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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

-0.09%

YTD Return (USD)

(as of 20/01/2025)

$11.25

NAV (USD)

(as of 20/01/2025)

-0.02

1 Day NAV Change

(as of 20/01/2025)

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 $2.27 million (31/12/2024)
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 31/12/2024
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
-0.18% -3.92% 7.44% 7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a. 9.62% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
-1.12% -7.89% 4.20% 4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a. 10.33%
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
1.18% 2.76% 9.10% 9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a. 8.79% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
0.35% -1.35% 6.06% 6.06% n.a. n.a. n.a. 9.46%
As of 31/12/2024
Annualized Returns
Name 1MO 3MO YTD 1YR 3YR 5YR 10YR Since Inception Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
-0.18% -3.92% 7.44% 7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a. 9.62% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
-1.12% -7.89% 4.20% 4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a. 10.33%
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
1.18% 2.76% 9.10% 9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a. 8.79% 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
0.35% -1.35% 6.06% 6.06% n.a. n.a. n.a. 9.46%
For the years ended December 31st
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
6.06% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
For the period ended 31/12/2024
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
7.44% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
4.20% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
9.10% n.a. n.a. n.a. n.a. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
6.06% n.a. 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 31/12/2024)
Fund Benchmark
Number of Positions 62 671
Weighted Average Market Cap $139.2 billion $176.9 billion
Active Share 82.0 n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates 15.9x 14.3x
P/E using FY2 estimates 14.0x 12.7x
Price/Cash Flow 11.3 9.5
Price/Book 2.7 2.1
Return On Equity 18.1 17.6
EPS Growth (3 Yr) 27.5% 21.7%

Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.

Top 10 Holdings

(as of 31/12/2024)
Name Sector Country % Net Assets
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Information Technology Taiwan 9.7
MediaTek, Inc. Information Technology Taiwan 3.8
ICICI Bank, Ltd. Financials India 3.1
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Information Technology South Korea 3.1
HDFC Bank, Ltd. Financials India 2.9
Emaar Properties PJSC Real Estate United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) 2.1
Reliance Industries, Ltd. Energy India 1.8
SK Hynix, Inc. Information Technology South Korea 1.8
Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd. Information Technology Taiwan 1.7
Shriram Finance, Ltd. Financials India 1.7
TOTAL 31.7

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 31/12/2024)
  • Sector Allocation
  • Country Allocation
  • Market Cap Exposure
Sector Fund Benchmark Difference
Information Technology 30.4 30.7 -0.3
Financials 23.0 25.7 -2.7
Consumer Discretionary 6.9 6.7 0.2
Consumer Staples 6.0 5.1 0.9
Industrials 5.0 7.3 -2.3
Communication Services 4.9 4.8 0.1
Energy 3.9 5.1 -1.2
Health Care 3.9 3.4 0.5
Real Estate 2.1 1.6 0.5
Utilities 1.8 2.8 -1.0
Materials 0.9 6.8 -5.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 11.1 0.0 11.1

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

Country Fund Benchmark Difference
India 22.5 26.9 -4.4
Taiwan 20.4 27.2 -6.8
South Korea 8.8 12.5 -3.7
United Arab Emirates 4.3 1.9 2.4
Brazil 3.9 5.6 -1.7
United States 3.8 0.0 3.8
Philippines 3.4 0.7 2.7
Malaysia 3.1 2.1 1.0
Indonesia 3.0 2.0 1.0
Vietnam 2.6 0.0 2.6
South Africa 2.1 4.1 -2.0
Singapore 1.8 0.0 1.8
Peru 1.7 0.4 1.3
Mexico 1.5 2.4 -0.9
China/Hong Kong 1.2 0.1 1.1
Saudi Arabia 1.0 5.8 -4.8
Poland 1.0 1.1 -0.1
Chile 1.0 0.6 0.4
Thailand 0.9 2.0 -1.1
Turkey 0.8 0.9 -0.1
Qatar 0.0 1.2 -1.2
Kuwait 0.0 1.0 -1.0
Greece 0.0 0.6 -0.6
Hungary 0.0 0.3 -0.3
Czech Republic 0.0 0.2 -0.2
Colombia 0.0 0.1 -0.1
Egypt 0.0 0.1 -0.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 11.1 0.0 11.1

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

Equity market cap of issuer Fund Benchmark Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B) 48.6 54.0 -5.4
Large Cap ($10B-$25B) 21.0 23.8 -2.8
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B) 16.2 21.0 -4.8
Small Cap (under $3B) 3.2 1.2 2.0
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities 11.1 0.0 11.1

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: 99%
0.0 0.6 -0.6
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0 0.5 -0.5
Name Fund Benchmark Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0 1.7 -1.7
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100% Benchmark Coverage: 99%
20.7 19.5 1.2

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.

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

Alex  Zarechnak photo
Alex Zarechnak

Lead Manager

Jeremy  Sutch, CFA photo
Jeremy Sutch, CFA

Lead Manager

Peeyush  Mittal, CFA photo
Peeyush Mittal, CFA

Co-Manager

Sean  Taylor photo
Sean Taylor

Co-Manager

Sojung  Park photo
Sojung Park

Co-Manager

Commentary

Period ended 31 December 2024

Market Environment

  • Emerging markets fared pretty well in 2024 but there were divergent trends within regions and between markets. Changing expectations for U.S. interest rates and a fluctuation in the U.S. dollar were big influencers as was the ongoing strength in the artificial intelligence (AI) space.
  • After a strong start, India’s market experienced a selloff when Prime Minister Modi failed to win a majority in the elections in June, but quickly recovered after Modi secured a ruling coalition with allies. Later in the year, the market experienced a small correction as economic expansion eased and there was a downgrade in earnings, particularly in the consumer space.
  • Taiwan’s market powered through the year thanks to demand for its AI chips while South Korea was one of the biggest underperformers in emerging markets amid softening demand in the auto sector and a cyclical downturn in segments such as heavy industries. The market also experienced volatility after South Korea’s president briefly imposed martial law and then was impeached.
  • In Southeast Asia, domestic demand showed signs of recovery. Several economies including the Philippines benefited from domestic agendas to build out infrastructure while some markets gained from specific trends, such as the demand for AI-related date centers in Malaysia. In the second half of the year, the region’s performance was impacted by signs that the Federal Reserve may cut rates more slowly than anticipated and by a strengthening dollar.
  • Latin America was a significant underperformer. Mexico experienced negative sentiment through most of the year in anticipation of, and then in response to, the election of Claudia Sheinbaum as president in June, and the potential impact her reform agenda may have on the private sector. In Brazil, equities underperformed and the Brazilian real declined as the central bank battled inflation and worries mounted over the government’s fiscal management and spending.

Contributors and Detractors

  • For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund returned 7.44%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index, returned 4.20% over the same period.
  • On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were Vietnam, due to an off-benchmark allocation, and Taiwan and Brazil due to stock selection. The top three detractors were Poland, Mexico and South Korea due to stock selection.
  • On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were information technology (IT), materials and consumer discretionary due to stock selection. The top three detractors were financials and industrials due to stock selection and energy due to an underweight allocation and stock selection.
  • The top three contributors to absolute performance included Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), a Taiwanese chipmaker, FPT, a Vietnamese IT services company, and Emaar Properties, a UAE-based real estate developer. The largest detractors included Samsung Electronics, a South Korean semiconductor and consumer electronics maker, Samsung SDI, a South Korean battery manufacturing company, and Dino Polska, a Polish retail chain.

Outlook

  • A key narrative for emerging markets could be the scale of the impact of the new Trump administration. Its policies could support a higher dollar, U.S. Treasury yields and interest rates and it could also impose tariffs on countries including Mexico. At the same time, a Trump administration could also stoke a stronger U.S. economy and that’s good for global growth and for risk assets.
  • After the first quarter of 2025, provided there is more clarity on U.S. trade policy, we think volatility may subside and the outlook for emerging markets will improve. Taiwan should continue to benefit from strong demand for AI- related chips while in India we are focused more on financials, large caps and companies with steady earnings growth where expectations aren’t so high.
  • At the global macro level, we will likely continue to see Fed rate cuts. This may not be a clear tailwind for emerging markets but will be less of a headwind, in our view. At this juncture, we would say that a large component of returns from emerging markets in 2025 will be backloaded into the second half of the year.

 

Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/12/2024 - I (Acc)
Name 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 Inception Date
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (USD)
7.44% N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (USD)
4.20% N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.
Matthews Emerging Markets ex China Equity Fund (GBP)
9.10% N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A. 15/09/2023
MSCI Emerging Markets ex China Index (GBP)
6.06% N.A. N.A. N.A. N.A.

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

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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