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, primarily (i.e., at least 65% of its net assets) in equities of companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and traded and denominated in the currency of China, the renminbi ("China A Shares"). On an ancillary basis, the Fund may invest 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.
The Fund may invest (whether directly or indirectly) in China A Shares, either directly via a Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) license awarded to the Company, or via the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and/or Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs, or indirectly via investment in access products.
China - 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, primarily (i.e., at least 65% of its net assets) in equities of companies listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and traded and denominated in the currency of China, the renminbi ("China A Shares"). On an ancillary basis, the Fund may invest 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.
The Fund may invest (whether directly or indirectly) in China A Shares, either directly via a Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) license awarded to the Company, or via the Shanghai-Hong Kong Stock Connect and/or Shenzhen-Hong Kong Stock Connect programs, or indirectly via investment in access products.
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 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.
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. China listed companies and trading of China A Shares are subject to market rules and disclosure requirements in the China stock market. Any changes in laws, regulations, rules and policies of the China A Share market may affect share prices. There are foreign shareholding restrictions and disclosure obligations applicable to China A Shares. The Fund will be subject to restrictions on trading (including restriction on retention of proceeds) in China A Shares as a result of its interest in the China A Shares. Part of the assets of the Fund may be invested in China A Shares through the use of a Qualified Foreign Investor (“QFI”) license. There are rules and restrictions under current QFI regulations including rules on remittance of principal, investment restrictions, and repatriation of principal and profits. The Fund may invest in China A Shares trading on the Shanghai Stock Exchange and Shenzhen Stock Exchange via Stock Connect which is subject to a daily quota. If the daily quota is exceeded, buy orders will be rejected. Additional risks applicable to using Stock Connect include, but are not limited to, legal/beneficial ownership risk, clearing and settlement and custody risk, suspension risk, differences in trading days, operational risk, regulatory risk, Nominee Arrangements in Holding China A Shares, investor compensation, and taxation risks.
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
As of 30/09/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China A-Share Fund (USD)
23.21%
21.84%
17.27%
9.91%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-5.86%
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (USD)
23.09%
21.64%
17.81%
14.18%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-3.53%
Matthews China A-Share Fund (GBP)
21.15%
14.90%
11.13%
0.39%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-10.76%
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (GBP)
20.60%
14.63%
11.97%
3.90%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-8.48%
As of 30/09/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China A-Share Fund (USD)
23.21%
21.84%
17.27%
9.91%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-5.86%
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (USD)
23.09%
21.64%
17.81%
14.18%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-3.53%
Matthews China A-Share Fund (GBP)
21.15%
14.90%
11.13%
0.39%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-10.76%
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (GBP)
20.60%
14.63%
11.97%
3.90%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
-8.48%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
Matthews China A-Share Fund (USD)
-18.00%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
MSCI China A Onshore index (USD)
-11.46%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Matthews China A-Share Fund (GBP)
-22.28%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
MSCI China A Onshore index (GBP)
-16.45%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
For the period ended 30/09/2024
Name
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
Inception Date
Matthews China A-Share Fund (USD)
9.91%
-8.29%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (USD)
14.18%
-5.22%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Matthews China A-Share Fund (GBP)
0.39%
-17.27%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
21/07/2022
MSCI China A Onshore index (GBP)
3.90%
-13.31%
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 30/09/2024)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
53
560
Weighted Average Market Cap
$41.1 billion
$50.1 billion
Active Share
99.7
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
16.7x
15.0x
P/E using FY2 estimates
15.2x
13.5x
Price/Cash Flow
10.4
7.5
Price/Book
2.7
1.8
Return On Equity
18.5
13.8
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
26.1%
16.4%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Top 10 Holdings
(as of 30/09/2024)
Name
Sector
% Net Assets
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.
Financials
5.1
Himile Mechanical Science and Technology (Shandong) Co., Ltd.
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 30/09/2024)
Sector Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
China Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Industrials
35.6
16.6
19.0
Financials
13.7
20.6
-6.9
Consumer Discretionary
13.3
8.3
5.0
Information Technology
12.8
17.3
-4.5
Consumer Staples
10.5
10.3
0.2
Materials
4.0
10.4
-6.4
Communication Services
1.9
2.0
-0.1
Health Care
1.7
7.2
-5.5
Real Estate
1.0
1.2
-0.2
Utilities
0.0
3.5
-3.5
Energy
0.0
2.7
-2.7
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
5.6
0.0
5.6
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)
39.2
41.3
-2.1
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
20.7
26.6
-5.9
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
28.2
31.7
-3.5
Small Cap (under $3B)
6.2
0.5
5.7
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
5.6
0.0
5.6
China Exposure
Portfolio Weight
Mainland China Listed Companies
94.3
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
5.6
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: 96%
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 96%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 96%
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
20.7
20.0
0.7
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: 94% 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.
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.
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.
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 A-Share Fund returned 21.84% (I Acc USD), while its benchmark, the MSCI China A Onshore Index, returned 21.64% over the same period.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were industrials due to stock selection, utilities due to zero allocation and financials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were information technology (IT), health care and consumer staples due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Sungrow Power Supply, a solar component manufacturer, Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, an insurance company, and East Money Information, an online financial information operator. The top three detractors included Foxconn Industrial Internet, a communication network equipment development company, Wanhua Chemical Group, a chemicals manufacturer, and Huaming Power Equipment Co., Ltd. Class A, a Chinese industrials company.
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