A focus on Asia—and providing compelling investment solutions for our clients—is what we believe distinguishes us among investment managers. Our insights into investment opportunities and risks are backed by proprietary research, a collaborative culture and 30 years of experience.
The Fund promotes environmental and social characteristics according to Article 8 of SFDR. Furthermore, the Fund uses both activity- and norm-based exclusions. Information relating to the environmental and social characteristics of this Fund is available in the prospectus.
Strategy
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 65% of its total net assets, in equities of companies located in China, and may invest the remainder of its net assets in other permitted assets on a worldwide basis. For the purpose of this policy, China includes the People’s Republic of China, its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong, as well as Taiwan.
Risks
The value of an investment in the Fund can go down as well as up and possible loss of principal is a risk of investing. Investments in international, emerging and frontier market securities may involve risks such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund's assets. Investing in Chinese securities involve risks. Heightened risks related to the regulatory environment and the potential actions by the Chinese government could negatively impact performance. The Fund invests in holdings denominated in foreign currency, and is exposed to the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or decrease. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities, which may result in increased volatility. Investments in a single-country 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.
China and Taiwan: China includes its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong.
SFDR Classification
Article 8
Fees & Expenses
Management Fee
0.75%
Total Expense Ratio
1.00%
( USD )
1.00%
( GBP )
Objective
Seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation.
Strategy
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 65% of its total net assets, in equities of companies located in China, and may invest the remainder of its net assets in other permitted assets on a worldwide basis. For the purpose of this policy, China includes the People’s Republic of China, its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong, as well as Taiwan.
Risks
The value of an investment in the Fund can go down as well as up and possible loss of principal is a risk of investing. Investments in international, emerging and frontier market securities may involve risks such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation, which may adversely affect the value of the Fund's assets. Investing in Chinese securities involve risks. Heightened risks related to the regulatory environment and the potential actions by the Chinese government could negatively impact performance. The Fund invests in holdings denominated in foreign currency, and is exposed to the risk that the value of the foreign currency will increase or decrease. The Fund invests primarily in equity securities, which may result in increased volatility. Investments in a single-country 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
Rolling 12 Month Returns
As of 31/10/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China Fund (USD)
-3.70%
27.58%
26.56%
25.56%
-10.85%
1.04%
4.40%
3.86%
26/02/2010
MSCI China Index (USD)
-5.91%
17.78%
21.94%
22.01%
-8.24%
-1.01%
2.52%
3.20%
Matthews China Fund (GBP)
-0.52%
26.11%
24.00%
17.64%
-9.02%
1.01%
6.59%
4.92%
28/02/2011
MSCI China Index (GBP)
-1.83%
17.67%
20.91%
15.15%
-6.26%
-0.88%
4.79%
4.53%
As of 30/09/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China Fund (USD)
32.29%
29.54%
31.42%
23.37%
-8.70%
2.91%
5.18%
4.15%
26/02/2010
MSCI China Index (USD)
23.93%
23.65%
29.60%
24.14%
-5.38%
1.00%
3.58%
3.65%
Matthews China Fund (GBP)
30.09%
22.13%
24.65%
12.75%
-8.61%
1.18%
7.18%
4.99%
28/02/2011
MSCI China Index (GBP)
21.42%
16.52%
23.17%
12.96%
-5.22%
-0.70%
5.56%
4.70%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
Matthews China Fund (USD)
-19.88%
-23.62%
-13.32%
43.38%
33.92%
-19.89%
57.70%
-3.95%
-0.45%
-2.95%
MSCI China Index (USD)
-11.04%
-21.80%
-21.64%
29.67%
23.66%
-18.75%
54.33%
1.11%
-7.62%
8.26%
Matthews China Fund (GBP)
-24.16%
-14.45%
-12.17%
38.50%
29.88%
-15.40%
43.82%
15.48%
4.66%
3.00%
MSCI China Index (GBP)
-16.05%
-11.95%
-20.92%
25.66%
18.88%
-13.70%
40.97%
20.60%
-2.27%
15.00%
For the period ended 30/09/2024
Name
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Inception Date
Matthews China Fund (USD)
23.37%
-0.07%
-38.28%
6.92%
41.87%
26/02/2010
MSCI China Index (USD)
24.14%
5.44%
-35.29%
-7.24%
33.76%
Matthews China Fund (GBP)
12.75%
-9.91%
-24.86%
2.01%
36.18%
28/02/2011
MSCI China Index (GBP)
12.96%
-3.57%
-21.84%
-11.06%
27.50%
Source: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A.
All returns over 1 year are annualized
Since inception performance for share classes with less than one year of history represents actual performance, not annualised. In addition, for share classes less than a year old, Year to Date Return is calculated since inception. Where no past performance is shown there was insufficient data available in that year to provide performance.
Performance details provided are based on a NAV-to-NAV basis with any dividends reinvested, and are net of management fees and other expenses. Performance data has been calculated in the respective currencies stated above, including ongoing charges and excluding subscription fee and redemption fee you might have to pay.
All performance quoted represents past performance and is not indicative of future performance. Investors may not get back the full amount invested. Investors investing in funds denominated in non-local currency should be aware of the risk of currency exchange fluctuations that may cause a loss of principal.
Additional performance, attribution, liquidity, value at risk (VaR), security classification and holdings information is available on request for certain time periods.
Portfolio Characteristics
(as of 31/10/2024)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
62
598
Weighted Average Market Cap
$127.5 billion
$155.8 billion
Active Share
57.0
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
10.6x
10.4x
P/E using FY2 estimates
9.9x
9.7x
Price/Cash Flow
5.8
6.6
Price/Book
1.5
1.4
Return On Equity
13.7
13.0
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
9.2%
6.3%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 30/09/2024)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
-2.23%
Beta
1.08
Upside Capture
107.24%
Downside Capture
107.58%
Sharpe Ratio
-0.34
Information Ratio
-0.39
Tracking Error
8.52%
R²
94.98
-2.23%
Alpha
1.08
Beta
107.24%
Upside Capture
107.58%
Downside Capture
-0.34
Sharpe Ratio
-0.39
Information Ratio
8.52%
Tracking Error
94.98
R²
Fund Risk Metrics are reflective of Class I USD ACC shares.
Top 10 holdings may combine more than one security from the same issuer and related depositary receipts.
Source: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A
Portfolio Breakdown (%)
(as of 31/10/2024)
Sector Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
China Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Consumer Discretionary
29.3
31.8
-2.5
Financials
24.0
17.8
6.2
Communication Services
12.3
20.7
-8.4
Industrials
10.5
4.9
5.6
Consumer Staples
6.6
4.0
2.6
Real Estate
5.8
2.1
3.7
Information Technology
4.1
6.6
-2.5
Energy
2.7
3.1
-0.4
Health Care
2.4
3.6
-1.2
Materials
2.2
3.1
-0.9
Utilities
0.0
2.3
-2.3
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.3
0.0
0.3
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)
72.5
72.2
0.3
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
15.3
14.1
1.2
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
6.1
13.5
-7.4
Small Cap (under $3B)
5.8
0.2
5.6
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.3
0.0
0.3
China Exposure
Portfolio Weight
Hong Kong Listed Companies
63.6
Mainland China Listed Companies
24.1
ADR/GDR
11.2
Other
0.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.3
Mainland China listed companies includes A Share and B Shares. A Shares are Mainland Chinese companies incorporated in China and listed on the Shanghai or Shenzhen exchanges, available mostly to local Chinese investors and qualified institutional investors. B Shares are mainland Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, available to both Chinese and non-Chinese investors. ADRs are American Depositary Receipts and GDRs are Global Depositary Receipts. Hong Kong Listed Companies include SAR (Hong Kong) companies, China-affiliated corporations, and H Shares. SAR companies are companies that conduct business in Hong Kong and/or mainland China. China-affiliated corporations [CAC], also known as "Red Chips," are mainland China companies with partial state ownership listed in Hong Kong, and incorporated in Hong Kong. H Shares are mainland Chinese companies listed on the Hong Kong exchange but incorporated in mainland China. Other represents Chinese companies listed in other countries or non-China companies with a majority of revenue coming from China such as Japan, Singapore, Taiwan and the United States or other non-China companies.
Source: FactSet Research Systems unless otherwise noted. 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.
ESG Characteristics
(as of 30/09/2024)
Business Involvement
Sustainability Attributes
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Controversial Weapons
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0
0.1
-0.1
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
20.7
20.3
0.4
Board Diversity: Represents the weighted average ratio of female board members in investee companies. Tobacco: Represents companies that generate more than 5% of revenue from tobacco manufacturing exposure to or production or that generate more than 50% of revenue from tobacco retail. UN Global Compact Violators: Represents companies that have been assessed as failing to comply with the 10 United Nations Global Compact Principles by ISS-ESG Norms-Based Research. Different ESG research providers may come to different conclusions on the severity of the violation. Controversial weapons include companies with involvement in the following: anti-personnel mines; biological and chemical weapons; cluster weapons; depleted uranium; nuclear weapons and white phosphorus. A company is excluded if it is directly involved in the production, selling and/or distribution of (parts of) controversial weapons and this involvement concerns the core weapon system, or components/services of the core weapon system that are tailor-made and essential for the lethal use of the weapon.
Fund Coverage: 99%; Benchmark Coverage: 98% as of 30/09/2024
GHG Intensity: Represents the normalized portfolio’s total weighted average (scope 1 + scope 2) carbon emissions intensity, using the most recently available data (emissions data from 2020, 2021). Carbon intensity represents the issuer’s total carbon emissions per EUR million of revenue (tCO2e divided by EUR million in revenue).
Source: Sourced from ISS ESG. Where not covered by external data providers, we have tried to source these data points.
Sustainability-related Disclosures
This Fund
Yes
No
Complies with Article 8 of SFDR
Investment process integrates ESG factors and sustainability risks based on proprietary and third-party research
Applies norms- and activity-based exclusions
Promotes environmental and social characteristics
Has a sustainable investment objective
Conducts engagement
Exercises Voting Rights
Investors should not invest in the Fund solely based on the information in this material alone. Please refer to the Prospectus for further details of the Fund’s investment objective and risk factors.
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.
Andrew Mattock is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s China, China Small Companies, China Discovery and China A-Share Strategies and co-manages the Pacific Tiger, China Total Return Equity and Emerging Markets Equity Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews in 2015, he was a Fund Manager at Henderson Global Investors for 15 years, first in London and then in Singapore, managing Asia Pacific equities. Andrew holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Accounting from ACU. He began his career at PricewaterhouseCoopers and qualified as a Chartered Accountant.
Winnie Chwang is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s China Small Companies, China Discovery and China Total Return Equity Strategies and co-manages the China, China A-Share, Pacific Tiger and Asia Dividend Strategies. She joined the firm in 2004 and has built her investment career at the firm. Winnie earned an MBA from the Haas School of Business and received her B.A. in Economics with a minor in Business Administration from the University of California, Berkeley. She is fluent in Mandarin and conversational in Cantonese.
Sherwood Zhang is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s China Dividend, China Total Return Equity and China A-Shares Strategies and co-manages the China, China Discovery, China Small Companies and Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews in 2011, Sherwood was an analyst at Passport Capital from 2007 to 2010, where he focused on such industries as property and basic materials in China as well as consumer-related sectors. Before earning his MBA in 2007, Sherwood served as a Senior Treasury Officer for Hang Seng Bank in Shanghai and Hong Kong, and worked as a Foreign Exchange Trader at Shanghai Pudong Development Bank in Shanghai. He received his MBA from the University of Maryland and his Bachelor of Economics in Finance from Shanghai University. Sherwood is fluent in Mandarin and speaks conversational Cantonese.
Hardy Zhu is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and co manages the firm’s Asia Discovery, China, China Small Companies, China Dividend, China Total Return Equity, China Discovery, China A-Share, Emerging Markets Small Companies and Emerging Markets Discovery Strategies. Prior to joining the firm in 2011, Hardy was an Equity Analyst with Delaware Investments researching Chinese equities. Before earning his MBA from Duke University in 2007, Hardy was a senior accountant at PNC Global Investment Servicing from 2000 to 2005. Hardy began his career at China National Nonferrous Metals Import & Export Co., one of the largest state-owned international trading companies in China. He received a Master of Accounting degree from the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University and a B.S. in Industrial Foreign Trade from Shenyang Polytechnic University in China. Hardy is fluent in Mandarin.
China's difficulties are well documented. Since the second quarter, consumer sentiment continued to deteriorate and month-on-month property prices continued to decline. There is de-premiumization occurring as consumers are spending but they're much more selective in what they are spending on.
Despite this, many Chinese companies showed resilience. While earnings have disappointed in many areas, there were notable exceptions, particularly in e-commerce, where there has been a focus on the bottom line and improvements in profitability, rather than purely on sales growth. Companies more directly tied to China’s domestic economy faced greater challenges. Among retailers, we are seeing margins coming down as companies try to maintain volumes.
While we believe valuations are generally compelling, earnings projections are changeable and some stocks can remain attractive while others can become expensive. Toward the end of the quarter the markets rallied after the central bank launched a broad and significant stimulus package.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the China Fund returned 29.54% (I Acc USD), while its benchmark, the MSCI China Index, returned 23.65% over the same period.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were financials, consumer discretionary and industrials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were health care, information technology (IT) and energy due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Alibaba Group, an e-commerce platform company, Meituan, China’s largest food delivery service and internet platform company, and JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform. The top three detractors included PetroChina, one of China’s largest state-owned oil and gas companies, Orient Overseas (International) Limited, a Chinese industrials company, and Tencent Music Entertainment Group, an online music entertainment platform provider.
Outlook
The stimulus moves announced by China’s central bank included measures to boost the stock market, support the real estate sector and add liquidity in the economy. We view them as the broadest and most aggressive set of proposals since China’s economy started to face challenges more than three years ago. However, it will take time to see if the measures provide a sustainable catalyst for economic recovery or whether further stimulus is warranted.
We believe that Chinese equities have been priced too cheaply amid all the macro negativities. We have seen earnings growth this year but it has not been fully reflected in stock market pricing. As such, while improvements in the economy are anticipated, we believe the markets are attractively valued and could do well based on multiple re-rating.
Meanwhile, we expect volatility to remain in China’s markets, particularly as we approach and pass through the U.S. election.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 30/09/2024 - I (Acc)
Performance figures discussed in the Fund Manager Commentary above reflect that of the Institutional Accumulation Class Shares and has been calculated in USD. Performance details provided for the Fund are based on a NAV-to-NAV basis, with any dividends reinvested, and are net of management fees and other expenses. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Investors may not get back the full amount invested.
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. Matthews Asia and its affiliates do not accept any liability for losses either direct or consequential caused by the use of this information.
Information contained herein is sourced from Matthews Asia unless otherwise stated. The views and opinions in this commentary were as of the report date, subject to change and may not reflect the writer’s 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.
Investors should not invest in the Fund solely based on the information in this material alone. Please refer to the Prospectus for further details of the risk factors.
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 China A Onshore Index captures large and mid cap representation across China securities listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges. Index is for comparative purposes only and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.
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 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.
Indexes are for comparative purposes only and it is not possible to invest directly in an index.
Commentary
Period ended 30 September 2024
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 30/09/2024 - I (Acc)
Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg