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Matthews Asia Innovators Fund
MATFX

Snapshot
  • High-conviction, concentrated equity portfolio of innovative companies in Asia
  • All-cap fundamental approach focused on companies with unique offerings that create or expand markets
  • Capitalizing on the new economy and the rising disposable income in Asia

12/27/1999

Inception Date

-0.15%

YTD Return

(as of 01/17/2025)

$12.92

NAV

(as of 01/17/2025)

+0.13

1 Day NAV Change

(as of 01/17/2025)

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.

These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the prospectus.

Fund Facts
Inception Date 12/27/1999
Fund Assets $246.87 million (12/31/2024)
Currency USD
Ticker MATFX
Cusip 577-130-883
Portfolio Turnover 248.2%
Benchmark MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
Geographic Focus 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%

Performance

  • Monthly
  • Quarterly
  • Calendar Year
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As of 12/31/2024
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
-1.97% -3.43% 16.47% 16.47% -4.89% 6.90% 7.89% 4.67%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
0.19% -7.41% 12.51% 12.51% -1.19% 2.93% 4.88% 5.73%
As of 12/31/2024
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
-1.97% -3.43% 16.47% 16.47% -4.89% 6.90% 7.89% 4.67%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
0.19% -7.41% 12.51% 12.51% -1.19% 2.93% 4.88% 5.73%
For the years ended December 31st
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund - MATFX
MATFX
16.47% -1.77% -24.80% -13.10% 86.72% 29.60% -18.62% 52.88% -9.10% 4.48%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
12.51% 6.34% -19.36% -4.46% 25.36% 18.52% -14.12% 42.08% 5.76% -8.90%

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 12/31/2024)

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.

Ratings

  • OVERALL
  • out of 40 funds
  • 3 YEAR
  • out of 40 funds
  • 5 YEAR
  • out of 39 funds
  • 10 YEAR
  • out of 29 funds
  • 1 YEAR
  • 1st
  • 8 out of 33 funds
  • 3 YEAR
  • 3rd
  • 20 out of 31 funds
  • 5 YEAR
  • 1st
  • 2 out of 30 funds
  • 10 YEAR
  • 1st
  • 2 out of 20 funds
  • SINCE INCEPTION
  • 4th
  • 7 out of 8 funds

Ratings agency calculation methodology

Portfolio Managers

Michael J. Oh, CFA photo
Michael J. Oh, CFA

Lead Manager

Inbok  Song photo
Inbok Song

Co-Manager

Portfolio Characteristics

(as of 12/31/2024)
Fund Benchmark
Number of Positions 47 1,054
Weighted Average Market Cap $191.8 billion $180.4 billion
Active Share 65.0 n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates 19.9x 13.8x
P/E using FY2 estimates 16.9x 12.6x
Price/Cash Flow 17.5 9.2
Price/Book 3.5 1.8
Return On Equity 15.7 15.4
EPS Growth (3 Yr) 19.4% 12.8%

Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.

Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)

(as of 12/31/2024)
-2.74%
Alpha
1.09
Beta
101.87%
Upside Capture
112.14%
Downside Capture
-0.38
Sharpe Ratio
-0.38
Information Ratio
9.69%
Tracking Error
83.38

Fund Risk Metrics are reflective of Investor share class.

Sources: Zephyr StyleADVISOR

Top 10 Holdings

(as of 12/31/2024)
Name Sector Country % Net Assets
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Information Technology Taiwan 13.1
Sea, Ltd. Communication Services Singapore 6.4
Tencent Holdings, Ltd. Communication Services China/Hong Kong 4.9
Zomato, Ltd. Consumer Discretionary India 4.2
Trip.com Group, Ltd. Consumer Discretionary China/Hong Kong 4.1
PDD Holdings, Inc. Consumer Discretionary China/Hong Kong 4.1
Meituan Class B Consumer Discretionary China/Hong Kong 4.1
MakeMyTrip, Ltd. Consumer Discretionary India 3.5
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. Consumer Discretionary China/Hong Kong 3.0
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Financials India 2.5
TOTAL 49.9

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 12/31/2024)
  • Sector Allocation
  • Country Allocation
  • Market Cap Exposure
Sector Fund Benchmark Difference
Information Technology 30.3 27.2 3.1
Consumer Discretionary 30.3 14.0 16.3
Communication Services 16.6 10.2 6.4
Financials 9.5 22.0 -12.5
Industrials 9.3 7.4 1.9
Health Care 1.1 3.5 -2.4
Real Estate 1.0 2.2 -1.2
Consumer Staples 0.0 3.9 -3.9
Materials 0.0 3.7 -3.7
Energy 0.0 3.2 -3.2
Utilities 0.0 2.7 -2.7
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.8 0.0 1.8

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 35.5 36.1 -0.6
India 23.2 21.9 1.3
Taiwan 21.5 22.1 -0.6
Singapore 7.9 3.9 4.0
South Korea 7.3 10.2 -2.9
Vietnam 1.8 0.0 1.8
Indonesia 1.0 1.7 -0.7
Malaysia 0.0 1.7 -1.7
Thailand 0.0 1.6 -1.6
Philippines 0.0 0.6 -0.6
Macau 0.0 0.1 -0.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.8 0.0 1.8

Not all countries are included in the benchmark index(es).

Equity market cap of issuer Fund Benchmark Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B) 69.9 63.5 6.4
Large Cap ($10B-$25B) 16.7 20.5 -3.8
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B) 8.6 15.5 -6.9
Small Cap (under $3B) 3.0 0.5 2.5
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 1.8 0.0 1.8

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.

Distributions

Record Date Ex, Pay and
Reinvest Date
Ordinary
Income
Short Term
Capital Gains
Long Term
Capital Gains
Total Distributions
Per Share
% of NAV Nondividend Distribution (Return of Capital)
12/13/2023 12/14/2023 $0.00018 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.00018 0.0% N.A.
12/13/2022 12/14/2022 $0.00000 $0.00000 $3.00231 $3.00231 20.4% N.A.
12/14/2021 12/15/2021 $0.00000 $1.10849 $3.22827 $4.33676 18.4% N.A.
12/15/2020 12/16/2020 $0.00000 $0.13545 $0.31069 $0.44614 1.8% N.A.
12/16/2019 12/17/2019 $0.00000 $0.00000 $0.04272 $0.04272 0.3% N.A.

 

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.

Commentary

Period ended December 31, 2024

Market Environment

  • The Asia region fared well in 2024 amid divergent trends between markets. Changing expectations for U.S. interest rates and a fluctuation in the U.S. dollar were big influencers as was the ongoing strength in the artificial intelligence (AI) space.
  • After a strong start, India’s market experienced a selloff when Prime Minister Modi failed to win a majority in the elections in June, but quickly recovered after Modi secured a ruling coalition with allies. Later in the year, the market experienced a small correction as economic expansion eased and there was a downgrade in earnings, particularly in the consumer space.
  • Taiwan’s market powered through the year thanks to demand for its AI chips while South Korea was one of the biggest underperformers in emerging markets amid softening demand in the auto sector and a cyclical downturn in segments such as heavy industries. The market also experienced volatility after South Korea’s president briefly imposed martial law and then was impeached.
  • Chinese equities had a volatile start to the year and then rallied through the spring helped by government initiatives to support the property sector. The market sagged through the summer before surging in September as the government unveiled a broad package of stimulus measures aimed at kickstarting a recovery in the real estate market, lifting consumer confidence and improving liquidity in the stock market.
  • In Southeast Asia, domestic demand showed signs of recovery. Several economies including the Philippines benefited from domestic infrastructure agendas while some markets gained from specific trends, such as demand for AI related-date centers in Malaysia. In the second half of the year, the region’s performance was impacted by signs that the Federal Reserve may cut rates more slowly than anticipated and by a strengthening dollar.

Contributors and Detractors

  • For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Matthews Asia Innovators Fund returned 16.47%, (Investor Class) and 16.58% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 12.51% over the same period.
  • On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were India due to stock selection, the U.S. due to an off-benchmark allocation and Singapore due to stock selection. The top three detractors were China/Hong Kong and Taiwan due to stock selection and Malaysia due to zero allocation.
  • On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were consumer discretionary, communication services and industrials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were financials due to stock selection, utilities due to an underweight allocation and real estate due to stock selection
  • The top three contributors to absolute performance included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a leading Taiwanese chipmaker, Zomato, a leading Indian online restaurant booking and food delivery company, and Sea, a Singapore-based provider of PC and mobile digital content. The largest detractors included Pinduoduo (PDD), one of China’s largest e-commerce platforms that started its businesses with a focus on lower-tier city, price sensitive consumers, Samsung Electronics, a South Korean semiconductor and consumer electronics maker, and Alchip Technologies, a Taiwanese silicon design and manufacturing services provider.

Outlook

  • A key narrative for the region in 2025 could be the scale of the impact of the new Trump administration. Its policies could support a higher dollar, U.S. Treasury yields and interest rates and it could also impose tariffs on countries including China. At the same time, a Trump administration could also stoke a stronger U.S. economy and that’s good for global growth and for risk assets.
  • After the first quarter, provided there is more clarity on U.S. trade policy as well as from China on its fiscal plans to boost its lackluster economy and real estate sector, we think volatility may subside and the outlook for the region will improve. Taiwan should continue to benefit from strong demand for AI-related chips while in India we are focused more on financials, large caps and companies with consistent earnings growth where expectations aren’t so high.
  • At the global macro level, we will likely continue to see Fed rate cuts. This may not be a clear tailwind for Asian emerging markets but will be less of a headwind, in our view. At this juncture, we would say that a large component of returns from the region in 2025 will be backloaded into the second half of the year.

 

View the Fund’s Top 10 holdings as of December 31, 2024. Current and future holdings are subject to change and risk.

Average Annual Total Returns - MATFX as of 12/31/2024
1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
16.47% -4.89% 6.90% 7.89% 4.67% 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.

 

Visit our Glossary of Terms page for definitions and additional information.

Index Definitions

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.