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 small 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. The Fund defines Small Companies as companies with market capitalization no higher than the greater of US $5 billion or the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Fund's primary benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index.
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 Fund invests in smaller companies, which are more volatile and less liquid than larger companies.
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
1.00%
Total Expense Ratio
1.25%
( USD )
1.25%
( 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 small 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. The Fund defines Small Companies as companies with market capitalization no higher than the greater of US $5 billion or the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Fund's primary benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index.
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 Fund invests in smaller companies, which are more volatile and less liquid than larger companies.
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 30/09/2025
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China Discovery Fund (USD)
3.22%
20.76%
31.19%
24.39%
8.35%
-2.39%
9.49%
8.03%
29/02/2012
MSCI China Small Cap Index (USD)
4.58%
25.16%
55.11%
48.07%
14.78%
0.53%
2.17%
2.52%
Matthews China Discovery Fund (GBP)
3.30%
23.22%
22.40%
24.06%
1.50%
-3.31%
n.a.
4.51%
30/01/2020
MSCI China Small Cap Index - GBP (GBP)
4.96%
27.40%
44.30%
47.53%
7.83%
-0.29%
n.a.
2.36%
As of 30/09/2025
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews China Discovery Fund (USD)
3.22%
20.76%
31.19%
24.39%
8.35%
-2.39%
9.49%
8.03%
29/02/2012
MSCI China Small Cap Index (USD)
4.58%
25.16%
55.11%
48.07%
14.78%
0.53%
2.17%
2.52%
Matthews China Discovery Fund (GBP)
3.30%
23.22%
22.40%
24.06%
1.50%
-3.31%
n.a.
4.51%
30/01/2020
MSCI China Small Cap Index - GBP (GBP)
4.96%
27.40%
44.30%
47.53%
7.83%
-0.29%
n.a.
2.36%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
Matthews China Discovery Fund (USD)
3.37%
-15.73%
-30.72%
-2.88%
77.70%
31.36%
-18.79%
56.47%
-1.96%
2.98%
MSCI China Small Cap Index (USD)
6.82%
-24.82%
-24.77%
-6.26%
27.21%
6.63%
-19.53%
24.62%
-5.95%
3.48%
Matthews China Discovery Fund (GBP)
4.90%
-20.32%
-22.34%
-1.58%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
MSCI China Small Cap Index - GBP (GBP)
8.73%
-29.06%
-15.29%
-5.39%
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
For the period ended 30/09/2025
Name
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
Inception Date
Matthews China Discovery Fund (USD)
24.39%
2.00%
0.27%
-40.12%
16.28%
29/02/2012
MSCI China Small Cap Index (USD)
48.07%
8.62%
-5.99%
-43.27%
19.68%
Matthews China Discovery Fund (GBP)
24.06%
-6.67%
-9.69%
-27.08%
10.86%
30/01/2020
MSCI China Small Cap Index - GBP (GBP)
47.53%
-1.17%
-14.02%
-31.48%
14.75%
Source: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A.
All returns over 1 year are annualized
Unusually high returns may not be sustainable.
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 30/09/2025)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
63
239
Weighted Average Market Cap
$5.0 billion
$3.1 billion
Active Share
84.7
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
15.8x
12.9x
P/E using FY2 estimates
14.6x
12.2x
Price/Cash Flow
11.7
7.2
Price/Book
2.2
1.1
Return On Equity
14.7
1.8
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
17.2%
-9.6%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 31/08/2025)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
-4.3%
Beta
0.81
Upside Capture
72.52%
Downside Capture
91.93%
Sharpe Ratio
-0.09
Information Ratio
-0.39
Tracking Error
12.05%
R²
86.86
-4.30%
Alpha
0.81
Beta
72.52%
Upside Capture
91.93%
Downside Capture
-0.09
Sharpe Ratio
-0.39
Information Ratio
12.05%
Tracking Error
86.86
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 30/09/2025)
Sector Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
China Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Consumer Discretionary
25.0
11.4
13.6
Information Technology
20.2
12.4
7.8
Industrials
17.3
12.4
4.9
Materials
7.6
11.1
-3.5
Health Care
7.0
24.6
-17.6
Communication Services
6.7
6.0
0.7
Consumer Staples
4.7
5.1
-0.4
Real Estate
3.9
8.3
-4.4
Energy
3.9
1.2
2.7
Financials
1.1
5.6
-4.5
Utilities
0.9
1.9
-1.0
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
1.7
0.0
1.7
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)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
7.4
0.0
7.4
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
62.1
41.2
20.9
Small Cap (under $3B)
28.8
58.8
-30.0
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
1.7
0.0
1.7
The Portfolio’s market cap exposure breakdown presented is used for comparison purposes and the definition of the capitalization breakdown is from MSCI.
The Fund defines Small Companies as companies with market capitalization no higher than the greater of US$5 billion or the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Fund's primary benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index.
China Exposure
Portfolio Weight
Hong Kong Listed Companies
56.8
Mainland China Listed Companies
26.6
ADR/GDR
9.3
Other
5.5
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
1.7
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 30/06/2025)
Business Involvement
Sustainability Attributes
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Controversial Weapons
Fund Coverage: 98%Benchmark Coverage: 98%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 98%Benchmark Coverage: 98%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 98%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 97%
23.1
19.9
3.2
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.
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. Prior to joining the firm 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.
Winnie Chwang is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. 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.
Andrew Mattock is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. Prior to joining the firm 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.
China was the top-performing major emerging market during the quarter, posting a gain of approximately 21%1. While economic growth remains uneven and the property market continues to struggle, investor sentiment improved as U.S.–China political tensions appeared to ease in the quarter and trade tariff threats moderated.
Authorities have also continued to implement targeted stimulus measures, including providing liquidity backup in markets and initiatives to aid consumer spending and stabilize the housing market. The government’s explicit support of private enterprise has also provided a tailwind.
In recent weeks, global investor enthusiasm toward artificial intelligence (AI) opportunities has accelerated and China’s markets have benefited as domestic hardware and internet platforms have made progress in developing AI-related solutions and committed to large CapEx expenditures. Beyond technology, select insurance companies, industrials and financials also contributed to gains in the quarter.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended September 30, 2025, the China Discovery Fund returned 20.76%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index, returned 25.16% over the same period.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were information technology (IT), energy and industrials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were materials, communication services and consumer staples due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance included Yantai Jereh Oilfield Services Group, an oilfield services company, FIT Hon Teng Ltd., a Taiwanese IT company, and ACM Research, a semiconductor equipment company which services Chinese foundries. The top three detractors included DPC Dash, operator of Domino's Pizza’s China franchise, Dream International Ltd., a Hong Kong toy manufacturer, and Chagee Holdings Ltd., a teahouse operator.
Outlook
Amid the global surge in sentiment toward AI themes, our investment focus remains on the fundamentals of companies and avoiding momentum and market froth. We are also attuned to identifying companies with solid growth prospects in other areas of China’s economy.
We do see more market upside through the rest of 2025, however, careful positioning will be critical. Some markets, including China, have generated returns driven more by multiple expansion, for example, from depressed valuations or from rising AI sentiment, rather than from improving fundamentals.
While we are not seeing a meaningful pickup in the property market and general consumption, we are mindful that there may be progress in these areas later in the year. We are also keeping a close watch for positive and negative developments in geopolitics with the U.S. A deal on trade or an easing in trade restrictions could lift sentiment toward Chinese equities significantly, in our view.
Note: 1 MSCI China Index as of Sept. 30, 2025.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 30/09/2025 - 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 2025
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
Note: 1 MSCI China Index as of Sept. 30, 2025.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 30/09/2025 - I (Acc)
Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg