12/31/1998
Inception Date
7.72%
YTD Return
(as of 10/02/2023)
$16.05
NAV
(as of 10/02/2023)
-0.19
1 Day NAV Change
(as of 10/02/2023)
Long-term capital appreciation
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Japan 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 Japan. 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.
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. In addition, investments in a single-country fund, which is considered a non-diversified fund, may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of concentration in a specific country.
These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus.
| Inception Date | 12/31/1998 | |
| Fund Assets | $683.77 million (08/31/2023) | |
| Currency | USD | |
| Ticker | MJFOX | |
| Cusip | 577-130-800 | |
| Portfolio Turnover | 83.4% | |
| Benchmark | MSCI Japan Index | |
| Geographic Focus | Japan | |
| Gross Expense Ratio | 1.05% | |
| Objective | Long-term capital appreciation |
| Strategy | Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Japan Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Japan. The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management’s depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health. |
| Risks |
Investments in Asian securities may involve risks such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. In addition, investments in a single-country fund, which is considered a non-diversified fund, may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of concentration in a specific country.
The risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus |
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. All performance is in US$.
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.
(as of 06/30/2023)
CATEGORY: Japan Stock
| OVERALL | 3 stars | out of 32 funds |
| 3 YEAR | 2 stars | out of 32 funds |
| 5 YEAR | 3 stars | out of 30 funds |
| 10 YEAR | 3 stars | out of 22 funds |
(as of 06/30/2023)
CATEGORY: Japanese Funds
| 1 YEAR | 3rd | 27 out of 35 funds |
| 3 YEAR | 4th | 26 out of 31 funds |
| 5 YEAR | 3rd | 20 out of 29 funds |
| 10 YEAR | 2nd | 8 out of 21 funds |
| SINCE INCEPTION | 2nd | 3 out of 7 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
Taizo Ishida is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Asia Growth and Japan Strategies, and co-manages the firm’s Asia Innovators Strategy. Prior to joining Matthews in 2006, Taizo spent six years on the global and international teams at Wellington Management Company as a Vice President and Portfolio Manager. From 1997 to 2000, he was a Senior Securities Analyst and a member of the international investment team at USAA Investment Management Company. From 1990 to 1997, he was a Principal and Senior Research Analyst at Sanford Bernstein & Co. Prior to beginning his investment career at Yamaichi International (America), Inc. as a Research Analyst, he spent two years in Dhaka, Bangladesh as a Program Officer with the United Nations Development Program. Taizo received a B.A. in Social Science from International Christian University in Tokyo and an M.A. in International Relations from The City College of New York. He is fluent in Japanese.
Lead Manager
Portfolio Manager
Shuntaro Takeuchi is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Japan 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.
Co-Manager
Portfolio Manager
Donghoon Han is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and co-manages the firm’s Japan Strategy. Prior to joining Matthews in 2020, Donghoon was Vice President and portfolio manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in Tokyo, responsible for investments in technology, automotive and transportation sectors in Japan. From 2014 to 2016, he was a senior associate at Citadel Global Equities researching technology and industrial sectors in Japan. From 2010 to 2014, Donghoon worked at Dodge & Cox as an equity research associate covering global technology sector with a focus on semiconductors and electronic components. He received B.A. in International Liberal Arts from Waseda University in Tokyo. Donghoon is fluent in Japanese and Korean. He is a Chartered Member of the Securities Analysts Association of Japan.
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Fund Risk Metrics are reflective of Investor share class.
Sources: Zephyr StyleADVISOR
Top 10 holdings may combine more than one security from the same issuer and related depositary receipts.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
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 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.
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 June 30, 2023
For the first half of 2023, the Matthews Japan Fund returned 13.42% (Investor Class) and 13.46% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI Japan Index, returned 13.24% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2023, the Fund returned 4.90% (Investor Class) and 4.89% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned 6.45%.
Market Environment:
Japan equity markets posted double digit returns for the first half of 2023, along with other developed markets, outpacing emerging markets. Japanese stocks continued their march higher during the second quarter as government policy and activist pressure pushed undervalued companies to increase their payout and buy-back ratios. Hopes for China reopening waned quickly but the U.S. Federal Reserve’s pace of rate hike slowing down amid inflation rates starting to peak out spurred a general risk-on environment. The Japanese yen traded in a range bound for the first three months of the year but in second quarter, as U.S. 10-year bond yield rose towards 4%, and the Japanese yen weakened towards 145 yen.
