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Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund

Snapshot
  • Unconstrained strategy focused on companies that make a positive environmental, social and eco­nomic impact in Asia ex Japan
  • All-cap portfolio with diversified emerging and frontier market exposures
  • Deep bottom-up fundamental approach that seeks to generate attractive long-term risk-adjusted returns by investing in well-governed companies

21/07/2022

Inception Date

6.99%

YTD Return (USD)

(as of 02/12/2024)

$10.71

NAV (USD)

(as of 02/12/2024)

+0.07

1 Day NAV Change

(as of 02/12/2024)

Objective

The Fund seeks to achieve long-term capital appreciation while investing in companies that contribute to a sustainable future.

Sustainability

The Fund has sustainable investment as its objective within the meaning of Article 9 of SFDR. In managing the Fund, the Investment Manager will apply its ESG investment guidelines further described in “General Information Relating To Sustainability” in the main part of the Prospectus.

Strategy

The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, primarily (i.e., at least 65% of its net assets) in equities of companies located in, or with substantial ties to, the Asia ex Japan region that the Investment Manager believes contribute positively to one or more of its sustainability focus areas. On an ancillary basis, the Fund may invest in other permitted assets on a worldwide basis. For the purpose of this policy, the Asia ex Japan region consists of all countries and markets in Asia excluding Japan, but including all other developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in Asia. The Fund seeks to invest primarily in companies that the Investment Manager believes, based on its analysis, meet the following environmental, social and governance ("ESG") standards: (1) they do not cause significant environmental or social harm; (2) they have good governance practices; and (3) they contribute to a sustainable future. In evaluating whether a company meets these ESG standards, the Investment Manager focuses on a company's contribution or potential future contribution to positive ESG outcomes based on a variety of criteria, which may include some or all of the following: climate change mitigation and adaptation, clean environment, circular economy, or sustainable production and consumption; health and well-being, human capital development, inclusive development or enablement of sustainable development; and/or good governance practices that demonstrate a strong commitment to integration of ESG principles.

Fund Facts
Inception Date 21/07/2022
Fund Assets $6.06 million (31/10/2024)
Base Currency USD
ISIN: LU2459556697 (USD) LU2459556770 (GBP)
Bloomberg Symbol MAASFIA:LX (USD) MAASFIG:LX (GBP)
Benchmark MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index
Geographic Focus Asia - Consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region
SFDR Classification Article 9
Fees & Expenses
Management Fee 0.75%
Total Expense Ratio 0.90% ( USD ) 0.90% ( GBP )

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. The Fund invests in holdings denominated in foreign currencies, 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. The Investment Manager's consideration of ESG factors in making its investment decisions materially impact the investment performance of the Fund. These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the Prospectus.

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

Performance

  • Monthly
  • Quarterly
  • Calendar Year
  • Rolling 12 Month
    Returns
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As of 31/10/2024
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (USD)
-6.48% 5.58% 9.59% 17.58% n.a. n.a. n.a. 4.15% 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
-4.46% 5.68% 16.10% 28.58% n.a. n.a. n.a. 8.20%
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (GBP)
-3.45% 4.46% 7.35% 10.16% n.a. n.a. n.a. 0.35% 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
-0.32% 5.58% 15.12% 21.36% n.a. n.a. n.a. 4.78%
As of 30/09/2024
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (USD)
11.61% 11.71% 17.18% 18.48% n.a. n.a. n.a. 7.54% 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
8.47% 10.55% 21.52% 29.39% n.a. n.a. n.a. 10.81%
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (GBP)
9.78% 5.45% 11.18% 8.41% n.a. n.a. n.a. 1.98% 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
6.28% 4.18% 15.49% 17.74% n.a. n.a. n.a. 5.12%
For the years ended December 31st
Name 2023 2022 2021 2020 2019
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (USD)
3.84% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
6.34% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (GBP)
-1.78% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
0.34% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
For the period ended 30/09/2024
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Inception Date
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (USD)
18.48% 15.25% n.a. n.a. n.a. 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
29.39% 11.28% n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (GBP)
8.41% 3.77% n.a. n.a. n.a. 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
17.74% 1.78% n.a. n.a. n.a.

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 42 1,071
Weighted Average Market Cap $51.4 billion $176.3 billion
Active Share 93.4 n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates 18.1x 13.7x
P/E using FY2 estimates 14.9x 12.4x
Price/Cash Flow 13.1 9.3
Price/Book 2.4 1.8
Return On Equity 11.0 15.1
EPS Growth (3 Yr) 21.5% 12.9%

Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.

Top 10 Holdings

(as of 31/10/2024)
Name Sector Country % Net Assets
Meituan Class B Consumer Discretionary China/Hong Kong 7.3
Bandhan Bank, Ltd. Financials India 6.3
Full Truck Alliance Co., Ltd. Industrials China/Hong Kong 5.9
JD Health International, Inc. Consumer Staples China/Hong Kong 4.6
Shriram Finance, Ltd. Financials India 4.5
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd. Financials China/Hong Kong 4.3
Legend Biotech Corp. Health Care China/Hong Kong 4.2
Indus Towers, Ltd. Communication Services India 3.1
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd. Information Technology South Korea 3.1
Micron Technology, Inc. Information Technology United States 2.9
TOTAL 46.2

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
  • Country Allocation
  • Market Cap Exposure
Sector Fund Benchmark Difference
Information Technology 24.8 26.8 -2.0
Financials 18.6 21.3 -2.7
Industrials 17.6 7.4 10.2
Consumer Discretionary 11.7 14.4 -2.7
Consumer Staples 6.4 4.0 2.4
Health Care 5.7 3.6 2.1
Communication Services 5.3 9.7 -4.4
Real Estate 3.9 2.3 1.6
Materials 0.7 4.2 -3.5
Energy 0.0 3.4 -3.4
Utilities 0.0 2.7 -2.7
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 5.3 0.0 5.3

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 43.7 36.0 7.7
India 22.5 21.4 1.1
Taiwan 12.4 21.6 -9.2
South Korea 7.2 11.5 -4.3
United States 2.9 0.0 2.9
Vietnam 2.1 0.0 2.1
Indonesia 1.8 1.9 -0.1
Philippines 1.2 0.6 0.6
Bangladesh 0.9 0.0 0.9
Singapore 0.0 3.6 -3.6
Thailand 0.0 1.7 -1.7
Malaysia 0.0 1.6 -1.6
Macau 0.0 0.1 -0.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 5.3 0.0 5.3

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

Equity market cap of issuer Fund Benchmark Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B) 25.4 63.9 -38.5
Large Cap ($10B-$25B) 16.0 20.6 -4.6
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B) 34.8 15.0 19.8
Small Cap (under $3B) 18.5 0.5 18.0
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 5.3 0.0 5.3

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: 98% Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0 0.5 -0.5
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 98% Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0 0.4 -0.4
Alcohol
Fund Coverage: 96% Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0 0.7 -0.7
Gambling
Fund Coverage: 96% Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0 0.3 -0.3
Name Fund Benchmark Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0 0.8 -0.8
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 100%
21.9 20.4 1.5

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.
Alcohol: Represents companies that generate revenue from alcohol manufacturing or production.
Gambling: Represents companies that generate more than 50% of revenue from gambling.
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.

Source: Sustainalytics, Factset, MSCI, Matthews Asia.

GHG Intensity

(as of 30/09/2024)

Fund Coverage: 100%; Benchmark Coverage: 99% 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 9 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.

For more information, please refer to our Responsible Investment and Stewardship Policy and our ESG-Related Investment Policy of Matthews Asia Funds.

Portfolio Managers

Vivek  Tanneeru photo
Vivek Tanneeru

Lead Manager

Inbok  Song photo
Inbok Song

Co-Manager

Commentary

Period ended 30 September 2024

Market Environment

  • Many markets in Asia performed strongly despite volatility generated by concerns over a U.S. slowdown, China’s economy and rising interest rates in Japan. Toward the end of the quarter, the Federal Reserve’s 50 basis point (O.50%) interest rate cut, and expectations of further cuts, boosted markets. 
  • India’s equity market delivered a robust performance supported by earnings growth. The market is expensive but economic growth rates remain high. Following the formation of a coalition government after the election there were also signs that growth is becoming more balanced to include services and consumption as well as infrastructure and industry.
  • In North Asia, Taiwan’s technology-heavy market was challenged despite the potential growth opportunities that artificial intelligence (AI)-linked segments offer, in part as prior performance had been strong and as questions arose over valuations. South Korea’s market was a weak performer with semiconductor stocks particularly soft.
  • China’s economy continued to struggle with weak consumer sentiment and declining property prices. Toward the end of the quarter its markets rallied after the central bank launched a broad stimulus package with measures to add liquidity, aid the property market, and boost equity markets.

Contributors and Detractors

  • For the quarter ended September 30, 2024, the Asia Sustainable Future Fund returned 11.71% (I Acc USD), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.55% over the same period.
  • On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were China/Hong Kong and India due to stock selection and South Korea due to an underweight allocation. The top three detractors were the U.S. due to an off-benchmark allocation, Taiwan due to stock selection and Thailand due to zero allocation.
  • On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were industrials, consumer staples and consumer discretionary due to stock selection. The top three detractors were information technology (IT), real estate and health care due to stock selection.
  • The largest contributors to absolute performance included Meituan, China’s largest food delivery service and internet platform company, JD Health International, a Chinese online healthcare platform, and Shriram Finance, an Indian financial services provider. The top three detractors included Micron Technology, a U.S. semiconductor manufacturer, Lam Research, a U.S. semiconductor equipment manufacturer, and M31 Technology, a Taiwanese silicon intellectual property (IP) provider.

Outlook

  • The Fed’s rate cut will, we think, provide an impetus for a number of central banks in Asia to cut their own rates which should be favorable for businesses and economies. We think this is a significant turning point particularly for economies in the region. Fed rate cuts typically also bring downward pressure on the U.S. dollar which is often also a tailwind.
  • For some markets, U.S. rates cuts will have less of an impact, in our view. Taiwanese equities, for example, have already benefitted from the AI boom and valuations are now a little stretched. In China, it will take time to see if the stimulus measures provide a sustainable catalyst for recovery. Many companies are showing resilience but earnings projections are changeable and some stocks may become attractive while others become expensive.
  • We expect volatility to continue across the region, particularly as we approach and pass through the U.S. election. Further out, we see opportunities for broader geographical growth especially in Southeast Asia where we believe economies and markets will benefit from U.S. rate cuts.

 

Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 30/09/2024 - I (Acc)
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Inception Date
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (USD)
18.48% 15.25% N.A. N.A. N.A. 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
29.39% 11.28% N.A. N.A. N.A.
Matthews Asia Sustainable Future Fund (GBP)
8.41% 3.77% N.A. N.A. N.A. 21/07/2022
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
17.74% 1.78% N.A. N.A. N.A.

Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg

To find documents in additional languages, please visit the Fund Literature page in our Resources section.

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. 

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