Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Asia Growth 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 located in Asia. The Fund may also invest in the convertible securities, of any duration or quality, of Asian companies. The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management’s depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health.
Risks
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.
These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the
prospectus.
Asia - Consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region
Fees & Expenses
Gross Expense Ratio
1.13%
Objective
Long-term capital appreciation.
Strategy
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Asia Growth 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 located in Asia. The Fund may also invest in the convertible securities, of any duration or quality, of Asian companies. The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management’s depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health.
Risks
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.
The risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus
Performance
Monthly
Quarterly
Calendar Year
As of 11/30/2024
Average Annual Total Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia Growth Fund - MPACX
10/31/2003
MPACX
0.51%
0.09%
11.47%
16.02%
-10.43%
-0.31%
3.48%
6.85%
MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index
-1.33%
-0.97%
10.97%
16.05%
1.66%
5.02%
5.47%
6.50%
As of 09/30/2024
Average Annual Total Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia Growth Fund - MPACX
10/31/2003
MPACX
3.35%
5.22%
15.10%
24.67%
-10.82%
1.82%
3.79%
7.07%
MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index
5.16%
9.16%
17.83%
27.26%
2.44%
7.30%
6.15%
6.86%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Matthews Asia Growth Fund - MPACX
MPACX
3.53%
-33.12%
-14.65%
46.76%
26.18%
-16.25%
39.39%
0.92%
-0.05%
1.49%
MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index (USD)
11.81%
-16.92%
-1.19%
20.07%
19.74%
-13.25%
32.04%
5.21%
-1.68%
0.29%
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.
Growth of a Hypothetical $10,000 Investment Since Inception
(as of 06/30/2024)
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. All performance is in US$.
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.
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.
Michael Oh is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Asia Innovators and Asia Growth Strategies and co-manages the Korea Strategy. Michael joined Matthews in 2000, and has built his investment career at the firm. Michael was promoted from Research Analyst to Assistant Portfolio Manager in 2003. In 2006 and 2007, he was promoted to Lead Manager of the Matthews Asia Innovators Strategy and the Matthews Korea Strategy, respectively. From 2000-2003, Michael’s research focused on the technology sector supporting multiple strategies managed by the founders of the firm. As a research analyst, he contributed investment ideas to the broader Matthews investment teams. Michael received a B.A. in Political Economy of Industrial Societies from the University of California, Berkeley. He is fluent in Korean.
Peeyush Mittal is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s India Strategy and co-manages the Emerging Markets Equity, Emerging Markets ex China, Asia Growth and Pacific Tiger Strategies. Prior to joining the Matthews in 2015, he spent over three years at Franklin Templeton Asset Management India, most recently as a Senior Research Analyst. Previously, he was with Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management New York, from 2009 to 2011, researching U.S. and European stocks in the industrials and materials sectors. Peeyush began his career in 2003 with Scot Forge as an Industrial Engineer, and was responsible for implementing Lean Manufacturing systems on the production shop floor. Peeyush earned his M.B.A from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He received a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from The Ohio State University and received a Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgical Engineering from The Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He is fluent in Hindi.
Shuntaro Takeuchi is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Japan Strategy and co-manages the Asia Growth Strategy. Prior to joining Matthews in 2016, he was an Executive Director for Japan Equity Sales at UBS Securities LLC in New York. Beginning in 2003, he worked on both Japanese Equity and International Equity Sales at UBS Japan Securities, based in Tokyo, and held the position of Special Situations Analyst from 2006 to 2008, and Head of International Equity Sales from 2009 to 2013. Before that, he worked at Merrill Lynch Japan from 2001 to 2003 in U.S. Equity Sales. Shuntaro received a B.A. in Commerce and Management from Hitotsubashi University in Tokyo. He is fluent in Japanese.
Portfolio Characteristics
(as of 09/30/2024)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
84
1,330
Weighted Average Market Cap
$138.7 billion
$125.9 billion
Active Share
67.5
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
18.1x
14.8x
P/E using FY2 estimates
16.2x
13.4x
Price/Cash Flow
14.9
9.7
Price/Book
2.7
1.7
Return On Equity
13.7
13.8
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
15.1%
11.1%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 09/30/2024)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
-12.6%
Beta
0.97
Upside Capture
68.89%
Downside Capture
128.38%
Sharpe Ratio
-0.76
Information Ratio
-1.42
Tracking Error
9.35%
R²
75.78
-12.60%
Alpha
0.97
Beta
68.89%
Upside Capture
128.38%
Downside Capture
-0.76
Sharpe Ratio
-1.42
Information Ratio
9.35%
Tracking Error
75.78
R²
Fund Risk Metrics are reflective of Investor share class.
Top 10 holdings may combine more than one security from the same issuer and related depositary receipts.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
Portfolio Breakdown (%)
(as of 09/30/2024)
Sector Allocation
Country Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Consumer Discretionary
25.8
14.9
10.9
Information Technology
22.5
19.4
3.1
Financials
18.6
20.5
-1.9
Communication Services
9.1
8.3
0.8
Industrials
8.8
12.3
-3.5
Health Care
5.5
5.8
-0.3
Consumer Staples
3.6
4.7
-1.1
Materials
3.3
6.2
-2.9
Real Estate
1.2
2.9
-1.7
Energy
1.0
2.8
-1.8
Utilities
0.3
2.2
-1.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.4
0.0
0.4
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
Country
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Japan
30.4
31.1
-0.7
China/Hong Kong
23.5
21.1
2.4
India
15.7
12.8
2.9
Taiwan
8.6
11.5
-2.9
South Korea
6.6
6.9
-0.3
Singapore
4.7
2.1
2.6
Australia
4.3
10.8
-6.5
Vietnam
1.5
0.0
1.5
Thailand
1.2
1.0
0.2
Indonesia
1.1
1.1
0.0
Philippines
0.9
0.4
0.5
Macau
0.9
0.1
0.8
Malaysia
0.0
1.0
-1.0
New Zealand
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.4
0.0
0.4
Not all countries are included in the benchmark index(es).
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
76.3
65.6
10.7
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
15.7
21.3
-5.6
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
6.7
13.0
-6.3
Small Cap (under $3B)
0.9
0.1
0.8
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.4
0.0
0.4
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.
There is no guarantee that the Fund will pay or continue to pay distributions.
Past performance 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.
Many markets in Asia performed strongly despite volatility generated by concerns over a U.S. slowdown, China’s economy and rising interest rates in Japan. Toward the end of the quarter, the Federal Reserve’s 50 basis point (O.50%) interest rate cut—and expectations of further cuts—boosted markets.
India’s equity market delivered a robust performance supported by earnings growth. The market is expensive but economic growth rates remain high. Following the formation of a coalition government after the election there were also signs that growth is becoming more balanced to include services and consumption as well as infrastructure and industry.
In North Asia, Taiwan’s technology-heavy market was challenged despite the potential growth opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI)-linked segments offer, in part as prior performance had been strong and as questions arose over valuations. South Korea’s market underperformed against the benchmark with semiconductor stocks particularly soft. Meanwhile, China’s economy continued to struggle with weak consumer sentiment and declining property prices. Toward the end of the quarter its markets rallied after the central bank launched a broad stimulus package with measures to add liquidity, aid the property market, and boost equity markets
Japan’s market experienced sharp volatility in August triggered by the Bank of Japan’s decision to raise interest rates and a surge in the value of the yen as well as concerns over the U.S. economy. Still, equities were supported by robust earnings growth, dividends and stock buybacks.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Matthews Asia Growth Fund returned 5.22%, (Investor Class) and 5.24% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index, returned 9.16% over the same period.
On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were Singapore, India and Indonesia due to stock selection. The top three detractors were China/Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea due to stock selection.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were consumer discretionary due to an overweight allocation, communication services and industrials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were information technology (IT), health care and financials due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Sea, a Singapore-based provider of PC and mobile digital content, Zomato, a leading Indian online restaurant booking and food delivery company, and Alibaba Group, the largest e-commerce platform company in China. The top three detractors included Samsung Electronics, a South Korean semiconductor and consumer electronics maker, Tokyo Electron, a Japanese electronics company, and Renesas Electronics, a Japanese semiconductor manufacturing company.
Outlook
The Fed’s rate cut will, we think, provide an impetus for a number of central banks in Asia to cut their own rates which should be favorable for businesses and economies. This is a significant turning point particularly for economies in the region, in our view. Fed rate cuts typically also bring downward pressure on the U.S. dollar which is often also a tailwind.
In China, it will take time to see if the stimulus measures provide a sustainable catalyst for recovery. In Japan, Shigeru Ishiba’s surprise victory in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party’s leadership contest and decision to hold an early general election in October may add some macro uncertainty but we believe recent drivers of equity returns—earnings growth, capital market reform and corporate governance changes—are intact.
We expect market volatility to continue across the region, particularly as we approach and pass through the U.S. election. Further out, we see opportunities for broader geographical growth especially in Southeast Asia where we believe economies and markets will benefit from U.S. rate cuts.
View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of September 30, 2024. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.
Average Annual Total Returns - MPACX as of 09/30/2024
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
24.67%
-10.82%
1.82%
3.79%
7.07%
10/31/2003
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. For the Fund's most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com
Fees & Expenses
Gross Expense Ratio
1.13%
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.
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 MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index that captures large and mid cap representation across 23 of the 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries excluding China: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey and United Arab Emirates.
The MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted small cap index of the stock markets of Argentina, Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Hungry, India, Indonesia, Kuwait, 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 MSCI India Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of Indian equities listed in India.
The MSCI Korea Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of Korean equities listed in Korea.
The MSCI Korea 25/50 Index is designed to measure the performance of the large and mid cap segments of the Korean market. It applies certain investment limits that are imposed on regulated investment companies, or RICs, under the current US Internal Revenue Code.
Indexes are for comparative purposes only and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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 September 30, 2024
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of September 30, 2024. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.
Average Annual Total Returns - MPACX as of 09/30/2024
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. For the Fund's most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com
Fees & Expenses
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.