportive of Asia’s equity markets. We expect strong corporate earnings across Asia in 2021 as the global recovery continues to expand. Across the region we see sufficient liquidity. While we have not seen as much uptake in credit, any pick up in credit issuance should further support economic growth. Across the region, we see a return to normalcy, leading to better economic prospects for businesses. Parts of Asia have progressed from recovery to expansion, while others like India and Indonesia are still getting back to pre-pandemic levels of activity. Some of the economic indicators in India are pointing to a steady improvement but we await confirmation of the trend in stronger credit activity.
For investors interested in ESG themes, such as reducing carbon emissions, alleviating poverty and creating greater financial inclusion in the developing world, Asia remains an important investment destination, in our view. To tackle these themes globally, we believe we need to include the world’s most populous economies, many of which lie in Asia. As the global economy returns to strength, we also find attractive opportunities for alpha generation throughout our large, diverse investment universe.
As of 3/31/21, the securities mentioned comprised the Matthews Asia ESG Fund in the following percentages: Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd., 7.3%; Flat Glass Group Co., Ltd. H Shares, 1.2%; PT Bank Tabungan Negara Persero, 1.6%. The Fund held no positions in Volkswagen AG, Bank Rakyat Indonesia and Keppel DC REIT. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk. Earnings growth is not representative of the Fund’s future performance.
Average Annual Total Returns - MASGX as of 03/31/2021
All performance quoted is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with changing market conditions so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund's fees and expenses had not been waived. Please see the Fund's most recent month-end performance.
Fees & Expenses
Matthews has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to limit the Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses until April 30, 2022. Please see the Fund’s prospectus for additional details.
Investments in Asian securities may involve risks such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Investing in emerging and frontier markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets. Matthews Asia ESG Fund’s consideration of ESG factors in making its investment decisions may impact the Fund’s relative investment performance positively or negatively.