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.
Seeks alpha in innovative, capital efficient entrepreneurial companies in emerging markets
Focus on firms that have a strong competitive advantage through pricing power, distribution capability, and/or differentiated technologies and services
Bias toward businesses that cater to rising domestic consumer demand
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
Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, primarily (i.e., at least 65% of its total net assets) in equities of Small Companies located in or with substantial ties to emerging market countries. Emerging Market countries generally include every country in the world except the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and most of the countries in Western Europe. Certain emerging market countries may also be classified as “frontier” market countries, which are a subset of emerging market countries with newer or even less developed economies and markets, such as Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The list of emerging market countries and frontier market countries may change from time to time. In addition, the Fund may also invest in depositary receipts that are treated as emerging markets investments, including American, European and Global Depositary Receipts.
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 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.
Emerging market countries generally include every country in the world except the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and most of the countries in Western Europe.
SFDR Classification
Article 8
Fees & Expenses
Management Fee
1.00%
Total Expense Ratio
1.15%
( USD )
1.15%
( GBP )
Objective
Seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation.
Strategy
Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, primarily (i.e., at least 65% of its total net assets) in equities of Small Companies located in or with substantial ties to emerging market countries. Emerging Market countries generally include every country in the world except the United States, Australia, Canada, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore and most of the countries in Western Europe. Certain emerging market countries may also be classified as “frontier” market countries, which are a subset of emerging market countries with newer or even less developed economies and markets, such as Sri Lanka and Vietnam. The list of emerging market countries and frontier market countries may change from time to time. In addition, the Fund may also invest in depositary receipts that are treated as emerging markets investments, including American, European and Global Depositary Receipts.
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 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
As of 31/08/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (USD)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (USD)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (GBP)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (GBP)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
As of 30/06/2024
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (USD)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (USD)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets Discovery Fund (GBP)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index (GBP)
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
The Fund has commenced operations from 15 September 2023 and performance will not be shown until the fund has reached one year since inception.
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 31/08/2024)
Sector Allocation
Country Allocation
Market Cap Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Industrials
20.5
18.7
1.8
Consumer Discretionary
19.4
12.0
7.4
Financials
19.3
11.1
8.2
Information Technology
18.0
17.1
0.9
Health Care
12.1
9.0
3.1
Real Estate
5.5
6.0
-0.5
Consumer Staples
2.1
6.2
-4.1
Materials
1.5
11.1
-9.6
Communication Services
1.4
3.6
-2.2
Utilities
0.4
3.4
-3.0
Energy
0.0
1.7
-1.7
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets
-0.2
0.0
-0.2
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
Country
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
India
26.0
30.1
-4.1
China/Hong Kong
23.9
7.9
16.0
Taiwan
11.6
22.0
-10.4
Brazil
9.2
3.6
5.6
South Korea
8.5
11.6
-3.1
Vietnam
5.5
0.0
5.5
South Africa
3.4
3.5
-0.1
Saudi Arabia
2.7
3.9
-1.2
Chile
2.4
0.8
1.6
Poland
1.9
1.4
0.5
Turkey
1.6
2.1
-0.5
Philippines
1.4
0.7
0.7
Indonesia
1.1
1.8
-0.7
Thailand
0.5
2.9
-2.4
Bangladesh
0.5
0.0
0.5
Mexico
0.1
1.3
-1.2
Malaysia
0.0
2.6
-2.6
Kuwait
0.0
1.1
-1.1
United Arab Emirates
0.0
1.0
-1.0
Greece
0.0
0.7
-0.7
Qatar
0.0
0.7
-0.7
Egypt
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Hungary
0.0
0.1
-0.1
Peru
0.0
0.1
-0.1
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets
-0.2
0.0
-0.2
Not all countries are included in the benchmark index(es).
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
0.0
0.0
0.0
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
13.5
0.1
13.4
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
40.9
22.5
18.4
Small Cap (under $3B)
45.9
77.4
-31.5
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets
-0.2
0.0
-0.2
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 30/06/2024)
Business Involvement
Sustainability Attributes
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Controversial Weapons
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 98%
0.0
0.4
-0.4
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 97%
0.0
0.2
-0.2
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 97%
0.0
0.1
-0.1
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 97%
20.0
15.5
4.5
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. 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: 97%; Benchmark Coverage: 90% as of 30/06/2024
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.
Vivek Tanneeru is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Emerging Markets Sustainable Future, Emerging Markets Small Companies, Emerging Markets Discovery, Asia Discovery and Asia Sustainable Future Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews in 2011, Vivek was an Investment Manager on the Global Emerging Markets team of Pictet Asset Management in London. While at Pictet, he also worked on the firm’s Global Equities team, managing Japan and Asia ex-Japan markets. Before earning his MBA from the London Business School in 2006, Vivek was a Business Systems Officer at The World Bank and served as a Consultant at Arthur Andersen Business Consulting and Citicorp Infotech Industries. He interned at Generation Investment Management while studying for his MBA Vivek received his Master’s in Finance from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science in India. He is fluent in Hindi and Telugu.
