Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Asia Innovators 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 that Matthews believes are innovators in their products, services, processes, business models, management, use of technology, or approach to creating, expanding or servicing their markets. 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. Sector funds may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of a concentration in a specific sector. The Fund's value may be affected by changes in the science and technology-related industries.
These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the
prospectus.
Asia ex Japan - Consists of all countries and markets in Asia excluding Japan, but including all other developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region
Fees & Expenses
Gross Expense Ratio
1.15%
Objective
Long-term capital appreciation
Strategy
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Asia Innovators 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 that Matthews believes are innovators in their products, services, processes, business models, management, use of technology, or approach to creating, expanding or servicing their markets. 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. Sector funds may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of a concentration in a specific sector. The Fund's value may be affected by changes in the science and technology-related industries.
The risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus
Performance
Monthly
Quarterly
Calendar Year
As of 08/31/2024
Average Annual Total Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund - MATFX
12/27/1999
MATFX
0.40%
3.80%
13.05%
14.29%
-9.23%
8.92%
7.41%
4.61%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
1.98%
6.32%
12.03%
16.13%
-3.10%
5.53%
4.22%
5.79%
As of 06/30/2024
Average Annual Total Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund - MATFX
12/27/1999
MATFX
5.46%
7.14%
14.85%
15.48%
-11.12%
8.42%
7.88%
4.71%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
4.32%
7.30%
9.92%
13.27%
-5.44%
3.84%
4.49%
5.75%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund - MATFX
MATFX
-1.77%
-24.80%
-13.10%
86.72%
29.60%
-18.62%
52.88%
-9.10%
4.48%
9.24%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
6.34%
-19.36%
-4.46%
25.36%
18.52%
-14.12%
42.08%
5.76%
-8.90%
5.11%
MSCI AC Asia Ex Japan Index since inception value calculated from 12/31/99.
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.
Inbok Song is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Pacific Tiger and Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Strategies and co-manages the Emerging Markets Sustainable Future and Asia Innovators Strategies. Prior to rejoining Matthews in 2019, Inbok spent three years at Seafarer Capital Partners as a portfolio manager, the firm’s Director of Research and chief data scientist. Previously she was at Thornburg Investment Management as an associate portfolio manager. From 2007 to 2015, she was at Matthews, most recently as a portfolio manager. From 2005 to 2006, Inbok served as an Analyst and Technology Specialist at T. Stone Corp., a private equity firm in Seoul, South Korea. From 2004 to 2005, she was a research engineer for Samsung SDI in Seoul. Inbok received both a B.A. and Masters in Materials Science and Engineering from Seoul National University. She received a Masters in International Management from the University of London, King’s College, and also an M.A. in Management Science and Engineering, with a concentration in finance from Stanford University. Inbok is fluent in Korean.
Portfolio Characteristics
(as of 06/30/2024)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
52
1,131
Weighted Average Market Cap
$194.4 billion
$169.5 billion
Active Share
64.5
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
19.9x
13.8x
P/E using FY2 estimates
15.8x
12.0x
Price/Cash Flow
15.1
8.9
Price/Book
3.5
1.8
Return On Equity
16.4
15.0
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
22.9%
14.0%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 06/30/2024)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
-4.07%
Beta
1.15
Upside Capture
106.28%
Downside Capture
118.23%
Sharpe Ratio
-0.59
Information Ratio
-0.56
Tracking Error
10.2%
R²
83.88
-4.07%
Alpha
1.15
Beta
106.28%
Upside Capture
118.23%
Downside Capture
-0.59
Sharpe Ratio
-0.56
Information Ratio
10.20%
Tracking Error
83.88
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 06/30/2024)
Sector Allocation
Country Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Information Technology
39.7
28.5
11.2
Consumer Discretionary
21.4
13.1
8.3
Communication Services
12.7
9.5
3.2
Industrials
8.7
7.5
1.2
Financials
7.6
20.3
-12.7
Energy
2.8
4.0
-1.2
Real Estate
2.3
2.2
0.1
Health Care
2.1
3.2
-1.1
Materials
0.0
4.7
-4.7
Consumer Staples
0.0
4.0
-4.0
Utilities
0.0
2.9
-2.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
2.7
0.0
2.7
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
Country
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
China/Hong Kong
28.9
33.1
-4.2
India
24.6
21.9
2.7
Taiwan
21.8
22.0
-0.2
South Korea
12.5
13.9
-1.4
Singapore
4.6
3.4
1.2
Japan
2.1
0.0
2.1
Brazil
1.1
0.0
1.1
Netherlands
1.1
0.0
1.1
Vietnam
0.6
0.0
0.6
Indonesia
0.0
1.8
-1.8
Malaysia
0.0
1.6
-1.6
Thailand
0.0
1.5
-1.5
Philippines
0.0
0.6
-0.6
Macau
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
2.7
0.0
2.7
Not all countries are included in the benchmark index(es).
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
70.3
62.5
7.8
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
10.7
20.2
-9.5
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
11.9
16.7
-4.8
Small Cap (under $3B)
4.4
0.6
3.8
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
2.7
0.0
2.7
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.
Markets in the region performed largely in line with our expectations in the second quarter, with Taiwan, India and China delivering positive performances. Inflation on the whole is not as high as in developed markets and in the absence of rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve, a lot of positive performance was driven by fundamentals and earnings growth.
The expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, led by large U.S. tech firms, was a key theme. While a handful of high-profile American firms—the so-called ‘Magnificent Seven’—remain in the investor spotlight, it is the companies in the tech hubs of Taiwan and South Korea that are providing the infrastructure and hardware that is key to enabling their services.
Looking more closely at the region, Taiwan was driven by demand for hardware from the U.S. while South Korea experienced weakness in cyclical sectors and in certain areas—including electric vehicles (EV) and EV battery making—oversupply has hurt prices and equity performance.
Indian equities recovered from the market’s negative reaction to the election result when it became clear that Prime Minister Modi would form a coalition with allies after his party failed to win an outright majority. Indian local bonds also had their inaugural inclusion in the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) index, which is expected to add significant foreign investor inflows in coming quarters. Chinese equities, meanwhile, performed well despite ongoing economic challenges. There were improvements in China’s offshore markets, notably on the revenue and cost efficiency side in larger sectors like digital and e-commerce.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Matthews Asia Innovators Fund returned 7.14%, (Investor Class) and 7.20% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 7.30% over the same period.
On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were Singapore and South Korea due to stock selection and Thailand due to zero allocation. The top three detractors were India due to stock selection, China/Hong Kong due to an underweight allocation and Netherlands due to an off-benchmark allocation.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were communication services and consumer discretionary due to stock selection and consumer staples due to zero allocation. The top three detractors were financials and energy due to stock selection and utilities due to zero allocation.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a leading Taiwanese chipmaker, Sea, a Singapore-based provider of PC and mobile digital content, and Tencent Holdings, a Chinese online gaming, and social media conglomerate. The top three detractors to performance included Alchip Technologies, a silicon design and manufacturing services provider, PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia (Persero), an Indonesian microfinance company, and Samsung SDI, a Korean battery manufacturing company.
Outlook
Post-COVID growth in the region is starting to come through, beginning with technology and semiconductor segments but also in ecommerce across markets. We think this trajectory will pave the way for consistent earnings growth over the next few years with more upside to equity performance driven by North Asia.
Markets in the region should also benefit from the onset of a monetary easing cycle in the U.S. and the decline in the value of the U.S. dollar that it would likely bring, in our view.
In Taiwan, we think there is a strong runway of AI and technology-related growth. In South Korea, growth may be more longer term as we see the components of a global technology ecosystem being built and the impact of capital reform initiatives beginning to take hold. It’s too early to say how AI will disrupt the consumer in Asia generally but right now demand for AI-related chips and server hardware is a real earnings and growth driver for the region.
View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of June 30, 2024. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.
Average Annual Total Returns - MATFX as of 06/30/2024
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
15.48%
-11.12%
8.42%
7.88%
4.71%
12/27/1999
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
1.15%
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. Sector funds may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of a concentration in a specific sector. The Fund's value may be affected by changes in the science and technology-related industries.
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 June 30, 2024
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of June 30, 2024. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.
Average Annual Total Returns - MATFX as of 06/30/2024
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. Sector funds may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of a concentration in a specific sector. The Fund's value may be affected by changes in the science and technology-related industries.