Japan enjoys several tailwinds for the first time in years including a positive earnings cycle driven by moderate inflation, meaningful wage gains and policy driven reforms which are pushing companies to increase their corporate value via capital efficiencies and shareholder payouts. In addition, the recovery in inbound tourism plus the fact that Japan lacks the geopolitical headwinds of China is creating positive foreign inflows into Japan.
Performance Contributors and Detractors:
In the first half, strong stock selections were able to overcome the detraction from allocation effect versus the benchmark index. From a sector perspective, our stock selection in information technology and consumer staples were the two largest contributors to relative performance year to date. On the other hand, the portfolio’s underweight and stock selection in industrials was the biggest detractor.
At the holdings level, semiconductor company Renesas Electronics, was the largest contributor to investment results. Shares reacted positively after earnings results in February, with progress being made in inventory adjustments showed the company’s solid execution during downturns. We continue to see Renesas constructively as its valuation level still remains compelling even after the strong performance year to date, and potential for the company to improve shareholder returns. Electronic materials and chemical product company Shin-Etsu Chemical was another top contributor. The company continued to impress the market with solid execution capability during economic downturns and inventory adjustment period in both semiconductor wafers and polyvinyl chllloride (PVC) demand. Over the long term, we remain bullish on the semiconductor market as well as the wafer market where Shin-Etsu is a solid global leader with pricing power.
On the other hand, debt guarantor eGuarantee was the largest detractor year to date. The company’s shares weakened as small-cap growth companies faced unfavorable style movements in markets, but eGuarantee is poised to benefit from rise in bankruptcies as COVID-related relief funds have started to expire. eGuarantee is in the business of guaranteeing various types of credit that arise between companies doing business with each other. The credit guarantee business is a niche market, but it is a growing market in which eGuarantee is the leader. Furniture retailer Nitori was also a major detractor to investment results. The company has high exposure to currency rates, as they manufacture furnitures overseas while the majority of their retail operations are in Japan. Yen weakness resumed especially in the second quarter, which pushed down the company’s own efforts to raise price and introduce new products that can adapt to current currency environment.
Notable Portfolio Changes:
During the second quarter, we initiated a position in credit card company Credit Saison. The company, in our view, could offer double digit profit growth coupled with increased shareholder return potential. While total card membership number are not growing, revolving loan total has turned positive year over year (YoY) post COVID and cashing loan has started to bottom out. Credit Saison’s India subsidiary (Kisetsu Saison Finance India) is growing above expectations, and starting to contribute to earnings.
We have also re-initiated Toyota Motor after a year of hiatus. The stock has underperformed the overall market over the past year due to production constraints stemming from semiconductor shortage, but the shortage has been largely resolved while the company has been quietly increasing its market share in Europe and Chinese markets with its hybrid vehicles.
To fund these positions, weexited Daikin Industries, IHI, Lasertec, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Nippon Telegraph & Telephone, and SMS Company.
Outlook:
While the market seems ready for the Fed to pivot its interest-rate policy and for inflation to peak out, we believe the Fed is hesitant to prematurely remove its hawkish policies to contain inflation. With this backdrop, we don’t see a sudden reversal of growth underperformance in Japan anytime soon, although we also think that we have seen the worst in terms of style shift. We continue to prefer taking a more balanced approach towards multiple stages of growth and valuation levels. For the year of 2023, companies’ earnings growth and cash flow-generation ability will be ever more important as financial estimates for Japanese corporates have started to be revised down.
Over the long term, we continue to believe the earnings capability of Japanese companies has improved meaningfully over the past economic cycle. Last year, the Japanese equity market outperformed both developed markets (MSCI World) and emerging markets (MSCI Emerging Market) in U.S. dollar terms. With the yen at a near quarter-century-low to the dollar, Japanese companies are in good health and, importantly, the country is firmly open for tourism. We continue to believe this is the time for investors to add a long-term exposure to the market.
View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of June 30, 2023. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.
The MSCI World Index captures large and mid-cap representation across 23 Developed Markets (DM) countries. With 1,512 constituents, the index covers approximately 85% of the free float-adjusted market capitalization in each country.
Average Annual Total Returns - MJFOX as of 06/30/2023
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
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. In addition, investments in a single-country fund, which is considered a non-diversified fund, may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of concentration in a specific country.