Jeremy Sutch is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Emerging Markets ex China Strategy and co-manages the firm’s Emerging Markets Equity, Emerging Markets Small Companies, Emerging Markets Discovery, Asia Discovery, Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity and Pacific Tiger Strategies. Prior to joining Matthews in 2015, he was Director and Global Head of Emerging Companies at Standard Chartered Bank in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2015, responsible for the fundamental analysis of companies in Asia, with a particular focus on small- and mid-capitalization companies. From 2009 to 2012, he was Managing Director at MJP Capital in Hong Kong, which he co-founded. His prior experience has included managing small-cap equities at Indus Capital Advisors and serving as Head of Hong Kong Research for ABN AMRO Asia Securities. Jeremy earned an M.A. in French and History from the University of Edinburgh.
Alex Zarechnak is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews and manages the firm’s Emerging Markets Equity and Emerging Markets ex China Strategies and co-manages the Emerging Markets Small Companies, Emerging Markets Discovery, and Emerging Markets Sustainable Future Strategies. Prior to joining the firm in 2020, he spent a total of 15 years (1998 – 2006 and 2012 – 2019) at Wellington Management as an analyst for the firm’s flagship Emerging Markets Equity fund as a generalist first covering CEEMEA, then Latin America. From 2006-2012, he was a regional equity analyst at Capital Group, covering Emerging Markets with a focus on energy, telecoms and consumer sectors in Latin America and CEEMEA. Alex began his Emerging Markets career as a Russia equity analyst with Templeton Emerging Markets, based in Moscow. He earned a B.A. in Economics and Government from the College of William & Mary. Alex is fluent in Russian.
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.
Emerging markets performed largely in line with our expectations in the second quarter, with Taiwan, India and China leading the way, while Mexico and Brazil underperformed. Inflation on the whole is not as high as in developed markets and in the absence of rate cuts from the U.S. Federal Reserve, a lot of positive performance was driven by fundamentals and earnings growth.
The expansion of the artificial intelligence (AI) supply chain, led by large U.S. tech firms, was another supportive theme, particularly for semiconductor hubs in emerging markets. We also saw volatility in India and Mexico following their elections, triggered by Prime Minister Modi’s failure to win a majority and Claudia Sheinbaum’s landslide victory—sparking worries among investors that the economic status quo in both countries could be challenged.
By region, Asia led performance in emerging markets. Taiwan was buoyed by demand for hardware from the U.S. while India’s markets recovered from their negative reaction to the election result when it became clear Modi would form a coalition with allies. Indian local bonds also had their inaugural inclusion in the JPMorgan Government Bond Index-Emerging Markets (GBI-EM) index, which is expected to add significant foreign investor inflows in coming quarters. Chinese equities, meanwhile, performed well despite ongoing economic challenges, helped by the government’s attempts to stabilize the real estate market and a cyclical pickup in some sectors.
In Latin America, higher-for-longer U.S. interest rates remained a headwind. In Mexico, though the long-term structural story remains intact, uncertainty over the potential reformist agenda of the new administration pulled markets down. High rates also hampered Brazil and market sentiment was negatively impacted by the corporate interventions of the government and concerns over its fiscal management.
Contributors and Detractors
For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Emerging Markets Discovery Fund returned 1.44%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index, returned 6.07% over the same period.
On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were Mexico, South Korea and Thailand due to an underweight allocation. The top three detractors were China/Hong Kong due to stock selection, Brazil due to an overweight allocation and Saudi Arabia due to stock selection.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were real estate and information technology (IT) due to stock selection and energy due to zero allocation. The top three detractors were consumer discretionary, industrials and health care due to stock selection.
The largest contributors to absolute performance during the quarter included Shriram Finance, an Indian financial services provider, Finolex Cables, an electrical products company and Phoenix Mills, an Indian retail stores operator. The top three detractors to performance included YDUQS Participacoes, a Brazilian on-campus and distance-learning education company, Flat Glass Group, a Chinese glass products manufacturer and Zhihu, a Chinese online content company.
Outlook
Post-COVID growth in emerging markets is starting to come through and broaden out and we think this will pave the way for consistent earnings growth over the next few years. We also see more upside to equity performance driven by North Asia and underpinned by earnings growth, a widening of AI-related adoption and improving value in certain markets.
Emerging markets, particularly those in Latin America, should also benefit from the onset of a monetary easing cycle in the U.S. and the decline in the value of the U.S. dollar that would likely bring, in our view. In India, we think the market will continue to progress though it is expensive. Under the new coalition government, we may see spending on growth spread out beyond infrastructure and CapEx which could yield more opportunities in consumption.
In China, we are cognizant to potential catalysts for growth and to potential headwinds, such as increased volatility as we approach the U.S. president election in November.
We believe small companies in emerging markets offer long-term growth opportunities given their innovation and domestic consumption orientation while also being less exposed to regulatory and geo-political risks.
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.
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 June 2024
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg