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.
Unconstrained all-cap strategy focused on companies with a sustainable competitive edge and pricing power, which are able to perform throughout economic cycles
Fundamental bottom-up approach to seek well-run entrepreneurial companies with sustainable organic growth and trustworthy managements
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 publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of companies located in India, and may invest the remainder of its net assets in other permitted assets on a worldwide basis.
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.
These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the
prospectus.
The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 65% of its total net assets, in publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of companies located in India, and may invest the remainder of its net assets in other permitted assets on a worldwide basis.
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.
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 30/04/2025
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews India Fund (USD)
5.37%
4.63%
-2.02%
5.41%
11.52%
19.52%
7.71%
7.47%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (USD)
4.82%
5.51%
1.78%
5.37%
9.96%
18.69%
9.37%
6.80%
Matthews India Fund (GBP)
2.16%
-2.68%
-8.11%
-1.06%
9.41%
18.09%
9.32%
8.93%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (GBP)
1.29%
-1.85%
-4.57%
-1.22%
7.71%
17.34%
10.92%
8.23%
As of 31/03/2025
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews India Fund (USD)
6.32%
-7.01%
-7.01%
2.96%
9.11%
21.34%
6.52%
7.11%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (USD)
9.40%
-2.90%
-2.90%
2.86%
7.65%
21.16%
8.13%
6.48%
Matthews India Fund (GBP)
3.46%
-10.05%
-10.05%
0.50%
9.79%
20.31%
7.98%
8.82%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (GBP)
6.72%
-5.78%
-5.78%
0.67%
8.36%
20.19%
9.65%
8.18%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Matthews India Fund (USD)
15.73%
27.74%
-12.04%
23.02%
17.38%
1.87%
-10.41%
37.24%
-3.53%
-3.18%
MSCI India Index (USD)
12.41%
21.29%
-7.49%
26.66%
15.90%
7.58%
-7.30%
38.76%
-1.43%
-6.12%
Matthews India Fund (GBP)
17.49%
20.82%
-0.91%
24.62%
13.37%
-1.16%
-5.39%
25.13%
16.02%
1.78%
MSCI India Index (GBP)
14.42%
14.45%
4.17%
27.83%
12.32%
3.42%
-1.54%
26.74%
17.57%
-0.69%
For the period ended 31/03/2025
Name
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Inception Date
Matthews India Fund (USD)
2.96%
36.35%
-7.47%
9.51%
84.87%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (USD)
2.86%
37.35%
-11.71%
18.25%
76.99%
Matthews India Fund (GBP)
0.50%
33.39%
-1.28%
14.84%
65.85%
30/06/2011
MSCI India Index (GBP)
0.67%
34.43%
-5.98%
23.91%
59.06%
Source: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A.
All returns over 1 year are annualized
Effective 30 August 2024, the primary benchmark changed from the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index to the MSCI India Index.
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 31/03/2025)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
54
156
Weighted Average Market Cap
$57.2 billion
$64.6 billion
Active Share
51.3
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
26.1x
24.2x
P/E using FY2 estimates
23.2x
21.3x
Price/Cash Flow
21.1
16.5
Price/Book
4.4
3.8
Return On Equity
18.6
20.0
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
19.8%
23.2%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 31/03/2025)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
3.72%
Beta
0.78
Upside Capture
83.57%
Downside Capture
72.71%
Sharpe Ratio
0.46
Information Ratio
0.49
Tracking Error
6.81%
R²
83.71
3.72%
Alpha
0.78
Beta
83.57%
Upside Capture
72.71%
Downside Capture
0.46
Sharpe Ratio
0.49
Information Ratio
6.81%
Tracking Error
83.71
R²
Fund Risk Metrics are reflective of Class I USD ACC shares.
Sources: Zephyr StyleADVISOR
Portfolio Breakdown (%)
(as of 31/03/2025)
Sector Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Financials
39.5
29.5
10.0
Consumer Discretionary
17.6
12.2
5.4
Information Technology
11.6
10.4
1.2
Health Care
8.7
5.8
2.9
Consumer Staples
7.3
6.6
0.7
Industrials
4.8
8.8
-4.0
Communication Services
3.4
4.6
-1.2
Energy
3.1
8.7
-5.6
Materials
2.3
7.9
-5.6
Utilities
0.0
4.0
-4.0
Real Estate
0.0
1.5
-1.5
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.
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
48.7
60.8
-12.1
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
20.0
27.2
-7.2
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
11.1
12.0
-0.9
Small Cap (under $3B)
18.3
0.0
18.3
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
1.8
0.0
1.8
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 31/03/2025)
Business Involvement
Sustainability Attributes
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Controversial Weapons
Fund Coverage: 99%Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 97%Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 100%
0.0
1.3
-1.3
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 100%
22.3
20.5
1.8
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: 95%; Benchmark Coverage: 99% as of 31/03/2025
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.
Peeyush Mittal is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. Prior to joining the firm in 2015, he spent over three years at Franklin Templeton Asset Management India, most recently as a Senior Research Analyst. Previously, he was with Deutsche Asset & Wealth Management New York, from 2009 to 2011, researching U.S. and European stocks in the industrials and materials sectors. Peeyush began his career in 2003 with Scot Forge as an Industrial Engineer, and was responsible for implementing Lean Manufacturing systems on the production shop floor. Peeyush earned his M.B.A from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He received a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering from The Ohio State University and received a Bachelor of Technology in Metallurgical Engineering from The Indian Institute of Technology Madras. He is fluent in Hindi.
Swagato Ghosh is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. Prior to joining the firm in 2022, he was an investment analyst at Franklin Templeton India, where he was the lead cement, real estate and consumer discretionary analyst. From 2016 to 2018, he was an investment analyst at Goldman Sachs Asset management researching U.S. health care sector. From 2013 to 2015, Swagato was an equity research analyst at Jefferies India. He received his B.Tech in Mining Engineering from Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur and his MBA from Indian Institute of Management Calcutta. Swagato is fluent in Hindi and Bengali.
India's market was challenged as earnings disappointed amid softening economic growth. Since the formation of the coalition government last year, Prime Minister Modi's supply side growth agenda has been somewhat diluted and there has been a drop in government fiscal spend. Monetary policy has also been relatively tight, and this has impacted businesses and consumers, particularly as it relates to unsecured credit.
There was a large differentiation across sectors in terms of where the earnings revisions were made during the quarter. Larger financials and telecommunications held up well while the pain was felt acutely in infrastructure and consumer discretionary areas. Consumer staples were also weak.
Negative sentiment rose across the board including for quality large-cap stocks while small- and mid-cap stocks in particular experienced steep corrections. While valuations have come down and this rebalancing is to be welcomed, we think there is more downside for mid- and small-cap stocks as they were trading on very high valuations.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended March 31, 2025, the India Fund returned -6.85%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI India Index, returned -2.90% over the same period.
On a sector basis, the top two contributors to relative performance were financials due to an overweight allocation and real estate due to zero allocation. The top three detractors were information technology (IT), health care and industrials due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Bajaj Finance, a financial services company, Shriram Finance, a financials company and Kotak Mahindra Bank, a banking and financial services company. The top three detractors included Infosys, a consulting services firm, Eternal Ltd., operator of Zomato, a leading online restaurant booking and food delivery company, and Zaggle Prepaid Ocean Service, a financial technology company.
Outlook
The rolling out of new U.S. tariffs may cause volatility in India's markets and impact some of the country's exports to the U.S. It could also disrupt global supply chains for goods and services that have end markets in the U.S that India is part of. India's exports could be isolated as its IT services and generic pharmaceuticals may fall outside the tariff regime.
The good news is that Indian stock valuations have dropped such that they are in line with long-term averages which should help support equity prices going forward. In addition, analysts are beginning to upgrade economic growth estimates on the back of a slight pickup in private consumption and expectations of renewed government expenditures and an easing monetary environment.
Recent budget announcements also highlight a middle-class tax cut which could add small marginal support to consumption, especially in rural areas. In a global economy that is increasingly becoming subject to tariffs and trade barriers, we think domestic demand-driven markets like India will potentially be more resilient than market that are more closely correlated to the U.S.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/03/2025 - A (Acc)
The Benchmark used for comparison under "Portfolio Breakdown" and "Portfolio Characteristics" is the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 index.
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 31 March 2025
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/03/2025 - A (Acc)
Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg