Unconstrained all-cap strategy focused on secular growth opportunities in Korea
Fundamental bottom-up approach seeks companies with sustainable business models, strong governance and improving competitive advantages against global peers
Highly differentiated portfolio offers exposure to new economy growth drivers overlooked by index
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Korea Active ETF 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 South Korea. 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 markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets. 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.
MSCI Korea 25/50 Index
Korea Composite Stock Price Index
Geographic Focus
South Korea
Fees & Expenses
Gross Expense Ratio
0.79%
Objective
Long-term capital appreciation
Strategy
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews Korea Active ETF 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 South Korea. 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 markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets. 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
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 Korea Active ETF - MKOR
10/29/2010
NAV
-3.02%
-9.86%
-9.66%
-4.58%
-6.00%
3.38%
3.13%
4.70%
Market Price
-1.81%
-9.25%
-7.92%
-2.81%
-5.90%
3.45%
3.17%
4.72%
MSCI Korea 25/50 Index
-5.47%
-13.02%
-13.22%
-7.62%
-6.26%
2.21%
2.60%
n.a.
Korea Composite Stock Price Index
-5.18%
-11.72%
-13.51%
-7.77%
-7.84%
2.05%
1.91%
2.15%
As of 09/30/2024
Average Annual Total Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Korea Active ETF - MKOR
10/29/2010
NAV
-1.18%
-0.80%
-0.95%
9.87%
-4.80%
5.83%
3.46%
5.45%
Market Price
-2.09%
-0.89%
-0.66%
9.30%
-5.21%
5.56%
3.33%
5.35%
MSCI Korea 25/50 Index
-0.78%
-2.43%
-1.01%
13.34%
-4.53%
5.54%
3.34%
n.a.
Korea Composite Stock Price Index
-1.33%
-2.77%
-3.33%
10.64%
-6.79%
4.92%
2.32%
2.99%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Matthews Korea Active ETF - MKOR
NAV
15.41%
-25.39%
-0.16%
40.76%
4.01%
-22.15%
44.11%
-6.31%
15.27%
-0.39%
Market Price
13.62%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Korea Composite Stock Price Index (USD)
17.24%
-28.64%
-4.79%
39.76%
4.46%
-20.07%
37.71%
0.98%
-4.61%
-8.30%
MSCI Korea 25/50 Index (USD)
21.31%
-26.49%
-6.60%
40.90%
9.13%
-19.55%
45.67%
8.21%
-6.13%
-10.41%
Effective April 29, 2024, the primary benchmark changed from the Korea Composite Stock Price Index to the MSCI Korea 25-50 Gross Total Return Index.
The Matthews Korea ETF acquired the assets and liabilities of the predecessor mutual fund, the Matthews Korea Fund, on July 17, 2023. As a result of the transaction, the Fund adopted the accounting and performance history of its predecessor mutual fund. Performance results shown prior to July 17, 2023, reflect the performance of the predecessor mutual fund. The Market Price returns shown prior to July 17, 2023 reflects the predecessor mutual fund’s NAV.
KOSPI performance data may be readjusted periodically by the Korea Exchange due to certain factors, including the declaration of dividends.
Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. All performance is in US$.
MSCI and MICM are the sources of MSCI Korea Index performance data.
Year to Date and Since Inception performance with less than one year of history represents actual performance, not annualized.
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.
Net asset value (“NAV”) returns are based on the dollar value of a single share of the ETF, calculated using the value of the underlying assets of the ETF minus its liabilities, divided by the number of shares outstanding. The NAV is typically calculated at 4:00 pm Eastern time on each business day the New York Stock Exchange is open for trading. Market returns are based on the trade price at which shares are bought and sold on the NYSE Arca, Inc. using the last share trade. Market performance does not represent the returns you would receive if you traded shares at other times. Total Return reflects the reinvestment of distributions on ex-date for NAV returns and payment date for Market Price returns. The market price of the ETF’s shares may differ significantly from their NAV during periods of market volatility.
NAV & Market Price
(as of 12/24/2024)
NAV
$21.43
NAV Change
-0.03
Market Price
$21.34
Market Price Change
-0.02
Day's Trading Volume
7,662 Shares
Median BID/ASK Spread (30 Day)
0.30% (as of 12/24/2024)
Premium Discount
-0.42%
Number of days at Premium/Discount
2024
2023
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Premium
8
16
19
11
45
Discount
52
46
42
49
68
The NAV of an ETF represents the value of all the securities held by the ETF such as shares or bonds and cash minus any liabilities such as Total Expense Ratio (TER), and divided by the number of shares outstanding. An ETF’s market price is the price at which investors can buy or sell an ETF on an exchange. This price may deviate from the NAV of the ETF depending on demand for and supply for the ETF at a point in time.
The Premium/Discount chart shows the difference between the daily market price of the Fund’s shares and the Fund’s net asset value (“NAV”). The daily market price is calculated using the mid-point between the highest bid and the lowest offer on the listing exchange, as of the time that the Fund’s NAV is calculated (usually 4:00 pm Eastern time). The vertical axis of the chart shows the premium or discount of the Mid-Point price as a percentage of the NAV. The horizontal axis shows the number of trading days covered by the chart, and each bar in the chart demonstrates how many days the Fund traded within the given premium/discount range. The data presented in the chart and table above represent past performance and cannot be used to predict future results.
ETFs may trade at a premium or discount to NAV. Shares of any ETF are bought and sold at market prices (not NAV) and are not individually redeemed from the Fund. Brokerage commissions will reduce returns.
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
31.8
40.1
-8.3
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
26.5
32.3
-5.8
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
14.7
26.1
-11.4
Small Cap (under $3B)
18.6
1.5
17.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
8.5
0.0
8.5
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.
Portfolio Characteristics
(as of 09/30/2024)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
33
98
Weighted Average Market Cap
$66.6 billion
$78.7 billion
Active Share
65.4
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
10.5x
8.7x
P/E using FY2 estimates
8.8x
7.6x
Price/Cash Flow
7.3
6.0
Price/Book
1.2
1.0
Return On Equity
8.5
4.8
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
15.1%
13.3%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Distributions
Ex Date
Record Date
Pay Date
Reinvest Date
Ordinary Income
Short Term Capital Gains
Long Term Capital Gains
Total Distributions Per Share
% of NAV
12/18/2024
12/18/2024
12/23/2024
12/18/2024
$0.79629
$0.30065
$0.00000
$0.30065
4.8%
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.
Elli Lee is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Korea Strategy and co-manages the Asia Dividend, China Total Return Equity and Asian Growth and Income Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews in 2016, Elli worked at Bank of America Merrill Lynch for 10 years, most recently in Korean Equity Sales and previously as an Equity Research Analyst covering South Korea’s engineering, construction, steel and education sectors. From 2003 to 2005, Elli was an Investor Relations Specialist at Hana Financial Group in Seoul. She earned a Master of Science in Global Finance from the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Business School and New York University Stern School of Business, and received a B.A. in Economics from Bates College. Elli is fluent in Korean.
Sojung Park is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews manages the firm’s Korea Strategy and co-manages the Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity and Emerging Markets ex China Strategies. Prior to joining the Matthews in 2016, she earned an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. From 2010 to 2013, Sojung worked as an Equity Research Analyst at HSBC Securities as primary analyst for mid-cap companies in the Korean financial services sector, and from 2009 to 2010, was an Equity Research Associate at E*Trade Securities. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Seoul National University and is fluent in Korean.
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.
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 Benchmark used for comparison under "Portfolio Breakdown" and "Portfolio Characteristics" is the Korea Composite Stock Price 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.