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 total return through capital appreciation and current income.
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
The Fund pursues its objective by primarily investing in companies that exhibit attractive dividend yields and/or the potential to grow dividends over time. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 65% of its total net assets, in income-paying publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and other equity-related instruments (including, for example, investment trusts and other financial instruments) of companies located in the Asia ex Japan region.
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. There is no guarantee that the Fund or the companies in its portfolio will pay or continue to pay dividends.
These and other risks associated with investing in the Fund can be found in the
prospectus.
Asia ex Japan: Consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region, excluding Japan
SFDR Classification
Article 8
Fees & Expenses
Management Fee
0.75%
Total Expense Ratio
0.75%
( USD )
0.75%
( GBP )
Objective
Seeks total return through capital appreciation and current income.
Strategy
The Fund pursues its objective by primarily investing in companies that exhibit attractive dividend yields and/or the potential to grow dividends over time. The Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing, directly or indirectly, at least 65% of its total net assets, in income-paying publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks, convertible preferred stocks and other equity-related instruments (including, for example, investment trusts and other financial instruments) of companies located in the Asia ex Japan region.
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. There is no guarantee that the Fund or the companies in its portfolio will pay or continue to pay dividends.
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 31/03/2026
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (USD)
-15.29%
-3.19%
-3.19%
24.77%
8.36%
-0.10%
n.a.
5.88%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
-13.70%
-1.13%
-1.13%
29.09%
14.66%
3.36%
n.a.
5.73%
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (GBP)
-13.82%
-1.52%
-1.52%
22.16%
5.97%
0.69%
n.a.
6.00%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
-12.02%
0.85%
0.85%
26.35%
12.22%
4.30%
n.a.
5.90%
As of 31/03/2026
Annualized Returns
Name
1MO
3MO
YTD
1YR
3YR
5YR
10YR
Since Inception
Inception Date
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (USD)
-15.29%
-3.19%
-3.19%
24.77%
8.36%
-0.10%
n.a.
5.88%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
-13.70%
-1.13%
-1.13%
29.09%
14.66%
3.36%
n.a.
5.73%
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (GBP)
-13.82%
-1.52%
-1.52%
22.16%
5.97%
0.69%
n.a.
6.00%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
-12.02%
0.85%
0.85%
26.35%
12.22%
4.30%
n.a.
5.90%
For the years ended December 31st
Name
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (USD)
29.89%
13.70%
-8.62%
-25.90%
4.14%
52.39%
17.26%
-11.86%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
33.02%
12.51%
6.34%
-19.36%
-4.46%
25.36%
18.52%
-14.12%
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (GBP)
20.94%
15.34%
-13.49%
-17.03%
5.52%
47.26%
13.64%
-6.90%
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
23.86%
14.52%
0.34%
-9.19%
-3.58%
21.49%
13.94%
-8.78%
For the period ended 31/03/2026
Name
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
Inception Date
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (USD)
24.77%
12.20%
-9.11%
-13.32%
-9.78%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
29.09%
11.90%
4.36%
-8.54%
-14.42%
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (GBP)
22.16%
9.49%
-11.01%
-8.10%
-5.36%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (GBP)
26.35%
9.51%
2.15%
-2.61%
-10.32%
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.
Yield
(as of 28/02/2026)
1.83%Dividend Yield<p data-pm-slice="1 1 []">Dividend Yield (trailing) is the weighted average sum of the dividends paid by each equity security held by the Fund over the last 12 months divided by the current price as of report date. The annualised dividend yield is for the equity-only portion of the Fund and does not reflect the actual yield an investor in the Fund would receive. There can be no guarantee that companies that the Fund invests in, and which have historically paid dividends, will continue to pay them or to pay them at the current rates in the future. A positive distribution yield does not imply positive return, and past yields are no guarantee of future yields.</p>
Dividend Yield
1.83%
Source: FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg, Matthews Asia
Portfolio Characteristics
(as of 28/02/2026)
Fund
Benchmark
Number of Positions
70
1,006
Weighted Average Market Cap
$324.4 billion
$403.1 billion
Active Share
60.5
n.a.
P/E using FY1 estimates
14.3x
14.6x
P/E using FY2 estimates
12.4x
12.8x
Price/Cash Flow
13.3
11.8
Price/Book
2.4
2.4
Return On Equity
20.4
20.1
EPS Growth (3 Yr)
11.1%
10.9%
Sources: Factset Research Systems, Inc.
Risk Metrics (3 Yr Return)
(as of 28/02/2026)
Category
3YR Return Metric
Alpha
-6.02%
Beta
1.02
Upside Capture
84.53%
Downside Capture
114.39%
Sharpe Ratio
0.68
Information Ratio
-1.67
Tracking Error
4.24%
R²
91.41
-6.02%
Alpha
1.02
Beta
84.53%
Upside Capture
114.39%
Downside Capture
0.68
Sharpe Ratio
-1.67
Information Ratio
4.24%
Tracking Error
91.41
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 28/02/2026)
Sector Allocation
Country Allocation
Asset Type Breakdown
Market Cap Exposure
Sector
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Information Technology
35.4
37.8
-2.4
Financials
27.3
18.6
8.7
Consumer Discretionary
8.5
11.4
-2.9
Industrials
8.5
8.4
0.1
Communication Services
7.9
7.7
0.2
Materials
5.0
4.0
1.0
Real Estate
2.7
1.8
0.9
Health Care
2.3
3.1
-0.8
Consumer Staples
2.2
2.6
-0.4
Energy
0.0
2.6
-2.6
Utilities
0.0
1.9
-1.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.1
0.0
0.1
Sector data based on MSCI’s revised Global Industry Classification Standards. For more details, visit www.msci.com.
Country
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
China/Hong Kong
32.8
31.4
1.4
South Korea
26.5
20.6
5.9
Taiwan
19.8
25.6
-5.8
India
10.8
14.6
-3.8
Singapore
3.4
3.5
-0.1
Thailand
3.1
1.3
1.8
Australia
2.0
0.0
2.0
Indonesia
0.8
1.1
-0.3
Vietnam
0.8
0.0
0.8
Malaysia
0.0
1.3
-1.3
Philippines
0.0
0.4
-0.4
Macau
0.0
0.1
-0.1
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.1
0.0
0.1
Not all countries are included in the benchmark index(es).
Asset Type
Fund
Common Equities and ADRs
99.9
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.1
Equity market cap of issuer
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
Mega Cap (over $25B)
73.0
72.8
0.2
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)
20.6
19.6
1.0
Mid Cap ($3B-$10B)
4.4
7.5
-3.1
Small Cap (under $3B)
1.9
0.1
1.8
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities
0.1
0.0
0.1
Source: FactSet Research Systems.
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: 99%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Tobacco
Fund Coverage: 96%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Name
Fund
Benchmark
Difference
UN Global Compact Violators
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 99%
0.0
0.0
0.0
Board Diversity
Fund Coverage: 100%Benchmark Coverage: 98%
21.5
20.5
1.0
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.
Sean Taylor is Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager at Matthews. As Chief Investment Officer, Sean oversees the firm’s investment process and investment professionals and sets the research agenda for the investment team. Prior to joining the firm in October 2023, he was Chief Investment Officer APAC, Global Head of Emerging Markets Equity at DWS Group based in Hong Kong since he joined the company in 2013. From 2004 to 2011, he was an Investment Director at GAM, based in London and Dubai. From 1997 to 2004, he was at Societe Generale as Head of International and Emerging Markets. Sean has 30 years of experience, including more than a decade as CIO. He oversaw a number of emerging markets active strategies, including Latin America, India, China, Brazil, Russia as well as international and global strategies. He received his MBA from Manchester Business School and is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Sojung Park is a Portfolio Manager. Prior to joining the firm in 2016, she earned an MBA from the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business. From 2010 to 2013, Sojung worked as an Equity Research Analyst at HSBC Securities as primary analyst for mid-cap companies in the Korean financial services sector, and from 2009 to 2010, was an Equity Research Associate at E*Trade Securities. She received a Bachelor of Business Administration from Seoul National University and is fluent in Korean.
Cecilia Lau is a Portfolio Manager at Matthews. Prior to joining the firm in 2024, she was an Equity Research Analyst, Portfolio Management at DWS Group specializing in long-only, active global markets equities with a focus on ASEAN and ESG coverage. She also developed quantitative and risk tools to deepen risk analytics and enhance portfolio returns. Cecilia received her Bachelor of Science degree in Risk Management and Business Intelligence from The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She is fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin.
Asian equities delivered strong returns, outperforming U.S. stocks in 2025. 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.
China delivered robust returns in 2025, largely supported by improved relations with the U.S. and momentum generated by innovation related to AI hardware and software, including the success of DeepSeek’s open-source platform. In contrast, India underperformed as economic growth slowed and valuations generally remained expensive.
Southeast Asian markets, including Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines, were weighed down by political instability and regional conflicts.
Contributors and Detractors
For the year ended December 31, 2025, the Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund returned 29.74%, (I Acc USD) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 33.02% over the same period.
On a country basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were India and South Korea due to stock selection and China/Hong Kong due to an underweight allocation. The top three detractors were Thailand due to stock selection, Vietnam due to an off-benchmark allocation and Taiwan due to an underweight allocation.
On a sector basis, the top three contributors to relative performance were information technology (IT) and industrials due to stock selection and utilities due to an underweight allocation. The top three detractors were communication services due to stock selection, real estate and consumer discretionary due to an overweight allocation.
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 Infosys, a leading Indian consulting company, JD.com, a leading e-commerce platform in China, and ZillTek Technology Corp., Taiwanese information technology company.
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 gain from the CapEx of U.S. hyperscalers, in our view. We also believe that markets with meaningful exposure to cyclical global industrial and engineering segments, such as Korea, are well positioned for growth in 2026.
China has its own hyperscaler-CapEx theme that is building but we believe a broad earnings recovery needs to unfold to support a wider rerating of the market. However, there are numerous companies that are quality businesses and delivering good earnings growth, and for that reason we are positive on the Chinese equity market in 2026.
In India, questions remain over the government’s commitment to infrastructure CapEx programs but opportunities in consumer spending may emerge as aggressive rate cuts and tax reductions take hold. In contrast, in Southeast Asia, it is difficult to see growth opportunities, with the exception of the markets of Vietnam and Singapore.
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/03/2026 - S (Acc)
Name
2026
2025
2024
2023
2022
Inception Date
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (USD)
24.77%
12.20%
-9.11%
-13.32%
-9.78%
13/12/2017
MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index (USD)
29.09%
11.90%
4.36%
-8.54%
-14.42%
Matthews Asia ex Japan Total Return Equity Fund (GBP)
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 December 2025
Market Environment
Contributors and Detractors
Outlook
Rolling 12 Month Returns For the period ended 31/03/2026 - S (Acc)
Sources: Brown Brothers Harriman (Luxembourg) S.C.A, Matthews Asia, FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg