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Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund

Snapshot
  • Seeks alpha in global emerging markets ex China—capitalizes on consumption and innovation trends
  • Quality growth portfolio—based on deep, holistic analysis
  • All-cap, company-first approach—emphasizes fundamental research over top-down country or sector allocation

15/09/2023

Inception Date

4.52%

YTD Return (USD)

(as of 21/01/2026)

$15.25

NAV (USD)

(as of 21/01/2026)

+0.07

1 Day NAV Change

(as of 21/01/2026)

Objective

Seeks to achieve long term capital appreciation.

Sustainability

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 companies located in or with substantial ties to emerging market countries excluding China. 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.

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

Fund Facts
Inception Date 15/09/2023
Fund Assets $2.92 million (31/12/2025)
Base Currency USD
ISIN: LU2651608247 (USD) LU2651608320 (GBP)
Bloomberg Symbol EMMKCIA:LX (USD) EMMEXCI:LX (GBP)
Benchmark MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index
Geographic Focus Emerging Markets excluding China- 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 0.75%
Total Expense Ratio 0.90% ( USD ) 0.90% ( GBP )

Performance

  • Monthly
  • Quarterly
  • Calendar Year
  • Rolling 12 Month
    Returns
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As of 31/12/2025
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
4.36% 9.21% 29.57% 29.57% n.a. n.a. n.a. 17.91% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
4.74% 10.28% 35.64% 35.64% n.a. n.a. n.a. 20.73%
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
2.44% 8.91% 20.54% 20.54% n.a. n.a. n.a. 13.76% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
3.18% 10.38% 26.30% 26.30% n.a. n.a. n.a. 16.50%
As of 31/12/2025
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
4.36% 9.21% 29.57% 29.57% n.a. n.a. n.a. 17.91% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
4.74% 10.28% 35.64% 35.64% n.a. n.a. n.a. 20.73%
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
2.44% 8.91% 20.54% 20.54% n.a. n.a. n.a. 13.76% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
3.18% 10.38% 26.30% 26.30% n.a. n.a. n.a. 16.50%
For the years ended December 31st
Name 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
29.57% 7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
35.64% 4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
20.54% 9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
26.30% 6.06% n.a. n.a. n.a.
For the period ended 31/12/2025
Name 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
29.57% 7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
35.64% 4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
20.54% 9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
26.30% 6.06% 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 30/11/2025)
Fund Benchmark
Number of Positions 86 636
Weighted Average Market Cap $166.3 billion $259.7 billion
Active Share 76.9 n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates 15.9x 15.5x
P/E using FY2 estimates 13.2x 13.3x
Price/Cash Flow 10.8 10.3
Price/Book 2.5 2.4
Return On Equity 19.5 19.4
EPS Growth (3 Yr) 17.7% 9.9%

Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.

Top 10 Holdings

(as of 31/12/2025)
Name Sector Country % Net Assets
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Information Technology Taiwan 8.7
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information Technology South Korea 7.1
SK Hynix, Inc. Information Technology South Korea 3.0
HDFC Bank, Ltd. Financials India 2.0
Cia de Minas Buenaventura SAA Materials Peru 1.8
Grab Holdings, Ltd. Industrials Singapore 1.7
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Financials India 1.7
NU Holdings, Ltd. Financials Brazil 1.6
MediaTek, Inc. Information Technology Taiwan 1.6
NAVER Corp. Communication Services South Korea 1.5
TOTAL 30.7

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 31/12/2025)
  • Sector Allocation
  • Country Allocation
  • Market Cap Exposure
Sector Fund Benchmark Difference
Financials 29.2 23.9 5.3
Information Technology 27.1 36.0 -8.9
Industrials 10.1 7.8 2.3
Consumer Discretionary 9.8 5.6 4.2
Communication Services 4.7 4.2 0.5
Consumer Staples 4.2 3.9 0.3
Health Care 4.0 2.5 1.5
Materials 3.2 7.9 -4.7
Real Estate 1.9 1.3 0.6
Energy 1.2 4.4 -3.2
Utilities 0.9 2.5 -1.6
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 4.0 0.0 4.0

Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.

Country Fund Benchmark Difference
South Korea 18.8 18.4 0.4
Taiwan 18.0 28.4 -10.4
India 16.4 21.1 -4.7
Brazil 9.4 6.0 3.4
South Africa 3.8 5.3 -1.5
Vietnam 3.6 0.0 3.6
Indonesia 3.4 1.6 1.8
Philippines 3.3 0.5 2.8
Thailand 3.1 1.4 1.7
Singapore 2.7 0.0 2.7
Malaysia 2.1 1.7 0.4
United States 2.0 0.0 2.0
Peru 1.8 0.5 1.3
Poland 1.7 1.5 0.2
Mexico 1.5 2.7 -1.2
United Arab Emirates 1.1 2.0 -0.9
Greece 1.1 0.8 0.3
Saudi Arabia 0.9 3.9 -3.0
Argentina 0.8 0.0 0.8
China/Hong Kong 0.6 0.1 0.5
Kuwait 0.0 1.0 -1.0
Qatar 0.0 0.9 -0.9
Chile 0.0 0.8 -0.8
Turkey 0.0 0.6 -0.6
Hungary 0.0 0.4 -0.4
Colombia 0.0 0.2 -0.2
Czech Republic 0.0 0.2 -0.2
Egypt 0.0 0.1 -0.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 4.0 0.0 4.0

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

Equity market cap of issuer Fund Benchmark Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B) 45.3 62.8 -17.5
Large Cap ($10B-$25B) 20.0 23.4 -3.4
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B) 23.0 13.6 9.4
Small Cap (under $3B) 7.7 0.1 7.6
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 4.0 0.0 4.0

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 31/12/2025)
  • Business Involvement
  • Sustainability Attributes
Name Fund Benchmark Difference
Controversial Weapons
Fund Coverage: 97% Benchmark Coverage: 98%
0.0 0.0 0.0
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 95% Benchmark Coverage: 97%
0.0 0.0 0.0
Name Fund Benchmark Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0 0.6 -0.6
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 95%
22.0 19.4 2.6

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.

Source: Sustainalytics, Factset, MSCI, Matthews Asia.

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.

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

Portfolio Managers

Jeremy  Sutch, CFA photo
Sean  Taylor photo

Commentary

Period ended 31 December 2025

Market Environment

  • 2025 marked the first time in five years that emerging markets equities outperformed U.S. stocks. Performance was supported by a favorable macro environment, positive investor sentiment toward artificial intelligence (AI) and an easing of geopolitical tensions.
  • North Asia markets helped drive gains. Taiwan and South Korea benefited from their countries’ global dominance in AI-related semi-conductors. Korean equities also gained from market-friendly governance reforms and a cyclical revival in heavy industrial sectors.
  • India underperformed as economic growth slowed and valuations generally remained expensive. We took a measured approach amid expectations for weak earnings recovery. Elsewhere, South Africa performed well, driven by commodities, while Poland benefited from financials, supported by an improving macroeconomic backdrop.
  • Southeast Asia markets, including Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, were weighed down by political instability and regional conflicts. In Latin America, Brazil and Mexico delivered strong returns.

Contributors and Detractors

  • For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund returned 29.57%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, returned 35.64% over the same period.
  • On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were India and Saudi Arabia due to an underweight allocation and Peru due to stock selection. The top three detractors were South Africa due to stock selection, Indonesia due to an overweight allocation and Thailand due to stock selection.
  • On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were utilities due to stock selection, energy due to an underweight allocation and financials due to stock selection. The top three detractors were consumer discretionary and health care due to an overweight allocation and industrials due to stock selection.
  • The top three contributors to absolute performance included Samsung Electronics, a South Korean semiconductor and consumer electronics maker, Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), a globally leading chipmaker, and SK Hynix, a Korean semiconductor company. The largest detractors included Globant, an Argentinian information technology (IT) and software development company, FPT, a Vietnamese IT services company, and E Ink Holdings, a Taiwanese consumer electronics product manufacturer.

Outlook

  • Looking ahead into 2026, a key difference from 2025 is reduced uncertainty surrounding U.S. tariff policy, which weighed on sentiment early last year. Corporate governance reforms across Asia are also expected to continue, which may provide support for earnings growth.
  • The AI theme is anticipated to further develop. Taiwanese and Korean semi-conductor companies should continue to benefit from the CapEx of U.S. hyperscalers, in our view. Korea’s market is more diversified than Taiwan’s and less expensive and we believe it is well positioned to gain from growth in defense and industrial segments such as shipbuilding.
  • In India, questions remain over the government’s commitment to infrastructure CapEx programs that have driven the economy in recent decades. However, opportunities in consumer spending may emerge as aggressive rate cuts and tax reductions take hold.
  • Expectations for additional U.S. Federal Reserve rate cuts and an improving global monetary environment may act as a tailwind, particularly in Latin America, where rates are relatively high. In Brazil, the political uncertainty ahead of the October general election could weigh on sentiment.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/12/2025 - I (Acc)
Name 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
29.57% 7.44% N.A. N.A. N.A. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
35.64% 4.20% N.A. N.A. N.A.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
20.54% 9.10% N.A. N.A. N.A. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
26.30% 6.06% N.A. N.A. N.A.

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

Fund Literature

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

Performance figures discussed in the Fund Manager Commentary above reflect that of the Institutional Accumulation Class Shares and has been calculated in USD. Performance details provided for the Fund are based on a NAV-to-NAV basis, with any dividends reinvested, and are net of management fees and other expenses. Past performance information is not indicative of future performance. Investors may not get back the full amount invested.

The information contained herein has been derived from sources believed to be reliable and accurate at the time of compilation, but no representation or warranty (express or implied) is made as to the accuracy or completeness of any of this information. Matthews Asia and its affiliates do not accept any liability for losses either direct or consequential caused by the use of this information.

Information contained herein is sourced from Matthews Asia unless otherwise stated. The views and opinions in this commentary were as of the report date, subject to change and may not reflect the writer’s current views. They are not guarantees of performance or investment results and should not be taken as investment advice. Investment decisions reflect a variety of factors, and the managers reserve the right to change their views about individual stocks, sectors, and the markets at any time. As a result, the views expressed should not be relied upon as a forecast of the Fund’s future investment intent. It should not be assumed that any investment will be profitable or will equal the performance of any securities or any sectors mentioned herein. The information does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any securities mentioned.

Investors should not invest in the Fund solely based on the information in this material alone. Please refer to the Prospectus for further details of the risk factors. 

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