N-CSRS 1 d650235dncsrs.htm N-CSRS N-CSRS

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act file number 811-08510

 

 

Matthews International Funds

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

 

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 550

San Francisco, CA 94111

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

 

William J. Hackett, President

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 550

San Francisco, CA 94111

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 415-788-7553

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

Date of reporting period: June 30, 2019

 

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549-0609. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 


Item 1.

Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


Matthews Asia Funds  |  Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2019  |  matthewsasia.com

 

ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

Matthews China Dividend Fund

ASIA VALUE STRATEGY

Matthews Asia Value Fund

ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

Matthews China Fund

Matthews India Fund

Matthews Japan Fund

Matthews Korea Fund

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

 

 

LOGO

 

Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Funds’ annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail, unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Funds’ website matthewsasia.com, and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website link to access the report. If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. You may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Funds electronically anytime by contacting your financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank) or, if you are a direct investor, by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742).

You may elect to receive all future reports in paper free of charge. If you invest through a financial intermediary, you can contact your financial intermediary to request that you continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. If you invest directly with a Fund, you can call 800.789.ASIA (2742) to let the Fund know you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Funds held in your account if you invest through your financial intermediary or all Funds held directly with Matthews Asia Funds.

 

LOGO


Investor Class Performance and Expenses (June 30, 2019)

 

Investor Class         Average Annual Total Return     Inception
Date
    Prospectus
Expense
Ratios*
    Prospectus
Expense Ratios
after Fee Waiver
and Expense
Reimbursement*
 
  1 year     5 years     10 years     Since
Inception
 

ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asia Strategic Income Fund (MAINX)

    7.76%       3.85%       n.a.       4.73%       11/30/11       1.15%       1.15% 1 

Asia Credit Opportunities Fund (MCRDX)

    9.26%       n.a.       n.a.       5.90%       4/29/16       1.37%       1.15% 1 

ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asian Growth and Income Fund (MACSX)

    7.20%       2.34%       7.08%       8.99%       9/12/94       1.08%       1.08%  

Asia Dividend Fund (MAPIX)

    -4.35%       4.96%       9.65%       8.45%       10/31/06       1.02%       1.01% 2 

China Dividend Fund (MCDFX)

    0.86%       11.07%       n.a.       10.43%       11/30/09       1.15%       1.15%  

ASIA VALUE STRATEGY

             

Asia Value Fund (MAVRX)

    -1.78%       n.a.       n.a.       9.29%       11/30/15       1.77%       1.50% 3 

ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES

             

Asia Growth Fund (MPACX)

    -5.84%       5.91%       9.89%       8.96%       10/31/03       1.10%       1.10%  

Pacific Tiger Fund (MAPTX)

    1.14%       5.95%       9.83%       8.54%       9/12/94       1.07%       1.04% 2 

Asia ESG Fund (MASGX)

    1.05%       n.a.       n.a.       4.68%       4/30/15       2.20%       1.50% 3 

Emerging Asia Fund (MEASX)

    -9.06%       3.17%       n.a.       4.36%       4/30/13       1.66%       1.48% 3 

Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX)

    -4.36%       7.34%       12.51%       3.77%       12/27/99       1.19%       1.19%  

China Fund (MCHFX)

    -3.79%       8.43%       7.42%       9.68%       2/19/98       1.10%       1.10%  

India Fund (MINDX)

    -3.28%       8.43%       11.02%       10.68%       10/31/05       1.09%       1.09%  

Japan Fund (MJFOX)

    -9.27%       6.77%       9.54%       5.85%       12/31/98       0.91%       0.91%  

Korea Fund (MAKOX)

    -12.65%       2.41%       9.77%       5.53%       1/3/95       1.14%       1.14%  

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES

             

Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX)

    -6.71%       1.45%       9.06%       9.89%       9/15/08       1.51%       1.46% 3 

China Small Companies Fund (MCSMX)

    -10.36%       8.51%       n.a.       4.99%       5/31/11       1.97%       1.50% 3 

 

 

Annualized performance for periods of at least one year, otherwise cumulative.

 

*

These figures are from the Funds’ prospectus dated as of April 30, 2019, and may differ from the actual expense ratios for fiscal year 2019, as shown in the financial highlights section of this report.

 

1

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 0.90% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 0.90% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 0.90%. Any amount waived with respect to the Fund pursuant to this agreement is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

 

2

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee and administrative and shareholder services fee if the Fund’s average daily net assets are over $3 billion, as follows: for every $2.5 billion average daily net assets of the Fund that are over $3 billion, the advisory fee rate and the administrative and shareholder services fee rate for the Fund with respect to such excess average daily net assets will be each reduced by 0.01%, in each case without reducing such fee rate below 0.00%. Any amount waived by Matthews pursuant to this agreement may not be recouped by Matthews. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated (i) at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews at the annual expiration date of the agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.

 

3

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

 

1    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Institutional Class Performance and Expenses (June 30, 2019)

 

Institutional Class         Average Annual Total Return     Inception
Date
    Prospectus
Expense
Ratios*
    Prospectus
Expense Ratios
after Fee Waiver
and Expense
Reimbursement*
 
  1 year     5 years     10 years     Since
Inception
 

ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asia Strategic Income Fund (MINCX)

    8.06%       4.12%       n.a.       4.97%       11/30/11       0.96%       0.90% 1 

Asia Credit Opportunities Fund (MICPX)

    9.64%       n.a.       n.a.       6.16%       4/29/16       1.18%       0.90% 1 

ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asian Growth and Income Fund (MICSX)

    7.34%       2.49%       n.a.       4.41%       10/29/10       0.93%       0.93%  

Asia Dividend Fund (MIPIX)

    -4.25%       5.07%       n.a.       6.29%       10/29/10       0.91%       0.90% 2 

China Dividend Fund (MICDX)

    0.99%       11.24%       n.a.       9.46%       10/29/10       1.01%       1.01%  

ASIA VALUE STRATEGY

             

Asia Value Fund (MAVAX)

    -1.48%       n.a.       n.a.       9.58%       11/30/15       1.54%       1.25% 3 

ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES

             

Asia Growth Fund (MIAPX)

    -5.65%       6.11%       n.a.       6.79%       10/29/10       0.93%       0.93%  

Pacific Tiger Fund (MIPTX)

    1.31%       6.13%       n.a.       6.12%       10/29/10       0.90%       0.88% 2 

Asia ESG Fund (MISFX)

    1.23%       n.a.       n.a.       4.93%       4/30/15       2.01%       1.25% 3 

Emerging Asia Fund (MIASX)

    -8.76%       3.42%       n.a.       4.61%       4/30/13       1.50%       1.25% 3 

Asia Innovators Fund (MITEX)

    -4.11%       7.55%       n.a.       11.38%       4/30/13       1.02%       1.02%  

China Fund (MICFX)

    -3.55%       8.60%       n.a.       3.75%       10/29/10       0.91%       0.91%  

India Fund (MIDNX)

    -3.13%       8.64%       n.a.       5.53%       10/29/10       0.90%       0.90%  

Japan Fund (MIJFX)

    -9.22%       6.86%       n.a.       9.21%       10/29/10       0.85%       0.85%  

Korea Fund (MIKOX)

    -12.46%       2.59%       n.a.       6.08%       10/29/10       1.02%       1.02%  

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES

             

Asia Small Companies Fund (MISMX)

    -6.54%       1.67%       n.a.       3.20%       4/30/13       1.37%       1.25% 3 

China Small Companies Fund (MICHX)

    -10.08%       n.a.       n.a.       2.62%       11/30/17       1.79%       1.25% 3 

 

Annualized performance for periods of at least one year, otherwise cumulative.

 

*

These figures are from the Funds’ prospectus dated as of April 30, 2019, and may differ from the actual expense ratios for fiscal year 2019, as shown in the financial highlights section of this report.

 

1

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 0.90%. Any amount waived with respect to the Fund pursuant to this agreement is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

 

2

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee and administrative and shareholder services fee if the Fund’s average daily net assets are over $3 billion, as follows: for every $2.5 billion average daily net assets of the Fund that are over $3 billion, the advisory fee rate and the administrative and shareholder services fee rate for the Fund with respect to such excess average daily net assets will be each reduced by 0.01%, in each case without reducing such fee rate below 0.00%. Any amount waived by Matthews pursuant to this agreement may not be recouped by Matthews. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated (i) at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews at the annual expiration date of the agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.

 

3

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

Past Performance: All performance quoted in this report is past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with changing market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the returns quoted. If certain of the Funds’ fees and expenses had not been waived, returns would have been lower. For the Funds’ most recent month-end performance, please call 800.789.ASIA (2742) or visit matthewsasia.com.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      2  


LOGO


Contents

 

Message to Shareholders from the Investment Advisor     4  
Manager Commentaries, Fund Characteristics and Schedules of Investments:

 

ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund     6  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund     11  
ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund     15  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund     20  
Matthews China Dividend Fund     25  
ASIA VALUE STRATEGY  
Matthews Asia Value Fund     30  
ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund     34  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund     39  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund     44  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund     49  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund     54  
Matthews China Fund     58  
Matthews India Fund     63  
Matthews Japan Fund     68  
Matthews Korea Fund     73  
ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund     78  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund     83  
Index Definitions     88  
Disclosures     89  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses     90  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities     93  
Statements of Operations     105  
Statements of Changes in Net Assets     111  
Financial Highlights     120  
Notes to Financial Statements     137  

Cover photo: Chinese New Year lantern and gold coin decorations along the Hong Kong harbor.

 

 

This report has been prepared for Matthews International Funds (d/b/a Matthews Asia Funds) shareholders. It is not authorized for distribution to prospective investors unless accompanied or preceded by a current Matthews Asia Funds prospectus, which contains more complete information about the Funds’ investment objectives, risks and expenses. Additional copies of the prospectus or summary prospectus may be obtained at matthewsasia.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before you invest or send money.

The views and opinions in this report were current as of June 30, 2019. 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 a Fund’s future investment intent. Current and future portfolio holdings are subject to risk.

Statements of fact are from sources considered reliable, but neither the Funds nor the Investment Advisor makes any representation or guarantee as to their completeness or accuracy.

Investment Risk: Mutual fund shares are not deposits or obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depositary institution. Shares are not insured by the FDIC, Federal Reserve Board or any government agency and are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal amount invested. Investing in international and emerging markets may involve additional risks, such as social and political instability, market illiquidity, exchange-rate fluctuations, a high level of volatility and limited regulation. Fixed income investments are subject to additional risks, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and inflation risks. In addition, single-country and sector funds may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified funds because of a concentration in a specific industry, sector or geographic location. Investing in small and mid-size companies is more risky than investing in large companies as they may be more volatile and less liquid than larger companies. Please see the Funds’ Prospectuses and Statement of Additional Information for more risk disclosure.


LOGO

Message to Shareholders from the Investment Advisor

Dear Valued Investors,

In many respects, the environment for investment has not really improved markedly since the start of the year. Trade tensions linger. Global indicators have weakened. Political tensions have intensified. Only the U.S. remains a bright spot—that perfect mix of good economic growth numbers, low inflation and (hurrah!) potential interest rate cuts to boot.

All of this just drains the appetite of investors for Asia’s equity and bond markets. Everywhere I go, at every conference around the world it seems, Asia remains a top “intended” destination for new funds. And yet for the most part, industry flows suggest that few people are actually acting on their plans.

That is hardly surprising—Asia’s reputation for volatility, the conventional wisdom that it is an export economy, the reticence of Asia’s policymakers to stimulate in a strong dollar environment, and the supercharged (by tax breaks and low wage growth) earnings growth in the U.S. all inveigh against asset allocators making the courageous decision to move funds across the Pacific. After all, who wants to be courageous in this atmosphere? As one client with a flair for humorous exposition told me recently: “It never feels good to buy China.”

I think he was right. What we are up against is primarily sentiment. I don’t want to downplay the trade war, the earnings issue, or the growth environment. However, market reactions to tweets on trade are out of proportion to the actual effect on GDP and earnings. Valuations suggest that the current pro-capitalist/anti-labor policies can persist in the U.S. without an economic or political backlash, and a belief that Asia’s policymakers will remain tight-fisted on fiscal and monetary policy assumes a strong dollar regime will continue, which is at odds with the stated intention of the administration to reduce the trade deficit. It seems to me to just be a case of the market justifying “more of the same” and to follow the momentum trade.

That is fine. However, perhaps because of our focus on Asia, we see things slightly differently. We see the steady creep of China’s economic influence through ASEAN and Central Europe, even now, bringing in Italy and Greece into the fold. We see the adjustments being made at the corporate level to circumvent the tariffs imposed by the U.S., and we see the acceleration of the buildout of the manufacturing base in the region. We see a region, in short, adapting to circumstance: fluid, and dynamic. We see a region where borders are being broken down by closer economic cooperation, not built up by economic protectionism.

It’s hard to argue with momentum in the markets—the S&P 500 Index is making new highs as I write this. But it does increasingly feel to me as if pressures are building up to force an inflection in world markets. I doubt a severe recession is in the offing (though I worry about a long stagnation in Europe), but I do think that markets are going to be shaken out of their complacency. It has been a long expansion, after all, and there is little room for policy error. I guess I am not the only one to feel this way and hence, the reticence of people to buy.

For us, the trade issues have offered up opportunities. This is not because we believe there will be a rapid and total resolution—tension will rumble on between the U.S. and China for many a year—but because of the lack of proportion in market movements relative to actual effects of policy. These opportunities are predominantly in China and mostly, though not exclusively, in domestic-demand stocks that were somewhat inexplicably caught up in the weak market sentiment. Indeed, despite the breathless headlines at times and the gladiatorial nature of some of the language, we retain a cool posture.

One thing is clear in the data. The effects of tariffs so far have been: 1) to reduce the trade deficit between the U.S. and China; 2) to increase the trade deficit between the

 

 

4    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


U.S. and the rest of Asia (plus Mexico); and to raise the prices of tariffed goods versus non-tariffed goods in the U.S. My interpretation of this is that Chinese manufacturers with factories in ASEAN and Mexico have been running their factories there on extra shifts and the corresponding increase in costs and inefficiencies has been largely borne by the U.S. consumer. The longer-term effects are likely to be simply to accelerate Chinese investment in these areas. And thus, trade wars, far from being easy to win, are complex and unpredictable events with winners and losers that are very different from what the protagonists might expect.

We remain, therefore, wedded to our cause. We are aware of the global macroeconomic risks but we are not paralyzed by them. Indeed, for such complex issues as this, there is perhaps more insight to be gained by talking to the companies who are “at the coal face” rather than trying to divine big trends from newspaper headlines. We will continue to follow where the pursuit of profit opportunity leads us, to be guided by the decisions of entrepreneurs, not by the pronouncements of politicians, and to respect the price signals of the market.

There remains ample scope for corporates to grow profitably by meeting the needs of the domestic consumer. There is plenty of opportunity in economic and political cooperation with neighbors to drive down costs and ramp up efficiency in production and to improve the region’s living standards together. A few years ago, it might have seemed crazy that the U.S. would turn its back on globalization and that China would eagerly take up the role of champion of cross-border economic cooperation. But that is where we now are—the leadership of the global economy may already have passed from one superpower to the other.

With this strategic focus, the future of Asia looks bright beyond the headlines of the day—we continue to target investments in the domestic companies that are driving and profiting from the region’s creation of wealth.

 

LOGO

Robert Horrocks, PhD

Chief Investment Officer

Matthews International Capital Management, LLC

    

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      5  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Teresa Kong, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Satya Patel   Wei Zhang

Co-Manager

 

Co-Manager

FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAINX   MINCX

CUSIP

  577125503   577125602

Inception

  11/30/11   11/30/11

NAV

  $10.92   $10.93

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.15%   0.96%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.15%  

0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  36

Net Assets

  $113.6 million

Modified Duration3

  5.2

Portfolio Turnover4

 

82.32%

Benchmark

 

Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index*

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Total return over the long term with an emphasis on income.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in income-producing securities including, but not limited to, dividend paying equity securities, and debt and debt-related instruments issued by governments, quasi-governmental entities, supra-national institutions, and companies in Asia. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, such as China and India, and includes developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region. Investments may be denominated in any currency, and may represent any part of a company’s capital structure from debt to equity or with features of both.

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund returned 8.39% (Investor Class) and 8.63% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index, returned 5.27%. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned 2.56% (Investor Class) and 2.72% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 2.11% over the same period.

Market Environment:

The combination of supportive central banks and positive trade news led to a constructive environment for Asian fixed income over the second quarter, with Asian credit, currencies and rates all performing positively. The U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and emerging market central banks all moved in a dovish direction during the quarter, seemingly ending the momentum for higher rates around the world. Meanwhile, the G-20 Summit ended without an escalation in the U.S.–China trade war, at least temporarily removing the risk of a further tariff shock from the global economy.

While the quarter was positive overall, geopolitics led to unexpected volatility. The quarter began with a positive tone as data from the U.S. and China implied that fears of a synchronized growth slowdown may have been overdone. Optimism evaporated in early May, however, when President Trump threatened to raise tariffs on all Chinese imports, including consumer-related goods, and attempted to limit U.S. companies from doing business with Chinese tech giant Huawei. By the end of May, equities markets had relinquished most of their year-to-date gains.

For Asia credit, this caused high-yield spreads to widen by about 40 basis points during May and 35 basis points over the quarter. The rally in U.S. rates more than offset this modest spread widening, so total return from credit bonds was positive for the quarter.

Asian local rates generally followed U.S. rates lower over the quarter, albeit to a lesser degree. Asia currency returns were mixed, with some currencies such as the Thai baht, the Philippine peso and the Indonesian rupiah outperforming the U.S. dollar, while others, notably the Chinese renminbi, the Korean won, and the Malaysian ringgit underperforming the U.S. dollar.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the first half and the second quarter, the biggest contributor to Fund performance was the portfolio’s overweight in Asian USD high-yield corporate bonds, which delivered positive performance. Within high-yield corporate bonds, the strongest contributors over the quarter included PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara, a government-owned Indonesian utility, Tata Steel (ABJA Investment Co.) and Indika Energy Capital III bonds. Our exposures to convertible bonds, including CP Foods Holdings, Weibo and Zhongsheng Group Holdings, also contributed strongly within corporate exposures. In addition, our exposure to the Vietnam government-backed Debt & Asset Trading Corp. contributed to outperformance.

The biggest detractors to our performance were our currency forward positions in the Korean won and the Chinese renminbi (RMB), both currencies that underperformed the U.S. dollar over the quarter. Other detractors to performance

(continued)

 
*

The Index performance reflects the returns of the discontinued predecessor HSBC Asian Local Bond Index up to December 31, 2012 and the returns of the successor Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index thereafter.

1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 0.90% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 0.90% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 0.90%. Any amount waived with respect to the Fund pursuant to this agreement is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

Modified duration measures the percent change in value of the fixed income portion of the portfolio in response to a 1% change in interest rates. In a multi-currency denominated portfolio with sensitivities to different interest rate regimes, modified duration will not accurately reflect the change in value of the overall portfolio from a change in any one interest rate regime.

4

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

6    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


               
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                 
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAINX)      2.56%        8.39%        7.76%        5.38%        3.85%        4.73%        11/30/11  
Institutional Class (MINCX)      2.72%        8.63%        8.06%        5.69%        4.12%        4.97%        11/30/11  
Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index5      2.11%        5.27%        8.42%        3.33%        2.67%        2.79%     

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com.

 

                   
INCOME DISTRIBUTION HISTORY                                                               
    2019

 

          2018

 

 
  Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MAINX)   $ 0.08      $ 0.10        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.19       $ 0.12      $ 0.10      $ 0.07      $ 0.00      $ 0.29  
Inst’l (MINCX)   $ 0.09      $ 0.11        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.20       $ 0.13      $ 0.11      $ 0.08      $ 0.00      $ 0.31  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.02 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

   

30-DAY YIELD:

 

Investor Class: 4.38% (4.35% excluding waivers)

Institutional Class: 4.63% (4.54% excluding waivers)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/19, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund’s share price at the end of the 30-day period. The 30-Day Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate.

 

Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

   

YIELD TO WORST: 5.08%

 

Yield to worst is the lowest yield that can be received on a bond assuming that the issuer does not default. It is calculated by utilizing the worst case assumptions for a bond with respect to certain income-reducing factors, including prepayment, call or sinking fund provisions. It does not represent the yield that an investor should expect to receive. Past yields are no guarantee of future yields.

 

Source: FactSet Research Systems

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  5

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from HSBC, Markit iBoxx and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definitions. The Index performance reflects the returns of the discontinued predecessor HSBC Asian Local Bond Index up to December 31, 2012 and the returns of the successor Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index thereafter.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS                     
     Sector      Currency      % of Net Assets  
Debt and Asset Trading Corp., 1.000%, 10/10/2025    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.6%  
HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.5%  
Standard Chartered PLC, 6.500%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd., 7.250%, 01/29/2024    Real Estate      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
Sri Lanka Government Bond, 7.850%, 03/14/2029    Foreign Government Bonds      U.S. Dollar        4.1%  
SoftBank Group Corp., 6.000%, 07/19/2049    Communication Services      U.S. Dollar        4.1%  
Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd., 5.700%, 02/27/2022    Financials      U.S. Dollar        3.9%  
PB International BV, 7.625%, 01/26/2022    Consumer Discretionary      U.S. Dollar        3.9%  
CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd., 6.550%, 03/28/2024    Real Estate      U.S. Dollar        3.9%  
ABJA Investment Co. Pte, Ltd., 5.450%, 01/24/2028    Materials      U.S. Dollar        3.7%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                41.5%  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      7  


 
CURRENCY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
US Dollar     62.1  
Singapore Dollar     5.9  
China Reminbi     5.9  
South Korean Won     5.4  
Indonesian Rupiah     5.0  
Thai Baht     4.3  
Indian Rupee     4.1  
Phillipines Peso     3.5  
Malaysian Ringgit     2.1  
Vietnam Dong     1.7  

 

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7,8  
China/Hong Kong     36.0  
Indonesia     18.8  
India     13.3  
Vietnam     6.3  
Philippines     5.9  
Sri Lanka     4.1  
Japan     4.1  
Thailand     3.1  
Malaysia     2.1  
United States     1.7  
South Korea     0.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
Financials     24.3  
Real Estate     20.7  
Foreign Government Bonds     16.5  
Communication Services     9.9  
Utilities     8.1  
Consumer Discretionary     3.9  
Materials     3.7  
Consumer Staples     3.1  
Energy     2.8  
Industrials     2.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

Please note: Foreign Government Bonds category includes Supranationals.

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)6,7  
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds     69.4  
Government Bonds     21.1  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     5.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

 

6

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.

 

7

Cash and other assets may include forward currency exchange contracts and certain derivative instruments that have been marked-to-market.

 

8

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

included our convertible bond position in Ctrip.com International, Ltd., a Chinese online travel agency, as well as our holding in the RMB-denominated bonds of China Jinmao (Franshion Brilliant), a Chinese property developer.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We made a number of changes to the portfolio in the second quarter, rotating out of shorter-duration bonds and bonds with higher equity beta, and adding longer-duration bonds and issues with asymmetric risk profiles.

Within corporate bonds, we initiated positions in two Indian issuers: Shriram Transport Finance, an Indian non-bank finance company that issued a U.S.-dollar bond with an attractive spread premium given the recent non-banking financial companies sector (NBFC) funding crisis; and Tata Steel (ABJA Investment), one of the world’s largest steel producers, where we gained exposure through a long-duration issue. We also initiated positions in two Chinese issuers: Logan Property Holdings, a top 20 developer that offered an attractive spread premium given its exposure to China’s Greater Bay Area, and to the technology firm Weibo via convertible bonds that were trading close to their lowest possible level, and which we saw as offering an asymmetric risk profile.

We increased overall duration in the portfolio to 4.5 years from 3.7 years by rotating out of short-duration bonds, including Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco Capital Holdings), Olam International and Krung Thai Bank Public, and also by adding longer-duration exposures. We also exited two bond holdings: Huaneng Hong Kong Capital and China Minmetals. Despite being perpetual bonds, they did not offer material duration due to the embedded fixed-to-floating coupon resets.

Outside of corporate bonds, we added to Indian duration via interest-rate swaps to take advantage of lower-than-expected growth and inflation in the country, which we expect to bring about rate cuts. We also added Malaysian government bond exposure given the country’s weak economy, attractive carry profile and as we believe the current market is underpricing the likelihood of rate cuts.

Finally on currency, we increased exposure to the U.S. dollar by cutting exposure to most Asian local currencies, with the Indian rupee and Malaysian ringgit being notable exceptions.

Outlook:

The U.S. and global economies both look to be late cycle, characterized by falling inflation and moderating GDP growth. Fed funds futures are pricing in two interest rate cuts by the Fed before the end of this year. Despite lackluster growth in the U.S., its equities continue to rally.

How is it possible that the bond markets are pricing such negativity while equities are so bullish? Our best explanation for this is that equity markets are pricing in perfect execution by the Fed. In other words, equities are expecting the Fed and other central banks to deliver sufficient rate cuts and loosen monetary policies to extend the current expansion.

Because few Asia government bond curves have fully priced in the dovish G-3 central banks, we maintain a long exposure to interest rate duration in Asia, where the bond markets have more room to rally. We expect that over the coming quarters, Asian central banks will become increasingly dovish, with their respective yield curves falling to price in more rate cuts. This means that even those central banks that may have been reluctant to cut should likely follow suit. We place the more-developed, lower-yielding countries like Thailand, South Korea and Malaysia solidly in that camp. Even the emerging Asian economies of India and Indonesia will have more room to cut rates given subdued domestic inflation.

Given our outlook, the biggest risk is that the equities markets are wrong. This would mean potential credit spread widening. However, in our base case, lower rates globally bodes well for credit spreads to remain stable.

 

 

8    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

 

NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 69.4%  

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 33.9%    

HSBC Holdings PLC 6.375%b, 03/30/25c

    4,900,000       $5,152,350  

Standard Chartered PLC
6.500%b, 04/02/20c,d

    4,950,000       5,017,073  

Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd.
7.250%, 01/29/24d

    5,000,000       4,981,250  

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
6.550%, 03/28/24d

    4,500,000       4,400,035  

Franshion Brilliant, Ltd.
5.750%b, 01/17/22c,d

    3,400,000       3,231,578  

China Huaneng Group Co., Ltd.
3.950%, 04/21/26

    CNY 20,000,000       2,862,712  

Logan Property Holdings Co., Ltd.
5.250%, 02/23/23d

    3,000,000       2,862,354  

CITIC Telecom International Finance, Ltd.
6.100%, 03/05/25d

    2,300,000       2,387,868  

KWG Group Holdings, Ltd.
5.875%, 11/10/24d

    2,600,000       2,361,388  

KWG Group Holdings, Ltd.
7.875%, 09/01/23d

    2,050,000       2,061,760  

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
7.750%, 09/20/20d

    CNY 12,000,000       1,804,583  

Agricultural Bank of China, Ltd.
4.300%, 04/11/29d

    CNY 10,000,000       1,445,324  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      38,568,275  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 13.9%    

PB International BV 7.625%, 01/26/22d

    4,300,000       4,452,483  

Listrindo Capital BV 4.950%, 09/14/26d

    3,500,000       3,452,750  

Indika Energy Capital III Pte, Ltd.
5.875%, 11/09/24d

    3,300,000       3,222,352  

PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara
5.250%, 05/15/47d

    2,700,000       2,849,128  

Modernland Overseas Pte, Ltd.
6.950%, 04/13/24d

    1,900,000       1,854,649  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      15,831,362  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 13.3%    

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.
5.700%, 02/27/22d

    4,400,000       4,457,030  

ABJA Investment Co. Pte, Ltd.
5.450%, 01/24/28d

    4,440,000       4,249,860  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.
9.000%, 11/29/28

    INR 190,000,000       2,872,557  

ICICI Bank UK PLC 5.375%b, 09/26/28d

    SGD 2,750,000       2,054,532  

Bajaj Finance, Ltd., Series 246
8.538%, 06/07/22

    INR 100,000,000       1,461,039  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      15,095,018  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 4.1%    

SoftBank Group Corp.
6.000%b, 07/19/23c,d

    4,850,000       4,631,750  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      4,631,750  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 2.5%    

Royal Capital BV 4.875%b, 05/05/24c,d

    2,800,000       2,775,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      2,775,500  
   

 

 

 
   
     Face Amount*     Value  
UNITED STATES: 1.7%    

Sprint Communications, Inc.
6.000%, 11/15/22

    1,863,000       $1,942,178  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      1,942,178  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

 

    78,844,083  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $76,847,011)

   
   
   
FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS: 21.1%

 

     
VIETNAM: 6.3%    

Debt and Asset Trading Corp.
1.000%, 10/10/25d

    6,969,000       5,209,328  

Vietnam Government Bond
5.200%, 01/12/22

    VND 43,000,000,000       1,917,081  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      7,126,409  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 4.9%    

Indonesia Government Bond
9.000%, 03/15/29

    IDR 38,000,000,000       2,963,212  

Indonesia Government Bond
8.250%, 05/15/29

    IDR 34,550,000,000       2,592,320  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      5,555,532  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SRI LANKA: 4.1%    

Sri Lanka Government Bond
7.850%, 03/14/29d

    4,500,000       4,639,870  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      4,639,870  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 3.4%    

Republic of Philippines
3.900%, 11/26/22

    PHP 123,000,000       2,344,475  

Republic of Philippines
6.250%, 01/14/36

    PHP 70,000,000       1,547,282  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      3,891,757  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 2.1%    

Malaysia Government Bond
4.642%, 11/07/33

    MYR 9,000,000       2,342,875  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      2,342,875  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 0.3%    

Korea Treasury Bond
3.500%, 03/10/24

    KRW 400,000,000       377,298  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      377,298  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

    23,933,741  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $23,021,276)

   
   

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 5.0%

 

     
THAILAND: 3.0%    

CP Foods Holdings, Ltd., Cnv.
0.500%, 09/22/21d

    2,800,000       3,476,918  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      3,476,918  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      9  


Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (continued)

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 2.0%    

Weibo Corp., Cnv.
1.250%, 11/15/22

    2,400,000       $2,265,666  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      2,265,666  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

 

    5,742,584  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $ 5,067,936)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.5%       108,520,408  

(Cost $ 104,936,223)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.5%
      5,108,081  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $113,628,489  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security is a fix-to-float security, which carries a fixed coupon until a certain date, upon which it switches to a floating rate. Reference rate and spread are provided if the rate is currently floating.

 

c

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date. First call date is disclosed.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

*

All Values in USD unless otherwise specified

 

Cnv.

Convertible

 

CNY

Chinese Renminbi (Yuan)

 

IDR

Indonesian Rupiah

 

INR

Indian Rupee

 

3M MYR-KLIBOR

Three Month Kuala Lumpur Interbank Offered Rate

 

KRW

Korean Won

 

6M INR-MIBOR

Six Month Mumbai Inter-Bank Offered Rate

 

MYR

Malaysian Ringgit

 

OTC

Over-the-counter

 

PHP

Philippine Peso

 

SGD

Singapore Dollar

 

THB

Thai Baht

 

6M THB-THBFIX

Six Month Thai Baht Interest Rate Fixing

 

USD

U.S. Dollar

 

VND

Vietnamese Dong

 

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS

 

Currency

Purchased

     Currency Sold      Counterparty   Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
CNY 33,648,300      USD 4,900,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    07/10/19          $1,014  
IDR 36,000,000,000      USD 2,500,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          36,733  
KRW 1,174,350,000      USD 1,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          15,835  
THB 149,433,600      USD 4,800,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          77,304  
                

 

 

 
                   130,886  
                

 

 

 
USD 2,904,866      CNY 20,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    07/10/19          (8,217
USD 1,446,759      CNY 10,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    07/10/19          (9,782
SGD 8,509,410      USD 6,300,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (6,387
KRW 10,075,320,000      USD 9,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (284,654
USD 1,670,904      SGD 2,300,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (30,190
USD 2,436,548      IDR 36,000,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (100,184
USD 2,852,660      KRW 3,400,000,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (88,406
USD 986,683      KRW 1,174,350,000     

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/05/19          (29,152
                

 

 

 
                   (556,972
                

 

 

 

Net Unrealized Depreciation

                   ($426,086
                

 

 

 

OTC INTEREST RATE SWAPS

 

Floating Rate

Paid by Fund

 

Fixed Rate

Received by Fund

 

     Counterparty

 

Termination

Date

   

Notional
Amount (000)

   

Value

   

Upfront
Premium
Paid
(Received)

   

Unrealized
Depreciation

 
Rate   Frequency   Rate   Frequency

6M INR-MIBOR, (0.31)%

  Semi-annual   5.46%  

Semi-annual

  Bank of America, N.A.     06/19/2024       INR 204,000       ($9,867           ($9,867

3M MYR-KLIBOR, 3.46%

  Quarterly   3.30%  

Quarterly

  Bank of America, N.A.     06/19/2024       MYR 13,000       (9,076           (9,076

6M THB-THBFIX, 1.48%

  Semi-annual   1.61%  

Semi-annual

  Bank of America, N.A.     06/21/2024       THB 281,000       (35,226           (35,226
             

 

 

 

Total

                ($54,169           ($54,169
             

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Teresa Kong, CFA   Satya Patel

Lead Manager

 

Lead Manager

FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MCRDX   MICPX

CUSIP

  577130677   577130669

Inception

  4/29/16   4/29/16

NAV

  $10.47   $10.47

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.37%   1.18%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.15%   0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  29

Net Assets

  $57.4 million

Modified Duration3

  5.0

Portfolio Turnover4

  49.06%

Benchmark

   

J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Total return over the long term.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in debt and debt-related instruments issued by companies as well as governments, quasi-governmental entities, and supra-national institutions in Asia. Debt and debt-related instruments typically include bonds, debentures, bills, securitized instruments (which are vehicles backed by pools of assets such as loans or other receivables), notes, certificates of deposit and other bank obligations, bank loans, senior secured bank debt, convertible debt securities, exchangeable bonds, credit-linked notes, inflation-linked instruments, repurchase agreements, payment-in-kind securities and derivative instruments with fixed income characteristics. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, such as China and Indonesia, in addition to the developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund returned 9.39% (Investor Class) and 9.63% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index (JACI), returned 8.04%. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned 3.16% (Investor Class) and 3.23% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 3.00% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian credit markets enjoyed a positive first half, with high yield credit spreads peaking at 622 basis points (6.22%) in early January and ending June at 539 basis points (5.39%). The first quarter was characterized by a strong risk-on environment and spread tightening. Despite spreads widening modestly in the second quarter, the combination of falling U.S. interest rates and coupon income resulted in positive total returns for investors in the asset class.

The constructive environment for Asian credit over the period was largely due to supportive central banks around the world. The U.S. Federal Reserve, the European Central Bank and emerging market central banks all moved in a dovish direction, seemingly ending the momentum for higher rates around the world. Meanwhile, the G-20 Summit ended without an escalation of the U.S.–China trade war, at least temporarily removing the risk of a further tariff shock from the global economy.

While the second quarter was positive overall, geopolitics led to unexpected volatility in credit spreads. The quarter began with a continuation of the positive tone in risk markets from the first quarter, as data from the U.S. and China implied that fears of a synchronized growth slowdown may have been overdone. As the U.S.–China trade war flared up, however, spreads widened in May, before gradually tightening as the late-June G-20 summit approached.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the first half and the second quarter, the biggest contributor to performance was the portfolio’s overweight allocation to Asian high yield bonds, which as a group outperformed in the risk-on environment. Within high yield corporate bonds, the strongest contributors over the quarter included Tata Steel (ABJA Investment), Lippo Karawaci (Theta Capital) and the Vietnam government-backed Debt and Asset Trading. Tata Steel performed well as it has moved toward a deleveraging plan following an unsuccessful merger of its European operations. Lippo Karawaci continues to execute on its turnaround plan, which includes raising new capital and increasing discipline around capital expenditures. Our exposure to convertible bonds, including Weibo and CP Foods Holdings as well as our positions in SoftBank Group and HSBC Holdings perpetual bonds, were also contributors.

The biggest detractors to performance were our positions in Indika (Indo Energy Finance II BV), our convertible bond positions in China Mengniu Dairy and Ctrip.com International, a Chinese online travel agency. The Indika bonds were sold during the quarter to buy longer-dated bonds of the same issuer, allowing us to extend our duration. The longer-dated Indika bonds were in fact among our highest contributors to returns in the quarter.

(continued)

 

 

1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 0.90% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 0.90% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 0.90%. Any amount waived with respect to the Fund pursuant to this agreement is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

Modified duration measures the percent change in value of the fixed income portion of the portfolio in response to a 1% change in interest rates. In a multi-currency denominated portfolio with sensitivities to different interest rate regimes, modified duration will not accurately reflect the change in value of the overall portfolio from a change in any one interest rate regime.

4

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      11  


             
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                          
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Retuns

 

      

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years     

Since

Inception

    

Inception

Date

 
Investor Class (MCRDX)      3.16%        9.39%        9.26%        5.73%        5.90%        4/29/2016  
Institutional Class (MICPX)      3.23%        9.63%        9.64%        6.02%        6.16%        4/29/2016  
J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index5      3.00%        8.04%        10.01%        4.04%        4.51%     

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

                   
INCOME DISTRIBUTION HISTORY                                                               
    2019

 

          2018

 

 
    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MCRDX)   $ 0.10      $ 0.10        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.20       $ 0.09      $ 0.09      $ 0.06      $ 0.10      $ 0.33  
Inst’l (MICPX)   $ 0.10      $ 0.11        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.21       $ 0.09      $ 0.09      $ 0.06      $ 0.11      $ 0.36  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.02 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

   

30-DAY YIELD:

 

Investor Class: 4.85% (4.69% excluding waivers)

Institutional Class: 5.10% (4.89% excluding waivers)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/19, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund’s share price at the end of the 30-day period. The 30-Day Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate.

 

Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

   

YIELD TO WORST: 5.93%

 

Yield to worst is the lowest yield that can be received on a bond assuming that the issuer does not default. It is calculated by utilizing the worst case assumptions for a bond with respect to certain income-reducing factors, including prepayment, call or sinking fund provisions. It does not represent the yield that an investor should expect to receive. Past yields are no guarantee of future yields.

 

Source: FactSet Research Systems

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions, or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  5

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from J.P. Morgan and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS                     
     Sector      Currency      % of Net Assets  
Franshion Brilliant, Ltd., 5.750%, 07/17/2067    Real Estate      U.S. Dollar        5.0%  
Debt and Asset Trading Corp., 1.000%, 10/10/2025    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.9%  
Indika Energy Capital III Pte, Ltd., 5.875%, 11/09/2024    Energy      U.S. Dollar        4.9%  
Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd., 5.700%, 02/27/2022    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
Pakistan Government Bond, 6.875%, 12/05/2027    Foreign Government Bonds      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
ABJA Investment Co. Pte, Ltd., 5.450%, 01/24/2028    Materials      U.S. Dollar        4.3%  
PB International BV, 7.625%, 01/26/2022    Consumer Discretionary      U.S. Dollar        4.3%  
Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd., 7.250%, 01/29/2024    Real Estate      U.S. Dollar        4.2%  
Standard Chartered PLC, 6.500%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.1%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                44.9%  

 

12    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

With weaker-than-expected economic data released in the U.S. leading to speculation about rate cuts by the Fed, we increased duration in the portfolio to 4.6 years from 3.5 years over the quarter. We achieved this both by rotating into longer duration issues of companies we already owned, such as CIFI Holdings Group and KWG Group Holdings, as well as by adding exposure to longer duration securities of other issuers, including the Indonesian state-owned enterprises INALUM (PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Perser) and PLN (PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara), both of which are investment grade-rated, thereby allowing us to add duration without taking on excessive spread duration.

New bonds added to the portfolio included Shriram Transport Finance, an Indian non-bank finance company that issued a USD bond with an attractive spread premium given the recent NBFCs funding crisis, and Pakistan Government Bonds, which are long-duration bonds of a high yield country under an IMF-led turnaround program.

In China, we initiated positions in two companies: China Jinmao (Franshion Brilliant, Ltd.) perpetual bonds, higher yielding bonds of a central SOE-backed property developer, and the technology firm Weibo, via convertible bonds trading close to their lowest possible level, which we see as offering an asymmetric risk profile.

We sold a number of bonds that had reached their price target and had limited upside for the portfolio. These included India’s Bharti Airtel, Krung Thai Bank Public in Thailand, Indonesia’s Tower Bersama (TBG Global), and in China, Chinalco Capital Holdings and China Minmetals. In addition, we sold several convertible bond holdings that were short duration and/or had reached our price target. These included China Mengniu Dairy, CP Foods Holdings, Ctrip.com International and Johnson Electric Holdings.

Outlook:

In our view, Asian high yield bonds continue to offer attractive value for long-term investors. Asian high yield credit spreads are 86 basis points (0.86%) above their historic averages and are about 132 basis points (1.32%) above U.S. high yield spreads at the index level. We think there is room for this relationship to tighten back closer to historical levels. Default rates in Asia have remained low and we believe could stay low in the medium term as interest costs and recession risks remain low. For many of the riskiest borrowers, refinancing has become easier in 2019 as investor risk appetite has returned. We believe this continues to be a key risk to monitor, and we prefer to invest in holdings that have taken steps to refinance upcoming maturities or improve their balance sheets in other ways to be resilient to further turmoil.

We continue to see value in Chinese property, particularly given the magnitude of the sell-off last year. Policymakers are incrementally easing restrictions on developers, pointing to an improving business environment in the second half of the year. We also see value in a number of sectors in Indonesia, including manufacturing and mining. With the momentum among developed and emerging market central banks shifting toward synchronized easing, we expect domestic business environments in Asia to be supportive in an environment of slowing global growth and trade.

To be sure, there continue to be risks on the horizon. If a further slowdown in global growth materializes, we expect investor appetite for emerging markets to diminish. Any re-escalation in trade shocks could also put pressure on Asian fixed income markets. If the Chinese economy deteriorates, corporate defaults will likely rise, and Asian credit could come under pressure. Our base case, however, remains a benign one, with most of the key global macro tail risks fading, with supportive central banks and Chinese economic growth to rebound.

 
CURRENCY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
US Dollar     100.0  

 

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7,8  
China/Hong Kong     31.6  
Indonesia     25.7  
India     8.7  
Vietnam     7.4  
Sri Lanka     4.8  
Pakistan     4.4  
Australia     3.8  
Philippines     3.6  
Japan     3.3  
United States     0.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.9  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
Real Estate     24.3  
Financials     21.7  
Foreign Government Bonds     11.6  
Materials     8.4  
Communication Services     7.6  
Utilities     7.6  
Energy     4.9  
Consumer Discretionary     4.3  
Industrials     3.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.9  

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)6,7  
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds     74.9  
Government Bonds     16.6  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     2.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.9  

 

6

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.

 

7

Cash and other assets may include forward currency exchange contracts and certain derivative instruments that have been marked-to-market.

 

8

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      13  


Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

 

NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 74.9%   FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS: 16.6%

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 28.9%    

Franshion Brilliant, Ltd. 5.750%b, 01/17/22c,d

    3,000,000       $2,851,392  

HSBC Holdings PLC 6.375%b, 03/30/25c

    2,400,000       2,523,600  

Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd.
7.250%, 01/29/24d

    2,400,000       2,391,000  

Standard Chartered PLC 6.500%b, 04/02/20c,d

    2,350,000       2,381,842  

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.
6.550%, 03/28/24d

    2,300,000       2,248,907  

Logan Property Holdings Co., Ltd.
5.250%, 02/23/23d

    1,500,000       1,431,177  

KWG Group Holdings, Ltd. 7.875%, 09/01/23d

    1,300,000       1,307,458  

KWG Group Holdings, Ltd. 5.875%, 11/10/24d

    1,100,000       999,049  

CITIC Telecom International Finance, Ltd.
6.100%, 03/05/25d

    462,000       479,650  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      16,614,075  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 25.7%    

Indika Energy Capital III Pte, Ltd.
5.875%, 11/09/24d

    2,900,000       2,831,764  

PB International BV 7.625%, 01/26/22d

    2,400,000       2,485,107  

PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium Perser
6.757%, 11/15/48d

    1,900,000       2,334,443  

PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara
5.250%, 05/15/47d

    2,100,000       2,215,988  

Listrindo Capital BV 4.950%, 09/14/26d

    2,200,000       2,170,300  

Theta Capital Pte, Ltd. 6.750%, 10/31/26d

    1,500,000       1,373,815  

Modernland Overseas Pte, Ltd.
6.950%, 04/13/24d

    1,400,000       1,366,584  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      14,778,001  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 8.7%    

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.
5.700%, 02/27/22d

    2,500,000       2,532,404  

ABJA Investment Co. Pte, Ltd.
5.450%, 01/24/28d

    2,600,000       2,488,656  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      5,021,060  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 3.9%    

Australia & New Zealand Banking Group, Ltd. 6.750%b, 06/15/26c,d

    2,000,000       2,207,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      2,207,500  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 3.6%    

Royal Capital BV 4.875%b, 05/05/24c,d

    2,100,000       2,081,625  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      2,081,625  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 3.3%    

SoftBank Group Corp. 6.000%b, 07/19/23c,d

    2,000,000       1,910,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      1,910,000  
   

 

 

 
   
     
UNITED STATES: 0.8%    

Sprint Communications, Inc.
6.000%, 11/15/22

    420,000       437,850  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      437,850  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

 

    43,050,111  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $42,252,120)

   
   
     Face Amount*     Value  
VIETNAM: 7.4%    

Debt and Asset Trading Corp.
1.000%, 10/10/25d

    3,800,000       $2,840,500  

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
5.500%, 03/12/28

    1,410,000       1,384,396  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      4,224,896  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SRI LANKA: 4.8%    

Sri Lanka Government Bond
7.850%, 03/14/29d

    1,000,000       1,031,082  

Sri Lanka Government Bond
6.125%, 06/03/25d

    900,000       877,325  

Sri Lanka Government Bond
6.850%, 11/03/25d

    850,000       852,351  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      2,760,758  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PAKISTAN: 4.4%    

Pakistan Government Bond
6.875%, 12/05/27d

    2,500,000       2,525,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      2,525,500  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS

 

    9,511,154  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $9,417,338)

   
   

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 2.6%

 

 
     
CHINA/HONG KONG: 2.6%    

Weibo Corp., Cnv. 1.250%, 11/15/22

    1,600,000       1,510,444  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      1,510,444  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

 

    1,510,444  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $1,411,881)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 94.1%       54,071,709  

(Cost $53,081,339)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 5.9%
      3,373,363  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $57,445,072  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security is a fix-to-float security, which carries a fixed coupon until a certain date, upon which it switches to a floating rate. Reference rate and spread are provided if the rate is currently floating.

 

c

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date. First call date is disclosed.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

*

All Values in USD unless otherwise specified

 

Cnv.

Convertible

 

USD

U.S. Dollar

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

14    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Robert J. Horrocks, PhD   Kenneth Lowe, CFA

Lead Manager

  Lead Manager
John Paul Lech  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MACSX   MICSX

CUSIP

  577130206   577130842

Inception

  9/12/94   10/29/10

NAV

  $15.54   $15.51

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.08%   0.93%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  62

Net Assets

  $1.4 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $59.3 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  32.24%

Benchmark

 

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation. The Fund also seeks to provide some current income.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in dividend-paying common stock, preferred stock and other equity securities, and convertible securities as well as fixed-income securities, of any duration or quality, including high yield securities, of companies located in Asia, which consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund returned 12.92% (Investor Class), and 13.02% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.83%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Fund returned 2.07% (Investor Class and Institutional Class), while its benchmark returned –0.56%.

Market Environment:

The first half of the year delivered fairly strong performance for Asian equities, with the majority of these gains coming in the first quarter following poor performance in 2018. Concerns last year included a tightening of U.S. dollar liquidity, weakening economic growth and trade tensions between the U.S. and China, among others. This narrative changed somewhat during the first half, primarily regarding monetary policy as the U.S. Federal Reserve and other central banks across the globe moved from a gradual tightening of policy back toward a more dovish stance. This was helpful for risk assets and reduced any lingering funding pressures that may have existed. Trade tensions, on the other hand, were a moving target and a resolution appeared more likely at the start of 2019 than in recent months.

These geopolitical tensions drove an increase in volatility for Asian equities during the second quarter. That drove the Chinese market to being the region’s weakest performer during the quarter, while domestic demand-oriented countries in Southeast Asia delivered solid gains.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Despite our more conservative investment style and an equity market that delivered double-digit returns, the portfolio was ahead of its benchmark for the first half.

The largest driver of this positive performance for both the half and the quarter came from the portfolio’s holdings in China and Hong Kong. This included leaders in their fields such as pan-Asian life insurer AIA Group, which continues to be a significant holding for the Fund. The company gained from solid operating performance alongside excitement over greater access to mainland China as the government further opens up the financial sector. The portfolio’s increasing weight in China has largely come from our inclusion of more A-shares, and these have produced strong performance for the Fund. Over the quarter, Shanghai International Airport was the strongest contributor to returns as the company delivered impressive revenue growth on the back of rising passenger traffic and growing duty-free revenues—trends that we expect to continue.

Our holdings here are largely domestic demand-driven and over the half Chinese consumer companies generally helped our performance in the first half. Leading dairy company Yili Industrial rose on healthy first-quarter revenue growth as the company gained market share and expanded further into product extensions. Household appliance companies Midea Group and Zhejiang Supor were similarly robust as their respective brand power was highlighted in superior results to peers despite a slightly more challenging macroeconomic backdrop.

Elsewhere during the second quarter, a couple of the portfolio’s Singaporean holdings gained, with shares of Singapore Telecommunications rising as the company recovered from what has been a relatively difficult competitive environment in recent years. Shares of Singapore Technologies Engineering, the national defense contractor, also moved up on improving order flow across its aerospace, electronics and marine divisions.

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      15  


                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MACSX)      2.07%        12.92%        7.20%        5.07%        2.34%        7.08%        8.99%        9/12/94  
Institutional Class (MICSX)      2.07%        13.02%        7.34%        5.21%        2.49%        n.a.        4.41%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index3      -0.56%        10.83%        -0.18%        11.81%        5.14%        8.17%        4.50% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

               
INCOME DISTRIBUTION HISTORY                                                         
       2019

 

          2018

 

 
       June        December        Total           June        December        Total  
Investor (MACSX)      $ 0.17          n.a.        $ 0.17       $ 0.22        $ 0.10        $ 0.32  
Inst’l (MICSX)      $ 0.18          n.a.        $ 0.18       $ 0.24        $ 0.11        $ 0.35  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.02 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

   

30-DAY YIELD:

 

1.60% (Investor Class) 1.74% (Institutional Class)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/19, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund’s share price at the end of the 30-day period. The 30-Day Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate.

 

Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

   

DIVIDEND YIELD: 3.21%

 

The dividend yield (trailing) for the portfolio is the weighted average sum of the dividends paid by each equity security held by the Fund over the 12 months ended 6/30/19 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/19. The annualized dividend yield for the Fund is for the equity-only portion of the portfolio. Please note that this is based on gross equity portfolio holdings and does not reflect the actual yield an investor in the Fund would receive. Past yields are no guarantee of future yields.

 

Source: FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg, MICM

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 8/31/94.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        3.8%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        3.4%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services      China/Hong Kong        2.8%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      South Korea        2.5%  
Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.    Financials      India        2.2%  
Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.    Communication Services      Singapore        2.1%  
United Overseas Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Singapore        2.1%  
Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund    Financials      South Korea        2.1%  
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.    Consumer Staples      South Korea        2.0%  
Broadcom, Inc.    Information Technology      United States        1.9%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                24.9%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

16    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

There were few detractors to performance during the half, but the largest of these was Bank of the Philippine Islands. Although we believe it to be a well-managed institution, recent results were disappointing due to rising costs. Hong Kong-based Pacific Textiles also fell as a major customer had weaker-than-expected orders. Over the quarter, the largest detractor to performance was South Korean water purification company Woongjin Coway. Concerns arose that the company may be forced to pay a royalty to its parent and may have overpaid for some assets.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We initiated five new positions over the quarter. This included two new convertible bond holdings in Chinese internet company Weibo and Malaysian glove maker Top Glove. We believe that the former is a strong credit that was underpriced, offering us an attractive yield of around 5% on entry despite the company’s robust balance sheet and healthy cash generation. Top Glove offered a fairly attractive 4% yield at entry and was at only a 25% conversion premium. Our view is that the company still has attractive growth through capacity expansion as well as more technologically advanced production lines.

Within equities, we added three new holdings. The first of these was Fortune REIT, a real estate investment trust (REIT) company in Hong Kong that operates 16 neighborhood-oriented malls in the city. We think that the company has a conservative balance sheet, visible cash flows and growth opportunities through asset enhancement initiatives and rental reversions. This should provide the opportunity for an attractive blend of growth and income. In China, we increased our domestic demand oriented exposure through adding Yum China. We believe that this leading quick-service restaurant chain has an excellent management team that has the potential to grow sustainably through expanding its KFC store network and through improving Pizza Hut’s delivery capability. The stock was also reasonably valued at around 21x P/E upon our entry. Finally, we added consumer company Ace Hardware Indonesia. Similarly, this is a leading franchise whose track record is impressive. Although not cheap at about 24x P/E, it does provide a dividend yield of around 2% and we expect that management should be able to grow for many years through store expansion and category extensions.

These new positions were funded through exiting the convertible bonds of Huazhu Group, Bangkok Dusit Medical Services, Johnson Electric and Lotte Shopping as well as equity shares of KT&G.

Outlook:

The interplay of weakening growth, reasonably high debt levels, high levels of geopolitical tension but loosening monetary policy globally is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. Although there may be a trade deal between the U.S. and China, differing ideologies around politics and economics, in particular, are likely to continue to generate market volatility. Trade imbalances and protectionist policies remain a risk for markets and these have already played a role in creating what is a reasonably slow environment for economic growth globally.

For Asian companies in particular, we have witnessed a decline in earnings expectations, with a consensus that now anticipates earnings-per-share (EPS) growth to be in the low single-digit range for 2019. Although disappointing, this is at least still positive in the short term and is expected to bounce back next year. Valuations, however, are now less supportive than at the end of 2018.

From the portfolio’s standpoint, we believe this to be a fairly attractive environment. We believe our focus on quality investing with a long-term time horizon leaves us less susceptible to higher levels of volatility. Our view is that environments such as this, if accompanied by patience and discipline, can create some attractive opportunities to deploy capital. Further, the portfolio is already well-placed with an array of high-caliber companies at appealing valuations that we believe can deliver the opportunity for an attractive combination of growth and income.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
China/Hong Kong     39.8  
Singapore     10.8  
South Korea     10.7  
Taiwan     6.6  
Australia     5.3  
United States     3.4  
India     3.2  
France     3.2  
Thailand     2.9  
Indonesia     2.9  
Japan     2.4  
Malaysia     2.3  
United Kingdom     1.9  
Philippines     1.5  
Vietnam     1.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.9  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Financials     21.0  
Consumer Discretionary     15.5  
Information Technology     12.6  
Consumer Staples     11.8  
Industrials     11.6  
Communication Services     11.5  
Real Estate     7.3  
Materials     3.0  
Health Care     2.5  
Utilities     1.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.9  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     51.6  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     15.7  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     21.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     9.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.9  

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)7,8  
Common Equities and ADRs     84.3  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     11.7  
Preferred Equities     2.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.9  

 

6

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

 

8

Bonds are not included in the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      17  


Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 84.4%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 34.0%    

AIA Group, Ltd.

    5,037,600       $54,400,553  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    891,600       40,335,466  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

    3,370,500       25,820,834  

Shanghai International Airport Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,017,375       24,638,342  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

    2,454,172       24,207,338  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    4,816,875       23,471,788  

Jiangsu Expressway Co., Ltd. H Shares

    15,674,000       22,307,310  

Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd.

    353,100       22,271,083  

HKT Trust & HKT, Ltd.

    13,920,000       22,096,087  

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,825,801       21,409,157  

NetEase, Inc. ADR

    82,100       20,998,717  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,181,683       20,965,300  

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR

    491,833       20,529,109  

Zhejiang Supor Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,853,470       20,482,679  

CK Asset Holdings, Ltd.

    2,590,172       20,291,611  

CLP Holdings, Ltd.

    1,801,200       19,848,862  

Pacific Textiles Holdings, Ltd.

    24,255,000       19,203,656  

Fortune, REIT

    11,459,000       15,753,187  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

    337,200       15,578,640  

Minth Group, Ltd.

    5,740,000       15,480,526  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    284,200       12,871,418  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      482,961,663  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 9.1%    

Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.

    11,375,800       29,444,169  

United Overseas Bank, Ltd.

    1,518,600       29,357,788  

Ascendas, REIT

    10,652,400       24,580,118  

Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd.

    7,695,325       23,569,108  

Venture Corp., Ltd.

    1,836,900       22,178,154  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      129,129,337  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 7.2%    

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    865,909       35,260,110  

Macquarie Korea Infrastructure Fund

    2,862,946       29,242,104  

Orange Life Insurance, Ltd.b,c

    725,855       19,900,255  

Woongjin Coway Co., Ltd.

    269,756       18,082,635  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      102,485,104  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 6.6%    

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    6,372,187       48,736,933  

Advantech Co., Ltd.

    2,806,000       23,896,147  

Taiwan Secom Co., Ltd.

    7,519,000       21,448,620  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      94,081,700  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 5.3%    

Macquarie Group, Ltd.

    254,688       22,465,035  

Orora, Ltd.

    9,511,447       21,665,573  

CSL, Ltd.

    111,781       16,926,314  

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Ltd.

    541,502       14,310,740  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      75,367,662  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
UNITED STATES: 3.4%    

Broadcom, Inc.

    93,200       $26,828,552  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    349,400       22,148,466  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      48,977,018  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 3.2%    

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    979,513       31,102,622  

Bharti Infratel, Ltd.

    3,801,128       14,706,569  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      45,809,191  
   

 

 

 
   
     
FRANCE: 3.2%    

LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton SE

    56,340       23,951,576  

Pernod Ricard SA

    113,136       20,836,990  
   

 

 

 

Total France

      44,788,566  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 2.9%    

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    73,603,900       22,723,371  

PT Ace Hardware Indonesia

    140,794,300       18,040,037  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      40,763,408  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 2.4%    

Kao Corp.

    243,000       18,541,962  

KDDI Corp.

    618,000       15,726,053  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      34,268,015  
   

 

 

 
   
     
UNITED KINGDOM: 1.9%    

Prudential PLC

    1,227,872       26,805,739  
   

 

 

 

Total United Kingdom

      26,805,739  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 1.5%    

Bank of the Philippine Islands

    13,755,224       21,082,037  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      21,082,037  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 1.4%    

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

    3,282,300       20,131,939  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      20,131,939  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 1.2%    

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    3,100,633       16,382,838  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      16,382,838  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 1.1%    

Genting Malaysia BHD

    19,518,500       15,315,738  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      15,315,738  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES     1,198,349,955  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $1,063,370,675)

   
   
 

 

18    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 11.7%   PREFERRED EQUITIES: 2.0%

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 5.8%    

Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

0.000%, 05/23/23c

    HKD 149,000,000       $19,424,271  

Harvest International Co., Cnv.
0.000%, 11/21/22c

    HKD 150,000,000       19,238,334  

China Overseas Finance Investment Cayman V, Ltd., Cnv.

 

0.000%, 01/05/23c

    17,000,000       18,736,808  

China Mengniu Dairy Co., Ltd., Series 2319, Cnv.

 

0.000%, 06/05/22c

    17,000,000       16,857,215  

Weibo Corp., Cnv. 1.250%, 11/15/22

    8,083,000       7,630,573  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      81,887,201  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 1.7%    

CapitaLand, Ltd., Cnv.
1.950%, 10/17/23c

    SGD 34,000,000       24,724,983  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      24,724,983  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 1.5%    

CP Foods Holdings, Ltd., Cnv.
0.500%, 09/22/21c

    17,200,000       21,358,210  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      21,358,210  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 1.4%    

LG Chem, Ltd., Cnv.
0.000%, 04/16/21c

    20,600,000       20,681,863  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      20,681,863  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 1.3%    

Top Glove Labuan, Ltd., Cnv.
2.000%, 03/01/24c

    18,076,000       17,895,240  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      17,895,240  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS

 

    166,547,497  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $165,180,443)

   
   
     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 2.0%    

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.

    41,042       $28,664,656  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      28,664,656  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES

 

    28,664,656  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $11,577,044)

   
   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.1%

 

    1,393,562,108  

(Cost $1,240,128,162)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 1.9%

 

    26,839,079  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $1,420,401,187  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).    

b

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $19,900,255, which is 1.40% of net assets.

 

c

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.    

 

*

All Values in USD unless otherwise specified

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

BHD

Berhad

 

Cnv.

Convertible

 

HKD

Hong Kong Dollar

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

 

Pfd.

Preferred

 

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

 

SGD

Singapore Dollar

 

USD

U.S. Dollar

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      19  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Yu Zhang, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Robert Horrocks, PhD   Vivek Tanneeru

Co-Manager

    Co-Manager
Sherwood Zhang, CFA  

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAPIX   MIPIX

CUSIP

  577125107   577130750

Inception

  10/31/06   10/29/10

NAV

 

$16.83

 

$16.82

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.02%

 

0.91%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.01%

 

0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

 

68

Net Assets

 

$6.1 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

 

$41.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

39.75%

Benchmark

   

MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Total return with an emphasis on providing current income.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in dividend-paying equity securities of companies located in Asia. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, and includes developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region. The Fund may also invest in convertible debt and equity securities of companies located in Asia.

 

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund returned 5.82% (Investor Class) and 5.88% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index, returned 10.71% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned –1.16% (Investor Class) and –1.19% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned 0.90%.

Market Environment:

After a strong rally in the first quarter of 2019, Asian equities were unable to sustain the positive momentum during the second quarter. A sudden collapse in U.S.–China trade negotiations weighed heavily on the market. Together with the renewed concerns over the strength of the global economy, market volatility spiked. It wasn’t until June when central banks globally stepped in to signal a readiness to support growth via monetary easing that Asia’s markets began to stabilize again.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund’s underperformance year to date has disappointed. Our investment process, which involves a barbell-approach to investing in both higher-yielding dividend-paying stocks together with faster-growing dividend growth stocks, remains unchanged. However, poor stock selection drove the bulk of the Fund’s relative underperformance for the first half of the year. Consumer staples holdings were among the performance detractors. Known for their defensive business models with strong cash flow generation and steady dividend payments, these stocks traditionally have been positive return contributors. But as some of these businesses have begun facing certain structural changes—whether via market disruption brought by new product technologies, changing consumer preference or rising labor cost pressures from demographic changes and government policy intervention—the resilience of those businesses has somewhat eroded. As a result, their share prices languished during the period. This painful investment experience has led us to recognize the need to better emphasize identifying structural trends earlier on, to better foresee the investment implications and take more decisive action.

On the flip side, among the top performance contributors during the first half was our holding in Chongqing Brewery, a regional beer company listed in the onshore China A-share market. Our initial investment thesis of seeking a sustained profit margin improvement supported by an accelerating beer product “premiumization” trend in China and easing competition intensity whereby major beer brands are prioritizing profit improvement over market share gain, started to play out this year. In addition, the pending public listing of Budweiser’s Asia-Pacific beer business further attracted investor attention in the region’s beer industry. As a result, Chongqing Brewery, a well-run operation under the ownership of Carlsberg, is seeing positive share price movement.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the second quarter, we initiated a few new positions, one of which was Yunnan Hongxiang Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group, a drugstore chain in mainland China. One of China’s key health care reforms involves separating drug dispensing functions from Chinese hospitals, which should boost the prescription drug business at drug retailers and bring additional customer traffic for higher-margin, non-prescription drug businesses. At the same time, rising pharmacy quality-control standards and stricter tax compliance for running drugstore businesses also favor large-scale players over small, individual-store operators. This

(continued)

 

 

1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee and administrative and shareholder services fee if the Fund’s average daily net assets are over $3 billion, as follows: for every $2.5 billion average daily net assets of the Fund that are over $3 billion, the advisory fee rate and the administrative and shareholder services fee rate for the Fund with respect to such excess average daily net assets will be each reduced by 0.01%, in each case without reducing such fee rate below 0.00%. Any amount waived by Matthews pursuant to this agreement may not be recouped by Matthews. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated (i) at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews at the annual expiration date of the agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

20    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                      
 

 

   

 

     

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
    3 Months     YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAPIX)     -1.16%       5.82%        -4.35%        6.74%        4.96%        9.65%        8.45%        10/31/06  
Institutional Class (MIPIX)     -1.19%       5.88%        -4.25%        6.84%        5.07%        n.a.        6.29%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index4     0.90%       10.71%        -0.76%        10.40%        4.70%        7.36%        4.25% 5    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

                   
INCOME DISTRIBUTION HISTORY                                                               
    2019

 

          2018

 

 
    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MAPIX)   $ 0.03      $ 0.12        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.15       $ 0.01      $ 0.19      $ 0.11      $ 0.00      $ 0.31  
Inst’l (MIPIX)   $ 0.04      $ 0.12        n.a.        n.a.      $ 0.16       $ 0.02      $ 0.20      $ 0.11      $ 0.00      $ 0.33  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.02 due to rounding and a return of capital. For distribution history please visit matthewsasia.com.

 

   

30-DAY YIELD:

 

Investor Class: 1.67% (1.66% excluding waivers)

Institutional Class: 1.78% (1.77% excluding waivers)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/19, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund’s share price at the end of the 30-day period. The 30-Day Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate.

 

Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

   

DIVIDEND YIELD: 2.86%

 

The dividend yield (trailing) for the portfolio is the weighted average sum of the dividends paid by each equity security held by the Fund over the 12 months ended 6/30/19 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/19. The annualized dividend yield for the Fund is for the equity-only portion of the portfolio. Please note that this is based on gross equity portfolio holdings and does not reflect the actual yield an investor in the Fund would receive. Past yields are no guarantee of future yields.

 

Source: FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg, MICM.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  5

Calculated from 10/31/06.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.8%  
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      South Korea        3.4%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        3.3%  
Minth Group, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.1%  
Hoya Corp.    Health Care      Japan        2.7%  
BGF Retail Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      South Korea        2.6%  
Anritsu Corp.    Information Technology      Japan        2.5%  
China Mobile, Ltd.    Communication Services      China/Hong Kong        2.5%  
MISUMI Group, Inc.    Industrials      Japan        2.4%  
Kao Corp.    Consumer Staples      Japan        2.3%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                28.6%  

 

  6

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      21  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     42.8  
Japan     22.7  
South Korea     11.2  
Singapore     5.3  
Taiwan     4.4  
India     2.3  
Thailand     1.9  
Indonesia     1.9  
Philippines     1.7  
Australia     1.6  
Bangladesh     1.1  
Vietnam     1.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Consumer Discretionary     20.6  
Consumer Staples     17.8  
Financials     13.5  
Communication Services     9.6  
Industrials     8.2  
Information Technology     7.7  
Utilities     4.7  
Health Care     4.3  
Materials     4.1  
Real Estate     3.9  
Energy     3.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     27.7  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     19.4  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     26.6  
Small Cap (under $3B)     24.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

7

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

8

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.

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

could further speed up the overall drugstore industry consolidation—a long-term growth driver for leading players such as Yixintang. We believe the company is well-positioned to take advantage of this favorable industry trend. Operating a cash-generative drug retailing business model, with a modest 30% payout ratio, the company also has what we view as untapped potential to deliver significant growth in its dividends. During the first half of the year, we exited a few existing holdings such as China Resources Power, Japan Tobacco, and Nitori Holdings as their business fundamentals no longer supported our initial investment thesis.

Outlook:

As China and the U.S. restarted trade negotiations in early July, Asia’s markets seemed to experience temporary relief from tensions. The medium- to long-term outlook for these bilateral relations, however, is still cloudy given the structural differences between the two countries’ political systems and economic growth models. Despite this uncertainty, policymakers in both Asia and the U.S. have signaled a willingness to use policy-support measures to address any significant slowdown. In the meantime, with investor expectations now reset mostly due to macroeconomic concerns and on Asia’s equity valuations continuing to trade below long-term averages, we remain constructive that, from a bottom-up perspective, Asia’s markets currently offer attractive opportunities for long-term investors.

 

 

22    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.0%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 42.9%    

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    16,551,200       $228,319,044  

Minth Group, Ltd.

    69,311,000       186,928,707  

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares

    160,706,000       138,529,202  

Chongqing Brewery Co., Ltd. A Shares

    19,996,770       137,499,008  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    12,475,600       134,722,792  

China Mobile, Ltd.

    14,531,500       132,289,923  

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. H Shares

    25,783,000       127,946,064  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    178,734,000       121,757,146  

WH Group, Ltd.b,c

    119,822,000       121,546,601  

China Gas Holdings, Ltd.

    28,746,800       106,823,255  

HKBN, Ltd.

    56,401,123       101,698,141  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. H Shares

    8,180,000       98,363,487  

Huaneng Power International, Inc. H Shares

    156,780,000       92,328,683  

Sun Art Retail Group, Ltd.

    85,088,500       80,636,965  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.

    97,328,000       79,489,455  

China Education Group Holdings, Ltd.c

    49,804,000       77,955,555  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co., Ltd. H Shares

    88,320,000       77,401,264  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c

    23,075,200       71,655,442  

Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower, Inc. A Shares

    111,137,793       65,877,680  

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    15,577,958       64,779,970  

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Ltd. ADR

    2,692,500       58,481,100  

China East Education Holdings, Ltd.b,c,d

    40,040,000       56,997,171  

Crystal International Group, Ltd.b,c

    118,408,500       52,657,609  

Far East Horizon, Ltd.

    48,595,000       49,704,168  

Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.

    15,844,000       47,137,966  

Hua Hong Semiconductor, Ltd.b,c

    19,254,000       37,338,403  

Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Group Co., Ltd. H Shares

    122,102,000       24,839,724  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    458,000       20,742,820  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. ADR

    79,100       5,394,620  

Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.

    116,900       835,587  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      2,600,677,552  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 22.6%    

Hoya Corp.

    2,145,100       164,860,056  

Anritsu Corp.

    8,806,500       153,562,339  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    5,869,600       147,954,123  

Kao Corp.

    1,834,900       140,010,891  

Pigeon Corp.

    3,077,300       124,094,811  

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    5,221,100       121,818,354  

BELLSYSTEM24 Holdings, Inc.

    5,762,500       79,845,707  

KATITAS Co., Ltd.

    2,134,900       79,538,069  

Nifco, Inc.

    2,943,300       73,079,823  

Outsourcing, Inc.

    5,932,400       72,376,063  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    2,296,900       70,404,409  

Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.

    3,751,500       59,526,577  

Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.

    2,628,400       42,212,755  

MANI, INC.

    562,000       36,165,185  

Rohm Co., Ltd.

    137,300       9,250,710  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      1,374,699,872  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 8.2%    

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

    1,011,216       $206,311,768  

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    865,926       158,238,761  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd.

    310,982       72,180,467  

Woori Financial Group, Inc.

    4,973,275       60,523,347  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      497,254,343  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 5.3%    

United Overseas Bank, Ltd.

    6,954,100       134,437,638  

Ascendas India Trust

    57,863,800       58,163,169  

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT

    49,800,000       57,441,153  

CapitaLand Commercial Trust, REIT

    24,708,000       39,649,017  

NetLink NBN Trustc

    48,877,500       32,151,497  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      321,842,474  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 4.4%    

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    13,740,469       105,092,383  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

    2,362,340       92,532,858  

China Steel Chemical Corp.

    15,589,000       67,558,380  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      265,183,621  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 2.3%    

ITC, Ltd.

    18,225,998       72,273,466  

Minda Industries, Ltd.

    14,660,782       67,586,347  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      139,859,813  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 1.9%    

Thai Beverage Public Co., Ltd.

    189,041,400       116,047,947  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      116,047,947  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 1.9%    

PT United Tractors

    46,212,800       92,205,939  

PT Cikarang Listrindob,c

    366,537,800       22,576,608  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      114,782,547  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 1.7%    

Globe Telecom, Inc.

    2,372,405       104,740,511  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      104,740,511  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 1.6%    

Breville Group, Ltd.

    8,308,554       95,551,702  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      95,551,702  
   

 

 

 
   
     
BANGLADESH: 1.1%    

GrameenPhone, Ltd.

    16,109,639       69,401,008  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      69,401,008  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 1.1%    

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    12,584,135       66,490,887  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      66,490,887  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       5,766,532,277  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $4,918,863,757)

   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      23  


Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 3.0%

 

     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 3.0%    

LG Chem, Ltd., Pfd.

    654,186       $110,935,621  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    2,132,283       70,715,805  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      181,651,426  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       181,651,426  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $134,471,361)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.0%       5,948,183,703  

(Cost $5,053,335,118)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.0%
      118,345,262  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $6,066,528,965  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $362,771,834, which is 5.98% of net assets.

 

c

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

d

Non-income producing security.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

 

Pfd.

Preferred

 

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

24    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Sherwood Zhang, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
Yu Zhang, CFA   S. Joyce Li, CFA

Co-Manager

   

Co-Manager

FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MCDFX   MICDX

CUSIP

  577125305   577130735

Inception

  11/30/09   10/29/10

NAV

  $16.29   $16.29

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.15%   1.01%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  48

Net Assets

  $378.7 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $45.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  66.47%

Benchmark

   

MSCI China Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Total return with an emphasis on providing current income.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in dividend-paying equity securities of companies located in China. China includes its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong. The Fund may also invest in convertible debt and equity securities of companies located in China.

Matthews China Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews China Dividend Fund returned 15.51% (Investor Class) and 15.58% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI China Index, which returned 13.08%. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned –0.66% (Investor Class) and –0.60% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark returned –3.92%.

Market Environment:

Just as the market seemed to be optimistically anticipating successful U.S.–China negotiations early in the year, President Trump’s tweets presented new obstacles. China’s equity market consequently suffered in May as the U.S. threatened to impose tariffs on Chinese exports, and trade negotiations broke down. In addition, the U.S. government declared a ban on the sale of U.S. technology to Chinese telecommunication giant Huawei Technologies. Considering the sales revenue that Huawei generated for U.S. companies, the unprecedented ban highlighted to investors the heightened risk of a technology cold war between the two nations, and led many to wonder whether more Chinese companies could lose their access to critical U.S. technology and supply chain. Investors finally found some relief later in the second quarter after President Trump and President Xi met during the G-20 Summit in Japan, and agreed to resume negotiations and ease some restrictions on sales to Huawei.

Meanwhile, the outlook for U.S. monetary policy changed dramatically in May as the markets anticipated the U.S. Federal Reserve would shift from its path of gradually raising interest rates and begin cutting rates.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Huaxin Cement, a leading cement company based in central China, was the top contributor to Fund performance in the first half of the year. This little-known company is actually a majority-owned subsidiary of global cement leader LafargeHolcim, a Swiss multinational. Huaxin nearly quadrupled its dividends per share this year on the back of strong earnings growth, and we consider its B-shares to still be attractively priced compared to many peers listed in China’s A-share and H-share markets. Wuliangye Yibin, the leading high-end “baijiu” (Chinese white liquor) maker was the second-largest contributor during the first six months of the year as the company endeavored to close its product price gap with the top competitor Kweichow Moutai. Wuliangye Yibin recently launched a new version of its key product with some success, and has been warmly welcomed by investors.

China Everbright, a financial holding company, was the largest detractor to performance during the first half, as its earnings were hurt by a sharp drop in the stock of its subsidiary in 2018. We decided to exit the position.

During the first six months of the year, the Fund’s outperformance was driven by both sector allocation and security selection. Our stock selection among the consumer discretionary sector was the main performance detractor, but this was offset by strong sector allocation and stock selection in the consumer staples sector.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, we initiated a position in Yixintang Pharmaceutical, the leading pharmaceutical retail chain in southwestern China. We believe the company is well-positioned to grow revenues and earnings from China’s changing landscape of prescription drug distribution.

The Fund also participated in the Hong Kong IPO of China East Education Holdings during the quarter. China East Education is known for its strong niche in

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      25  


   
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019         
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MCDFX)      -0.66%        15.51%        0.86%        15.15%        11.07%        10.43%        11/30/09  
Institutional Class (MICDX)      -0.60%        15.58%        0.99%        15.31%        11.24%        9.46%        10/29/10  
MSCI China Index3      -3.92%        13.08%        -6.55%        14.51%        7.58%        4.89% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

           
INCOME DISTRIBUTION HISTORY                                         
       2019           2018  
       June        December        Total           June        December        Total  
Investor (MCDFX)      $ 0.24          n.a.        $ 0.24       $ 0.34        $ 0.06        $ 0.40  
Inst’l (MICDX)      $ 0.25          n.a.        $ 0.25       $ 0.36        $ 0.07        $ 0.43  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.02 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

   

30-DAY YIELD:

 

1.58% (Investor Class) 1.74% (Institutional Class)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/19, expressed as an annual percentage rate based on the Fund’s share price at the end of the 30-day period. The 30-Day Yield should be regarded as an estimate of the Fund’s rate of investment income, and it may not equal the Fund’s actual income distribution rate.

 

Source: BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

   

DIVIDEND YIELD: 3.16%

 

The dividend yield (trailing) for the portfolio is the weighted average sum of the dividends paid by each equity security held by the Fund over the 12 months ended 6/30/19 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/19. The annualized dividend yield for the Fund is for the equity-only portion of the portfolio. Please note that this is based on gross equity portfolio holdings and does not reflect the actual yield an investor in the Fund would receive. Past yields are no guarantee of future yields.

 

Source: FactSet Research Systems, Bloomberg, MICM.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 11/30/09.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services             4.7%  
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd.    Financials             3.2%  
HKBN, Ltd.    Communication Services             3.1%  
Altaba, Inc.    Consumer Discretionary             3.0%  
CITIC Telecom International Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services             2.8%  
New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc.    Consumer Discretionary             2.7%  
Huaxin Cement Co., Ltd.    Materials             2.7%  
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.    Energy             2.5%  
China Mobile, Ltd.    Communication Services             2.4%  
Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                29.5%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

26    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews China Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

culinary education, training chefs for the country’s booming dining industry, and it is continuing to research other professional services area for growth. We believe professional talent is critical for China to develop its service industry. As the government has underinvested in this area, private companies could add strong value.

We exited our position in HSBC Holdings due to changes in the interest rate outlook and a lack of strong earnings growth drivers for the group. In addition, we sold Fanhua, a leading Chinese insurance broker, as its rich valuations premium compared to leading insurance companies in China and Hong Kong appears unjustified.

Outlook:

Continuing market volatility, driven by uncertainty over U.S.–China trade negotiations, has been disruptive to fundamental investors like us, as our core competence lies in analyzing company financials and strategies, rather than reading the tea leaves of geopolitical developments. President Trump’s announcement following the G-20 meeting was fairly significant as it appeared that he has neither the interest nor intention of starting a new cold war with China. If this is indeed true, the Chinese equities market will again be driven by fundamentals and, we believe, current valuations are attractive and earnings appear quite positive.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
China/Hong Kong     91.8  
Taiwan     3.1  
Singapore     2.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.1  

 

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7

 
Consumer Discretionary     23.7  
Consumer Staples     14.2  
Communication Services     13.0  
Financials     9.2  
Industrials     8.1  
Information Technology     7.4  
Real Estate     6.1  
Health Care     4.6  
Materials     4.5  
Utilities     3.8  
Energy     2.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.1  

 

 

MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7

 
Mega Cap (over $25B)     24.2  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     14.5  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     14.4  
Small Cap (under $3B)     43.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.1  

 

6

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      27  


Matthews China Dividend Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 93.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 20.7%    

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 7.6%

 

JNBY Design, Ltd.b

    4,216,000       $7,743,486  

Lao Feng Xiang Co., Ltd. B Shares

    2,093,003       7,336,873  

Nan Liu Enterprise Co., Ltd.

    1,144,000       6,020,633  

Pacific Textiles Holdings, Ltd.

    6,504,000       5,149,478  

Crystal International Group, Ltd.b,c

    5,330,500       2,370,534  
   

 

 

 
      28,621,004  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services: 6.4%

   

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. ADRd

    107,700       10,401,666  

Hope Education Group Co., Ltd.b,c

    55,670,000       7,934,898  

China East Education Holdings, Ltd.b,c,d

    4,036,500       5,745,981  
   

 

 

 
      24,082,545  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 4.7%

   

Melco Resorts & Entertainment, Ltd. ADR

    410,300       8,911,716  

Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Group Co., Ltd. H Shares

    32,316,000       6,574,180  

Haichang Ocean Park Holdings, Ltd.b,c,d

    14,458,000       2,391,667  
   

 

 

 
      17,877,563  
   

 

 

 

Automobiles: 2.0%

   

Geely Automobile Holdings, Ltd.

    4,491,000       7,700,417  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      78,281,529  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 14.2%    

Food Products: 5.9%

   

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,557,511       7,589,478  

Nissin Foods Co., Ltd.

    10,492,000       7,576,933  

WH Group, Ltd.b,c

    6,960,000       7,060,176  
   

 

 

 
      22,226,587  
   

 

 

 

Beverages: 4.4%

   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. A Shares

    492,749       8,483,952  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co., Ltd. B Shares

    954,693       8,287,655  
   

 

 

 
      16,771,607  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing: 3.9%

   

Sun Art Retail Group, Ltd.

    7,852,000       7,441,211  

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,747,600       7,267,286  
   

 

 

 
      14,708,497  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      53,706,691  
   

 

 

 
   
     
COMMUNICATION SERVICES: 13.0%    

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 5.9%

 

HKBN, Ltd.

    6,475,957       11,676,944  

CITIC Telecom International Holdings, Ltd.

    27,051,000       10,726,584  
   

 

 

 
      22,403,528  
   

 

 

 

Interactive Media & Services: 4.7%

   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    391,800       17,724,804  
   

 

 

 
   

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.4%

   

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    198,930       9,009,540  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      49,137,872  
   

 

 

 
   
     
FINANCIALS: 9.1%    

Capital Markets: 3.8%

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    225,900       7,983,327  

Shenwan Hongyuan Group Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c,d

    18,637,282       6,441,704  
   

 

 

 
      14,425,031  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  

Banks: 3.2%

   

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. H Shares

    2,442,500       $12,120,710  
   

 

 

 

Insurance: 2.1%

   

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. H Shares

    674,000       8,104,767  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      34,650,508  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDUSTRIALS: 8.1%    

Machinery: 3.9%

   

Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Holdings, Ltd.

    6,601,300       7,479,073  

Shanghai Mechanical and Electrical Industry Co., Ltd. B Shares

    4,326,069       7,376,203  
   

 

 

 
      14,855,276  
   

 

 

 

Transportation Infrastructure: 2.2%

   

Guangdong Provincial Expressway Development Co., Ltd. B Shares

    10,498,218       8,297,119  
   

 

 

 
   

Marine: 2.0%

   

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    7,413,000       7,569,559  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      30,721,954  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 7.4%    

Software: 2.2%

   

Shanghai Baosight Software Co., Ltd. B Shares

    4,527,403       8,253,044  
   

 

 

 
   

IT Services: 2.1%

   

SUNeVision Holdings, Ltd.

    9,201,000       8,016,605  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.6%

 

 

Hua Hong Semiconductor, Ltd.b,c

    3,058,000       5,930,240  
   

 

 

 
   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 1.5%

 

 

Vivotek, Inc.

    1,421,000       5,652,685  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      27,852,574  
   

 

 

 
   
     
REAL ESTATE: 6.0%    

Real Estate Management & Development: 4.0%

 

 

China Overseas Property Holdings, Ltd.

    14,845,000       7,739,604  

Shanghai Lujiazui Finance & Trade Zone Development Co., Ltd. B Shares

    6,143,370       7,436,390  
   

 

 

 
      15,175,994  
   

 

 

 

Equity REITs: 2.0%

   

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT

    6,721,400       7,752,710  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      22,928,704  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 4.6%    

Pharmaceuticals: 1.7%

   

Tianjin Zhongxin Pharmaceutical Group Corp., Ltd. S Shares

    6,837,100       6,294,412  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Providers & Services: 1.6%

   

Genertec Universal Medical Group Co., Ltd.b,c

    7,748,500       6,198,276  
   

 

 

 
   

Biotechnology: 0.7%

   

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c

    491,400       2,678,452  
   

 

 

 
   

Life Sciences Tools & Services: 0.6%

   

BBI Life Sciences Corp.b

    7,861,000       2,193,758  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      17,364,898  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MATERIALS: 4.5%    

Construction Materials: 2.6%

   

Huaxin Cement Co., Ltd. B Shares

    4,343,492       10,067,441  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

28    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews China Dividend Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)   CLOSED-END FUNDS: 3.0%

 

     Shares     Value  

Containers & Packaging: 1.9%

   

Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co., Ltd.

    12,346,000       $7,060,219  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      17,127,660  
   

 

 

 
   
     
UTILITIES: 3.8%    

Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers: 1.9%

 

Huaneng Lancang River Hydropower, Inc. A Shares

    12,398,442       7,351,828  
   

 

 

 
   

Gas Utilities: 1.9%

   

China Gas Holdings, Ltd.

    1,926,000       7,157,026  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      14,508,854  
   

 

 

 
   
     
ENERGY: 2.5%    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.5%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    13,758,000       9,372,223  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      9,372,223  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES         355,653,467  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $329,416,543)

   
     Shares     Value  
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 3.0%    

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 3.0%

   

Altaba, Inc.d

    163,100       $11,314,247  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      11,314,247  
   

 

 

 
   
   
TOTAL CLOSED-END FUNDS

 

    11,314,247  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $10,912,532)

   
   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 96.9%

 

    366,967,714  

(Cost $340,329,075)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 3.1%
      11,702,207  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $378,669,921  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $46,751,928, which is 12.35% of net assets.

 

d

Non-income producing security.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

REIT

Real Estate Investment Trust

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      29  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Beini Zhou, CFA

Lead Manager

Michael B. Han, CFA  

Co-Manager

FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAVRX   MAVAX

CUSIP

  577130693   577130685

Inception

  11/30/15   11/30/15

NAV

  $11.62   $11.55

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.77%   1.54%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.50%   1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  34

Net Assets

  $25.0 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $26.8 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

  48.29%

Benchmark

   

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in common stock, preferred stock and other equity securities, and convertible securities of companies located in Asia. The Fund seeks to create an investable universe of value companies that it believes trade at market values with discounts to their intrinsic value, have strong financial and market positions, have strong management and are oriented to creating value for their shareholders. Matthews assesses companies within this universe according to each of these factors.

Matthews Asia Value Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Value Fund returned 7.00% (Investor Class) and 7.14% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.83% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned –1.61% (Investor Class) and –1.54% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark returned –0.56%.

Market Environment:

U.S.–China trade war news, a macroeconomic slowdown in major economies, including China, and geopolitical tension between the U.S. and Iran all added to global market uncertainty in recent months. Yet U.S. markets approached record highs in early July. Global equity investors seemed to perceive an alternate—far rosier—reality. The only logical reason that might bridge the dichotomy is low interest rates. The U.S. Federal Reserve seemed to make a 180-degree turn during the second quarter from its tightening stance in late 2018, apparently signaling a rate cut ahead.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund lagged its benchmark during the first half of the year, primarily due to the lower beta of the overall portfolio composition as well as weak performance by South Korea’s market.

A top detractor during the year-to-date period was Clear Media, a holding that we have previously commented on extensively. The company is China’s dominant bus shelter advertising concessionaire. From late 2018 through the first half of 2019, China’s macroeconomic slowdown translated into an overall slowdown in ad spending across many sectors. Brand advertising, which is typically featured in bus shelters, was hit particularly hard. The firm had stated that it expects a double-digit decline in its top line for the first half of the year. This led to its recent share price weakness. We continue to hold Clear Media shares, however, as we believe company fundamentals should rebound once brand ad spending in China recovers.

Honma Golf, the Hong Kong-listed Japanese golf club and accessory company, was another major detractor during the first half of the year. The firm announced its March-end full-year results during the second quarter. Earnings were weaker than expected with full-year operating profits down by double digits year over year. We feel positive after meeting with management recently and learning of some high-profile new hires in various key positions, including the head of global supply chain. Along with these key hires, the firm has been making a concerted effort and taking a methodical approach to entering the U.S. market.

On a positive note, two Chinese stocks, Anhui Gujing Distillery and Huifu Payment, were among the top contributors during the first half of the year. Anhui Gujing is a well-known liquor brand in China, and is the provincial leader in Anhui province. Many of the liquor stocks in the industry reported solid growth in recent periods so the gains in growth were seen widely across the sector, which saw good share price performance in the first half.

Huifu Payment is a provider of merchant payment services in China, and is among the largest merchant acquirers targeting micro-merchants in the country. Its business model is akin to U.S. mobile payments company Square. Following the firm’s

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

30    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


             
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                          
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years     

Since

Inception

    

Inception

Date

 
Investor Class (MAVRX)      -1.61%        7.00%        -1.78%        10.52%        9.29%        11/30/15  
Institutional Class (MAVAX)      -1.54%        7.14%        -1.48%        10.80%        9.58%        11/30/15  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      -0.56%        10.83%        -0.18%        11.81%        10.37%     

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Naspers, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        7.9%  
China National Accord Medicines Corp., Ltd.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        6.5%  
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.    Industrials      China/Hong Kong        5.1%  
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        4.4%  
Anhui Gujing Distillery Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        4.1%  
Huifu Payment, Ltd.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        3.9%  
Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.    Financials      South Korea        3.7%  
Haw Par Corp., Ltd.    Health Care      Singapore        3.5%  
Geumhwa PSC Co., Ltd.    Industrials      South Korea        3.4%  
Straits Trading Co., Ltd.    Materials      Singapore        3.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                45.9%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      31  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
China/Hong Kong     38.5  
South Korea     28.2  
Japan     12.7  
Singapore     6.9  
Taiwan     1.7  
Malaysia     1.6  
United States     1.3  
India     0.8  
Indonesia     0.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.7  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Consumer Discretionary     18.9  
Health Care     15.6  
Industrials     14.7  
Information Technology     12.2  
Communication Services     9.1  
Financials     8.9  
Consumer Staples     7.7  
Materials     5.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.7  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     21.6  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     10.8  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     13.3  
Small Cap (under $3B)     46.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.7  

 

6

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

 

Matthews Asia Value Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Hong Kong IPO last summer, we initiated a position in the company when its share price fell considerably after its listing. We believe Huifu Payment’s business model as well as its relationship with AliPay and Wechat Pay, two third-party digital payment giants affiliated with Alibaba and Tencent respectively, have not been well understood by the market. The fees that small merchants pay to accept non-cash payments for offline transactions in China are a mere fraction of that seen in the U.S. but recent regulatory action in China has led to rising fees. Barring a significant slowdown in China, we believe the firm should see solid growth over the next few years.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We did not initiate any new positions during the second quarter. We did, however, add to some existing positions. We also exited a handful of holdings, including Nissin Food. Nissin Food is the China/Hong Kong subsidiary of the Japanese instant-noodle giant. The firm went public in Hong Kong in late 2017. We initiated the position in the same month after its poor initial public offering debut. The share price has done well since then and we sold out the position recently as it is now trading at around 10x Earnings Before Interest and Taxation (EBIT), in line with our estimated intrinsic value of the business.

We continued to consolidate the portfolio to fewer higher-quality holdings, and ended the quarter with 34 companies.

Outlook:

It is unclear what a market top would look like, but we believe we may be closer to a major market top given that Chinese coffee chain Luckin Coffee, which is less than two years old (and which is giving Starbucks China a run for its money), just went public and fetched a valuation close to US$5 billion. Never mind that its revenue was a little over US$100 million with more than US$200 million in operating losses last year.

The market, of course, is not dictated by wishful thinking. So, we remain undistracted by what we consider to be U.S.–China trade war noise. Trade deal or not in the near term, we do not think President Trump’s China deals will have much bearing on the long-term prospects of many of the quality businesses that we examine. Rather than discussing the trade war topic in meetings with management, we think it is a better use of time to further our understanding of what makes a company’s business model tick, relative to its competition. We firmly believe that it is the deep understanding of the latter rather than the former that will be a key long-term source of alpha that we seek to generate for our clients.

 

 

32    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Value Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

 

COMMON EQUITIES: 81.0%  

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 38.5%    

Naspers, Ltd. N Shares

    8,200       $1,984,812  

China National Accord Medicines Corp., Ltd. B Shares

    462,107       1,626,616  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

    129,500       1,277,356  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co., Ltd. B Shares

    116,800       1,013,937  

Huifu Payment, Ltd.b,c,d

    1,770,400       970,423  

Clear Media, Ltd.

    1,393,000       809,583  

China Mobile, Ltd.

    79,500       723,741  

China Isotope & Radiation Corp.

    303,000       715,061  

Shandong Weigao Group Medical Polymer Co., Ltd. H Shares

    296,000       268,600  

Huangshan Tourism Development Co., Ltd. B Shares

    204,887       216,853  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      9,606,982  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 16.9%    

Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.

    17,510       913,742  

Geumhwa PSC Co., Ltd.

    29,568       858,721  

NAVER Corp.

    7,387       730,064  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    91,987       649,681  

Hyundai Greenfood Co., Ltd.

    55,158       626,140  

Young Poong Corp.

    697       434,625  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      4,212,973  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 12.7%    

YAMADA Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

    31,300       581,406  

Asante, Inc.

    29,700       580,343  

Gakujo Co., Ltd.

    47,300       523,260  

Honma Golf, Ltd.b,d

    491,500       426,587  

Medikit Co., Ltd.

    7,400       406,326  

Ohashi Technica, Inc.

    27,300       359,767  

San-A Co., Ltd.

    7,100       284,079  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      3,161,768  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 6.9%    

Haw Par Corp., Ltd.

    84,200       878,717  

Straits Trading Co., Ltd.

    509,100       843,137  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      1,721,854  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 1.7%    

P-Duke Technology Co., Ltd.

    145,000       433,893  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      433,893  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 1.6%    

Genting BHD

    243,700       399,556  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      399,556  
   

 

 

 
   
     
UNITED STATES: 1.3%    

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    5,100       323,289  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      323,289  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 0.8%    

Wipro, Ltd.

    48,962       199,315  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      199,315  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDONESIA: 0.6%    

PT Mitra Pinasthika Mustika

    2,618,100       $158,533  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      158,533  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       20,218,163  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $20,467,640)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 11.3%

   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 11.3%    

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    13,796       1,091,394  

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    4,018       666,183  

Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., 2nd Pfd.

    8,095       605,609  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    14,134       468,745  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      2,831,931  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       2,831,931  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,867,604)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 92.3%       23,050,094  

(Cost $23,335,244)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 7.7%
      1,921,255  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $24,971,349  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $1,397,010, which is 5.59% of net assets.

 

c

Non-income producing security.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

BHD

Berhad

Pfd.

Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      33  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Taizo Ishida  

Lead Manager

 

Weihao Xu

 

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MPACX   MIAPX

CUSIP

  577130867   577130776

Inception

  10/31/03   10/29/10

NAV

  $26.04   $26.25

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.10%   0.93%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

    62

Net Assets

    $1.1 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $30.9 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

      12.12%

Benchmark

MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Asia. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, and includes developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region. The Fund may also invest in the convertible securities, of any duration or quality, of Asian companies.

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Growth Fund returned 15.78% (Investor Class) and 15.89% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index, returned 10.71% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned 1.28% (Investor Class) and 1.35% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned 0.90%.

Market Environment:

Asia’s capital markets rallied at the start of the year, led by Chinese equities. Volatility flared in May, followed by a rebound for equity prices in June. The dominant factors driving Asia’s capital markets over the short term were political, stemming from rhetoric around trade relations between the U.S. and China. Following the recent G-20 Summit, the tone of dialogue surrounding trade issues improved, even though negotiations provided few details and trade issues are likely to linger. Despite recent volatility, China’s domestic markets and the Hong Kong market were among the best-performing markets in Asia.

Japanese equities posted solid gains in the first half, even as global markets experienced swings in sentiment. Early this year, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s pause in rate hikes improved investor sentiment and Japan’s equity valuations came back from their lowest levels since the start of the Abenomics era. In May, however, trade friction between U.S. and China intensified, dampening Japanese export companies and Japan’s technology sector in particular. The Bank of Japan’s most recent Tankan Survey (announced July 1) showed further deterioration in the outlook among respondents within the manufacturing sector, reflecting weakness in exports, especially among semiconductor-related products.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund outperformed its benchmark in the first half. The majority of the outperformance was generated during the first quarter, with performance largely flat in the second quarter. Our stock selection in China, the health care sector and small companies contributed to performance. Detractors included the Fund’s allocation to Sri Lanka, its underweight to information technology and stock selection in large companies.

At an individual stock level, Chinese health care stocks were among the Fund’s top contributors to performance in the first half. Health care demand in China remains robust and we continue to see the growth of domestic health care companies as part of a long-term, secular trend. Examples of our holdings in this sector include Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine, a leading Chinese drug manufacturer, and Wuxi Biologics, one of China’s largest providers of outsourcing services for clinical trials. Both companies were top contributors in the half. Meanwhile, Genscript Biotech, a Nanjing-based Chinese biotech company, is a leader in global gene synthesis and DNA synthesis services markets. Genscript was also a top contributor in the half.

A detractor from performance was Chinese search engine Baidu. As Chinese consumers increasingly move to other platforms to perform searches, Baidu could see its user base shrink. Valuations for Baidu are currently fairly low, so the stock could have upside potential if the company can rekindle its growth. We continue to evaluate and monitor the position.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

Recent IPOs provided us with opportunities to invest in Chinese health care companies. In the second quarter, we added positions in drug manufacturers Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group and NextCure. We also added a position in Chinese

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

34    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019  
 

 

   

 

    

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
    3 Months    YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years     

Since

Inception

    

Inception

Date

 
Investor Class (MPACX)   1.28%      15.78%        -5.84%        9.58%        5.91%        9.89%        8.96%        10/31/03  
Institutional Class (MIAPX)   1.35%      15.89%        -5.65%        9.78%        6.11%        n.a.        6.79%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index3   0.90%      10.71%        -0.76%        10.40%        4.70%        7.36%        6.92% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 10/31/03.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.9%  
Baozun, Inc.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.6%  
HDFC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.6%  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        3.6%  
CSL, Ltd.    Health Care      Australia        3.3%  
M3, Inc.    Health Care      Japan        3.0%  
Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        3.0%  
Terumo Corp.    Health Care      Japan        2.8%  
Sony Corp.    Consumer Discretionary      Japan        2.7%  
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        2.7%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                32.2%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      35  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
Japan     37.9  
China/Hong Kong     30.7  
Indonesia     8.2  
India     4.9  
Australia     4.4  
Bangladesh     3.7  
Sri Lanka     2.1  
Thailand     1.6  
Philippines     1.5  
Vietnam     1.5  
Taiwan     1.0  
United States     0.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Health Care     33.5  
Consumer Discretionary     21.4  
Financials     13.5  
Consumer Staples     8.9  
Industrials     8.4  
Communication Services     8.0  
Information Technology     2.4  
Energy     1.1  
Materials     0.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     28.1  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     21.1  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     20.5  
Small Cap (under $3B)     28.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.0  

 

6

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

biopharma company Innovent Biologics. In China’s social media space, we added a position in Bilibili, an online platform for sharing short videos with a growing user base. Bilibili’s platform specifically caters to Gen Z, representing consumers age 24 and younger. Gen Z grew up using mobile devices and spends more for internet content than other groups. Turning to Japan, we initiated a position in SBI Holdings, the largest online broker and second-largest among all brokerages in Japan. Unlike competitors, SBI Holding’s core demographics are younger customers in their 30s and 40s, a customer base that is set to grow given Japan pensions are no longer sufficient enough to support retirement life. In Indonesia, we initiated a position in Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasi, a microlender with a niche market representing high growth potential.

In the second quarter, we exited positions in Japanese financial services provider Orix and Indonesian conglomerate Astra International. Both companies were long-term holdings that generated attractive returns over full market cycles. Both companies seem to be shifting into lower growth modes, however, so we exited the positions.

Outlook:

Looking ahead, economic signals appear somewhat mixed. On the positive side, interest rates are widely expected to ease or hold steady, while oil prices seem to remain in check. Both conditions are positive for Asia currencies. While trade tensions have temporarily softened, several issues remain unresolved and U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiation style has been unpredictable. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, China’s policymakers have signaled a willingness to take a more proactive stance in using fiscal and monetary policy to support growth.

While Japanese equities experienced healthy gains in the first quarter, the macro environment remains muted and second quarter broad market equity returns were mixed. Underlying fundamentals are still on a downward path, and developments surrounding trade frictions remain unpredictable. We do not expect any dramatic outcomes or resolution of the current issues. On a positive note, corporate inventory levels have declined quickly in the past six months. Recent earnings results showed an earnings decline in many sectors but absolute profit levels remain higher than during past downturns.

Elsewhere in the region, elections in India and Indonesia resulted in wins for the incumbents, adding political stability to both countries. With elections concluded, reform cycles in both countries could get a boost.

 

 

36    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Growth Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 98.0%

 

     Shares     Value  
JAPAN: 37.9%    

M3, Inc.

    1,843,300       $33,826,142  

Terumo Corp.

    1,041,400       31,110,218  

Sony Corp.

    577,800       30,363,375  

Nidec Corp.

    218,500       30,007,696  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    613,800       29,563,878  

Keyence Corp.

    43,800       27,012,445  

Pigeon Corp.

    544,900       21,973,569  

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

    399,800       21,341,912  

PeptiDream, Inc.b

    411,000       21,109,770  

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    133,400       17,702,480  

Seria Co., Ltd.

    633,000       14,641,631  

Mercari, Inc.b

    531,300       14,153,197  

Japan Elevator Service Holdings Co., Ltd.

    555,100       14,100,831  

Eisai Co., Ltd.

    238,500       13,517,280  

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.

    208,300       13,179,763  

Sosei Group Corp.b

    550,900       12,177,272  

FANUC Corp.

    63,400       11,780,528  

SanBio Co., Ltd.b

    364,200       11,731,016  

SBI Holdings, Inc.

    446,400       11,087,789  

Sysmex Corp.

    153,200       10,022,358  

HEALIOS KKb

    553,300       9,238,371  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    184,700       9,142,004  

Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd.

    176,400       8,259,517  

CYBERDYNE, Inc.b

    768,500       4,484,394  

Link And Motivation, Inc.

    564,400       3,185,789  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      424,713,225  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CHINA/HONG KONG: 30.6%    

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    3,155,000       43,522,318  

Baozun, Inc. ADRb

    818,500       40,810,410  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.b,c,d

    3,693,000       33,131,764  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. A Shares

    3,123,824       30,063,350  

Genscript Biotech Corp.b

    11,934,000       29,945,395  

BeiGene, Ltd. ADRb

    223,300       27,678,035  

Huazhu Group, Ltd. ADR

    686,700       24,892,875  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    127,200       21,554,040  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADRb

    920,200       13,793,798  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd. A Sharesb

    4,069,575       13,600,582  

Autohome, Inc. ADRb

    145,500       12,457,710  

Innovent Biologics, Inc.b,c,d

    3,500,500       11,825,942  

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,654,796       11,039,804  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesc,d

    1,873,800       10,213,436  

Bilibili, Inc. ADRb

    592,100       9,633,467  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    51,600       6,055,776  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.b,c,d

    1,070,000       2,828,514  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      343,047,216  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDONESIA: 8.2%    

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    129,492,600       $39,977,615  

PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariahb

    89,471,600       21,849,107  

PT Ace Hardware Indonesia

    82,006,700       10,507,555  

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur

    13,577,500       9,759,116  

PT Mayora Indah

    54,105,900       9,500,090  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      91,593,483  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 4.9%    

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    1,148,086       40,666,637  

ITC, Ltd.

    2,925,894       11,602,355  

PC Jeweller, Ltd.

    3,698,554       2,425,263  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      54,694,255  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 4.4%    

CSL, Ltd.

    240,892       36,476,805  

Oil Search, Ltd.

    2,481,915       12,376,911  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      48,853,716  
   

 

 

 
   
     
BANGLADESH: 3.7%    

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    8,767,712       27,292,287  

BRAC Bank, Ltd.b

    17,927,755       14,105,003  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      41,397,290  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SRI LANKA: 2.1%    

Sampath Bank PLC

    21,899,216       17,276,809  

LOLC Holdings PLCb

    12,121,473       6,249,775  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      23,526,584  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 1.6%    

Major Cineplex Group Public Co., Ltd.

    18,967,100       18,086,447  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      18,086,447  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 1.5%    

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    2,007,890       11,045,979  

Emperador, Inc.b

    37,942,500       5,657,865  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      16,703,844  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 1.5%    

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    3,116,592       16,467,160  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      16,467,160  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 1.0%    

St. Shine Optical Co., Ltd.

    630,000       11,197,753  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      11,197,753  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      37  


Matthews Asia Growth Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

     Shares     Value  
UNITED STATES: 0.6%    

NextCure, Inc.b

    450,000       $6,741,000  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      6,741,000  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.0%       1,097,021,973  

(Cost $877,988,873)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.0%
      22,806,092  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $1,119,828,065  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $57,999,656, which is 5.18% of net assets.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

38    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Sharat Shroff, CFA    

Lead Manager

   
Rahul Gupta   Raymond Deng

Co-Manager

  Co-Manager
FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAPTX   MIPTX

CUSIP

  577130107   577130834

Inception

  9/12/94   10/29/10

NAV

  $28.91   $28.90

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.07%   0.90%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.04%   0.88%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  63

Net Assets

  $9.2 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $72.0 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

      11.48%

Benchmark

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Asia ex Japan, which consists of all countries and markets in Asia excluding Japan, but including all other developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund returned 7.63% (Investor Class) and 7.72% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.83% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Fund returned 0.03% (Investor Class) and 0.10% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –0.56%.

Market Environment:

The first half of the year felt like a roller-coaster ride for equity investors across the region. Asia’s capital markets rallied at the start of the year, led by Chinese equities. Volatility flared in May, followed by a rebound in equity prices in June. The dominant factors driving Asia capital markets over the short term were political, stemming from rhetoric around trade relations between the U.S. and China. Following the recent G-20 Summit, the tone of trade dialogue improved, even though negotiations provided few details and trade issues are likely to linger. On a positive note, China’s policymakers seem to be taking a more proactive stance in preparing China for a more uncertain macroeconomic environment. Despite recent volatility, China’s domestic markets and the Hong Kong market were among the best-performing markets in Asia.

Outside of China, Asian markets were generally positive, but seemed lackluster compared with China’s markets. Chinese equities returned roughly 14% year to date, while India and Indonesia’s equity markets each notched roughly 8% gains respectively for the same period. Currencies were somewhat stable with the exception of the Taiwanese dollar and the Korean won, which were more exposed to the tech cycle. Larger companies tended to do better, perhaps due to index flows, but also in their prospects for having slightly better earnings profiles than some smaller companies.

Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund lagged its benchmark in the first half. Several factors weighed on relative performance, one of the most significant being an overweight allocation to India. Our holdings in India are the natural outcome of our bottom-up stock selection process. The Indian companies in our portfolio embody, we believe, many attractive investment attributes and provide opportunities for finding uncorrelated earnings growth. In the short term, however, our Indian holdings caused performance to trail the benchmark.

From a sector standpoint, our holdings in communication services were also a detractor from relative performance. While the benchmark tends to be concentrated in a couple of big technology names in China, the Fund takes a more diversified approach to investing in Asia’s digital economy, seeking to spread our holdings across the region. One such holding is Naver, South Korea’s largest search engine. To expand its business beyond search advertising revenues, Naver is looking to diversify its business model to include gaming, e-commerce payments and cloud-based services. To achieve these goals, Naver is making near-term investments that weigh on its earnings profile. However, we continue to like the company’s long-term prospects.

For the most recent quarter, the Fund was slightly ahead of its benchmark. Strong stock selection, particularly in China, was a contributor to performance in the quarter. We continue to see increased investment opportunities in China, especially in China’s dynamic service sector, which we discuss in the next section.

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed to waive a portion of its advisory fee and administrative and shareholder services fee if the Fund’s average daily net assets are over $3 billion, as follows: for every $2.5 billion average daily net assets of the Fund that are over $3 billion, the advisory fee rate and the administrative and shareholder services fee rate for the Fund with respect to such excess average daily net assets will be each reduced by 0.01%, in each case without reducing such fee rate below 0.00%. Any amount waived by Matthews pursuant to this agreement may not be recouped by Matthews. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated (i) at any time by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews at the annual expiration date of the agreement upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      39  


 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019  
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAPTX)      0.03%        7.63%        1.14%        8.72%        5.95%        9.83%        8.54%        9/12/94  
Institutional Class (MIPTX)      0.10%        7.72%        1.31%        8.91%        6.13%        n.a.        6.12%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      -0.56%        10.83%        -0.18%        11.81%        5.14%        8.17%        4.50% 5    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  5

Calculated from 8/31/94.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        4.0%  
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        3.6%  
China Resources Land, Ltd.    Real Estate      China/Hong Kong        3.6%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services      China/Hong Kong        3.5%  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        3.3%  
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.2%  
China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        2.9%  
NAVER Corp.    Communication Services      South Korea        2.9%  
DKSH Holding AG    Industrials      Switzerland        2.6%  
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        2.6%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                32.2%  

 

  6

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

40    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

Recent IPOs provided opportunities for the Fund to invest in Chinese health care and education companies, sectors we believe are poised to benefit from rising incomes and domestic consumer spending. To fund new positions, we trimmed holdings in South Korea and Malaysia. Meanwhile, we also rotated capital within the portfolio. A few existing holdings experienced temporary aberrations in their earnings profiles, creating opportunities to add to high-conviction positions. Before committing additional capital, we conducted thorough due diligence to garner the confidence that any disruptions were short term in nature. Beyond China, we also added capital around the margins to holdings in Indonesia.

Outlook:

Media coverage of U.S. and China trade relations tends to focus on short-term developments. Investing with a long-term view, we try to ignore the noise and remain focused on the fundamentals that actually drive growth. We pay particular attention to company earnings, as well as secular trends we see on the ground. Amid current headlines, it is easy for investors to lose sight of the transformation that is taking place among China’s enormous middle class. Income growth has expanded rapidly from the eastern seaboard of China to the country’s vast interior. We expect consumers in less-developed urban centers to drive China’s economic growth for many years to come, so we continue to look for businesses that are geared toward that opportunity set.

Outside of China, recent elections in India and Indonesia resulted in wins for incumbents, adding a sense of political stability in both countries. With elections concluded, we are optimistic that reform cycles in both countries could get a boost. In the near term, an easing monetary environment may loosen some of the constraints on liquidity, and hence be a bit more supportive of growth. Inspired by the innovation and grit of Asia’s entrepreneurs, we will continue to look for opportunities across the market-cap spectrum, including small and medium-size enterprises. As always, we will invest in companies that we believe have sustainable growth prospects that harness the rising spending power of Asia’s middle class.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     39.6  
India     19.0  
South Korea     10.8  
Indonesia     7.4  
Thailand     5.0  
Taiwan     4.6  
Philippines     2.6  
Switzerland     2.6  
Malaysia     2.1  
United States     1.8  
Vietnam     1.7  
Japan     0.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Financials     26.3  
Consumer Staples     19.8  
Communication Services     15.2  
Consumer Discretionary     9.3  
Real Estate     7.4  
Information Technology     6.8  
Industrials     4.5  
Health Care     4.3  
Utilities     2.9  
Materials     1.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     44.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     29.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     17.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     7.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  

 

7

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

8

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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      41  


Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 97.7%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 39.5%    

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. H Shares

    30,234,000       $363,560,105  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    68,177,514       332,217,077  

China Resources Land, Ltd.

    74,174,000       326,572,216  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    7,067,800       319,743,166  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    27,718,000       299,323,988  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    1,709,800       289,725,610  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd.

    56,607,775       268,933,693  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    6,114,000       216,069,327  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.

    3,721,510       171,933,762  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    3,604,226       163,235,396  

Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.

    22,254,946       159,075,728  

Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c,d,

    82,304,600       146,600,437  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. H Sharesc,d,

    42,879,200       133,152,824  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. A Shares

    917,973       131,796,532  

Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd. H Shares

    26,574,800       93,572,345  

iQIYI, Inc. ADRb

    3,754,400       77,528,360  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    17,242,604       57,177,673  

Wise Talent Information Technology Co., Ltd.b,d

    16,143,400       42,777,933  

China East Education Holdings, Ltd.b,c,d

    18,000,000       25,623,104  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.b,c,d

    6,230,000       16,468,822  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      3,635,088,098  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 19.0%    

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.

    10,967,393       234,691,669  

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    6,223,409       220,440,901  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    6,154,197       195,415,131  

Tata Power Co., Ltd.

    180,316,487       180,304,311  

Titan Co., Ltd.

    9,015,327       174,383,624  

ITC, Ltd.

    39,202,500       155,453,795  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

    24,286,809       141,153,627  

Container Corp. of India, Ltd.

    16,080,979       132,755,885  

Dabur India, Ltd.

    21,117,482       122,528,005  

GAIL India, Ltd.

    20,024,384       90,474,546  

United Spirits, Ltd.b

    6,778,030       57,437,259  

Just Dial, Ltd.b,

    3,307,840       36,462,147  

Thermax, Ltd.

    312,681       4,793,209  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      1,746,294,109  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 10.8%    

NAVER Corp.

    2,670,205       263,898,727  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    4,755,250       193,635,405  

DB Insurance Co., Ltd.

    3,570,463       183,370,247  

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.

    5,852,726       149,023,639  

Orion Holdings Corp.

    5,656,566       84,072,589  

E-Mart, Inc.

    377,002       45,699,097  

S-1 Corp.

    483,483       40,867,744  

Amorepacific Corp.

    175,449       25,062,891  

Green Cross Corp.

    95,114       10,026,227  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      995,656,566  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDONESIA: 7.4%    

PT Bank Central Asia

    100,580,000       $213,438,421  

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero

    589,405,600       172,746,344  

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur

    181,522,600       130,473,223  

PT Surya Citra Media

    533,163,200       60,807,753  

PT Mitra Keluarga Karyasehatb,d

    383,065,700       51,371,137  

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero ADR

    1,710,640       50,019,114  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      678,855,992  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 5.0%    

Central Pattana Public Co., Ltd.

    94,089,000       230,193,099  

The Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd.

    7,522,950       115,792,323  

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

    18,431,800       113,051,175  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      459,036,597  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 4.6%    

Delta Electronics, Inc.

    33,921,182       172,402,441  

President Chain Store Corp.

    16,271,608       157,474,027  

Synnex Technology International Corp.

    72,350,921       90,992,688  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      420,869,156  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 2.6%    

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

    164,670,771       119,265,680  

GT Capital Holdings, Inc.

    6,482,364       119,008,394  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      238,274,074  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SWITZERLAND: 2.6%    

DKSH Holding AG

    4,039,869       236,718,475  
   

 

 

 

Total Switzerland

      236,718,475  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 2.1%    

Public Bank BHD

    19,583,194       109,046,413  

IHH Healthcare BHD

    47,676,300       66,962,526  

IHH Healthcare BHD

    11,543,000       16,048,916  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      192,057,855  
   

 

 

 
   
     
UNITED STATES: 1.8%    

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    2,592,900       164,363,931  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      164,363,931  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 1.7%    

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    28,991,060       153,180,278  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      153,180,278  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 0.6%    

LINE Corp. ADRb

    2,094,000       58,925,160  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      58,925,160  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 97.7%       8,979,320,291  

(Cost $6,298,369,126)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.3%
      213,646,393  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $9,192,966,684  
   

 

 

 
 

 

42    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $321,845,187, which is 3.50% of net assets.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

BHD

Berhad

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      43  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Vivek Tanneeru  

Lead Manager

 
Winnie Chwang  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MASGX   MISFX

CUSIP

  577130727   577130719

Inception

  4/30/15   4/30/15

NAV

  $10.94   $10.93

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  2.20%   2.01%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.50%   1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  66

Net Assets

  $45.5 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $12.7 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

  22.93%

Benchmark

 

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies of any market capitalization located in Asia that Matthews believes satisfy one or more of its environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) standards. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia and includes developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asia region. The Fund may also invest in convertible securities and fixed-income securities, of any duration or quality, including high yield securities, of Asian companies.

 

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia ESG Fund returned 9.62% (Investor Class) and 9.74% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.83%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Matthews Asia ESG Fund returned –2.15% (Investor Class) and –2.06% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –0.56%.

Market Environment:

Asia’s capital markets rallied at the start of the year, led by Chinese equities. Volatility flared in May, followed by a rebound for equity prices in June. The dominant factors driving Asia capital markets over the short term were political, stemming from rhetoric around trade relations between the U.S. and China and the resultant uncertainty.

The Thai baht was Asia’s top-performing currency relative to the U.S. dollar (up 6.17%) during the first half, while the Pakistani rupee was the worst (down –13.11%) for the same period. Currencies that appreciated relative to the dollar included the Japanese yen (up 1.83%), the Indonesian rupiah (up 1.79%) and the Indian rupee (up 1.79%). The Chinese renminbi was roughly flat (down –0.04%). Currencies that depreciated included the South Korean won (down –3.36%) and the Taiwan dollar (down –1.04%). Turning to financial markets, China’s equity markets, as represented by the MSCI China Index (up 14.02%), were the top performers in the region for the first half, despite trade tensions. Many other Asian equity markets also enjoyed gains in the period, including Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand.

From a sector perspective, real estate, consumer discretionary, information technology and financials were the top-performing sectors in the benchmark in the first half. In contrast, health care was the only sector with negative benchmark returns for the first half.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund underperformed its benchmark during the first half of the year, particularly in the second quarter, which negated the Fund’s outperformance in the first quarter. This underperformance was largely due to the Fund’s higher allocation to small companies relative to the benchmark, and lower allocation to the region’s largest companies relative to the benchmark. During the period, Asian markets experienced a rally, disproportionately benefiting larger companies over smaller companies. The outperformance of larger companies may have been driven in part by flows into index funds. Over a full market cycle, having meaningful exposure to smaller companies can offer attractive opportunities for generating alpha, but this same exposure can cause periods of underperformance over the shorter term.

A contributor to performance during the period was New Oriental Education & Technology Group, a tutoring services company serving students in China. We initiated a position in this company in early 2019 after its stock price was beaten down toward the end of 2018 due to negative sentiment around government regulations for private education services providers and a general market sell-off. We believed the company had the scale and resources to comply with regulations, providing the company with a competitive edge over smaller players in the

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

44    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019  
 

 

   

 

    

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
    3 Months    YTD      1 Year      3 Year      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MASGX)   -2.15%      9.62%        1.05%        9.80%        4.68%        4/30/15  
Institutional Class (MISFX)   -2.06%      9.74%        1.23%        10.07%        4.93%        4/30/15  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4   -0.56%      10.83%        -0.18%        11.81%        3.59%     

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted Monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        5.0%  
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        4.8%  
Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.8%  
Bandhan Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.5%  
Unicharm Corp.    Consumer Staples      Japan        3.4%  
IndusInd Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.0%  
Syngene International, Ltd.    Health Care      India        2.5%  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        2.5%  
MTR Corp., Ltd.    Industrials      China/Hong Kong        2.5%  
BRAC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Bangladesh        2.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                33.4%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      45  


   
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7      
China/Hong Kong     30.3  
India     18.6  
Japan     15.3  
Taiwan     8.0  
South Korea     7.9  
Bangladesh     5.1  
Indonesia     5.0  
Singapore     3.2  
Thailand     2.3  
Philippines     2.0  
Vietnam     1.2  
Pakistan     0.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7      
Financials     19.0  
Industrials     17.6  
Health Care     16.2  
Consumer Discretionary     11.7  
Consumer Staples     11.3  
Information Technology     9.6  
Communication Services     8.6  
Real Estate     2.2  
Materials     1.9  
Utilities     1.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     13.5  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     25.4  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     19.1  
Small Cap (under $3B)     41.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

6

Not all countries are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

industry. While New Oriental Education & Technology Group is a large company in the sector, we believe it still has considerable room to grow as its current market share is only a small slice of the overall opportunity set for private tutoring services in China’s largest, most economically developed cities. Less-developed urban centers in China present further growth opportunities. We believe there also is further upside from its online initiatives that work in conjunction with its offline classroom infrastructure.

A detractor during the period was Indian multinational tractor and automotive manufacturer Mahindra & Mahindra. The tractor side of its business has been a strong performer over the past few years, but that cycle has shifted on concerns over potentially lower rural income growth prospects due to an adverse monsoon season in India. Meanwhile, automotive sales in India have generally been weak, creating negative sentiment toward automakers in general. Mahindra & Mahindra’s auto sales have held up better than the large auto market in India, benefiting from the company’s introduction of three new passenger vehicles late in 2018. While the company’s stock price closed the period near an all-time low, we continue to like the company’s long-term prospects and have been opportunistically adding to the position.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

As mentioned in the contributors section, we added a position in New Oriental Education & Technology Group to the portfolio in the second quarter. Offering the potential for attractive growth, the company is a good match for the Fund’s objectives across many criteria. Education is a basic building block for economic progress, as well as an essential element for improving quality of life for Asia’s growing middle class.

Outlook:

Looking ahead, economic signals appear somewhat mixed. On the positive side, interest rates are widely expected to ease or hold steady, while oil prices seem to remain in check. Both conditions are positives for Asia currencies. While trade tensions have temporarily softened, several issues remain unresolved and U.S. President Donald Trump’s negotiation style is unpredictable. Against this backdrop of uncertainty, China’s policymakers have signaled a willingness to take a more proactive stance in using fiscal and monetary policy to support growth. Elsewhere in the region, elections in India and Indonesia resulted in wins for the incumbents, adding a sense of political stability in both countries. With elections concluded, reform cycles in both countries could get a boost.

While sentiment had improved considerably by the end of the volatile first half of 2019, macroeconomic risks remain and trade tensions could resurface. The Fund’s focus on high-quality companies has historically helped the portfolio weather bouts of volatility by providing an element of downside protection during market drops. In addition, our strong focus on investing in cash flow-generative companies also has created a lower volatility approach to growth investing in Asia. We continue to look for companies that can grow profits and cash flows sustainably, while improving economic, social or environmental outcomes across the region.

 

 

46    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia ESG Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 94.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 30.3%    

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    462,700       $2,254,656  

MTR Corp., Ltd.

    165,500       1,114,782  

HKBN, Ltd.

    571,000       1,029,583  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd.

    618,000       996,741  

China Conch Venture Holdings, Ltd.

    282,000       996,364  

New Oriental Education & Technology Group, Inc. ADRb

    10,300       994,774  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.b,c,d

    101,500       910,608  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    22,100       781,016  

Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd.

    258,000       715,903  

Guangdong Investment, Ltd.

    312,000       616,887  

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd.b,c,d

    139,800       583,614  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADRb

    38,000       569,620  

Xinyi Glass Holdings, Ltd.

    466,000       489,512  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    36,800       397,400  

Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., Ltd. A Sharesb

    38,300       384,833  

Beijing Urban Construction Design & Development Group Co., Ltd. H Sharesc,d

    879,000       267,806  

Han’s Laser Technology Industry Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    45,775       229,784  

58.com, Inc. ADRb

    3,500       217,595  

Wise Talent Information Technology Co., Ltd.b,d

    80,800       214,110  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      13,765,588  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 18.6%    

Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.

    74,250       1,742,513  

Bandhan Bank, Ltd.c,d

    205,001       1,599,604  

IndusInd Bank, Ltd.

    67,634       1,382,025  

Syngene International, Ltd.c,d

    236,604       1,146,094  

Mahindra & Mahindra, Ltd.

    111,832       1,061,556  

TeamLease Services, Ltd.b

    12,129       517,460  

Lupin, Ltd.

    46,743       511,090  

Ipca Laboratories, Ltd.

    16,712       222,204  

Wipro, Ltd.

    48,684       198,184  

Power Grid Corp. of India, Ltd.

    30,178       90,471  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      8,471,201  
   

 

 

 
   
     
JAPAN: 15.3%    

Unicharm Corp.

    51,900       1,564,710  

Tsukui Corp.

    194,500       930,067  

Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.

    19,000       878,222  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    27,900       855,189  

LITALICO, Inc.b

    33,300       582,099  

UT Group Co., Ltd.

    21,600       528,463  

Sosei Group Corp.b

    21,300       470,822  

Koa Corp.

    35,500       462,002  

Bunka Shutter Co., Ltd.

    60,000       455,532  

Career Co., Ltd.

    39,700       219,250  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      6,946,356  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
TAIWAN: 8.0%    

Poya International Co., Ltd.

    62,000       $839,148  

Sporton International, Inc.

    140,903       833,824  

Delta Electronics, Inc.

    121,000       614,975  

Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

    76,000       449,172  

Zhen Ding Technology Holding, Ltd.

    136,000       435,095  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    56,000       428,309  

Sitronix Technology Corp.

    11,000       46,061  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      3,646,584  
   

 

 

 
   
     
BANGLADESH: 5.1%    

BRAC Bank, Ltd.b

    1,361,221       1,070,967  

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    224,957       700,250  

GrameenPhone, Ltd.

    132,537       570,975  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      2,342,192  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 5.0%    

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    3,706,400       1,144,259  

PT Jaya Real Property

    12,125,100       454,879  

PT Arwana Citramulia

    10,223,600       362,518  

PT BFI Finance Indonesia

    7,542,100       320,316  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      2,281,972  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 3.2%    

SATS, Ltd.

    164,400       634,311  

Raffles Medical Group, Ltd.

    553,400       425,515  

Delfi, Ltd.

    423,000       406,430  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      1,466,256  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 3.1%    

iMarketKorea, Inc.

    58,673       597,936  

KT Skylife Co., Ltd.

    30,220       276,164  

Hanon Systems

    21,106       213,250  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    28,334       200,116  

Samjin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    5,358       139,449  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      1,426,915  
   

 

 

 
   
     
THAILAND: 2.3%    

Total Access Communication Public Co., Ltd. NVDR

    609,300       1,052,644  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      1,052,644  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 2.0%    

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

    1,041,230       914,815  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      914,815  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 1.2%    

Nam Long Investment Corp.

    427,423       534,333  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      534,333  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PAKISTAN: 0.8%    

Abbott Laboratories Pakistan, Ltd.

    117,150       348,069  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      348,069  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       43,196,925  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $39,987,355)

   
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      47  


Matthews Asia ESG Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 4.8%

 

     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 4.8%    

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    27,361       $2,164,513  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      2,164,513  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       2,164,513  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $ 1,955,650)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.7%       45,361,438  

(Cost $ 41,943,005)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 0.3%
      133,379  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $45,494,817  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $4,507,726, which is 9.91% of net assets.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

NVDR

Non-voting Depositary Receipt

 

Pfd.

Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

48    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Taizo Ishida   Robert Harvey, CFA

Lead Manager

  Lead Manager
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MEASX   MIASX

CUSIP

  577125883   577125875

Inception

  4/30/13   4/30/13

NAV

  $12.29   $12.35

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.66%   1.50%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.48%   1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  64

Net Assets

  $428.5 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $2.5 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

  26.09%

Benchmark

MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index

Redemption Fee

2% within first 90 calendar days of purchase

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Asia excluding Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. The Fund may also invest in the convertible securities, of any duration or quality, of companies located in Asia excluding Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and Singapore. Under normal market conditions, the Fund is expected to invest a substantial portion of its net assets in the emerging countries and markets in the Asian region, including, but not limited to, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China (including Taiwan, but excluding Hong Kong), India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Emerging Asia Fund returned –1.68% (Investor Class) and –1.52% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index, returned 9.87% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Matthews Emerging Asia Fund returned –6.47% (Investor Class) and –6.37% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –1.13%.

Market Environment:

The first six months of 2019 were generally positive for Asian and emerging markets. China’s equity markets (up 13.08%) were the top performers in the region for the first half, despite trade tensions. Many other Asian equity markets also enjoyed gains in the period, including Taiwan, South Korea, Malaysia and Thailand. Pakistan’s equity market was the weakest performer in the region (down –13.82%).

As economic data in the U.S continued to soften, the U.S. Federal Reserve began to use language suggesting the potential for future rate cuts. The prospect of lower U.S. rates has provided support to Asian and emerging market currencies against the U.S. dollar as well as allowed emerging market central banks to ease monetary conditions supporting their economies.

Amid trade tensions in the period between the U.S. and China, many U.S. manufacturers that have traditionally operated in China looked to less-developed parts of Asia for opportunities to relocated operations. Vietnam, in particular, has received increased interest from companies looking to move production over the long term.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

A significant detractor from performance in the first half of the year were the Fund’s holdings in Pakistan. Pakistan’s equity markets continued to suffer negative sentiment as its economy grappled with a weak currency, higher inflation, weaker growth and higher interest rates. But consumption continues apace in some areas of spending. The IMF also announced a financial-assistance package of US$6 billion to help the country stabilize its economy. Pakistan’s economy has gone through a dark tunnel, but with reforms it could, in our view, emerge stronger and more resilient.

A contributor to performance, meanwhile, was stock selection in Indonesia. Among the Fund’s top-performing securities, three were Indonesian financial companies. Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariah, Bank Mandiri and Adira Dinamika Multi Finance each generated double-digit returns in the first half. Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariah is a sharia commercial bank serving millions of low-income families in Indonesia, growing its revenues as incomes rise. Bank Mandiri is the largest bank in Indonesia, offering diversified lending and financial services. And Adira Dinamika Multi Finance provides consumer financing for motorcycles and cars.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the second quarter, we initiated a new position in Commercial Bank of Ceylon, a Sri Lankan bank with operations in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives.

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      49  


   
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019         
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MEASX)      -6.47%        -1.68%        -9.06%        1.13%        3.17%        4.36%        4/30/13  
Institutional Class (MIASX)      -6.37%        -1.52%        -8.76%        1.39%        3.42%        4.61%        4/30/13  
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index4      -1.13%        9.87%        -1.95%        11.58%        4.85%        5.42%     

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gain distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
British American Tobacco Bangladesh Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      Bangladesh        3.3%  
Vinh Hoan Corp.    Consumer Staples      Vietnam        3.2%  
Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.    Consumer Staples      Vietnam        3.2%  
Cosco Capital, Inc.    Consumer Staples      Philippines        3.2%  
Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC    Consumer Discretionary      Vietnam        3.0%  
PT Bank Mandiri Persero    Financials      Indonesia        3.0%  
Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.    Health Care      Bangladesh        2.9%  
L&T Finance Holdings, Ltd.    Financials      India        2.9%  
PT Kino Indonesia    Consumer Staples      Indonesia        2.7%  
PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariah    Financials      Indonesia        2.7%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                30.1%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

50    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

We also exited positions in The City Bank, a Bangladeshi private bank; Dinh Vu Port Investment, a Vietnamese port services provider; and Hum Network, a broadcasting company based in Pakistan. We used proceeds from the sales of these securities to rotate capital within the portfolio, selectively adding to companies with the most attractive valuations and long-term growth potential.

Outlook:

Looking ahead, geopolitical risks in the Middle East could lead to higher oil prices should tensions between Iran and the U.S. or U.K. escalate. Higher oil prices would present challenges for many emerging economies that import most of their energy. On a positive note, elections in India and Indonesia resulted in wins for the incumbents, adding a sense of political stability in both countries. With elections concluded, reform cycles in both countries could get a boost. Elsewhere, Vietnam continues to perform well, having a strong domestic economy and strong domestic demand. Also, we are seeing continued foreign direct investment in Vietnam, which could keep its economy in good stead. The Fund remains focused on the least-developed economies in Asia, which we believe have attractive structural growth potential over the long term.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7  
Vietnam     20.0  
Indonesia     19.3  
Bangladesh     12.5  
Sri Lanka     10.3  
Pakistan     10.2  
Philippines     9.0  
India     8.8  
China/Hong Kong     3.5  
Australia     0.9  
Singapore     0.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.8  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Consumer Staples     30.4  
Financials     22.4  
Consumer Discretionary     19.3  
Industrials     7.2  
Health Care     5.9  
Materials     3.1  
Information Technology     3.0  
Real Estate     2.7  
Energy     1.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.8  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     3.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     2.5  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     11.2  
Small Cap (under $3B)     78.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.8  

 

6

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

7

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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      51  


Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.2%

 

     Shares     Value  
VIETNAM: 20.0%    

Vinh Hoan Corp.

    3,648,160       $13,790,939  

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.

    1,166,670       13,775,662  

Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC

    4,127,364       12,952,499  

Nam Long Investment Corp.

    6,686,161       8,358,556  

Taisun International Holding Corp.

    2,127,000       8,296,034  

Mobile World Investment Corp.

    1,360,605       5,424,478  

Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank

    5,602,258       5,032,683  

Domesco Medical Import Export JSC

    1,464,250       4,523,750  

Vietnam National Seed Group JSC

    1,126,522       4,248,929  

Thien Long Group Corp.

    1,717,046       4,127,185  

Tien Phong Plastic JSCb

    1,861,224       2,715,366  

Lix Detergent JSC

    1,254,405       2,314,500  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      85,560,581  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 19.3%    

PT Bank Mandiri Persero

    22,312,800       12,668,070  

PT Kino Indonesia

    57,504,900       11,763,522  

PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariahb

    47,530,100       11,606,926  

PT Gudang Garam

    2,005,200       10,915,333  

PT Ramayana Lestari Sentosa

    99,165,900       9,897,287  

PT Adira Dinamika Multi Finance

    12,164,900       8,481,633  

PT Hexindo Adiperkasa

    22,802,000       4,938,886  

PT Mayora Indah

    21,437,800       3,764,118  

PT BFI Finance Indonesia

    73,579,500       3,124,948  

PT Catur Sentosa Adiprana

    70,131,000       2,915,005  

PT Matahari Department Store

    10,458,400       2,555,014  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      82,630,742  
   

 

 

 
   
     
BANGLADESH: 12.5%    

British American Tobacco Bangladesh Co., Ltd.

    882,150       14,099,909  

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    4,057,147       12,629,158  

Berger Paints Bangladesh, Ltd.

    519,834       9,003,906  

BRAC Bank, Ltd.b

    11,427,267       8,990,620  

Olympic Industries, Ltd.

    1,548,417       4,373,615  

Marico Bangladesh, Ltd.

    239,603       4,282,096  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      53,379,304  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SRI LANKA: 10.3%    

Sampath Bank PLC

    13,699,337       10,807,731  

John Keells Holdings PLC

    13,729,019       10,789,058  

Teejay Lanka PLC

    29,116,858       5,361,613  

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

    1,376,891       4,447,523  

LOLC Holdings PLCb

    7,511,241       3,872,761  

Commercial Bank of Ceylon PLC

    6,298,901       3,279,804  

Expolanka Holdings PLC

    94,231,424       3,043,254  

Ceylon Tobacco Co. PLC

    361,292       2,620,209  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      44,221,953  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
PAKISTAN: 10.2%    

PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.

    5,826,000       $8,350,053  

Indus Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,084,910       8,176,181  

Meezan Bank, Ltd.

    12,560,697       6,853,148  

United Bank, Ltd.

    4,824,000       4,450,461  

Shifa International Hospitals, Ltd.

    2,783,351       3,829,612  

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Pakistan, Ltd.

    2,770,557       3,347,214  

ICI Pakistan, Ltd.

    936,350       3,120,991  

Hascol Petroleum, Ltd.

    6,977,877       2,997,320  

Pakistan Petroleum, Ltd.

    1,670,095       1,511,468  

Akzo Nobel Pakistan, Ltd.

    1,975,300       1,237,113  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      43,873,561  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 9.0%    

Cosco Capital, Inc.

    102,051,200       13,714,257  

Universal Robina Corp.

    3,030,400       9,819,608  

Shakey’s Pizza Asia Ventures, Inc.

    22,796,200       6,184,585  

Emperador, Inc.b

    30,712,800       4,579,795  

STI Education Systems Holdings, Inc.

    296,157,000       4,277,470  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      38,575,715  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 8.8%    

L&T Finance Holdings, Ltd.

    7,526,004       12,551,341  

Vakrangee, Ltd.

    15,511,435       7,597,393  

Praj Industries, Ltd.

    2,525,370       5,144,155  

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.

    268,352       4,200,300  

PC Jeweller, Ltd.

    6,189,535       4,058,681  

Caplin Point Laboratories, Ltd.

    489,805       3,202,289  

Poly Medicure, Ltd.

    343,725       952,337  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      37,706,496  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CHINA/HONG KONG: 3.5%    

Luk Fook Holdings International, Ltd.

    2,797,000       8,760,465  

Tongda Group Holdings, Ltd.

    69,640,000       5,342,205  

Future Bright Holdings, Ltd.

    16,806,000       924,716  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      15,027,386  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 0.9%    

Oil Search, Ltd.

    746,290       3,721,628  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      3,721,628  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 0.7%    

Yoma Strategic Holdings, Ltd.

    10,610,166       3,022,157  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      3,022,157  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.2%       407,719,523  

(Cost $445,813,418)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.8%
      20,767,701  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $428,487,224  
   

 

 

 
 

 

52    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      53  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Michael J. Oh, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
Sunil Asnani   Tiffany Hsiao, CFA

Co-Manager

  Co-Manager
FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MATFX   MITEX

CUSIP

  577130883   577125859

Inception

  12/27/99   4/30/13

NAV

  $13.41   $13.49

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.19%   1.02%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  43

Net Assets

  $292.3 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $98.7 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  85.73%

Benchmark

   

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index

 

 

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Asia that Matthews believes are innovators in their products, services, processes, business models, management, use of technology, or approach to creating, expanding or servicing their markets. Asia consists of all countries and markets in Asia, including developed, emerging, and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Innovators Fund returned 19.09% (Investor Class) and 19.17% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 10.83% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Fund returned 1.67% (Investor Class) and 1.81% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –0.56%.

Market Environment:

Asia’s capital markets rallied at the start of the year, led by Chinese equities. Volatility flared in May, followed by a rebound for equity prices in June. The dominant factors driving Asia capital markets over the short term were political, stemming from rhetoric around trade relations between the U.S. and China. Following the recent G-20 Summit, the tone of dialogue surrounding trade issues improved, even though negotiations provided few details and trade issues are likely to linger. Despite recent volatility, China’s domestic markets and the Hong Kong market were among the best-performing markets in Asia.

As economic data in the U.S continued to soften, the U.S. Federal Reserve began to use language suggesting the potential for future rate cuts. The prospect of lower U.S. rates provided support to Asian and emerging market currencies against the U.S. dollar as well as allowed emerging market central banks to ease monetary conditions to support their economies. While China’s policymakers have not yet rolled out significant stimulus, market participants seemed reassured by incremental shifts in policy support for economic growth.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund outperformed its benchmark in the first half, as well as in the second quarter. An important contributor to performance was stock selection in China. When the U.S.–China trade negotiations faltered toward the end of 2018, we saw an opportunity to buy quality Chinese growth stocks at lower valuations. We took advantage of market conditions to concentrate our China holdings into fewer positions, while adding to some of our existing, higher-conviction names. This approach yielded strong results in the first half as Chinese equities rallied, outperforming the rest of Asia. A mild detractor from performance during the period, meanwhile, was stock selection in South Korea.

Among individual stocks, a major contributor during the first half was China International Travel Service, an operator of duty-free stores. With a dominant market position in duty-free stores in China, the company has been well-positioned to take advantage of several secular trends, including increased outbound Chinese travel, rising incomes and rising luxury sales. Consumers who used to make duty-free purchases abroad can now make them at home. The company’s focus on China’s domestic consumers provides attractive growth potential and we believe the company has demonstrated strong execution on its marketing plans.

In contrast, South Korean food producer Orion detracted from performance. The company’s stock price declined on slowing domestic sales growth, but we remain constructive on the company’s underlying business model. In addition to selling its products in South Korea, it also sells in Vietnam and Russia, where sales have been stronger. Orion’s product innovation remains sound and we continue to like the company’s long-term prospects, so we will continue to monitor and evaluate the position.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the second quarter, we added several new stocks to the portfolio. Among these new positions, Innovent Biologics is one of China’s largest biosimilar companies, with a strong pipeline of new products in development. We believe Innovent

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

54    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


       
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                       
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years     

Since

Inception

    

Inception

Date

 
Investor Class (MATFX)      1.67%        19.09%        -4.36%        12.26%        7.34%        12.51%        3.77%        12/27/1999  
Institutional Class (MITEX)      1.81%        19.17%        -4.11%        12.49%        7.55%        n.a.        11.38%        4/30/2013  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index3      -0.56%        10.83%        -0.18%        11.81%        5.14%        8.17%        6.24% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 12/31/99.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        7.2%  
HDFC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        5.8%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services      China/Hong Kong        5.4%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        4.5%  
Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        3.9%  
China International Travel Service Corp., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.7%  
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        3.7%  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        3.4%  
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        3.1%  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        3.0%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                43.7%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      55  


   
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6,7      
China/Hong Kong     61.6  
India     11.9  
South Korea     10.2  
Indonesia     5.6  
Bangladesh     2.5  
Vietnam     2.4  
Philippines     1.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.4  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7      
Financials     23.8  
Consumer Discretionary     19.0  
Communication Services     17.1  
Health Care     14.6  
Consumer Staples     14.0  
Information Technology     4.3  
Real Estate     2.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.4  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     55.8  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     10.3  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     15.3  
Small Cap (under $3B)     14.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.4  

 

  6

Not all countries are included in the benchmark index.

 

  7

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.

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

is well-positioned to capture market share in oncology treatments. Another new Chinese health care company, drug manufacturer Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group, is a recent IPO in China’s domestic A-share market. Hansoh focused on oncology, as well as other treatments. Turning to South Korea, we added pharmaceutical company Hugel, which continues to innovate, revamping its product line-up and channel strategies. During the second quarter, we exited several positions, including the Mumbai-based Induslnd Bank and Bangkok-based banking group Kasikornbank. In both cases, we were seeking to replace these holdings with higher quality, more innovative companies.

Outlook:

Looking ahead, we expect interest rates to ease or hold steady, while oil prices seem to remain in check. Both conditions are positives for Asia currencies. China’s policymakers also have signaled a willingness to take a more proactive stance in using fiscal and monetary policy to support growth. Elections in India and Indonesia resulted in wins for the incumbents, adding a sense of political stability in both countries. With elections concluded, reform cycles in both countries could get a boost.

Trade tensions between the U.S. and China present both risks and opportunities. While these tensions can disrupt markets over the short term, we believe they strengthen the case for investing in Asia equities over the long term. China is likely to become increasingly self-sufficient as it looks for ways to replace imports impacted by tariffs and is likely to create shifts in the competitive landscape in the process. Investing with a long-term view, we seek to take advantage of short-term market disruptions by buying quality growth companies at attractive valuations.

Innovative companies will continue to find ways to grow and prosper. Asia’s consumers enjoy rising income levels and consistently seek to upgrade their quality of life in areas from health care and education, to technology and consumer staples. The growing purchasing power of the Asian consumer creates attractive opportunities for long-term investors with a sharp focus on innovation.

 

 

56    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 93.3%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 61.7%    

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    124,300       $21,062,635  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    350,300       15,847,369  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. H Shares

    1,090,000       13,107,115  

Jiangsu Yanghe Brewery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. A Shares

    643,650       11,419,573  

China International Travel Service Corp., Ltd. A Shares

    841,872       10,876,208  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,118,055       10,760,042  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    933,800       10,084,015  

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,877,336       9,147,929  

China Resources Land, Ltd.

    1,870,000       8,233,209  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.b,c,d

    910,000       8,164,069  

Momo, Inc. ADR

    177,900       6,368,820  

Bilibili, Inc. ADRb

    383,600       6,241,172  

Silergy Corp.

    307,000       6,018,933  

58.com, Inc. ADRb

    85,000       5,284,450  

Meituan Dianping Class Bb,d

    567,100       4,981,013  

GreenTree Hospitality Group, Ltd. ADR

    371,077       4,824,001  

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADRb

    296,156       4,439,379  

Genscript Biotech Corp.b

    1,510,000       3,788,968  

Haidilao International Holding, Ltd.c,d

    890,000       3,713,926  

BeiGene, Ltd. ADRb

    29,600       3,668,920  

Innovent Biologics, Inc.b,c,d

    1,084,000       3,662,140  

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    407,821       3,089,780  

iQIYI, Inc. ADRb

    123,300       2,546,145  

Sun Art Retail Group, Ltd.

    1,606,000       1,521,980  

Hansoh Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd.b,c,d

    542,000       1,432,761  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      180,284,552  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 11.9%    

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    478,904       16,963,376  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    215,007       6,827,149  

Info Edge India, Ltd.

    172,029       5,606,484  

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.

    247,560       5,297,546  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      34,694,555  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 7.9%    

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.

    5,389       6,137,885  

Orion Corp.

    73,241       5,872,008  

Hugel, Inc.b

    10,869       3,950,842  

Yuhan Corp.

    17,230       3,650,232  

NAVER Corp.

    35,741       3,532,315  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      23,143,282  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 5.6%    

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    28,877,400       8,915,178  

PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariahb

    19,829,700       4,842,444  

PT Mayora Indah

    15,221,400       2,672,623  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      16,430,245  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
BANGLADESH: 2.4%    

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    1,161,588       $3,615,811  

BRAC Bank, Ltd.b

    4,508,541       3,547,181  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      7,162,992  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 2.4%    

Mobile World Investment Corp.

    983,293       3,920,206  

Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC

    960,253       3,013,467  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      6,933,673  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 1.4%    

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

    4,761,770       4,183,646  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      4,183,646  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       272,832,945  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $226,903,809)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 2.3%

   
     
SOUTH KOREA: 2.3%    

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    199,826       6,627,102  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      6,627,102  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       6,627,102  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $5,710,033)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.6%       279,460,047  

(Cost $232,613,842)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.4%
      12,858,940  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $292,318,987  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $16,972,896, which is 5.81% of net assets.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

 

Pfd.

Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      57  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Andrew Mattock, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Winnie Chwang           

Co-Manager

 

    

FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MCHFX   MICFX

CUSIP

  577130701   577130818

Inception

  2/19/98   10/29/10

NAV

  $17.57   $17.55

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.10%   0.91%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  46

Net Assets

  $863.5 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $158.3 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  96.98%

Benchmarks

MSCI China Index

MSCI China All Shares Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in China. China includes its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong.

Matthews China Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews China Fund returned 22.27% (Investor Class) and 22.47% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI China Index, returned 13.08% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Matthews China Fund returned –1.46% (Investor Class) and –1.40% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –3.92%.

Market Environment:

Chinese equities posted some of the strongest results in Asia in the first six months, even amid rising volatility during the second quarter. Equity prices rallied from January through April, then fell in May as trade-related uncertainty escalated. In June, equities regained a bit of ground as trade conflicts receded. While China’s policymakers have not yet rolled out significant stimulus, market participants seemed reassured by incremental shifts in policy support for economic growth. These efforts include a mild easing in credit policy, accommodative monetary policy and a fiscal policy that includes consumer-friendly tax cuts. Chinese corporate earnings remain relatively robust and valuations continue to be some of the most attractive within emerging markets. While the Chinese economy is slowing slightly, the government’s easing posture could help to mitigate some tail risks in the near term.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund outperformed its benchmark in the first half, while also providing some downside protection during the volatile second quarter. From a sector perspective, stock selection in consumer staples, communication services, financials and real estate were all positive contributors to relative and absolute performance in the first half. The Fund’s holdings in the information technology sector were the only relative detractors in the half due to stock selection.

Among individual stocks, a strong contributor was Wuliangye Yibin. As the second-largest liquor company in China, Wuliangye Yibin specializes in manufacturing “baijiu,” a clear liquor made from grain. Demonstrating high return on invested capital, Wuliangye Yibin also enjoys improving earnings and a solid growth outlook. We believe the company has more room for expanding its profit margins relative to its largest peer. Wuliangye Yibin is introducing premium products into its line-up, which works in its favor and creates an opportunity to grow its overall market share. Consumer spending is an important theme for our bottom-up research process and we find Wuliangye Yibin to be a compelling long-term growth opportunity within the consumer staples sector.

Meanwhile, a detractor was Focus Media Information Technology, one of the largest outdoor advertising companies in China. Focus Media’s advertising capabilities include digital screens in the elevators of commercial buildings, as well as traditional billboards and outdoor poster boards. With access to hundreds of thousands of billboards and digital screens, Focus Media can easily deploy large-scale ad campaigns in China. Owing to softness in the general economy, however, advertising spending has slowed, hurting recent earnings and sending the stock price lower during the reporting period. Despite short-term weakness in its stock price, we continue to like the company’s long-term prospects. We believe it enjoys a strong competitive and dominant position and remains well-positioned for future growth.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the second quarter, we added two new positions, Luxshare Precision Industry and Lepu Medical Technology Beijing, both representing China’s domestic A-share market. Luxshare Precision Industry is a handset component maker

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

58    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019  
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MCHFX)      -1.46%        22.27%        -3.79%        18.21%        8.43%        7.42%        9.68%        2/19/98  
Institutional Class (MICFX)      -1.40%        22.47%        -3.55%        18.45%        8.60%        n.a.        3.75%        10/29/10  
MSCI China Index3      -3.92%        13.08%        -6.55%        14.51%        7.58%        6.39%        4.47% 4    
MSCI China All Shares Index3      -3.76%        17.70%        -2.39%        9.93%        8.00%        5.06%        n.a. 5    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 2/28/98.

 

  5

Index performance data prior to 11/25/08 is not available.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             10.9%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Communication Services             9.5%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials             4.9%  
China Construction Bank Corp.    Financials             4.5%  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd.    Financials             4.5%  
New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd.    Financials             4.1%  
Agricultural Bank of China, Ltd.    Financials             3.8%  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials             3.3%  
China Resources Land, Ltd.    Real Estate             2.9%  
Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples             2.8%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                51.2%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      59  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6  
China/Hong Kong     94.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.1  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6  
Financials     30.6  
Consumer Discretionary     23.0  
Communication Services     14.6  
Real Estate     8.0  
Consumer Staples     6.6  
Information Technology     4.5  
Health Care     3.4  
Materials     2.4  
Energy     0.9  
Industrials     0.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.1  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)6  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     64.0  
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)     10.8  
Mid Cap ($3B-10B)     17.3  
Small Cap (under $3B)     2.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.1  

 

6

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.

Matthews China Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

moving into new business areas by focusing on higher value manufacturing opportunities and diversifying its client base. The company demonstrates strong execution and its addressable market continues to expand. Lepu Medical Technology, a pharmaceutical and medical device company, has expanded its core business from medical stents to include cardiovascular drugs. Earlier this year, Lepu was also first to market with a new product line of biodegradable stents, designed to dissolve after use. The company projects attractive profit growth and is attractively valued. During the quarter, we exited a small position in China Shenhua Energy, as we saw little upside potential in coal prices, which remained the most important earnings catalyst for the company.

Outlook:

We are incrementally more positive in our outlook for China. Following the recent G-20 Summit, the tone of dialogue surrounding trade issues improved. Though negotiations provided few details, they likely represented the best outcome that the market could expect. Mindful of how fluid trade talks tend to be, we believe it is possible the upcoming 2020 U.S. presidential elections could put additional pressure on President Trump to negotiate. Skepticism around trade aside, Chinese corporate earnings continue to be among the strongest in emerging markets, albeit with a moderate slowdown in economic activity in China. Should the Chinese economy slow further, most market watchers expect Chinese policymakers to act swiftly to maintain economic stability.

We continue to find a lot of value in the current market, especially given frequent shifts in sentiment related to daily headlines. Investing with a long-term view, we ignore the noise and focus on the fundamentals that promote growth. We pay particular attention to company earnings, as well as secular trends we see on the ground. Amid the current news cycle, it is easy for investors to lose sight of the transformation that is taking place among China’s enormous middle class. Income growth has expanded rapidly from the eastern seaboard of China to the country’s vast interior. We expect consumers in less-developed urban centers to drive China’s economic growth for many years and look for businesses geared toward those opportunity sets.

 

 

60    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews China Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 94.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 30.6%    

Banks: 12.9%

   

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares

    45,327,660       $39,072,620  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd. H Shares

    53,423,000       38,994,591  

Agricultural Bank of China, Ltd. H Shares

    78,928,000       33,033,536  
   

 

 

 
      111,100,747  
   

 

 

 
   

Insurance: 12.3%

   

New China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. H Shares

    7,274,600       35,397,289  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    2,625,200       28,349,280  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. A Shares

    1,933,411       24,991,582  

Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd. H Shares

    1,457,000       17,520,244  
   

 

 

 
      106,258,395  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 5.4%

   

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    458,100       16,189,296  

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. H Shares

    7,671,000       15,998,882  

China International Capital Corp., Ltd. H Sharesb,c

    7,311,600       14,758,382  
   

 

 

 
      46,946,560  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      264,305,702  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 23.0%    

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 14.0%

   

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRd

    555,300       94,095,585  

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. ADRd

    386,900       14,280,479  

JD.com, Inc. ADRd

    423,779       12,836,266  
   

 

 

 
      121,212,330  
   

 

 

 
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.1%

   

China International Travel Service Corp., Ltd. A Shares

    1,129,178       14,587,936  

Galaxy Entertainment Group, Ltd.

    1,744,000       11,731,889  
   

 

 

 
      26,319,825  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Durables: 2.3%

   

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,606,891       19,750,626  
   

 

 

 
   

Automobiles: 2.0%

   

Brilliance China Automotive Holdings, Ltd.

    15,866,000       17,546,067  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 1.6%

   

Zhongsheng Group Holdings, Ltd.

    4,934,000       13,757,201  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      198,586,049  
   

 

 

 
   
     
COMMUNICATION SERVICES: 14.6%    

Interactive Media & Services: 13.7%

   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    1,821,300       82,394,554  

58.com, Inc. ADRd

    212,700       13,223,559  

Momo, Inc. ADR

    242,300       8,674,340  

YY, Inc. ADRd

    119,900       8,355,831  

SINA Corp.d

    142,600       6,150,338  
   

 

 

 
      118,798,622  
   

 

 

 
   

Entertainment: 0.9%

   

Tencent Music Entertainment Group ADRd

    290,700       4,357,593  

iQIYI, Inc. ADRd

    148,600       3,068,590  
   

 

 

 
      7,426,183  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      126,224,805  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  
REAL ESTATE: 8.0%    

Real Estate Management & Development: 8.0%

 

 

China Resources Land, Ltd.

    5,768,000       $25,395,267  

Times China Holdings, Ltd.

    9,295,000       18,609,247  

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

    21,900,000       14,430,633  

China Overseas Property Holdings, Ltd.

    20,890,000       10,891,232  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      69,326,379  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 6.6%    

Beverages: 5.0%

   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,410,347       24,282,783  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. A Shares

    132,789       19,064,972  
   

 

 

 
      43,347,755  
   

 

 

 
   

Food Products: 1.6%

   

Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,722,997       13,268,687  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      56,616,442  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 4.5%    

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.8%

 

 

Luxshare Precision Industry Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,520,340       9,135,184  

AVIC Jonhon OptronicTechnology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,813,623       8,848,497  

Kingboard Holdings, Ltd.

    2,409,500       6,710,845  
   

 

 

 
      24,694,526  
   

 

 

 
   

IT Services: 0.8%

   

Chinasoft International, Ltd.

    14,170,000       6,979,702  
   

 

 

 
   

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 0.7%

 

 

Focus Media Information Technology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    7,504,767       5,799,184  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.2%

 

 

ASM Pacific Technology, Ltd.

    148,100       1,518,381  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      38,991,793  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 3.5%    

Pharmaceuticals: 1.8%

   

Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.

    14,706,000       15,045,349  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.0%

   

Lepu Medical Technology Beijing Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,634,606       8,838,487  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Technology: 0.7%

   

Ping An Healthcare and Technology Co., Ltd.b,c,d

    1,396,400       5,829,464  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      29,713,300  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MATERIALS: 2.4%    

Construction Materials: 1.7%

   

Anhui Conch Cement Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,202,329       13,319,104  

China Jushi Co., Ltd. A Shares

    996,797       1,385,630  
   

 

 

 
      14,704,734  
   

 

 

 

Chemicals: 0.7%

   

Wanhua Chemical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    969,634       6,053,111  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      20,757,845  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      61  


Matthews China Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
ENERGY: 0.9%    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 0.9%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    11,250,000       $7,663,723  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      7,663,723  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDUSTRIALS: 0.8%    

Professional Services: 0.8%

   

51job, Inc. ADRd

    94,400       7,127,200  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      7,127,200  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 94.9%       819,313,238  

(Cost $797,202,659)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 5.1%
      44,139,077  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $863,452,315  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $20,587,846, which is 2.38% of net assets.

 

c

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

d

Non-income producing security.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

    

 

 

62    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Sunil Asnani  

Lead Manager

 
Sharat Shroff, CFA   Peeyush Mittal

Co-Manager

  Co-Manager
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MINDX   MIDNX

CUSIP

  577130859   577130768

Inception

  10/31/05   10/29/10

NAV

  $26.92   $27.18

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.09%   0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  53

Net Assets

  $1.5 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $17.3 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  20.87%

Benchmark

 

S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in publicly traded common stocks, preferred stocks and convertible securities of companies located in India.

Matthews India Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews India Fund returned 2.28% (Investor Class) and 2.34% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index, returned 8.52%. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned –3.06% (Investor Class) and –3.07% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark returned 1.78%.

Market Environment:

India’s equity markets were somewhat more volatile during the second quarter of the year compared to the first quarter. We continued to see investors pull funds out of small- and mid-capitalization stocks in favor of large capitalization stocks.

Earlier in the year, India’s general elections were conducted over seven phases, spanning about six weeks and concluding with the victory of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party by a decisive mandate. Stock market reaction after Modi’s party easily secured a majority in the lower house of parliament was relatively muted, suggesting that markets were already discounting Modi’s success.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the country’s central bank, continued with monetary policy easing, cutting repo rates twice during the second quarter amid benign consumer inflation and a softer economic growth rate. The U.S. Federal Reserve indicated a more accommodative monetary policy stance and also allowed the RBI greater freedom to bring down policy rates.

India’s financials sector continued to witness tight liquidity on the back of solvency concerns for some non-banking financial (NBFC) firms. Lack of funding to NBFCs has negatively impacted asset financing across the country. This, in turn, has contributed to slowing GDP growth. Thus far, the central government has been averse to infusing capital in these failing NBFCs, a prudent decision in our view.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund’s underperformance during both the second quarter and year-to-date periods could be attributed to a mix of challenges with stock selection and allocation. India’s small- and mid-cap equity markets had underperformed for quite some time and the portfolio’s higher allocation to these segments contributed to the relative underperformance versus the benchmark. Also, our exposure to a few banks with significant exposure to risky assets such as infrastructure leasing and financial services firms was a performance detractor. One such holding was Yes Bank. We had hoped that the bank’s change in management as well as increased scrutiny by the central bank would improve its governance and accounting transparency. However, it had brought forward hitherto undisclosed risk exposure, which led to the stock’s significant underperformance. While we believed the current management had the right intentions, we exited our position as we became more wary of the holding amid its crisis of liquidity and solvency. We also trimmed our exposure to IndusInd Bank, where the problem was less pronounced but our conviction in the management’s ability to deliver secular and profitable growth was shaken.

Another stock-specific challenge to the portfolio during the second quarter came from our position in Blue Dart Express, India’s leading express logistics provider. Blue Dart has not benefited enough from the growth in e-commerce, where it had underinvested in expanding its last-mile reach compared to certain start-up competitors. In recent quarters, the company began to try to rectify the situation by investing more toward this end, and this led to its underperformance. This was driven by a margin contraction, part of which we believe should recover.

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      63  


     
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MINDX)      -3.06%        2.28%        -3.28%        6.61%        8.43%        11.02%        10.68%        10/31/05  
Institutional Class (MIDNX)      -3.07%        2.34%        -3.13%        6.81%        8.64%        n.a.        5.53%        10/29/10  
S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index3      1.78%        8.52%        9.04%        12.87%        7.46%        8.06%        10.44% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from S&P BSE 100 Index and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 10/31/05.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
HDFC Bank, Ltd.    Financials             6.0%  
Suzuki Motor Corp.    Consumer Discretionary             5.9%  
Eicher Motors, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             5.0%  
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.    Financials             4.5%  
VST Industries, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             4.0%  
Axis Bank, Ltd.    Financials             3.9%  
Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.    Financials             3.8%  
Wipro, Ltd.    Information Technology             3.3%  
ITC, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             3.0%  
Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.    Financials             2.9%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                42.3%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

64    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews India Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

The Fund’s underperformance in the second quarter was partly mitigated by our avoidance of energy stocks, and stock-specific factors within the communication services and health care sectors. Within communication services, we have avoided stressed media and telecom companies. Instead, we held Info Edge India, a profitable and growing internet company. Within health care, we initiated a new position in Syngene International, a leading clinical contract research organization that has been able to build a track record of quality outsourced custom research within small molecules. While Syngene is not immune to pricing pressures, its business is quite sticky and underpenetrated, leaving enough headroom for profitable growth.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We exited Yes Bank and Emami during the second quarter. We had long held our position in Emami but had been trimming it over the years due to rich valuations amid deteriorating fundamentals. During the first half of the year, we sold out of the holding completely as we felt that the company’s internal systems and practices were not robust enough to deal with certain external shocks, including India’s demonetization program, the Goods and Services Tax and recent liquidity issues in the financial sector.

In addition to Syngene, we also initiated new positions in certain small-cap financial companies led by strong management in underpenetrated segments, and in Lupin, a transnational pharmaceutical firm. Lupin’s stock price underwent substantial correction due to certain FDA observations in its plants, which also affected its approval for new molecules in the U.S. market. The company has, however, increased its addressable market size within the domestic market using innovation and by building relationships with doctors using practices that are more sustainable and, in our view, it should be able to recover from its earnings slump in the near to medium term.

Outlook:

A primary challenge seems to be growth, not just in India but globally, and it would be simplistic to believe that India would be immune to the global events such as U.S.–China trade conflicts, Fed policy moves and economic slowdown. Given the backdrop, we believe that India’s central bank should continue to relax monetary policy and we expect Modi to continue pushing for reforms and policy stimulus to return the economy to a higher growth trajectory. Some specific initiatives include affordable housing, an “electricity-for-all” campaign and increasing farmer incomes through a multipronged approach of infrastructure spending, direct benefits transfer and farm productivity measures. Despite government efforts, weak monsoons in India can be a spoilsport. Monsoon rainfall across the country currently is far short of long-term averages, and if the trend continues it is likely to have a negative impact on farm productivity. That in turn would lead to a rise in food inflation. At a sector level, we expect the pricing pressures in overseas pharmaceutical companies to moderate. Within financials, we anticipate India’s liquidity woes to settle and find equilibrium as stronger NBFCs, banks and corporations take over, replacing weaker ones.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6  
India     91.2  
Japan     5.9  
United States     2.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.5  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6  
Financials     38.3  
Consumer Discretionary     13.7  
Consumer Staples     12.5  
Information Technology     12.2  
Health Care     11.1  
Industrials     6.6  
Materials     3.0  
Communication Services     2.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.5  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)6  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     23.6  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     12.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     20.5  
Small Cap (under $3B)     43.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.5  

 

6

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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      65  


Matthews India Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 99.5%

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 38.3%    

Banks: 21.8%

   

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    2,483,613       $87,972,667  

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.

    3,092,902       66,185,130  

Axis Bank, Ltd.b

    4,913,532       57,537,242  

DCB Bank, Ltd.

    11,969,871       41,122,740  

IndusInd Bank, Ltd.

    1,434,610       29,314,659  

Bandhan Bank, Ltd.c,d

    3,589,314       28,007,097  

AU Small Finance Bank, Ltd.c,d

    1,009,868       10,302,488  
   

 

 

 
      320,442,023  
   

 

 

 
   

Consumer Finance: 11.5%

   

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.

    13,471,420       55,740,211  

Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.

    1,827,872       42,896,835  

Bajaj Finance, Ltd.

    699,054       37,270,216  

Sundaram Finance, Ltd.

    695,531       16,844,377  

CreditAccess Grameen, Ltd.b

    2,032,000       15,283,440  
   

 

 

 
      168,035,079  
   

 

 

 
   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 2.7%

   

Aavas Financiers, Ltd.b

    1,174,534       25,511,265  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    463,821       14,727,777  
   

 

 

 
      40,239,042  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 2.3%

   

CRISIL, Ltd.

    1,209,256       26,063,099  

Indian Energy Exchange, Ltd.c,d

    3,497,308       7,304,502  
   

 

 

 
      33,367,601  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      562,083,745  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 13.7%    

Automobiles: 10.9%

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    1,839,100       86,522,548  

Eicher Motors, Ltd.

    266,539       73,865,116  
   

 

 

 
      160,387,664  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Durables: 2.8%

   

Symphony, Ltd.

    1,821,995       32,548,750  

LA Opala RG, Ltd.

    2,937,800       8,254,483  
   

 

 

 
      40,803,233  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      201,190,897  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 12.5%    

Tobacco: 7.0%

   

VST Industries, Ltd.

    1,167,175       58,149,139  

ITC, Ltd.

    11,237,066       44,559,519  
   

 

 

 
      102,708,658  
   

 

 

 
   

Personal Products: 2.8%

   

Bajaj Consumer Care, Ltd.

    6,084,114       29,073,565  

Dabur India, Ltd.

    1,186,347       6,883,431  

Marico, Ltd.

    1,003,404       5,390,634  
   

 

 

 
      41,347,630  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Food Products: 2.7%

   

Zydus Wellness, Ltd.

    1,734,795       $33,624,660  

Nestle India, Ltd.

    30,163       5,205,543  
   

 

 

 
      38,830,203  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      182,886,491  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 12.2%    

IT Services: 11.7%

   

Wipro, Ltd.

    12,047,428       49,042,902  

NIIT Technologies, Ltd.

    1,831,786       35,694,753  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    535,500       33,945,345  

Mphasis, Ltd.

    1,464,076       21,305,741  

eClerx Services, Ltd.

    1,786,518       19,844,449  

Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Ltd.c,d

    302,596       8,021,258  

Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.

    137,397       4,433,726  
   

 

 

 
      172,288,174  
   

 

 

 
   

Software: 0.5%

   

Tata Elxsi, Ltd.

    578,649       7,418,464  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      179,706,638  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 11.1%    

Pharmaceuticals: 8.8%

   

Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    4,147,557       30,567,387  

Caplin Point Laboratories, Ltd.

    3,870,311       25,303,651  

Ajanta Pharma, Ltd.

    1,804,060       24,976,190  

Natco Pharma, Ltd.

    2,922,192       22,652,429  

Lupin, Ltd.

    1,337,380       14,622,977  

Eris Lifesciences, Ltd.b,c,d

    1,585,606       11,713,879  
   

 

 

 
      129,836,513  
   

 

 

 
   

Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.6%

   

Syngene International, Ltd.c,d

    4,785,970       23,182,911  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.7%

   

Poly Medicure, Ltd.

    3,594,824       9,959,945  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      162,979,369  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDUSTRIALS: 6.6%    

Machinery: 3.3%

   

AIA Engineering, Ltd.b

    992,659       25,787,619  

Ashok Leyland, Ltd.

    18,445,155       23,305,017  
   

 

 

 
      49,092,636  
   

 

 

 
   

Airlines: 2.0%

   

InterGlobe Aviation, Ltd.c,d

    1,312,651       29,639,562  
   

 

 

 
   

Air Freight & Logistics: 1.3%

   

Blue Dart Express, Ltd.

    475,939       18,513,546  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      97,245,744  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MATERIALS: 3.0%    

Chemicals: 2.7%

   

UPL, Ltd.

    1,618,842       21,987,307  

Castrol India, Ltd.

    5,743,813       11,030,517  

Pidilite Industries, Ltd.

    322,373       5,671,136  

Gulf Oil Lubricants India, Ltd.

    105,452       1,313,959  
   

 

 

 
      40,002,919  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

66    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews India Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  

Metals & Mining: 0.3%

   

NMDC, Ltd.

    2,713,195       $4,437,718  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      44,440,637  
   

 

 

 
   
     
COMMUNICATION SERVICES: 2.1%    

Interactive Media & Services: 2.1%

   

Info Edge India, Ltd.

    923,698       30,103,632  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      30,103,632  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.5%       1,460,637,153  

(Cost $1,291,453,321)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 0.5%
      8,058,539  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $1,468,695,692  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $118,171,697, which is 8.05% of net assets.

 

d

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      67  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Taizo Ishida    

Lead Manager

   
Shuntaro Takeuchi    

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MJFOX   MIJFX

CUSIP

  577130800   577130792

Inception

  12/31/98   10/29/10

NAV

  $21.08   $21.12

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  0.91%   0.85%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  53

Net Assets

  $2.7 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $22.7 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  46.11%

Benchmark

MSCI Japan Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Japan.

Matthews Japan Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Japan Fund returned 13.76% (Investor Class) and 13.73% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI Japan Index, returned 7.97% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Fund returned 0.96% (Investor Class) and 0.96% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark returned 1.05%.

Market Environment:

Japanese equities posted solid gains in the first half, even as global markets experienced swings in sentiment. Early this year, the U.S. Federal Reserve’s pause in rate hikes improved investor sentiment and Japan equity valuations came back from their lowest levels since the start of the Abenomics era. In May, however, trade friction between U.S. and China intensified, with tariff hikes and a temporary U.S. ban of Huawei products dampening export companies and the technology sector in particular.

The larger macro environment, meanwhile, continues to slow. Global manufacturing PMI for May came in at 49.8, its lowest level since October 2012. A reading of below 50 indicates a contraction of manufacturing activity. The Bank of Japan’s most recent Tankan Survey (announced July 1) showed further deterioration in the outlook among respondents within the manufacturing sector, reflecting the weakness of exports, especially among semiconductor-related products. Domestic consumption remained sluggish, and we expect this will continue with Japan’s consumption tax increasing in October to 10% from the current 8%.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund’s outperformance during the first six months of the year was driven by strong stock selection among smaller and midsize companies, which make up roughly half of the portfolio. While index returns were largely driven by large-cap companies performing better than small caps, we were able to overcome the overall trend with stock selection. From a sector perspective, stock selection in information technology (IT), industrials and health care were positive contributors to performance. Our focus on productivity improvement through software, IT services and automation helped us capture attractive returns within the sector, despite the cyclical downturn in semiconductors and sluggish industrial production. Our holdings in the consumer discretionary sector, meanwhile, detracted from performance.

Turning to individual securities, Net One Systems was a strong contributor in the first half. The company is transforming from a hardware-centric business model to one that is maintenance- and service-oriented, experiencing margin expansion along the way. Telecom and venture capital firm SoftBank also contributed to performance. SoftBank’s share price rose following the announcement of a massive 600 billion yen (US$5.5 billion) stock buyback. The recent IPO of transportation network company Uber in the U.S. and other unicorn companies going public also spurred interest in other pre-IPO companies that SoftBank and its Vision Fund currently hold.

The largest detractor from performance was dollar-shop retailer Seria. Seria has long enjoyed much higher operating margins than its peers. Competition has intensified, however, while the overall retail environment remain sluggish. Home fashion goods retailer Ryohin Keikaku also was a detractor to performance, after the company reported fiscal year earnings below the guidance that was revised down only three months earlier. Although we believe in the long-term brand equity of the firm’s marquee products, we continue to monitor and evaluate its growth prospects and execution abilities.

(continued)

 

 

1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

68    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


     
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years     

Since

Inception

    

Inception

Date

 
Investor Class (MJFOX)      0.96%        13.76%        -9.27%        4.53%        6.77%        9.54%        5.85%        12/31/98  
Institutional Class (MIJFX)      0.96%        13.73%        -9.22%        4.61%        6.86%        n.a.        9.21%        10/29/10  
MSCI Japan Index3      1.05%        7.97%        -3.83%        8.44%        4.82%        6.11%        3.36% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definitions.

 

  4

Calculated from 12/31/98.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.    Financials             4.0%  
Terumo Corp.    Health Care             3.4%  
Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.    Communication Services             3.4%  
Kyowa Exeo Corp.    Industrials             3.4%  
Keyence Corp.    Information Technology             3.4%  
ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corp.    Information Technology             3.1%  
NET One Systems Co., Ltd.    Information Technology             2.9%  
Kao Corp.    Consumer Staples             2.7%  
SoftBank Group Corp.    Communication Services             2.7%  
Nidec Corp.    Industrials             2.6%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                31.6%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      69  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6  
Japan     98.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.1  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6      
Industrials     23.8  
Information Technology     18.7  
Health Care     14.8  
Consumer Discretionary     14.3  
Consumer Staples     9.1  
Communication Services     8.2  
Financials     6.3  
Real Estate     2.5  
Materials     1.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.1  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)6      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     31.5  
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)     15.5  
Mid Cap ($3B-10B)     26.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     25.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.1  

 

6

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.

Matthews Japan Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the half, we continued to reduce our exposure to cyclical stocks, taking advantage of the market rally in January. We reallocated the proceeds to higher-quality companies that were sold off toward the end of last year, which were trading at the lower end of their price range despite their ability to grow in a slower macro environment. We also conducted research on high-quality growth companies in cyclical sectors, but we still think it would be premature to build a substantial position in these sectors.

Regarding new positions, we initiated a position in Yahoo Japan. The company in May announced a corporate structure change resulting in Altaba and SoftBank Group selling out and Yahoo Japan coming under the umbrella of SoftBank’s domestic telecom business. The company can now focus on online ads and e-commerce, two bright spots of growth in Japan. We also initiated a position in SBI Holdings, the largest online broker and second-largest among all brokerages in Japan. Unlike its competitors where a majority of assets under management are held by clients in their 60s and 70s, SBI Holding’s core demographics are customers in their 30s and 40s, which is set to grow given that Japan pensions are no longer sufficient to support retirement life. And we initiated a position in Shionogi, a pharmaceutical company focused on small molecule drugs in infectious disease areas. During the quarter, we exited two positions—ORIX and Suzuki Motor—and found more compelling investment themes elsewhere.

Outlook:

While Japanese equities experienced healthy gains in the first quarter, the macro environment remained muted and second-quarter broad market equity returns were mixed. Underlying fundamentals are still on a downward path, and developments surrounding trade frictions remain unpredictable. We do not expect any dramatic outcomes or resolution of current issues. On a positive note, corporate inventory levels have declined quickly in the past six months. Recent earnings results showed an earnings decline in many sectors but absolute profit levels remain higher than during past downturns.

Additionally, given earnings growth no longer drives return-on-equity improvement, share buybacks by Japanese companies are at a record level, with many companies using their cash holdings to bolster equity performance. While valuations have risen a bit, they remain near the low end of their historical range. The MSCI Japan Index’s price-to-book ratio is now 1.20X, up from the lows of a 1.16X level at the end of 2018. While Japanese corporate earnings tend to be procyclical with higher earnings volatility than developed-market peers, we continue to believe the earnings capability of Japanese companies has improved meaningfully over the past economic cycle, driven by better corporate governance and a higher focus on capital efficiency.

 

 

70    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Japan Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 98.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
INDUSTRIALS: 23.9%    

Professional Services: 8.9%

   

Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,677,300       $56,159,178  

Persol Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,244,200       52,909,484  

Nihon M&A Center, Inc.

    2,148,800       51,760,257  

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

    928,500       49,564,696  

Outsourcing, Inc.

    2,255,100       27,512,518  
   

 

 

 
      237,906,133  
   

 

 

 
   

Building Products: 6.4%

   

Daikin Industries, Ltd.

    498,300       65,246,871  

Sanwa Holdings Corp.

    5,271,000       56,814,127  

Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd.

    1,464,900       49,101,807  
   

 

 

 
      171,162,805  
   

 

 

 
   

Construction & Engineering: 3.4%

   

Kyowa Exeo Corp.

    3,606,600       90,001,037  
   

 

 

 
   

Electrical Equipment: 2.7%

   

Nidec Corp.

    514,200       70,617,654  
   

 

 

 
   

Machinery: 2.5%

   

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    1,343,100       33,855,319  

SMC Corp.

    87,800       32,914,030  
   

 

 

 
      66,769,349  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      636,456,978  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 18.7%    

IT Services: 8.2%

   

ITOCHU Techno-Solutions Corp.

    3,230,900       83,060,850  

NET One Systems Co., Ltd.

    2,818,100       77,932,131  

Otsuka Corp.

    1,416,400       57,119,236  
   

 

 

 
      218,112,217  
   

 

 

 
   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 5.9%

 

Keyence Corp.

    145,000       89,424,762  

Shimadzu Corp.

    1,482,500       36,496,327  

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    686,700       30,915,736  
   

 

 

 
      156,836,825  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.4%

 

Lasertec Corp.

    666,200       26,421,381  

Rohm Co., Ltd.

    340,000       22,907,803  

Disco Corp.

    86,200       14,224,368  
   

 

 

 
      63,553,552  
   

 

 

 
   

Software: 2.2%

   

Infomart Corp.

    3,800,700       59,569,180  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      498,071,774  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 14.8%    

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 7.7%

 

Terumo Corp.

    3,055,400       91,275,361  

Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.

    2,230,400       55,133,519  

Nakanishi, Inc.

    1,834,800       33,738,602  

Sysmex Corp.

    372,400       24,362,441  
   

 

 

 
      204,509,923  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Technology: 2.6%

   

M3, Inc.

    3,781,600       69,395,616  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Pharmaceuticals: 2.5%

   

Shionogi & Co., Ltd.

    725,000       $41,892,561  

Eisai Co., Ltd.

    458,900       26,008,720  
   

 

 

 
      67,901,281  
   

 

 

 
   

Biotechnology: 2.0%

   

PeptiDream, Inc.b

    1,042,100       53,524,309  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      395,331,129  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 14.3%    

Auto Components: 3.3%

   

Nifco, Inc.

    2,051,600       50,939,614  

Denso Corp.

    906,200       38,210,927  
   

 

 

 
      89,150,541  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Durables: 2.6%

   

Sony Corp.

    1,324,000       69,576,165  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 2.6%

   

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    516,500       68,540,713  
   

 

 

 
   

Distributors: 2.2%

   

PALTAC Corp.

    1,068,200       58,855,191  
   

 

 

 
   

Multiline Retail: 1.8%

   

Seria Co., Ltd.

    1,504,700       34,804,520  

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

    74,100       13,425,788  
   

 

 

 
      48,230,308  
   

 

 

 
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.2%

   

Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd.

    683,600       32,007,970  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 0.6%

 

Mercari, Inc.b

    614,600       16,372,210  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      382,733,098  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 9.1%    

Personal Products: 4.7%

   

Kao Corp.

    957,100       73,030,914  

Kose Corp.

    314,600       53,098,800  
   

 

 

 
      126,129,714  
   

 

 

 
   

Food Products: 1.7%

   

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.

    740,700       46,866,301  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Products: 1.7%

   

Pigeon Corp.

    1,107,700       44,668,970  
   

 

 

 
   

Food & Staples Retailing: 1.0%

   

San-A Co., Ltd.

    658,700       26,355,317  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      244,020,302  
   

 

 

 
   
     
COMMUNICATION SERVICES: 8.2%    

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 3.4%

 

Nippon Telegraph & Telephone Corp.

    1,956,000       91,129,463  
   

 

 

 
   

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.8%

 

SoftBank Group Corp.

    1,513,200       72,883,773  
   

 

 

 
   

Interactive Media & Services: 1.5%

   

Yahoo Japan Corp.

    13,680,100       40,240,643  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      71  


Matthews Japan Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  

Entertainment: 0.5%

   

Nintendo Co., Ltd.

    38,400       $14,088,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      218,342,791  
   

 

 

 
   
     
FINANCIALS: 6.3%    

Insurance: 4.0%

   

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    2,150,800       107,917,177  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 1.2%

   

SBI Holdings, Inc.

    1,265,000       31,420,369  
   

 

 

 
   

Banks: 1.1%

   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    6,194,200       29,502,818  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      168,840,364  
   

 

 

 
   
     
REAL ESTATE: 2.5%    

Real Estate Management & Development: 2.5%

 

 

Relo Group, Inc.

    2,686,500       67,846,196  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      67,846,196  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
MATERIALS: 1.1%    

Chemicals: 1.1%

   

Fuso Chemical Co., Ltd.

    1,470,500       $29,303,120  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      29,303,120  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.9%       2,640,945,752  

(Cost $2,393,915,292)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 1.1%
      28,576,964  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $2,669,522,716  
   

 

 

 

 

a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).    

 

b

Non-income producing security.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.    

    

 

 

72    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Michael J. Oh, CFA    

Lead Manager

   
Elli Lee  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional  

Ticker

  MAKOX   MIKOX

CUSIP

  577130305   577130826

Inception

  1/3/95   10/29/10

NAV

  $4.54   $4.58

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.14%   1.02%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  38

Net Assets

  $150.4 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $50.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  35.60%

Benchmark

Korea Composite Stock Price Index

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in South Korea.

Matthews Korea Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Korea Fund returned –0.87% (Investor Class) and –0.65% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, returned 0.69% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2019, the Matthews Korea Fund returned –2.16% (Investor Class) and –1.93% (Institutional Class), while the benchmark returned –2.24%.

Market Environment:

South Korea’s equity market was mostly flat in the first half and lagged broader emerging markets as fears of a slowdown in global growth and trade conflicts weighed on sentiment. Exports represent a significant part of South Korea’s GDP, making its economy vulnerable to disruptions in export volume. In addition, corporate earnings were weak, causing valuations to appear more expensive than South Korea’s historical average. The Bank of Korea (BOK) is poised to lower rates to support its sluggish economy but most market participants expect a slow and measured response as the BOK seems content to wait out the U.S.–China trade negotiations before taking monetary action.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund underperformed its benchmark in the first half, primarily due to our underweight in the information technology (IT) sector relative to the index. IT stocks rebounded and outperformed South Korea’s broader equity market in the first quarter of 2019, dampening our relative performance. Information technology makes up close to a third of the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, representing what we feel is a high level of concentration risk in a single sector for index-based strategies. As active managers, we seek to manage concentration risk by building a diversified portfolio from the bottom up. From a sector perspective, a contributor to performance was strong stock selection among our health care holdings. The health care sector benefits from a drug development pipeline, an aging domestic population and rising demand for lifestyle upgrades.

Turning to individual securities, Samsung Electronics was a contributor to performance in the first half. As one of the world’s largest supplier of memory chips, Samsung’s stock price rose in the first half on market expectations of a rebound in chip demand and prices. LG Household & Heath Care, a South Korean cosmetics and skin care company, also contributed to performance. A rise in the company’s stock price reflected its solid earnings growth and strong brand recognition. Hyundai Mobis, the parts and services arm of Hyundai Motors, also contributed to returns as a result of the company’s restructuring efforts and earnings recovery. Chat platform Kakao performed well after successfully building a strong customer base within the platform for an integrated payments system and gaining market share in digital advertising.

In contrast, South Korean confectionary maker Orion detracted from performance. Following the gradual easing of tensions between South Korea and China around the THAAD missile tests conducted by the U.S. in 2017, some investors hoped that Orion’s sales to Chinese consumers might regain ground. The recovery ended up being slower than expected and the company’s stock price declined. However, we remain constructive on the company’s underlying business with footprints across the region. Household product maker Lock&Lock’s share price was also volatile amid a restructuring process, but we expect the company to expand its addressable market and products and improve business efficiency. Meanwhile, e-commerce company Café24’s stock price suffered on an earnings miss on hiring, but we maintain a positive view as South Korea’s e-commerce market is still growing and Café 24 should benefit from growing demand in the sector.

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      73  


                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAKOX)      -2.16%        -0.87%        -12.65%        1.36%        2.41%        9.77%        5.53%        01/03/95  
Institutional Class (MIKOX)      -1.93%        -0.65%        -12.46%        1.51%        2.59%        n.a.        6.08%        10/29/10  
Korea Composite Stock Price Index3      -2.24%        0.69%        -10.15%        4.48%        0.32%        6.99%        3.00% 4    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  3

Korea Composite Stock Price Index performance data may be readjusted periodically by the Korea Exchange due to certain factors, including the declaration of dividends. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Korea Composite Stock Price Index and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  4

Calculated from 1/3/95.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS5                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology             10.6%  
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.    Consumer Staples             5.0%  
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             4.9%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology             4.1%  
Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Financials             3.9%  
BGF Retail Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples             3.5%  
NAVER Corp.    Communication Services             3.4%  
Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., 2nd Pfd.    Consumer Discretionary             3.3%  
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.    Financials             3.3%  
Yuhan Corp.    Health Care             2.9%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                44.9%  

 

  5

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

74    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Korea Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the first half, we exited brick-and-mortar retailer E-Mart, which was getting squeezed by online competitors and saw declining same-store sales growth. Losing conviction in the company’s long-term prospects, we decided to exit the position. Meanwhile, we also exited electronics retailer Lotte Hi-Mart.

Outlook:

A high domestic minimum wage and slowing global trade both present near-term challenges for South Korea’s economy. Regionally, trade conflicts between Japan and South Korea have also begun to surface, driven by political concerns on both sides.

On a positive note, South Korea’s high minimum wage and aging population could encourage more businesses to invest in products and services that improve efficiency and productivity over time. It is early days for these efforts, but we are seeing examples of software as a service, a variation of cloud computing, gain traction as a way for companies to get more productivity out of their workforces. We also continue to see signs of improved corporate governance and shareholder-return policies, which is welcome news for long-term investors.

As South Korea’s overall economic picture remains mixed, we believe active security selection is essential to capturing the country’s long-term growth potential. As bottom-up investors, we look for companies that can grow organically without the assistance of strong macroeconomic tailwinds. We continue to look for companies that can benefit from domestic consumption within South Korea, as well as those companies headquartered in South Korea that are effectively competing and innovating in global markets.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)6  
South Korea     96.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.7  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)6  
Information Technology     20.7  
Financials     18.0  
Consumer Staples     16.4  
Consumer Discretionary     15.5  
Health Care     8.2  
Materials     7.8  
Communication Services     4.7  
Energy     2.7  
Industrials     2.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.7  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)6  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     19.4  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     33.7  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     20.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     23.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.7  

 

6

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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      75  


Matthews Korea Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 66.8%

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 14.1%    

Banks: 7.9%

   

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

    127,453       $4,957,168  

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

    120,567       3,907,858  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    74,426       2,950,187  
   

 

 

 
      11,815,213  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets: 4.3%

   

Kiwoom Securities Co., Ltd.

    46,919       3,324,541  

Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.

    61,635       3,216,362  
   

 

 

 
      6,540,903  
   

 

 

 

Insurance: 1.9%

   

DB Insurance Co., Ltd.

    54,341       2,790,821  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      21,146,937  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 10.8%    

Auto Components: 6.8%

   

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

    35,852       7,314,649  

Hankook Tire & Technology Co., Ltd.

    94,882       2,884,301  
   

 

 

 
      10,198,950  
   

 

 

 

Specialty Retail: 2.2%

   

Cuckoo Homesys Co., Ltd.

    75,570       3,324,242  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.8%

   

Modetour Network, Inc.

    155,140       2,652,724  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      16,175,916  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 10.2%    

Food Products: 4.3%

   

Orion Corp.

    52,951       4,245,282  

Orion Holdings Corp.

    147,529       2,192,699  
   

 

 

 
      6,437,981  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing: 3.5%

   

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    28,862       5,274,223  
   

 

 

 

Tobacco: 2.4%

   

KT&G Corp.

    41,762       3,563,776  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      15,275,980  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 10.1%    

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 4.1%

 

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    150,616       6,133,135  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.7%

 

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

    19,888       4,080,308  
   

 

 

 

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 1.7%

 

 

Koh Young Technology, Inc.

    35,047       2,526,604  
   

 

 

 

IT Services: 1.6%

 

 

Cafe24 Corp.b

    46,497       2,479,527  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      15,219,574  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 8.2%    

Pharmaceuticals: 4.5%

 

 

Yuhan Corp.

    20,558       4,355,280  

DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    46,758       2,366,072  
   

 

 

 
      6,721,352  
   

 

 

 

Biotechnology: 2.1%

 

 

Hugel, Inc.b

    8,908       3,238,026  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 1.6%

 

 

Interojo Co., Ltd.

    108,571       2,410,739  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      12,370,117  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
MATERIALS: 5.1%    

Metals & Mining: 3.3%

 

 

POSCO

    17,598       $3,735,792  

Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.

    2,950       1,216,727  
   

 

 

 
      4,952,519  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging: 1.8%

 

 

Lock&Lock Co., Ltd.

    200,431       2,708,669  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      7,661,188  
   

 

 

 
   
     
COMMUNICATION SERVICES: 4.7%    

Interactive Media & Services: 4.7%

 

 

NAVER Corp.

    52,345       5,173,303  

Kakao Corp.

    16,881       1,924,189  
   

 

 

 

Total Communication Services

      7,097,492  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDUSTRIALS: 2.2%    

Commercial Services & Supplies: 2.2%

 

 

S-1 Corp.

    39,273       3,319,659  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      3,319,659  
   

 

 

 
   
     
ENERGY: 1.4%    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.4%

 

 

SK Innovation Co., Ltd.

    11,055       1,523,819  

S-Oil Corp.

    8,335       605,377  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      2,129,196  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       100,396,059  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $100,118,871)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 29.5%

   
     
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 10.6%    

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 10.6%

 

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    481,814       15,979,054  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      15,979,054  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 6.2%    

Personal Products: 6.2%

   

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.

    10,684       7,461,946  

Amorepacific Corp., Pfd.

    25,584       1,913,648  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      9,375,594  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 4.7%    

Automobiles: 4.7%

   

Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., 2nd Pfd.

    66,302       4,960,236  

Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    31,477       2,158,004  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      7,118,240  
   

 

 

 
   
     
FINANCIALS: 4.0%    

Insurance: 4.0%

   

Samsung Fire & Marine Insurance Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    35,724       5,923,023  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      5,923,023  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MATERIALS: 2.7%    

Chemicals: 2.7%

   

LG Chem, Ltd., Pfd.

    23,841       4,042,912  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      4,042,912  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

76    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Korea Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
ENERGY: 1.3%    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.3%

   

S-Oil Corp., Pfd.

    37,310       $1,922,683  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      1,922,683  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       44,361,506  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $36,523,378)

   
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 96.3%       144,757,565  

(Cost $136,642,249)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 3.7%
      5,620,429  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $150,377,994  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Non-income producing security.

 

Pfd.

Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      77  


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Lydia So, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Beini Zhou, CFA   Tiffany Hsiao, CFA
Co-Manager   Co-Manager
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional  

Ticker

  MSMLX   MISMX

CUSIP

  577125206   577125867

Inception

  9/15/08   4/30/13

NAV

  $17.46   $17.43

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.51%   1.37%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.46%   1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  70

Net Assets

  $191.6 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $1.4 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

  69.79%

Benchmark

 

MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index

Redemption Fee

 

2% within first 90 calendar days of purchase

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of Small Companies located in Asia ex Japan, which consists of all countries and markets in Asia excluding Japan, but including all other developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region.

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund returned 12.65% (Investor Class) and 12.74% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index, returned 5.34%. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund returned 2.89% (Investor Class) and 2.95% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, which returned –2.94%.

Market Environment:

Asia’s equity markets and investor sentiment were strong during the first four months of 2019 due to optimism over a resolution in trade talks between the U.S. and China. Developments took a negative turn, however, as President Trump threatened to impose certain tariffs on Chinese goods, as well as certain restrictions on the trading of technology products and services. China announced it would increase tariffs on U.S. goods in response. The escalated tensions led to immediate sell-offs in global markets. In addition, investors braced for the possibility that prolonged political and economic conflicts would weaken the global economy. Hopes for interest rate cuts by the U.S. Federal Reserve grew as recent economic data in the U.S. suggested that the economy might have softened, while investors awaited positive news from negotiations between Trump and President Xi during the late June G-20 summit.

Meanwhile, national elections in Indonesia and India concluded during the second quarter of 2019. As anticipated in Indonesia, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) won by a wide margin. For his second-term agenda, it is expected that he will act rapidly on major policies aimed at improving efficiencies in the economy and conducive to attracting foreign direct investments (FDI). In India, a major overhang on its equity market was removed following its late May election, which saw a victorious ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the first six months of 2019, the portfolio’s absolute return was largely driven by both our overweight and stock selection in China/Hong Kong. Favorable stock selection in South Korea, Taiwan and India were also key factors that helped propel solid absolute performance, especially amid the market sell-offs in the second quarter. For the first six months, our China/Hong Kong holdings Yihai International and Times China Holdings were key performance contributors. Yihai, a hotpot soup-based condiment manufacturer, registered a strong run-up thanks to solid earnings momentum. Likewise, real estate developer Times China impressed investors with solid earnings and project pipelines. However, some holdings in Vietnam and Malaysia were performance detractors due to an uncertain outlook that stemmed from negative corporate developments during the first half of 2019. Vietnam’s Yeah 1 Group, a media platform company, experienced operating issues with a subsidiary, which stood to adversely impact the company’s growth momentum. The company’s share price fell sharply and we exited the holding during the first half of the year.

By sector, our overweight and stock selection in health care, industrials and consumer staples were key drivers for our outperformance over the benchmark, while

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

78    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MSMLX)      2.89%        12.65%        -6.71%        6.15%        1.45%        9.06%        9.89%        09/15/08  
Institutional Class (MISMX)      2.95%        12.74%        -6.54%        6.37%        1.67%        n.a.        3.20%        04/30/13  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index4      -2.94%        5.34%        -7.69%        4.58%        0.54%        6.08%        6.45% 5    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  5

Calculated from 9/15/08.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Silergy Corp.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        3.5%  
Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        2.7%  
Chief Telecom, Inc.    Communication Services      Taiwan        2.1%  
Great Tree Pharmacy Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      Taiwan        2.1%  
Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.    Industrials      Taiwan        2.0%  
PT Arwana Citramulia    Industrials      Indonesia        1.9%  
BBI Life Sciences Corp.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        1.9%  
Taiwan Paiho, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      Taiwan        1.9%  
Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      South Korea        1.8%  
DCB Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        1.8%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                21.7%  

 

  6

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      79  


 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     27.6  
India     14.7  
Taiwan     13.2  
South Korea     9.2  
Thailand     7.3  
Indonesia     5.9  
Vietnam     5.9  
Malaysia     2.6  
Singapore     1.5  
Australia     1.2  
Philippines     1.1  
Japan     1.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     8.7  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Information Technology     17.9  
Health Care     13.4  
Industrials     12.6  
Consumer Discretionary     11.8  
Financials     10.0  
Consumer Staples     9.9  
Materials     5.9  
Real Estate     5.1  
Communication Services     4.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     8.7  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8,9  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     0.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     0.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     12.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     78.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     8.7  

 

7

Not all countries where the Fund may invest are included in the benchmark index.

 

8

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.

 

9

The Fund defines Small Companies as companies with market capitalization generally between $100 million and $3 billion or the largest company included in the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index.

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

some holdings in the communication services sector lagged. Our health care holding, Procter & Gamble Health, performed strongly in the first half of the year thanks to stable demand in India for vitamin supplements and over-the-counter medicines. Within the information technology sector, South Korea’s Café24, an e-commerce platform enabler, experienced sharp drops in share price and contractions in valuations multiples. While the domestic business was growing well, investors were wary of its investment in overseas expansion plans that have eroded earnings in the short to medium term.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the second quarter, we initiated a few positions in China A-share holdings. One new such addition was application software firm Glodon, which focuses on construction engineering and project cost management verticals. We believe there will be a growing need for digitalization in China’s construction industry and are favorably disposed toward Glodon’s early mover advantage and willingness to make investments in cloud services. We also initiated a position in Innovent Biologics, a China-based biopharmaceutical company, during the market sell-off. Valuations became attractive while company fundamentals remained solid. We are constructive on the company’s long-term prospects, namely its drug pipeline and commercialization plans. We did, however, exit China Yuhua Education due to growing uncertainty over the company’s capital allocation decisions and acquisition strategy. In India, we exited auto parts maker Gabriel India due to lack of growth visibility as the end demand in the automobile market continued to soften. With the proceeds we selectively added to existing Indian holdings when we saw share price weakness to build up our positions.

In Indonesia, we initiated a position in Sarimelati Kencana, a master franchisee of Pizza Hut in Indonesia. While the company has been publicly listed for just over a year, it actually has been operating for decades. We like the company because it enjoys strong brand recognition and an ability to expand its store network methodically. We believe that the company is well-positioned to capture the demand of the country’s young demographic.

Outlook:

With major elections having concluded without surprising outcomes in Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India, investors now seem likely to focus on corporate earnings and economic fundamentals. Trade tensions between the U.S. and China may continue to cause market volatility, but we believe that many domestically oriented businesses in Asia could present opportunities for long-term investors as their revenue streams are tied to structural growth in domestic demand propelled by digitization and connectivity. With this backdrop, we have built a portfolio of holdings that possess strong market positioning and sound financial health. We believe that they are well-positioned to grow with a niche focus. We are hopeful that there will be plenty of attractive investment opportunities for us to uncover as market expectations are not currently elevated.

Looking ahead, the trajectory of U.S.–China relations remains unpredictable as the two countries work through conflicts. We are mindful of challenges, such as the impact on consumer sentiment and corporate spending cycles. We remain constructive, however, on China’s solid prospects for transitioning its economy to one that is more service-oriented. We believe this will help mitigate external shocks. China continues to strengthen due to innovation occurring in its health care and technology sectors, as well as the expansion of its digital economy. In spite of an uncertain geopolitical backdrop, we continue to focus on selecting companies that possess the attributes that can lead them to grow and compound in size over the long term.

 

 

80    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 91.3%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 27.7%    

Silergy Corp.

    341,000       $6,685,525  

Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.

    1,084,000       5,212,928  

BBI Life Sciences Corp.b

    13,101,000       3,656,077  

Huifu Payment, Ltd.b,c,d

    5,615,200       3,077,903  

Yihai International Holding, Ltd.

    591,000       3,066,036  

Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd.

    2,396,000       2,595,552  

Times China Holdings, Ltd.

    1,277,000       2,556,644  

Precision Tsugami China Corp., Ltd.b

    2,368,000       2,535,005  

Genscript Biotech Corp.d

    1,008,000       2,529,324  

SUNeVision Holdings, Ltd.

    2,752,000       2,397,750  

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,187,000       2,233,189  

Glodon Co., Ltd. A Shares

    434,100       2,082,632  

China Isotope & Radiation Corp.

    881,200       2,079,575  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    2,728,000       2,028,119  

Midea Real Estate Holding, Ltd.b,c

    789,800       2,018,757  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c

    361,100       1,968,231  

Innovent Biologics, Inc.b,c,d

    524,000       1,770,260  

Qutoutiao, Inc. ADRd

    405,900       1,599,246  

China Beststudy Education Groupb,d

    3,892,000       1,215,674  

Centre Testing International Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    563,470       887,340  

Joyoung Co., Ltd. A Shares

    262,602       797,123  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      52,992,890  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDIA: 14.7%    

DCB Bank, Ltd.

    1,010,775       3,472,538  

Procter & Gamble Health, Ltd.

    52,990       3,157,202  

Galaxy Surfactants, Ltd.b

    174,051       3,120,127  

Syngene International, Ltd.b,c

    643,288       3,116,043  

NIIT Technologies, Ltd.

    138,666       2,702,089  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.

    623,643       2,580,425  

AIA Engineering, Ltd.d

    78,841       2,048,157  

ICICI Securities, Ltd.b,c

    635,977       2,027,406  

Zydus Wellness, Ltd.

    67,887       1,315,820  

M.M. Forgings, Ltd.

    168,660       1,202,507  

Shankara Building Products, Ltd.

    173,576       1,107,562  

Tube Investments of India, Ltd.

    183,110       1,018,662  

Spencer’s Retail, Ltd.d

    608,513       928,715  

Greaves Cotton, Ltd.

    189,266       398,171  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      28,195,424  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TAIWAN: 13.2%    

Chief Telecom, Inc.

    612,000       3,998,606  

Great Tree Pharmacy Co., Ltd.

    1,493,414       3,971,918  

Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

    431,000       3,838,653  

Taiwan Paiho, Ltd.

    1,261,000       3,652,597  

Global PMX Co., Ltd.

    697,000       2,802,419  

Advanced Ceramic X Corp.

    335,000       2,605,609  

Alchip Technologies, Ltd.

    753,000       2,256,299  

Kuobrothers Corp.

    1,321,000       2,232,892  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      25,358,993  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 9.2%    

Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.

    65,394       $3,532,351  

Value Added Technology Co., Ltd.

    110,822       2,723,108  

Yuhan Corp.

    12,367       2,619,990  

Tongyang Pile, Inc.d

    454,508       2,348,772  

Cafe24 Corp.d

    32,517       1,734,021  

Hy-Lok Corp.

    116,533       1,725,817  

Cosmecca Korea Co., Ltd.

    91,586       1,634,322  

Koentec Co., Ltd.

    132,128       1,346,444  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      17,664,825  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 7.3%    

Plan B Media Public Co., Ltd. F Shares

    13,316,600       3,389,178  

Rich Sport Public Co., Ltd.

    26,802,600       3,204,023  

Humanica Public Co., Ltd.

    11,168,100       2,878,176  

TOA Paint Thailand Public Co., Ltd.

    2,066,700       2,459,189  

AP Thailand Public Co., Ltd.

    8,296,000       2,123,402  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      14,053,968  
   

 

 

 
   
     
VIETNAM: 5.9%    

Saigon Cargo Service Corp.

    482,000       3,327,418  

Nam Long Investment Corp.

    2,402,294       3,003,175  

FPT Digital Retail JSC

    968,070       2,658,506  

Ho Chi Minh City Securities Corp.

    2,234,190       2,244,490  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      11,233,589  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDONESIA: 5.8%    

PT Arwana Citramulia

    103,521,400       3,670,765  

PT BFI Finance Indonesia

    70,458,800       2,992,410  

PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional Syariahd

    11,081,900       2,706,218  

PT Sarimelati Kencanab

    24,072,700       1,857,317  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      11,226,710  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MALAYSIA: 2.6%    

Bursa Malaysia BHD

    1,904,500       3,226,625  

D&O Green Technologies BHD

    14,023,700       1,763,956  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      4,990,581  
   

 

 

 
   
     
SINGAPORE: 1.5%    

Delfi, Ltd.

    3,032,700       2,913,902  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      2,913,902  
   

 

 

 
   
     
AUSTRALIA: 1.2%    

OZ Minerals, Ltd.

    315,770       2,235,200  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      2,235,200  
   

 

 

 
   
     
PHILIPPINES: 1.1%    

Wilcon Depot, Inc.

    6,312,200       2,069,776  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      2,069,776  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      81  


Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
JAPAN: 1.1%    

CKD Corp.

    200,900       $2,048,648  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      2,048,648  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 91.3%       174,984,506  

(Cost $176,612,954)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 8.7%
      16,569,559  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $191,554,065  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).    

 

b

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.    

 

c

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $13,978,600, which is 7.30% of net assets.

 

d

Non-income producing security.

 

Affiliated Issuer, as defined under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (ownership of 5% or more of the outstanding voting securities of this issuer).

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

 

BHD

Berhad

 

JSC

Joint Stock Co.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.    

    

 

 

82    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS    
Tiffany Hsiao, CFA    

Lead Manager

   
Lydia So, CFA    

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS    
    Investor   Institutional  

Ticker

  MCSMX   MICHX

CUSIP

  577125404   577125842

Inception

  5/31/11   11/30/17

NAV

  $11.37   $11.40

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.97%   1.79%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.50%   1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  48

Net Assets

  $73.0 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $2.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

  76.67%

Benchmark

 

MSCI China Small Cap Index

Redemption Fee

 

2% within first 90 calendar days of purchase

OBJECTIVE

 

 

Long-term capital appreciation.

STRATEGY

 

 

Under normal market conditions, the Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of Small Companies located in China. China includes its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong.

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2019, the Matthews China Small Companies Fund returned 18.69% (Investor Class) and 18.87% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index, which returned 7.99% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, the Fund was mostly flat at 0.80% (Investor Class) and 0.89% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark fell –6.09%.

Market Environment:

Global markets were heavily influenced by geopolitics in the second quarter of 2019 following a first-quarter recovery. In May, U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to implement additional tariffs on Chinese imports surprised many market participants. All major indices in Hong Kong and China retreated from the first quarter’s strong gains, which had been driven in part by a recovery in investor sentiment over macroeconomic data and also market optimism that incremental fiscal and monetary stimulus policies would further lift consumer sentiment. Such optimistic assumptions were quickly reversed by trade fears in the second quarter. Longer term, we still expect structural growth in China’s economy—particularly among companies that benefit from an increase in domestic sourcing of key value-added components as the trade conflict may escalate.

From both a top-down and bottom-up perspective, we continue to anticipate long-term sustainable growth in the Chinese economy and in corporate earnings. The market’s concerns over escalating trade tensions should, in our view, have little impact on China’s smaller companies given their domestic focus and lower dependence on financial leverage.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the second quarter of 2019, strong stock selection in the information technology and consumer staples sectors contributed most to the Fund’s outperformance versus the benchmark. The biggest drag on performance came from the health care sector due to poor stock selection.

Top contributors to Fund performance during the quarter included Yihai International Holding and Asia Cement China Holdings. Yihai International Holding manufactures and sells a leading hot pot soup base and condiment brand for both restaurants and consumers. We believe the company has strong growth visibility given the popularity of its restaurant chain and its rapidly growing new business in restaurant supplies. Asia Cement China Holdings is a subsidiary of Taiwan’s Asia Cement Corporation and a top producer of cement, concrete and other related products in China’s Jiangxi, Hubei and Sichuan provinces. The cement industry continues to benefit from supply-side reform due to higher environmental considerations in China. The cement business is also relatively insulated from trade conflicts given the difficulty in profitably transporting such materials over long distances.

TK Group Holdings, a plastics and mold manufacturer, was a top detractor to Fund performance during both the first half of the year and in the second quarter. TK Group shares underperformed the market in the first half because the company generates a significant portion of revenues from U.S.-based technology companies. We believe the mid- to long-term position of the company remains sound, however, as it

(continued)

 
1

Prospectus expense ratios.

2

Matthews has contractually agreed (i) to waive fees and reimburse expenses to the extent needed to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (excluding Rule 12b-1 fees, taxes, interest, brokerage commissions, short sale dividend expenses, expenses incurred in connection with any merger or reorganization or extraordinary expenses such as litigation) of the Institutional Class to 1.25% first by waiving class specific expenses (i.e., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses of the Institutional Class, and (ii) if any Fund-wide expenses (i.e., expenses that apply to both the Institutional Class and the Investor Class) are waived for the Institutional Class to maintain the 1.25% expense limitation, to waive an equal amount (in annual percentage terms) of those same expenses for the Investor Class. The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement for the Investor Class may vary from year to year and will in some years exceed 1.25%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation in a year within three years after Matthews has made a waiver or reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount that does not cause the expenses for that year to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. This agreement will remain in place until April 30, 2020 and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

3

The lesser of fiscal year 2018 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      83  


               
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2019                                                 
 

 

    

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
date
 
Investor Class (MCSMX)      0.80%        18.69%        -10.36%        15.99%        8.51%        4.99%        05/31/11  
Institutional Class (MICHX)      0.89%        18.87%        -10.08%        n.a.        n.a.        2.62%        11/30/17  
MSCI China Small Cap Index4      -6.09%        7.99%        -13.89%        4.47%        1.00%        -0.04% 5    

Performance assumes reinvestment of all dividends and/or distributions before taxes. All performance quoted represents past performance and is no guarantee of future results. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate with market conditions so that when redeemed, shares may be worth more or less than their original cost. Current performance may be lower or higher than the return figures quoted. Returns would have been lower if certain of the Fund’s fees and expenses had not been waived. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A HYPOTHETICAL $10,000 INVESTMENT SINCE INCEPTION—INVESTOR CLASS

 

LOGO

Plotted monthly. The performance data and graph do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on dividends, capital gains distributions or redemption of Fund shares. Values are in US$.

 

  4

It is not possible to invest directly in an index. Source: Index data from Morgan Stanley Capital International and Bloomberg; total return calculations performed by BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. Please see page 88 for index definition.

 

  5

Calculated from 5/31/11

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Silergy Corp.    Information Technology             8.2%  
SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.    Industrials             5.2%  
Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.    Industrials             5.1%  
Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.    Materials             3.9%  
Joy City Property, Ltd.    Real Estate             3.5%  
Yihai International Holding, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             3.5%  
SUNeVision Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology             3.0%  
Greentown Service Group Co., Ltd.    Industrials             3.0%  
China Overseas Property Holdings, Ltd.    Real Estate             2.8%  
China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.6%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                40.8%  

 

  6

Holdings may combine more than one security from same issuer and related depositary receipts.

 

84    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews China Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

is included among new supply-chain planning outside of China. Ultimately, TK Group’s customers appear to care more about quality than additional costs due to the significant yield rate differences between good and bad producers.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, we initiated a position in Centre Testing International Group after tracking its operational turnaround for several years. Among non-state-owned enterprises in China, the company is the leading testing and inspections provider for environmental firms, food, consumer and industrial products and electronic materials. Due to changes in management that have driven higher returns on investment for existing assets, we expect strong free cash flow generation on top of rising structural demand to benefit shareholders.

We exited our position in Shanghai Putailai New Energy Technology during the quarter as we expect China’s electric vehicle material and equipment suppliers to have limited demand and pricing visibility after multiple rounds of subsidy cuts. In addition, a newly announced stimulus measure that will instead benefit internal combustion engine cars is likely to hurt electric vehicle demand.

Outlook:

We remain optimistic about China’s small-cap market amid heightened market volatility as we focus rigorously on the sound fundamentals of our portfolio companies. From a macroeconomic perspective, we believe China can stabilize its economy through fiscal spending, tax reform, interest rate adjustments and currency management. In addition, we believe that steps to correct China’s structural issues are on the right track, despite the near-term pains of a deleveraging economy. We are focused on finding innovative and capital-efficient small companies that are relatively insulated from macroeconomic uncertainties. We will continue to seek companies with sustainable, quality earnings streams, strong cash flows and good balance sheets that can weather uncertain economic conditions. We believe sectors such as industrial automation, health care and technology are among the most attractive from a secular growth perspective.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  
China/Hong Kong     86.4  
Taiwan     6.2  
Japan     2.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.0  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Information Technology     22.1  
Industrials     18.6  
Health Care     14.1  
Consumer Discretionary     12.1  
Real Estate     9.4  
Consumer Staples     7.5  
Materials     7.2  
Energy     4.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.0  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7,8      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     0.0  
Large Cap ($10B-$25B)     0.0  
Mid Cap ($3B-10B)     17.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     77.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.0  

 

7

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.

 

8

The Fund defines Small Companies as companies with market capitalization generally between $100 million and $3 billion or the largest company included in the Fund’s primary benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      85  


Matthews China Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.0%

 

     Shares     Value  
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 22.1%    

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 11.3%

 

 

Silergy Corp.

    307,000       $6,018,933  

Hua Hong Semiconductor, Ltd.b,c

    708,000       1,372,992  

Alchip Technologies, Ltd.

    285,000       853,978  
   

 

 

 
      8,245,903  
   

 

 

 

IT Services: 4.4%

   

SUNeVision Holdings, Ltd.

    2,505,000       2,182,545  

GDS Holdings, Ltd. ADRd

    26,800       1,006,876  
   

 

 

 
      3,189,421  
   

 

 

 

Software: 3.8%

   

Kingdee International Software Group Co., Ltd.

    1,326,000       1,436,436  

Glodon Co., Ltd. A Shares

    144,600       693,731  

Sangfor Technologies, Inc. A Shares

    52,406       667,708  
   

 

 

 
      2,797,875  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.6%

 

 

China Youzan, Ltd.d

    30,672,000       1,884,763  

China High Precision Automation Group, Ltd.d,e

    195,000       249  
   

 

 

 
      1,885,012  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      16,118,211  
   

 

 

 
   
     
INDUSTRIALS: 18.5%    

Commercial Services & Supplies: 8.0%

   

Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

    415,000       3,696,151  

Greentown Service Group Co., Ltd.c

    2,680,000       2,165,600  
   

 

 

 
      5,861,751  
   

 

 

 

Marine: 5.2%

   

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    3,702,000       3,780,185  
   

 

 

 

Machinery: 3.1%

   

TK Group Holdings, Ltd.

    2,670,000       1,317,825  

Precision Tsugami China Corp., Ltd.c

    877,000       938,851  
   

 

 

 
      2,256,676  
   

 

 

 

Professional Services: 2.2%

   

Centre Testing International Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,048,912       1,651,804  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      13,550,416  
   

 

 

 
   
     
HEALTH CARE: 14.1%    

Biotechnology: 7.5%

   

Innovent Biologics, Inc.b,c,d

    414,000       1,398,640  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesb,c

    235,500       1,283,629  

Zai Lab, Ltd. ADRd

    33,600       1,171,632  

CStone Pharmaceuticalsb,c,d

    597,000       880,402  

Amoy Diagnostics Co., Ltd. A Shares

    99,960       763,201  
   

 

 

 
      5,497,504  
   

 

 

 

Life Sciences Tools & Services: 2.3%

   

Genscript Biotech Corp.d

    416,000       1,043,848  

BBI Life Sciences Corp.c

    2,253,000       628,742  
   

 

 

 
      1,672,590  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.1%

   

China Isotope & Radiation Corp.

    351,400       829,281  

Microport Scientific Corp.

    990,000       736,011  
   

 

 

 
      1,565,292  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Providers & Services: 1.3%

   

C-MER Eye Care Holdings, Ltd.c

    1,634,000       913,583  
   

 

 

 

Pharmaceuticals: 0.9%

   

CanSino Biologics, Inc. H Sharesb,c,d

    151,200       644,541  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      10,293,510  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 12.1%    

Specialty Retail: 2.6%

   

China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.

    2,752,000       $1,916,469  
   

 

 

 

Leisure Products: 2.4%

   

Honma Golf, Ltd.b,c

    2,016,500       1,750,179  
   

 

 

 

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.1%

   

Pacific Textiles Holdings, Ltd.

    1,248,000       988,092  

Chow Sang Sang Holdings International, Ltd.

    377,000       555,949  
   

 

 

 
      1,544,041  
   

 

 

 

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 1.8%

   

Baozun, Inc. ADRd

    26,600       1,326,276  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services: 1.6%

   

China Yuhua Education Corp., Ltd.b,c

    2,006,000       875,217  

China Beststudy Education Groupc,d

    916,000       286,114  
   

 

 

 
      1,161,331  
   

 

 

 

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.6%

   

Huangshan Tourism Development Co., Ltd. B Shares

    900,596       953,193  

Future Bright Holdings, Ltd.

    3,000,000       165,069  
   

 

 

 
      1,118,262  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      8,816,558  
   

 

 

 
   
     
REAL ESTATE: 9.4%    

Real Estate Management & Development: 9.4%

 

 

Joy City Property, Ltd.

    20,578,000       2,581,158  

China Overseas Property Holdings, Ltd.

    3,895,000       2,030,701  

Times China Holdings, Ltd.

    733,000       1,467,518  

Midea Real Estate Holding, Ltd.b,c

    308,400       788,282  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      6,867,659  
   

 

 

 
   
     
CONSUMER STAPLES: 7.5%    

Food Products: 6.0%

   

Yihai International Holding, Ltd.

    488,000       2,531,685  

Jonjee Hi-Tech Industrial And Commercial Holding Co., Ltd. A Shares

    298,024       1,859,685  
   

 

 

 
      4,391,370  
   

 

 

 

Food & Staples Retailing: 1.5%

   

Yixintang Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    254,626       1,058,846  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      5,450,216  
   

 

 

 
   
     
MATERIALS: 7.2%    

Construction Materials: 3.9%

   

Asia Cement China Holdings Corp.

    1,775,000       2,845,932  
   

 

 

 

Chemicals: 1.8%

   

China BlueChemical, Ltd. H Shares

    4,890,000       1,333,945  
   

 

 

 

Containers & Packaging: 1.5%

   

CPMC Holdings, Ltd.

    2,791,000       1,084,970  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      5,264,847  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

86    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Matthews China Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2019

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
ENERGY: 4.1%    

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 4.1%

   

China Aviation Oil Singapore Corp., Ltd.

    1,637,100       $1,598,808  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings, Ltd.

    3,394,000       1,419,226  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      3,018,034  
   

 

 

 
   
     
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.0%       69,379,451  

(Cost $68,385,492)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 5.0%
      3,613,686  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $72,993,137  
   

 

 

 
a

Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation policies approved by the Board of Trustees (Note 2-A).

 

b

Security exempt from registration under Rule 144A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The security may be resold in transactions exempt from registration normally to qualified institutional buyers. The security has been determined to be liquid in accordance with procedures adopted by the Funds’ Board of Trustees. At June 30, 2019, the aggregate value is $8,993,881, which is 12.32% of net assets.

 

c

The securities may be resold to qualified foreign investors and foreign institutional buyers under Regulation S of the Securities Act of 1933.

 

d

Non-income producing security.

 

e

Security is valued using significant unobservable inputs and is classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.

 

ADR

American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      87  


Index Definitions

 

The Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index (ALBI) tracks the total return performance of a bond portfolio consisting of local currency denominated, high quality and liquid bonds in Asia ex Japan. The ALBI includes bonds from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

The J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index (JACI) tracks the total return performance of the Asia fixed-rate dollar bond market. JACI is a market capitalization-weighted index comprising sovereign, quasi-sovereign and corporate bonds and is partitioned by country, sector and credit rating. JACI includes bonds from the following countries: China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.

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 Emerging Markets (EM) Asia Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of the stock

markets of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

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 S&P Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 100 Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization-weighted index of the 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 Korea Composite Stock Price Index (KOSPI) is a market capitalization-weighted index of all common stocks listed on the Korea Stock Exchange.

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, and 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).

 

 

 

88    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Disclosures

 

Fund Holdings: The Fund holdings shown in this report are as of June 30, 2019. Holdings are subject to change at any time, so holdings shown in this report may not reflect current Fund holdings. The Funds file complete schedules of portfolio holdings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-PORT. The Funds’ Forms N-PORT are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Complete schedules of investments are also available without charge, upon request, from the Funds by calling us at 800.789.ASIA (2742).

Proxy Voting Record: The Funds’ Statement of Additional Information containing a description of the policies and procedures that the Funds have used to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities, along with each Fund’s proxy voting record relating

to portfolio securities held during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, is available upon request, at no charge, at the Funds’ website at matthewsasia.com or by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742), or on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Shareholder Reports and Prospectuses: To reduce the Funds’ expenses, we try to identify related shareholders in a household and send only one copy of the Funds’ prospectus and financial reports to that address. This process, called “householding,” will continue indefinitely unless you instruct us otherwise. At any time you may view the Funds’ current prospectus, summary prospectus and financial reports on our website. If you prefer to receive individual copies of the Funds’ prospectus or financial reports, please call us at 800.789.ASIA (2742).

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      89  


Disclosure of Fund Expenses (unaudited)

 

We believe it is important for you to understand the impact of fees regarding your investment. All mutual funds have operating expenses. As a shareholder of a mutual fund, you incur ongoing costs, which include costs for portfolio management, administrative services, and shareholder reports (like this one), among others. Operating expenses, which are deducted from a fund’s gross income, directly reduce the investment return of the fund. A fund’s operating expenses are expressed as a percentage of its average net assets. This figure is known as the expense ratio. The following examples are intended to help you understand the ongoing fees (in dollars) of investing in your fund and to compare these costs with those of other mutual funds. The examples are based on an investment of $1,000 made at the beginning of the period shown and held for the entire period.

This table illustrates your fund’s costs in two ways:

Actual Fund Return: This section helps you to estimate the actual operating expenses, after any applicable fee waivers, that you paid over the period. The “Ending Account Value” shown is derived from the fund’s actual return for the past six month period, the “Expense Ratio” column shows the period’s annualized expense ratio, and the “Operating Expenses Paid During Period” column shows the dollar amount that would have been paid by an investor who started with $1,000 in the fund at the beginning of the period. You may use the information here, together with your account value, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. To do so, simply divide your account

value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number given for your fund in the first line under the heading entitled “Operating Expenses Paid During Period.”

Hypothetical 5% Return: This section is intended to help you compare your fund’s costs with those of other mutual funds. It assumes that the fund had an annual return of 5% before operating expenses, but that the expense ratio is unchanged. In this case, because the return used is not the fund’s actual return, the results do not apply to your investment. This example is useful in making comparisons to other mutual funds because the Securities and Exchange Commission requires all mutual funds to calculate expenses based on an assumed 5% annual return. You can assess your fund’s costs by comparing this hypothetical example with the hypothetical examples that appear in shareholder reports of other funds.

Please note that the operating expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight and help you compare your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs such as sales charges (loads), redemption fees, or exchange fees.

Matthews Asia Funds does not charge any sales loads, exchange fees, or 12b-1 fees, but these may be present in other funds to which you compare this data. Therefore, the hypothetical portions of the table are useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds.

 

 

90    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


June 30, 2019

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (unaudited) (continued)

 

    INVESTOR CLASS           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
     Beginning
Account
Value
1/1/19
     Ending
Account
Value
6/30/19
     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–
6/30/192
          

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/19

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/19

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–
6/30/192
 
ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,083.90        1.15%        $5.94         $1,000.00        $1,086.30        0.90%        $4.66  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.50        1.15%        $5.79               $1,000.00        $1,029.26        0.90%        $4.53  

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,093.90        1.15%        $5.97         $1,000.00        $1,096.30        0.90%        $4.68  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.50        1.15%        $5.79         $1,000.00        $1,029.26        0.90%        $4.53  
ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,129.20        1.10%        $5.81         $1,000.00        $1,130.20        0.96%        $5.07  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.25        1.10%        $5.54               $1,000.00        $1,029.56        0.96%        $4.83  

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,058.20        1.02%        $5.21         $1,000.00        $1,058.80        0.92%        $4.70  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,029.85        1.02%        $5.13               $1,000.00        $1,029.36        0.92%        $4.63  

Matthews China Dividend Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,155.10        1.12%        $5.98         $1,000.00        $1,155.80        1.00%        $5.35  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.35        1.12%        $5.64         $1,000.00        $1,029.75        1.00%        $5.03  
ASIA VALUE STRATEGY                                                                              

Matthews Asia Value Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,070.00        1.50%        $7.70         $1,000.00        $1,071.40        1.25%        $6.42  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56         $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  
ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,157.80        1.09%        $5.83         $1,000.00        $1,158.90        0.93%        $4.98  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.20        1.09%        $5.49               $1,000.00        $1,029.41        0.93%        $4.68  

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,076.30        1.05%        $5.41         $1,000.00        $1,077.20        0.90%        $4.64  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.00        1.05%        $5.28               $1,000.00        $1,029.26        0.90%        $4.53  

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,096.20        1.50%        $7.80         $1,000.00        $1,097.40        1.25%        $6.50  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56               $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $983.20        1.50%        $7.38         $1,000.00        $984.80        1.25%        $6.15  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56               $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,190.90        1.20%        $6.52         $1,000.00        $1,191.70        1.05%        $5.71  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.75        1.20%        $6.04               $1,000.00        $1,030.00        1.05%        $5.28  

Matthews China Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,222.70        1.10%        $6.06         $1,000.00        $1,224.70        0.92%        $5.07  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.25        1.10%        $5.54               $1,000.00        $1,029.36        0.92%        $4.63  

Matthews India Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,022.80        1.11%        $5.57         $1,000.00        $1,023.40        0.93%        $4.67  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.30        1.11%        $5.59               $1,000.00        $1,029.41        0.93%        $4.68  

Matthews Japan Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,137.60        0.93%        $4.93         $1,000.00        $1,137.30        0.87%        $4.61  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,029.41        0.93%        $4.68               $1,000.00        $1,029.11        0.87%        $4.38  

Matthews Korea Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $991.30        1.18%        $5.83         $1,000.00        $993.50        1.06%        $5.24  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,030.65        1.18%        $5.94               $1,000.00        $1,030.05        1.06%        $5.34  

 

1

Annualized, based on the Fund’s most recent fiscal half-year expenses.    

 

2

Operating expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 days, then divided by 365.

 

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June 30, 2019

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (unaudited) (continued)

 

    INVESTOR CLASS           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
     Beginning
Account
Value
1/1/19
     Ending
Account
Value
6/30/19
     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–
6/30/192
          

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/19

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/19

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid During
Period
1/1/19–
6/30/192
 
ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,126.50        1.50%        $7.91         $1,000.00        $1,127.40        1.25%        $6.59  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56               $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,186.90        1.50%        $8.13         $1,000.00        $1,188.70        1.25%        $6.78  

Hypothetical 5% Returns

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56               $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  

 

1

Annualized, based on the Fund’s most recent fiscal half-year expenses.    

 

2

Operating expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 181 days, then divided by 365.

 

 

92    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Strategic
Income Fund
       Matthews Asia
Credit
Opportunities Fund
       Matthews Asian
Growth and
Income Fund
 

ASSETS:

              

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $108,520,408          $54,071,709          $1,393,562,108  

Cash

       3,126,849          2,348,262          22,375,224  

Cash pledged collateral for forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       490,000                    

Segregated foreign currency at value

       20,337          6,962           

Foreign currency at value (B)

       1,087          122          495,639  

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       2,178,338          1,005,508          5,816,718  

Receivable for securities sold

                1,458,392           

Receivable for capital shares sold

       137,587          21,475          1,041,320  

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       130,886                    

Prepaid expenses

       17,651          28,649          31,165  

TOTAL ASSETS

       114,623,143          58,941,079          1,423,322,174  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

                1,357,805           

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       188,825          61,116          1,403,657  

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       556,972                    

Unrealized depreciation on swaps

       54,169                    

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       39,619                    

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       44,627          16,794          758,231  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       1,484          735          18,738  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       12,793          6,381          158,572  

Custodian fees payable

       5,381          151          112,565  

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       39,814          8,459          315,413  

Professional fees payable

       36,996          34,821          32,631  

Transfer agent fees payable

       741          171          9,301  

Accrued other expenses payable

       13,233          9,574          111,879  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       994,654          1,496,007          2,920,987  

NET ASSETS

       $113,628,489          $57,445,072          $1,420,401,187  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $39,139,951          $11,264,207          $825,573,651  

Institutional Class

       74,488,538          46,180,865          594,827,536  

TOTAL

       $113,628,489          $57,445,072          $1,420,401,187  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Strategic
Income Fund
       Matthews Asia
Credit
Opportunities Fund
       Matthews Asian
Growth and
Income Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

              

Investor Class

       3,582,846          1,075,705          53,121,661  

Institutional Class

       6,817,991          4,410,655          38,341,071  

TOTAL

       10,400,837          5,486,360          91,462,732  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.92          $10.47          $15.54  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.93          $10.47          $15.51  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $113,404,380          $56,220,540          $1,251,198,066  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       224,109          1,224,532          169,203,121  

NET ASSETS

       $113,628,489          $57,445,072          $1,420,401,187  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $104,936,223          $53,081,339          $1,240,128,162  

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $1,086          $124          $495,430  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

94    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
       Matthews China
Dividend Fund
       Matthews Asia
Value Fund
 

ASSETS:

              

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $4,837,354,766          $366,967,714          $23,050,094  

Affiliated issuers

       1,110,828,937                    

Cash

       95,765,571          13,400,130          1,840,241  

Segregated foreign currency at value

       163,639          15,156           

Foreign currency at value (B)

       24,687,806          410,370          81,186  

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       14,017,046          829,261          54,458  

Receivable for securities sold

       33,043,851          7,895           

Receivable for capital shares sold

       6,816,791          827,243          26,152  

Prepaid expenses

       63,467          31,421          18,727  

TOTAL ASSETS

       6,122,741,874          382,489,190          25,070,858  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

       30,634,434          3,096,729           

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       15,304,381          351,144          15,846  

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       4,942,899                   8,014  

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       3,217,908          198,041          3,283  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       80,519          4,899          356  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       651,131          41,440          2,859  

Custodian fees payable

       295,708          14,445          3,018  

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       855,888          40,156          14,052  

Professional fees payable

       25,525          31,894          27,950  

Transfer agent fees payable

       19,932          1,900          337  

Accrued other expenses payable

       184,584          38,621          23,794  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       56,212,909          3,819,269          99,509  

NET ASSETS

       $6,066,528,965          $378,669,921          $24,971,349  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $2,710,989,835          $276,272,043          $18,897,260  

Institutional Class

       3,355,539,130          102,397,878          6,074,089  

TOTAL

       $6,066,528,965          $378,669,921          $24,971,349  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

       

Matthews Asia

Dividend Fund

       Matthews China
Dividend Fund
       Matthews Asia
Value Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

              

Investor Class

       161,112,601          16,963,208          1,626,144  

Institutional Class

       199,467,818          6,286,822          526,022  

TOTAL

       360,580,419          23,250,030          2,152,166  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $16.83          $16.29          $11.62  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $16.82          $16.29          $11.55  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $5,354,547,295          $358,716,357          $26,336,308  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       711,981,670          19,953,564          (1,364,959

NET ASSETS

       $6,066,528,965          $378,669,921          $24,971,349  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $4,149,256,869          $340,329,075          $23,335,244  

Affiliated Issuers

       904,078,249                    

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $24,804,300          $410,336          $81,189  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

96    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
       Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
       Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
 

ASSETS:

              

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $1,079,745,164          $7,829,615,622          $45,361,438  

Affiliated issuers

       17,276,809          1,149,704,669           

Cash

       29,269,038          201,381,558          533,846  

Segregated foreign currency at value

                170,946          701  

Foreign currency at value (B)

       238,444          22,066,580          116,252  

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       866,406          28,214,920          129,917  

Receivable for securities sold

                9,419,119           

Receivable for capital shares sold

       1,295,098          8,227,345          27,939  

Prepaid expenses

       34,811          131,637          23,899  

TOTAL ASSETS

       1,128,725,770          9,248,932,396          46,193,992  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

       5,453,829          102,095          403,895  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       863,539          15,813,464          2,447  

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       1,534,737          32,766,180          183,303  

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       597,623          4,809,514          17,230  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       14,752          120,510          589  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       125,047          938,674          5,044  

Custodian fees payable

       68,303          549,209          17,204  

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       163,086          774,889          10,152  

Professional fees payable

       32,948          39,148          32,301  

Transfer agent fees payable

       4,693          18,695          178  

Accrued other expenses payable

       39,148          33,334          26,832  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       8,897,705          55,965,712          699,175  

NET ASSETS

       $1,119,828,065          $9,192,966,684          $45,494,817  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $528,787,329          $2,811,333,085          $15,825,173  

Institutional Class

       591,040,736          6,381,633,599          29,669,644  

TOTAL

       $1,119,828,065          $9,192,966,684          $45,494,817  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
       Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
       Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

              

Investor Class

       20,306,353          97,253,645          1,447,162  

Institutional Class

       22,520,119          220,846,251          2,715,628  

TOTAL

       42,826,472          318,099,896          4,162,790  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $26.04          $28.91          $10.94  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $26.25          $28.90          $10.93  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $896,187,007          $6,260,486,153          $42,456,879  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       223,641,058          2,932,480,531          3,037,938  

NET ASSETS

       $1,119,828,065          $9,192,966,684          $45,494,817  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $849,144,789          $4,932,460,673          $41,943,005  

Affiliated Issuers

       28,844,084          1,365,908,453           

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $238,602          $22,039,122          $116,958  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

98    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
      

Matthews

China Fund

 

ASSETS:

              

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $382,994,895          $279,460,047          $819,313,238  

Affiliated issuers

       24,724,628                    

Cash

       20,185,571          10,467,743          48,885,352  

Segregated foreign currency at value

                2,894          34,943  

Foreign currency at value (B)

       1,197,697          3,189,056          469,573  

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       1,187,940          423,216          6,059,499  

Receivable for securities sold

       1,890,179          322,239          720,279  

Receivable for capital shares sold

       1,598,036          132,160          1,242,598  

Prepaid expenses

       32,819          28,171          21,318  

TOTAL ASSETS

       433,811,765          294,025,526          876,746,800  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

       553,727          299,502          11,337,862  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       1,091,741          351,337          997,881  

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       2,752,846          733,210           

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       279,201          152,478          445,190  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       5,763          3,759          11,066  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       48,877          31,909          93,086  

Custodian fees payable

       180,704          28,781          22,509  

Foreign capital gains tax payable (Note 2-F)

       263,784                    

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       72,401          38,278          105,570  

Professional fees payable

       26,901          30,821          28,585  

Transfer agent fees payable

       1,898          2,956          11,564  

Accrued other expenses payable

       46,698          33,508          241,172  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       5,324,541          1,706,539          13,294,485  

NET ASSETS

       $428,487,224          $292,318,987          $863,452,315  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $108,416,138          $174,601,920          $709,970,242  

Institutional Class

       320,071,086          117,717,067          153,482,073  

TOTAL

       $428,487,224          $292,318,987          $863,452,315  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      99  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
       Matthews
China Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

              

Investor Class

       8,818,240          13,018,861          40,403,281  

Institutional Class

       25,923,473          8,728,827          8,745,387  

TOTAL

       34,741,713          21,747,688          49,148,668  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $12.29          $13.41          $17.57  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $12.35          $13.49          $17.55  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $464,607,097          $247,953,183          $855,407,490  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       (36,119,873        44,365,804          8,044,825  

NET ASSETS

       $428,487,224          $292,318,987          $863,452,315  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $408,343,262          $232,613,842          $797,202,659  

Affiliated Issuers

       37,470,156                    

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $1,199,486          $3,231,348          $469,480  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

100    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews India
Fund
       Matthews Japan
Fund
       Matthews Korea
Fund
 

ASSETS:

              

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $1,377,184,363          $2,640,945,752          $144,757,565  

Affiliated issuers

       83,452,790                    

Cash

       5,427,436          30,001,250          6,073,206  

Foreign currency at value (B)

       7,919,711          3,607,360           

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       3,139,681          1,740,175          345,940  

Receivable for securities sold

       31,212,643                   397  

Receivable for capital shares sold

       5,957,603          1,510,526          219,785  

Prepaid expenses

       26,655          40,920          22,551  

TOTAL ASSETS

       1,514,320,882          2,677,845,983          151,419,444  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

       5,575,485          3,762          716,951  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       13,367,623          5,915,792          123,657  

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       24,571,282                    

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       827,594          1,457,111          79,338  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       20,511          36,536          1,945  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       173,203          304,792          16,597  

Custodian fees payable

       157,923          75,846          9,878  

Foreign capital gains tax payable (Note 2-F)

       555,845                    

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       240,509          366,010          34,162  

Professional fees payable

       36,354          29,649          27,775  

Transfer agent fees payable

       12,499          19,618          3,382  

Accrued other expenses payable

       86,362          114,151          27,765  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       45,625,190          8,323,267          1,041,450  

NET ASSETS

       $1,468,695,692          $2,669,522,716          $150,377,994  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $1,095,537,667          $1,631,127,451          $120,885,724  

Institutional Class

       373,158,025          1,038,395,265          29,492,270  

TOTAL

       $1,468,695,692          $2,669,522,716          $150,377,994  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      101  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews India
Fund
       Matthews Japan
Fund
       Matthews Korea
Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

              

Investor Class

       40,703,603          77,377,316          26,617,592  

Institutional Class

       13,728,646          49,157,682          6,445,493  

TOTAL

       54,432,249          126,534,998          33,063,085  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $26.92          $21.08          $4.54  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $27.18          $21.12          $4.58  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $1,177,782,270          $2,318,641,451          $134,926,558  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       290,913,422          350,881,265          15,451,436  

NET ASSETS

       $1,468,695,692          $2,669,522,716          $150,377,994  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $1,244,940,143          $2,393,915,292          $136,642,249  

Affiliated Issuers

       46,513,178                    

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $7,917,876          $3,612,611          $—  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

102    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
       Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 

ASSETS:

         

Investments at value (A) (Note 2-A and 7):

         

Unaffiliated issuers

       $172,751,614          $69,379,451  

Affiliated issuers

       2,232,892           

Cash

       12,307,081          2,173,190  

Segregated foreign currency at value

                3,898  

Foreign currency at value (B)

       3,809,499          714,207  

Dividends, interest and other receivable

       563,090          389,157  

Receivable for securities sold

       1,256,629          504,601  

Receivable for capital shares sold

       602,345          41,250  

Prepaid expenses

       19,957          23,947  

TOTAL ASSETS

       193,543,107          73,229,701  

LIABILITIES:

         

Payable for securities purchased

       485,267          30  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       221,276          82,741  

Deferred foreign capital gains tax liability (Note 2-F)

       861,696           

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       137,949          43,471  

Administration and accounting fees payable (Note 5)

       2,516          957  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable (Note 5)

       21,296          7,972  

Custodian fees payable

       85,518          5,523  

Foreign capital gains tax payable (Note 2-F)

       30,517           

Intermediary service fees payable (Note 5)

       71,053          32,877  

Professional fees payable

       27,480          31,815  

Transfer agent fees payable

       2,534          983  

Accrued other expenses payable

       41,940          30,195  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       1,989,042          236,564  

NET ASSETS

       $191,554,065          $72,993,137  

NET ASSETS:

         

Investor Class

       $116,482,216          $48,468,883  

Institutional Class

       75,071,849          24,524,254  

TOTAL

       $191,554,065          $72,993,137  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      103  


Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)   June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
       Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

         

(shares of beneficial interest issued and outstanding, respectively, unlimited number of shares authorized with a $0.001 par value)

         

Investor Class

       6,673,023          4,262,223  

Institutional Class

       4,306,420          2,151,440  

TOTAL

       10,979,443          6,413,663  

NET ASSET VALUE:

         

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $17.46          $11.37  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $17.43          $11.40  

NET ASSETS CONSISTS OF:

         

Capital paid-in

       $199,624,096          $72,148,839  

Total distributable earnings/(accumulated loss)

       (8,070,031        844,298  

NET ASSETS

       $191,554,065          $72,993,137  

(A) Investments at cost:

         

Unaffiliated Issuers

       $174,386,822          $68,385,492  

Affiliated Issuers

       2,226,132           

(B) Foreign Currency at Cost

       $3,809,000          $710,372  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

104    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Operations (unaudited)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

       

Matthews Asia
Strategic

Income Fund

      

Matthews Asia
Credit

Opportunities Fund

      

Matthews Asian
Growth and

Income Fund

 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $16,004          $15,866          $20,848,768  

Interest

       2,967,019          1,326,711          966,053  

Foreign withholding tax

       (49,574        (8,621        (1,376,374

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       2,933,449          1,333,956          20,438,447  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       293,987          134,281          4,770,829  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       4,276          1,953          57,599  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       73,781          33,691          993,622  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       11,729          11,072          24,870  

Custodian fees

       19,691          9,104          239,523  

Printing fees

       18,537          15,313          86,122  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       69,605          21,181          1,125,967  

Professional fees

       32,542          31,133          40,393  

Registration fees

       20,998          20,559          29,791  

Transfer agent fees

       2,694          637          32,252  

Trustees fees

       2,465          1,026          38,580  

Other expenses

       5,777          2,851          32,488  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       556,082          282,801          7,472,036  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (25,859        (50,460         

NET EXPENSES

       530,223          232,341          7,472,036  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       2,403,226          1,101,615          12,966,411  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, SWAPS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       1,056,344          873,350          27,640,015  

Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       803,516          728           

Net realized gain (loss) on swaps

       85,613                    

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       (13,103                  

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (366,194        270          122,451  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       5,989,522          2,415,195          135,477,089  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       (1,119,966        (728         

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps

       (54,169                  

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (39,522                 243,880  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       2,430          (8        (37,585

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       6,344,471          3,288,807          163,445,850  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $8,747,697          $4,390,422          $176,412,261  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      105  


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
       Matthews China
Dividend Fund
       Matthews Asia
Value Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $73,302,942          $7,120,768          $460,950  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

       16,638,091                    

Foreign withholding tax

       (7,356,831        (366,103        (34,362

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       82,584,202          6,754,665          426,588  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       20,275,181          1,123,589          89,587  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       244,786          13,566          1,082  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       4,222,455          233,920          18,649  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       25,249          21,948          19,226  

Custodian fees

       890,983          80,930          20,847  

Printing fees

       166,982          28,245          13,492  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       3,504,758          275,394          25,275  

Professional fees

       88,490          27,319          33,358  

Registration fees

       90,027          22,128          19,364  

Transfer agent fees

       67,807          7,071          1,358  

Trustees fees

       148,771          7,368          619  

Other expenses

       133,327          7,696          8,059  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       29,858,816          1,849,174          250,916  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (190,457                 (58,374

Administration fees waived (Note 5)

       (190,457                  

NET EXPENSES

       29,477,902          1,849,174          192,542  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       53,106,300          4,905,491          234,046  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       (125,788,447        (2,299,658        (65,690

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       20,692,688                    

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (167,994        (242,246        (1,159

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       348,595,599          41,369,691          1,433,487  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       38,894,459                    

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (132,568                 (3,911

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       (136,234        5,514          (273

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       281,957,503          38,833,301          1,362,454  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $335,063,803          $43,738,792          $1,596,500  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

106    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
       Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
       Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $6,707,051          $70,342,808          $424,148  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

       395,119          23,641,165           

Foreign withholding tax

       (673,960        (6,675,914        (44,379

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       6,428,210          87,308,059          379,769  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       3,533,896          29,514,343          134,663  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       42,666          356,330          1,626  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       735,892          6,146,970          28,034  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       22,539          24,780          24,364  

Custodian fees

       237,965          1,717,425          46,961  

Printing fees

       39,895          148,648          12,896  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       647,029          4,513,760          21,313  

Professional fees

       34,448          108,914          28,931  

Registration fees

       29,267          100,664          17,286  

Transfer agent fees

       17,051          66,222          688  

Trustees fees

       24,414          207,285          759  

Other expenses

       20,354          135,129          6,492  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       5,385,416          43,040,470          324,013  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

                (518,018        (53,794

Administration fees waived (Note 5)

                (518,018         

NET EXPENSES

       5,385,416          42,004,434          270,219  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       1,042,794          45,303,625          109,550  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       7,903,200          105,820,171          24,399  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Affiliated Issuers

                21,756,218           

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       889          (731,798        278  

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (43,455        (167,846        1,768  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       148,807,806          580,074,958          3,204,154  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       (7,382,357        (96,492,807         

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (776,521        (16,846,395        (150,045

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       1,545          (55,128        869  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       148,511,107          593,357,373          3,081,423  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $149,553,901          $638,660,998          $3,190,973  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      107  


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
       Matthews
China Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $6,730,077          $2,479,241          $11,351,157  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

       164,272                    

Foreign withholding tax

       (809,736        (164,705        (548,270

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       6,084,613          2,314,536          10,802,887  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       2,142,828          908,817          2,629,864  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       17,143          10,972          31,752  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       295,692          189,241          547,412  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       26,277          18,789          19,702  

Custodian fees

       484,837          126,653          127,559  

Printing fees

       27,478          25,697          58,853  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       249,442          209,176          693,864  

Professional fees

       34,971          29,811          30,381  

Registration fees

       33,772          25,690          38,911  

Transfer agent fees

       6,927          10,987          41,988  

Trustees fees

       10,244          6,088          18,290  

Other expenses

       13,933          9,137          17,625  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       3,343,544          1,571,058          4,256,201  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (514,640                  

NET EXPENSES

       2,828,904          1,571,058          4,256,201  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       3,255,709          743,478          6,546,686  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       (965,053        (1,615,245        (727,345

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       (81,486        (80,243         

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (269,412        (36,555        (45,537

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       (8,312,084        47,707,040          138,850,543  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       (1,665,381                  

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (181,928        (312,183         

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       (17,637        (51,870        23,145  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       (11,492,981        45,610,944          138,100,806  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       ($8,237,272        $46,354,422          $144,647,492  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

108    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews
India Fund
       Matthews
Japan Fund
       Matthews
Korea Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $6,686,402          $23,296,474          $236,953  

Foreign withholding tax

       (61,533        (2,232,794        (36,519

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       6,624,869          21,063,680          200,434  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       5,111,917          9,503,572          501,506  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       61,716          114,738          6,055  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       1,064,771          1,979,339          104,450  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       21,923          23,725          18,680  

Custodian fees

       375,096          153,935          30,800  

Printing fees

       72,024          162,999          17,857  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       1,225,716          833,016          137,219  

Professional fees

       58,199          52,841          25,052  

Registration fees

       45,512          36,870          17,384  

Transfer agent fees

       44,138          69,650          11,987  

Trustees fees

       38,828          76,849          3,850  

Other expenses

       42,034          47,000          3,551  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       8,161,874          13,054,534          878,391  

NET EXPENSES

       8,161,874          13,054,534          878,391  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       (1,537,005        8,009,146          (677,957
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       46,110,444          37,166,311          (38,841

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       (1,765,783                  

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (642,587        562,969          (55,636

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       (2,095,923        332,581,724          (543,201

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       7,625,104                    

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (12,698,523                  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       (9,166        620          (23,205

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       36,523,566          370,311,624          (660,883

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $34,986,561          $378,320,770          ($1,338,840

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      109  


Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)   Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2019

 

        Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
       Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

         

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $2,487,313          $1,152,493  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

       63,100           

Foreign withholding tax

       (153,187        (17,237

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       2,397,226          1,135,256  

EXPENSES:

         

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       957,806          356,650  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       7,663          2,853  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       132,194          49,193  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       26,236          21,243  

Custodian fees

       166,602          22,643  

Printing fees

       21,685          15,579  

Intermediary service fees (Note 5)

       182,460          66,011  

Professional fees

       40,245          25,199  

Registration fees

       22,708          22,072  

Transfer agent fees

       8,613          3,552  

Trustees fees

       5,744          1,526  

Other expenses

       11,226          2,640  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       1,583,182          589,161  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (237,652        (85,055

NET EXPENSES

       1,345,530          504,106  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       1,051,696          631,150  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:          

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       (5,438,131        (757,142

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       (568,550         

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (32,719        (9,448

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       27,931,130          11,829,985  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments—Affiliated Issuers

       11,572           

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       135,147           

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       (6,459        (170

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

       22,031,990          11,063,225  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $23,083,686          $11,694,375  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

110    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $2,403,226        $4,279,959  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       1,566,176        (4,697,556

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       4,871,986        (4,886,159

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (39,522      72,858  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps

       (54,169       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       8,747,697        (5,230,898

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

       (672,875      (1,482,265

Institutional Class

       (1,305,553      (1,402,339

Return of Capital

       

Investor Class

              (194,306

Institutional Class

              (187,644

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (1,978,428      (3,266,554

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       6,144,037        14,620,480  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       12,913,306        6,123,028  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       100,715,183        94,592,155  

End of period

       $113,628,489        $100,715,183  
MATTHEWS ASIA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $1,101,615        $1,530,022  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       874,348        (807,786

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       2,414,459        (1,914,582

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       4,390,422        (1,192,346

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

       (207,612      (346,586

Institutional Class

       (845,107      (1,064,779

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (1,052,719      (1,411,365

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       14,354,401        10,664,938  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       17,692,104        8,061,227  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       39,752,968        31,691,741  

End of period

       $57,445,072        $39,752,968  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS ASIAN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $12,966,411        $45,280,897  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       27,762,466        108,473,321  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       135,439,504        (403,082,443

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       243,880        (107,296

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       176,412,261        (249,435,521

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

       (9,207,478      (94,856,451

Institutional Class

       (7,050,399      (85,765,453

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (16,257,877      (180,621,904

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (135,444,570      (1,020,164,659

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       24,709,814        (1,450,222,084

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       1,395,691,373        2,845,913,457  

End of period

       $1,420,401,187        $1,395,691,373  
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $53,106,300        $141,577,757  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (105,263,753      403,086,377  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       387,353,824        (1,469,585,251

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (132,568      (160,170

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       335,063,803        (925,081,287

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

       (24,781,966      (211,389,650

Institutional Class

       (31,892,163      (237,144,125

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (56,674,129      (448,533,775

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       20,313,944        144,094,328  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       298,703,618        (1,229,520,734

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       5,767,825,347        6,997,346,081  

End of period

       $6,066,528,965        $5,767,825,347  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

112    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS CHINA DIVIDEND FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $4,905,491        $7,726,552  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (2,541,904      23,400,629  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       41,375,205        (66,519,586

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       43,738,792        (35,392,405

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

       (4,030,047      (21,468,293

Institutional Class

       (1,547,682      (8,057,266

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (5,577,729      (29,525,559

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       70,849,537        19,837,199  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       109,010,600        (45,080,765

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       269,659,321        314,740,086  

End of period

       $378,669,921        $269,659,321  
MATTHEWS ASIA VALUE FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $234,046        $262,120  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (66,849      (126,184

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       1,433,214        (3,582,664

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (3,911      (4,103

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       1,596,500        (3,450,831

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (795,360

Institutional Class

              (257,755

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (1,053,115

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       179,840        (3,035,025

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       1,776,340        (7,538,971

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       23,195,009        30,733,980  

End of period

       $24,971,349        $23,195,009  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS ASIA GROWTH FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $1,042,794        $827,153  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       7,860,634        5,493,132  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       141,426,994        (208,530,498

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (776,521      1,093,836  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       149,553,901        (201,116,377

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (7,253,289

Institutional Class

              (8,131,385

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (15,384,674

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       39,940,608        296,272,663  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       189,494,509        79,771,612  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       930,333,556        850,561,944  

End of period

       $1,119,828,065        $930,333,556  
MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $45,303,625        $82,597,259  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       126,676,745        314,042,088  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       483,527,023        (1,456,251,388

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (16,846,395      (12,961,619

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       638,660,998        (1,072,573,660

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (121,255,981

Institutional Class

              (275,120,994

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (396,376,975

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       247,071,483        51,147,953  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       885,732,481        (1,417,802,682

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       8,307,234,203        9,725,036,885  

End of period

       $9,192,966,684        $8,307,234,203  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

114    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS ASIA ESG FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $109,550        $85,056  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       26,445        614,957  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       3,205,023        (2,813,567

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (150,045      34,007  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       3,190,973        (2,079,547

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (389,328

Institutional Class

              (560,925

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (950,253

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       9,772,051        17,507,714  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       12,963,024        14,477,914  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       32,531,793        18,053,879  

End of period

       $45,494,817        $32,531,793  
MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $3,255,709        $4,233,785  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (1,315,951      11,192,808  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       (9,995,102      (112,214,332

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (181,928      1,804,989  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       (8,237,272      (94,982,750

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (2,684,365

Institutional Class

              (6,570,784

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (9,255,149

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       61,502,783        (15,498,956

REDEMPTION FEES

       46,952        82,599  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       53,312,463        (119,654,256

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       375,174,761        494,829,017  

End of period

       $428,487,224        $375,174,761  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS ASIA INNOVATORS FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $743,478        ($103,238

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (1,732,043      2,546,956  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       47,655,170        (59,878,788

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (312,183      (5,393

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       46,354,422        (57,440,463

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (3,970,300

Institutional Class

              (2,656,060

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (6,626,360

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       1,746,710        101,996,223  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       48,101,132        37,929,400  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       244,217,855        206,288,455  

End of period

       $292,318,987        $244,217,855  
MATTHEWS CHINA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $6,546,686        $9,876,601  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (772,882      111,510,918  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       138,873,688        (335,815,337

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       144,647,492        (214,427,818

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (109,557,899

Institutional Class

              (9,475,103

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (119,033,002

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       105,692,109        41,090,545  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       250,339,601        (292,370,275

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       613,112,714        905,482,989  

End of period

       $863,452,315        $613,112,714  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

116    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS INDIA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       ($1,537,005      ($2,070,170

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       43,702,074        331,211,413  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       5,520,015        (567,019,183

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (12,698,523      (2,413,851

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       34,986,561        (240,291,791

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (159,591,192

Institutional Class

              (75,460,576

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (235,051,768

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (108,070,892      (255,309,634

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       (73,084,331      (730,653,193

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       1,541,780,023        2,272,433,216  

End of period

       $1,468,695,692        $1,541,780,023  
MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $8,009,146        $18,472,839  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       37,729,280        194,213,809  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       332,582,344        (1,069,641,926

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       378,320,770        (856,955,278

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (71,970,442

Institutional Class

              (51,381,225

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (123,351,667

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (580,372,373      (260,612,861

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       (202,051,603      (1,240,919,806

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       2,871,574,319        4,112,494,125  

End of period

       $2,669,522,716        $2,871,574,319  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS KOREA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       ($677,957      $1,887,805  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (94,477      30,298,095  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       (566,406      (83,113,064

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       (1,338,840      (50,927,164

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (19,838,627

Institutional Class

              (2,831,158

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (22,669,785

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       5,259,764        (4,964,199

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       3,920,924        (78,561,148

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       146,457,070        225,018,218  

End of period

       $150,377,994        $146,457,070  
MATTHEWS ASIA SMALL COMPANIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $1,051,696        $2,416,511  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (6,039,400      32,060,275  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       27,936,243        (104,112,981

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       135,147        (535,103

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       23,083,686        (70,171,298

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (22,501,099

Institutional Class

              (18,262,086

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (40,763,185

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (17,920,041      (144,037,484

REDEMPTION FEES

              69,377  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       5,163,645        (254,902,590

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       186,390,420        441,293,010  

End of period

       $191,554,065        $186,390,420  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

118    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS CHINA SMALL COMPANIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2018
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $631,150        $464,514  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (766,590      1,508,682  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       11,829,815        (17,732,735

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       11,694,375        (15,759,539

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS:

       

Investor Class

              (958,588

Institutional Class

              (327,972

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (1,286,560

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (1,180,893      43,659,977  

REDEMPTION FEES

              180,654  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       10,513,482        26,794,532  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       62,479,655        35,685,123  

End of period

       $72,993,137        $62,479,655  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Financial Highlights

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.25        $10.98        $10.43        $9.96        $10.31        $10.42  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.23        0.40        0.51        0.50        0.47        0.46  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.63        (0.84      0.46        0.38        (0.53      (0.19

Total from investment operations

     0.86        (0.44      0.97        0.88        (0.06      0.27  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.19      (0.25      (0.42      (0.41      (0.29      (0.38

Return of Capital

            (0.04                            

Total distributions

     (0.19      (0.29      (0.42      (0.41      (0.29      (0.38

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.92        $10.25        $10.98        $10.43        $9.96        $10.31  

TOTAL RETURN

     8.39% 3        (4.05%      9.40%        8.85%        (0.58%      2.54%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $39,140        $40,698        $63,437        $55,409        $51,130        $58,594  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.16% 4        1.23%        1.29%        1.33%        1.28%        1.27%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.15% 4        1.15%        1.15%        1.15%        1.12%        1.13%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.32% 4        3.76%        4.70%        4.85%        4.57%        4.36%  

Portfolio turnover5

     59.38% 3       82.32%        36.58%        71.50%        50.09%        34.28%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.25        $10.97        $10.42        $9.96        $10.30        $10.42  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.24        0.42        0.53        0.53        0.49        0.48  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, swaps, foreign currency related transactions, and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.64        (0.83      0.47        0.36        (0.52      (0.20

Total from investment operations

     0.88        (0.41      1.00        0.89        (0.03      0.28  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.20      (0.27      (0.45      (0.43      (0.31      (0.40

Return of Capital

            (0.04                            

Total distributions

     (0.20      (0.31      (0.45      (0.43      (0.31      (0.40

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.93        $10.25        $10.97        $10.42        $9.96        $10.30  

TOTAL RETURN

     8.63% 3        (3.78%      9.67%        9.02%        (0.27%      2.64%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $74,489        $60,017        $31,155        $13,398        $11,001        $7,840  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     0.97% 4        1.04%        1.08%        1.12%        1.09%        1.07%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     0.90% 4        0.90%        0.90%        0.90%        0.90%        0.93%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.60% 4        4.03%        4.93%        5.13%        4.81%        4.55%  

Portfolio turnover5

     59.38% 3       82.32%        36.58%        71.50%        50.09%        34.28%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

120    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31      Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20161
 
   2018      2017  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.76        $10.39        $10.13        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.22        0.37        0.44        0.29  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swaps, and foreign currency related transactions

     0.69        (0.67      0.35        0.18  

Total from investment operations

     0.91        (0.30      0.79        0.47  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

     (0.20      (0.33      (0.43      (0.32

Net realized gains on investments

                   (0.10      (0.02

Total distributions

     (0.20      (0.33      (0.53      (0.34

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.47        $9.76        $10.39        $10.13  

TOTAL RETURN

     9.39% 3        (2.88%      7.86%        4.66% 3  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $11,264        $8,668        $10,201        $10,119  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.32% 4        1.44%        1.86%        2.24% 4  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.15% 4        1.15%        1.15%        1.15% 4  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.31% 4        3.62%        4.17%        4.12% 4  

Portfolio turnover5

     70.90% 3       49.06%        27.86%        18.80% 3 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31     

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20161

 
   2018      2017  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.75        $10.39        $10.13        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.23        0.39        0.46        0.30  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, swaps, and foreign currency related transactions

     0.70        (0.67      0.36        0.18  

Total from investment operations

     0.93        (0.28      0.82        0.48  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

     (0.21      (0.36      (0.46      (0.33

Net realized gains on investments

                   (0.10      (0.02

Total distributions

     (0.21      (0.36      (0.56      (0.35

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.47        $9.75        $10.39        $10.13  

TOTAL RETURN

     9.63% 3        (2.75%      8.13%        4.82% 3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $46,181        $31,085        $21,491        $6,205  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.12% 4        1.25%        1.62%        1.99% 4 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     0.90% 4        0.90%        0.90%        0.90% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.56% 4        3.90%        4.45%        4.28% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     70.90% 3       49.06%        27.86%        18.80% 3 

 

1

Commenced operations on April, 29 2016.

2

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

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Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asian Growth And Income Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $13.92       $17.46       $14.94       $16.03       $18.01       $18.91  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.13       0.32       0.33       0.32       0.39       0.39  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    1.66       (2.20     2.92       (0.06     (1.19     (0.50

Total from investment operations

    1.79       (1.88     3.25       0.26       (0.80     (0.11

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.32     (0.46     (0.48     (0.42     (0.35

Net realized gains on investments

          (1.34     (0.27     (0.87     (0.76     (0.44

Total distributions

    (0.17     (1.66     (0.73     (1.35     (1.18     (0.79

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                2            2      2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $15.54       $13.92       $17.46       $14.94       $16.03       $18.01  

TOTAL RETURN

    12.92% 3       (10.96%     21.85%       1.34%       (4.50%     (0.65%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $825,574       $799,328       $1,535,746       $1,684,987       $2,045,435       $3,052,565  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.10% 4       1.08%       1.07%       1.09%       1.09%       1.08%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.76% 4       1.95%       1.95%       1.90%       2.17%       2.03%  

Portfolio turnover5

    10.26% 3       32.24%       23.23%       15.64%       16.48%       16.79%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $13.89       $17.43       $14.92       $16.02       $18.00       $18.90  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.14       0.35       0.36       0.34       0.42       0.42  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    1.66       (2.20     2.91       (0.07     (1.19     (0.50

Total from investment operations

    1.80       (1.85     3.27       0.27       (0.77     (0.08

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.18     (0.35     (0.49     (0.50     (0.45     (0.38

Net realized gains on investments

          (1.34     (0.27     (0.87     (0.76     (0.44

Total distributions

    (0.18     (1.69     (0.76     (1.37     (1.21     (0.82

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                2            2      2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $15.51       $13.89       $17.43       $14.92       $16.02       $18.00  

TOTAL RETURN

    13.02% 3       (10.84%     22.00%       1.44%       (4.33%     (0.48%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $594,828       $596,364       $1,310,168       $809,254       $823,619       $1,182,690  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.96% 4       0.93%       0.93%       0.94%       0.92%       0.92%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.86% 4       2.14%       2.16%       2.06%       2.34%       2.19%  

Portfolio turnover5

    10.26% 3       32.24%       23.23%       15.64%       16.48%       16.79%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

122    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     20161     20151     20141  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $16.05       $19.74       $15.52       $15.36       $15.26       $15.60  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

    0.14       0.37       0.31       0.28       0.29       0.30  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    0.79       (2.83     5.02       0.37       0.31       (0.34

Total from investment operations

    0.93       (2.46     5.33       0.65       0.60       (0.04

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.15     (0.31     (0.69     (0.29     (0.27     (0.23

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.92     (0.42     (0.11     (0.23      

Return of capital

                      (0.09           (0.07

Total distributions

    (0.15     (1.23     (1.11     (0.49     (0.50     (0.30

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                3             3      3  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $16.83       $16.05       $19.74       $15.52       $15.36       $15.26  

TOTAL RETURN

    5.82% 4       (12.72%     34.69%       4.13%       3.86%       (0.32%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $2,710,990       $2,728,599       $3,713,276       $2,650,611       $2,757,910       $2,918,228  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.03% 5       1.02%       1.03%       1.06%       1.06%       1.06%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.02% 5       1.01%       1.02%       1.06%       1.05%       1.05%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.65% 5       1.97%       1.67%       1.79%       1.82%       1.89%  

Portfolio turnover6

    18.67% 4       39.75%       28.11%       39.76%       35.98%       20.06%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     20161     20151     20141  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $16.04       $19.73       $15.52       $15.35       $15.26       $15.59  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

    0.15       0.39       0.33       0.30       0.32       0.32  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    0.79       (2.83     5.01       0.38       0.29       (0.33

Total from investment operations

    0.94       (2.44     5.34       0.68       0.61       (0.01

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.16     (0.33     (0.71     (0.31     (0.29     (0.25

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.92     (0.42     (0.11     (0.23      

Return of capital

                      (0.09           (0.07

Total distributions

    (0.16     (1.25     (1.13     (0.51     (0.52     (0.32

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                3             3      3  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $16.82       $16.04       $19.73       $15.52       $15.35       $15.26  

TOTAL RETURN

    5.88% 4       (12.64%     34.77%       4.33%       3.93%       (0.18%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $3,355,539       $3,039,226       $3,284,070       $2,034,276       $2,045,713       $2,107,371  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.93% 5       0.91%       0.92%       0.94%       0.93%       0.93%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.92% 5       0.90%       0.91%       0.93%       0.92%       0.93%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.81% 5       2.09%       1.81%       1.91%       1.98%       2.02%  

Portfolio turnover6

    18.67% 4       39.75%       28.11%       39.76%       35.98%       20.06%  

 

1

Consolidated Financial Highlights. See Note 2-C.

2

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

3

Less than $0.01 per share.

4

Not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      123  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews China Dividend Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.32        $17.61        $14.09        $13.79        $13.37        $13.74  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.22        0.41        0.35        0.31        0.29        0.25  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     1.99        (2.09      4.85        0.47        1.01        (0.12

Total from investment operations

     2.21        (1.68      5.20        0.78        1.30        0.13  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.24      (0.40      (0.49      (0.28      (0.28      (0.36

Net realized gains on investments

            (1.21      (1.19      (0.20      (0.60      (0.14

Total distributions

     (0.24      (1.61      (1.68      (0.48      (0.88      (0.50

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $16.29        $14.32        $17.61        $14.09        $13.79        $13.37  

TOTAL RETURN

     15.51% 3        (9.98%      37.69%        5.70%        9.54%        0.93%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $276,272        $196,626        $260,593        $160,400        $165,514        $116,954  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.12% 4        1.15%        1.19%        1.22%        1.19%        1.19%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     2.83% 4        2.33%        2.12%        2.28%        1.97%        1.88%  

Portfolio turnover5

     42.80% 3        66.47%        69.14%        72.96%        79.91%        25.43%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.32        $17.61        $14.09        $13.79        $13.37        $13.74  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.24        0.42        0.37        0.29        0.28        0.28  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     1.98        (2.07      4.85        0.51        1.04        (0.13

Total from investment operations

     2.22        (1.65      5.22        0.80        1.32        0.15  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.25      (0.43      (0.51      (0.30      (0.30      (0.38

Net realized gains on investments

            (1.21      (1.19      (0.20      (0.60      (0.14

Total distributions

     (0.25      (1.64      (1.70      (0.50      (0.90      (0.52

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $16.29        $14.32        $17.61        $14.09        $13.79        $13.37  

TOTAL RETURN

     15.58% 3        (9.83%      37.88%        5.90%        9.71%        1.11%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $102,398        $73,033        $54,147        $27,758        $15,406        $30,662  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.00% 4        1.01%        1.04%        1.06%        1.00%        1.01%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     3.09% 4        2.44%        2.25%        2.09%        1.89%        2.06%  

Portfolio turnover5

     42.80% 3        66.47%        69.14%        72.96%        79.91%        25.43%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

124    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Value Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31      Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 
   2018      2017      2016  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.86        $12.83        $9.96        $9.85        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.10        0.10        0.14        0.09        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.66        (1.49      3.45        0.65        (0.16

Total from investment operations

     0.76        (1.39      3.59        0.74        (0.14

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.16      (0.29      (0.59      (0.01

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.42      (0.43      (0.04       

Total distributions

            (0.58      (0.72      (0.63      (0.01

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $11.62        $10.86        $12.83        $9.96        $9.85  

TOTAL RETURN

     7.00% 3        (10.93%      36.12%        7.43%        (1.35% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $18,897        $16,326        $27,346        $2,548        $1,589  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.92% 4        1.77%        2.32%        11.48%        36.42% 4 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 4        1.50%        1.50%        1.50%        1.50% 4  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.71% 4        0.81%        1.10%        0.84%        2.70% 4  

Portfolio turnover5

     12.47% 3       48.29%        31.93%        19.60%        10.80% 3 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31      Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 
   2018      2017      2016  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.78        $12.73        $9.85        $9.83        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.10        0.14        0.32        0.10        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.67        (1.49      3.25        0.67        (0.15

Total from investment operations

     0.77        (1.35      3.57        0.77        (0.13

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.18      (0.26      (0.71      (0.04

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.42      (0.43      (0.04       

Total distributions

            (0.60      (0.69      (0.75      (0.04

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $11.55        $10.78        $12.73        $9.85        $9.83  

TOTAL RETURN

     7.14% 3        (10.65%      36.35%        7.72%        (1.30% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $6,074        $6,869        $3,388        $155        $143  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.71% 4        1.54%        2.08%        11.26%        36.17% 4 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 4        1.25%        1.25%        1.25%        1.25% 4  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.78% 4        1.18%        2.59%        1.01%        2.41% 4  

Portfolio turnover5

     12.47% 3       48.29%        31.93%        19.60%        10.80% 3 

 

1

Commenced operations on November 30, 2015.

2

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      125  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $22.49        $27.25        $21.05        $21.09        $21.10       $21.17  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.01        2        0.04        0.06        0.11       0.12  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     3.54        (4.41      8.14        0.13        (0.12     0.19  

Total from investment operations

     3.55        (4.41      8.18        0.19        (0.01     0.31  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

            (0.03      (0.16      (0.23            (0.38

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.32      (1.82                    

Total distributions

            (0.35      (1.98      (0.23            (0.38

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $26.04        $22.49        $27.25        $21.05        $21.09       $21.10  

TOTAL RETURN

     15.78% 3        (16.25%      39.39%        0.92%        (0.05%     1.49%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $528,787        $463,600        $554,309        $419,516        $526,969       $561,922  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.09% 4        1.10%        1.12%        1.14%        1.11%       1.11%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.11% 4        —% 5        0.16%        0.30%        0.49%       0.55%  

Portfolio turnover6

     12.32% 3        12.12%        23.19%        13.61%        29.51%       22.24%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $22.65        $27.45        $21.19        $21.24        $21.19       $21.26  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.03        0.05        0.09        0.10        0.16       0.16  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     3.57        (4.45      8.20        0.13        (0.11     0.19  

Total from investment operations

     3.60        (4.40      8.29        0.23        0.05       0.35  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

            (0.08      (0.21      (0.28            (0.42

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.32      (1.82                    

Total distributions

            (0.40      (2.03      (0.28            (0.42

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $26.25        $22.65        $27.45        $21.19        $21.24       $21.19  

TOTAL RETURN

     15.89% 3        (16.10%      39.64%        1.06%        0.24%       1.63%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $591,041        $466,733        $296,253        $195,949        $249,886       $287,262  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.93% 4        0.93%        0.93%        0.96%        0.91%       0.91%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.28% 4        0.17%        0.35%        0.47%        0.72%       0.74%  

Portfolio turnover6

     12.32% 3        12.12%        23.19%        13.61%        29.51%       22.24%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

Less than 0.01%.

6

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

126    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $26.86       $31.66       $22.92       $23.54       $26.57       $24.99  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.13       0.24       0.17       0.11       0.42       0.14  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    1.92       (3.75     8.96       (0.13     (0.82     2.80  

Total from investment operations

    2.05       (3.51     9.13       (0.02     (0.40     2.94  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.21     (0.17     (0.13     (0.42     (0.13

Net realized gains on investments

          (1.08     (0.22     (0.47     (2.21     (1.23

Total distributions

          (1.29     (0.39     (0.60     (2.63     (1.36

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                2            2      2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $28.91       $26.86       $31.66       $22.92       $23.54       $26.57  

TOTAL RETURN

    7.63% 3       (11.11%     39.96%       (0.16%     (1.30%     11.79%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $2,811,333       $2,618,155       $3,335,795       $2,445,183       $2,720,869       $3,047,077  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.07% 4       1.07%       1.08%       1.09%       1.09%       1.09%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.05% 4       1.04%       1.06%       1.08%       1.07%       1.08%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.90% 4       0.79%       0.63%       0.47%       1.53%       0.52%  

Portfolio turnover5

    8.66% 3       11.48%       9.18%       5.73%       12.56%       11.38%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

 

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $26.83       $31.63       $22.90       $23.52       $26.56       $24.97  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.15       0.28       0.22       0.16       0.44       0.18  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    1.92       (3.74     8.95       (0.14     (0.80     2.82  

Total from investment operations

    2.07       (3.46     9.17       0.02       (0.36     3.00  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.26     (0.22     (0.17     (0.47     (0.18

Net realized gains on investments

          (1.08     (0.22     (0.47     (2.21     (1.23

Total distributions

          (1.34     (0.44     (0.64     (2.68     (1.41

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                2            2      2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $28.90       $26.83       $31.63       $22.90       $23.52       $26.56  

TOTAL RETURN

    7.72% 3       (10.94%     40.17%       0.03%       (1.15%     12.03%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $6,381,634       $5,689,079       $6,389,242       $4,207,508       $3,964,547       $5,049,643  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.92% 4       0.90%       0.91%       0.91%       0.91%       0.92%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.90% 4       0.88%       0.89%       0.90%       0.89%       0.91%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.07% 4       0.95%       0.80%       0.65%       1.61%       0.68%  

Portfolio turnover5

    8.66% 3       11.48%       9.18%       5.73%       12.56%       11.38%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      127  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31     

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20151

 
   2018      2017      2016  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.98        $11.56        $8.97        $9.23        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.02        0.03        0.05        0.07        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.94        (1.16      2.97        (0.20      (0.75

Total from investment operations

     0.96        (1.13      3.02        (0.13      (0.73

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.02      (0.27      (0.13      (0.04

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.43      (0.16              

Total distributions

            (0.45      (0.43      (0.13      (0.04

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.94        $9.98        $11.56        $8.97        $9.23  

TOTAL RETURN

     9.62% 3        (9.73%      33.79%        (1.40%      (7.30% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $15,825        $9,283        $10,695        $5,376        $3,248  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.74% 4        2.20%        2.65%        3.54%        9.09% 4  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 4        1.50%        1.50%        1.48%        1.44% 4  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.47% 4        0.27%        0.45%        0.77%        0.25% 4  

Portfolio turnover5

     8.64% 3        22.93%        28.82%        16.10%        21.72% 3 

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31     

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20151

 
   2018      2017      2016  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.96        $11.50        $8.92        $9.17        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.03        0.06        0.08        0.09        0.05  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.94        (1.16      2.95        (0.19      (0.77

Total from investment operations

     0.97        (1.10      3.03        (0.10      (0.72

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.01      (0.29      (0.15      (0.11

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.43      (0.16              

Total distributions

            (0.44      (0.45      (0.15      (0.11

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.93        $9.96        $11.50        $8.92        $9.17  

TOTAL RETURN

     9.74% 3        (9.52%      34.11%        (1.16%      (7.14% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $29,670        $23,249        $7,359        $3,382        $1,686  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.53% 4        2.01%        2.46%        3.36%        8.90% 4  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 4        1.25%        1.25%        1.25%        1.25% 4  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.57% 4        0.55%        0.71%        0.97%        0.75% 4  

Portfolio turnover5

     8.64% 3        22.93%        28.82%        16.10%        21.72% 3 

 

1

Commenced operations on April 30, 2015.

2

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

128    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017      2016      2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $12.50       $15.51       $13.18        $11.27        $11.60       $9.93  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.08       0.10       0.07        0.15        0.04       0.04  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     (0.29     (2.82     2.35        2.01        (0.34     1.69  

Total from investment operations

     (0.21     (2.72     2.42        2.16        (0.30     1.73  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

           (0.10     (0.04      (0.13      2       (0.06

Net realized gains on investments

           (0.19     (0.05      (0.13      (0.03      

Total distributions

           (0.29     (0.09      (0.26      (0.03     (0.06

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     2       2       2        0.01        2       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $12.29       $12.50       $15.51        $13.18        $11.27       $11.60  

TOTAL RETURN

     (1.68% )3      (17.58%     18.42%        19.25%        (2.56%     17.39%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $108,416       $118,505       $219,596        $145,164        $114,590       $110,363  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.69% 4       1.66%       1.70%        1.77%        1.75%       1.78%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 4       1.48%       1.48%        1.47%        1.50%       1.58%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.28% 4       0.72%       0.49%        1.26%        0.33%       0.34%  

Portfolio turnover5

     2.36% 3       26.09%       7.74%        34.90%        12.14%       8.21%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017      2016      2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $12.54       $15.57       $13.22        $11.29        $11.60       $9.92  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.10       0.14       0.10        0.21        0.07       0.06  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     (0.29     (2.85     2.37        1.99        (0.34     1.69  

Total from investment operations

     (0.19     (2.71     2.47        2.20        (0.27     1.75  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

           (0.13     (0.07      (0.15      (0.01     (0.07

Net realized gains on investments

           (0.19     (0.05      (0.13      (0.03      

Total distributions

           (0.32     (0.12      (0.28      (0.04     (0.07

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     2       2       2        0.01        2       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $12.35       $12.54       $15.57        $13.22        $11.29       $11.60  

TOTAL RETURN

     (1.52% )3      (17.41%     18.70%        19.61%        (2.33%     17.68%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $320,071       $256,669       $275,233        $95,724        $55,278       $21,350  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.51% 4       1.50%       1.52%        1.62%        1.57%       1.59%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 4       1.25%       1.25%        1.25%        1.25%       1.33%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.61% 4       0.97%       0.70%        1.72%        0.65%       0.55%  

Portfolio turnover5

     2.36% 3       26.09%       7.74%        34.90%        12.14%       8.21%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      129  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $11.26        $14.19        $10.10        $12.32        $13.61        $12.59  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.03        (0.01      (0.02      (0.02      (0.05      2  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     2.12        (2.62      5.31        (1.07      0.64        1.16  

Total from investment operations

     2.15        (2.63      5.29        (1.09      0.59        1.16  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.04      (0.24                    (0.06

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.26      (0.96      (1.13      (1.88      (0.08

Total distributions

            (0.30      (1.20      (1.13      (1.88      (0.14

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $13.41        $11.26        $14.19        $10.10        $12.32        $13.61  

TOTAL RETURN

     19.09% 3        (18.62%      52.88%        (9.10%      4.48%        9.24%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $174,602        $152,449        $175,331        $83,926        $129,763        $125,612  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.20% 4        1.19%        1.24%        1.24%        1.18%        1.16%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.46% 4        (0.07%      (0.18%      (0.19%      (0.33%      (0.02%

Portfolio turnover5

     37.24% 3        85.73%        66.51%        92.25%        72.85%        62.99%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $11.32        $14.26        $10.14        $12.34        $13.61        $12.58  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.04        0.01        0.01        0.01        (0.02      0.03  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     2.13        (2.62      5.33        (1.08      0.63        1.17  

Total from investment operations

     2.17        (2.61      5.34        (1.07      0.61        1.20  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.07      (0.26                    (0.09

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.26      (0.96      (1.13      (1.88      (0.08

Total distributions

            (0.33      (1.22      (1.13      (1.88      (0.17

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $13.49        $11.32        $14.26        $10.14        $12.34        $13.61  

TOTAL RETURN

     19.17% 3        (18.40%      53.18%        (8.92%      4.63%        9.54%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $117,717        $91,769        $30,957        $16,545        $36,770        $61,088  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.05% 4        1.02%        1.05%        1.01%        0.97%        0.95%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.68% 4        0.07%        0.06%        0.06%        (0.16%      0.21%  

Portfolio turnover5

     37.24% 3        85.73%        66.51%        92.25%        72.85%        62.99%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

130    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews China Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      20161      20151      20141  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.37        $22.20        $15.47        $18.42        $21.46        $22.84  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.13        0.21        0.16        0.21        0.20        0.24  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     3.07        (4.84      8.86        (1.04      0.30        (1.25

Total from investment operations

     3.20        (4.63      9.02        (0.83      0.50        (1.01

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.29      (0.37      (0.26      (0.21      (0.27

Net realized gains on investments

            (2.91      (1.92      (1.29      (3.33      (0.10

Return of capital

                          (0.57              

Total distributions

            (3.20      (2.29      (2.12      (3.54      (0.37

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                          3        3        3  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.57        $14.37        $22.20        $15.47        $18.42        $21.46  

TOTAL RETURN

     22.27% 4        (21.42%      59.37%        (5.18%      2.41%        (4.42%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $709,970        $566,456        $843,508        $495,900        $709,767        $947,740  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.10% 5        1.10%        1.09%        1.18%        1.14%        1.11%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.56% 5        1.00%        0.78%        1.24%        0.89%        1.09%  

Portfolio turnover6

     31.90% 4        96.98%        78.74%        83.82%        66.22%        10.23%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      20161      20151      20141  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.33        $22.17        $15.44        $18.39        $21.44        $22.81  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.18        0.33        0.21        0.22        0.25        0.28  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     3.04        (4.93      8.84        (1.03      0.27        (1.25

Total from investment operations

     3.22        (4.60      9.05        (0.81      0.52        (0.97

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.33      (0.40      (0.28      (0.24      (0.30

Net realized gains on investments

            (2.91      (1.92      (1.29      (3.33      (0.10

Return of capital

                          (0.57              

Total distributions

            (3.24      (2.32      (2.14      (3.57      (0.40

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                          3        3        3  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.55        $14.33        $22.17        $15.44        $18.39        $21.44  

TOTAL RETURN

     22.47% 4        (21.32%      59.71%        (5.06%      2.50%        (4.22%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $153,482        $46,657        $61,975        $15,874        $24,276        $52,478  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.92% 5        0.91%        0.93%        1.03%        0.99%        0.95%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     2.19% 5        1.53%        0.99%        1.32%        1.09%        1.27%  

Portfolio turnover6

     31.90% 4        96.98%        78.74%        83.82%        66.22%        10.23%  

 

1

Consolidated Financial Highlights. See Note 2-C.

2

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

3

Less than $0.01 per share.

4

Not annualized.

5

Annualized.

6

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      131  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews India Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $26.32        $34.31        $25.65        $26.43        $26.46        $16.28  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.03      (0.05      (0.09      0.01        (0.05      0.07  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.63        (3.60      9.24        (0.33      0.26        10.29  

Total from investment operations

     0.60        (3.65      9.15        (0.32      0.21        10.36  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

                                 (0.03      (0.05

Net realized gains on investments

            (4.34      (0.49      (0.46      (0.23      (0.14

Total distributions

            (4.34      (0.49      (0.46      (0.26      (0.19

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 0.02        0.01  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $26.92        $26.32        $34.31        $25.65        $26.43        $26.46  

TOTAL RETURN

     2.28% 2        (10.09%      35.79%        (1.23%      0.90%        63.71%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,095,538        $1,077,990        $1,484,045        $967,009        $1,151,948        $974,838  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.11% 3        1.09%        1.09%        1.12%        1.11%        1.12%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.25% )3        (0.16%      (0.30%      0.02%        (0.17%      0.32%  

Portfolio turnover4

     12.53% 2        20.87%        16.81%        15.76%        9.51%        14.86%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $26.56        $34.51        $25.77        $26.49        $26.49        $16.31  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.01      0.01        (0.03      0.04        0.01        0.09  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.63        (3.62      9.29        (0.30      0.26        10.29  

Total from investment operations

     0.62        (3.61      9.26        (0.26      0.27        10.38  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

                   (0.03             (0.06      (0.08

Net realized gains on investments

            (4.34      (0.49      (0.46      (0.23      (0.14

Total distributions

            (4.34      (0.52      (0.46      (0.29      (0.22

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 0.02        0.02  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $27.18        $26.56        $34.51        $25.77        $26.49        $26.49  

TOTAL RETURN

     2.34% 2        (9.92%      36.05%        (1.00%      1.12%        63.80%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $373,158        $463,790        $788,388        $551,202        $353,879        $109,331  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.93% 3        0.90%        0.89%        0.91%        0.90%        0.94%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.08% )3        0.02%        (0.08%      0.16%        0.02%        0.38%  

Portfolio turnover4

     12.53% 2        20.87%        16.81%        15.76%        9.51%        14.86%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Not annualized.

3

Annualized.

4

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

132    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Japan Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $18.53       $24.12       $18.83       $18.97       $15.70       $16.20  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.06       0.09       0.09       0.08       0.04       0.05  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    2.49       (4.91     6.13       (0.01     3.23       (0.48

Total from investment operations

    2.55       (4.82     6.22       0.07       3.27       (0.43

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.06     (0.20     (0.16           (0.08

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.71     (0.73     (0.05            

Total distributions

          (0.77     (0.93     (0.21           (0.08

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                            2       0.01  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $21.08       $18.53       $24.12       $18.83       $18.97       $15.70  

TOTAL RETURN

    13.76% 3       (20.18%     33.14%       0.40%       20.83%       (2.60%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $1,631,127       $1,704,102       $2,155,280       $1,685,872       $1,330,743       $467,854  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.93% 4       0.91%       0.95%       0.98%       0.99%       1.03%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.93% 4       0.91%       0.94%       0.98%       0.99%       1.03%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.56% 4       0.40%       0.40%       0.43%       0.22%       0.32%  

Portfolio turnover5

    11.33% 3       46.11%       44.34%       55.15%       24.19%       42.52%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $18.57       $24.16       $18.86       $19.00       $15.71       $16.20  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.06       0.11       0.10       0.10       0.05       0.09  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    2.49       (4.91     6.14       2       3.24       (0.50

Total from investment operations

    2.55       (4.80     6.24       0.10       3.29       (0.41

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.08     (0.21     (0.19           (0.09

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.71     (0.73     (0.05            

Total distributions

          (0.79     (0.94     (0.24           (0.09

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                            2       0.01  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $21.12       $18.57       $24.16       $18.86       $19.00       $15.71  

TOTAL RETURN

    13.73% 3       (20.08%     33.23%       0.51%       20.94%       (2.47%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $1,038,395       $1,167,472       $1,957,214       $1,302,317       $618,583       $154,750  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.87% 4       0.85%       0.87%       0.88%       0.87%       0.90%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.87% 4       0.84%       0.86%       0.88%       0.87%       0.90%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.56% 4       0.46%       0.46%       0.54%       0.28%       0.58%  

Portfolio turnover5

    11.33% 3       46.11%       44.34%       55.15%       24.19%       42.52%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      133  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Korea Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $4.58        $6.91        $5.25        $6.15        $5.65        $5.95  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.02      0.06        0.06        0.02        0.01        2  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     (0.02      (1.61      2.22        (0.41      0.83        (0.05

Total from investment operations

     (0.04      (1.55      2.28        (0.39      0.84        (0.05

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.13      (0.29      (0.08      (0.01       

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.65      (0.33      (0.43      (0.33      (0.25

Total distributions

            (0.78      (0.62      (0.51      (0.34      (0.25

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $4.54        $4.58        $6.91        $5.25        $6.15        $5.65  

TOTAL RETURN

     (0.87% )3       (22.21%      43.70%        (6.32%      15.16%        (0.73%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $120,886        $127,080        $192,431        $142,726        $147,685        $127,774  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.18% 4        1.14%        1.15%        1.15%        1.10%        1.11%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.93% )4        1.01%        0.90%        0.41%        0.18%        0.04%  

Portfolio turnover5

     12.17% 3        35.60%        25.37%        34.73%        20.36%        17.37%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
   2018      2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $4.61        $6.95        $5.27        $6.18        $5.68        $5.96  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.02      0.04        0.10        (0.02      0.02        0.05  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     (0.01      (1.60      2.21        (0.37      0.83        (0.08

Total from investment operations

     (0.03      (1.56      2.31        (0.39      0.85        (0.03

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.13      (0.30      (0.09      (0.02       

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.65      (0.33      (0.43      (0.33      (0.25

Total distributions

            (0.78      (0.63      (0.52      (0.35      (0.25

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                                 2        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $4.58        $4.61        $6.95        $5.27        $6.18        $5.68  

TOTAL RETURN

     (0.65% )3       (22.15%      44.11%        (6.31%      15.27%        (0.39%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $29,492        $19,377        $32,587        $7,462        $59,982        $91,431  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.06% 4        1.02%        1.01%        0.97%        0.93%        0.93%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.74% )4        0.67%        1.51%        (0.31%      0.28%        0.87%  

Portfolio turnover5

     12.17% 3        35.60%        25.37%        34.73%        20.36%        17.37%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

134    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $15.50       $22.89       $19.05       $19.41       $21.46       $19.34  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.08       0.12       0.02       0.09       0.02       0.09  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     1.88       (4.20     5.68       (0.37     (2.05     2.11  

Total from investment operations

     1.96       (4.08     5.70       (0.28     (2.03     2.20  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

            

Net investment income

           (0.08     (0.10     (0.08     (0.03     (0.08

Net realized gains on investments

           (3.23     (1.76                  

Total distributions

           (3.31     (1.86     (0.08     (0.03     (0.08

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

           2       2       2       0.01       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.46       $15.50       $22.89       $19.05       $19.41       $21.46  

TOTAL RETURN

     12.65% 3       (18.05%     30.59%       (1.44%     (9.43%     11.39%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

            

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $116,482       $111,456       $208,339       $254,226       $387,747       $599,082  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.71% 4       1.51%       1.49%       1.49%       1.48%       1.47%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 4       1.46%       1.46%       1.47%       1.47%       1.47%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.02% 4       0.53%       0.09%       0.45%       0.08%       0.44%  

Portfolio turnover5

     26.22% 3       69.79%       67.13%       44.44%       48.29%       21.70%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017     2016     2015     2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $15.46       $22.86       $19.03       $19.40       $21.46       $19.33  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.10       0.16       0.07       0.12       0.11       0.15  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     1.87       (4.19     5.67       (0.36     (2.10     2.10  

Total from investment operations

     1.97       (4.03     5.74       (0.24     (1.99     2.25  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

            

Net investment income

           (0.14     (0.15     (0.13     (0.08     (0.12

Net realized gains on investments

           (3.23     (1.76                  

Total distributions

           (3.37     (1.91     (0.13     (0.08     (0.12

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

           2       2       2       0.01       2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.43       $15.46       $22.86       $19.03       $19.40       $21.46  

TOTAL RETURN

     12.74% 3       (17.86%     30.85%       (1.24%     (9.23%     11.65%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

            

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $75,072       $74,935       $232,954       $174,962       $222,168       $77,168  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.56% 4       1.37%       1.35%       1.34%       1.30%       1.27%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 4       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.25%       1.26%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.22% 4       0.73%       0.34%       0.64%       0.53%       0.70%  

Portfolio turnover5

     26.22% 3       69.79%       67.13%       44.44%       48.29%       21.70%  

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      135  


Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS  

Six-Month
Period Ended

June 30, 2019
(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
  2018     2017      2016      2015      2014  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $9.58       $11.89       $8.21        $8.79        $9.21        $9.89  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.09       0.09       0.07        0.10        0.08        0.01  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    1.70       (2.23     4.27        (0.28      0.27        (0.33

Total from investment operations

    1.79       (2.14     4.34        (0.18      0.35        (0.32

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

          (0.05     (0.11      (0.03      (0.06      (0.02

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.16     (0.56      (0.37      (0.72       

Return of capital

                                     (0.34

Total distributions

          (0.21     (0.67      (0.40      (0.78      (0.36

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

          0.04       0.01        2        0.01        2  

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $11.37       $9.58       $11.89        $8.21        $8.79        $9.21  

TOTAL RETURN

    18.69% 3      (17.68%     53.88%        (2.35%      4.07%        (3.33%

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $48,469       $41,740       $35,209        $16,101        $21,546        $22,068  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.72% 4       1.97%       2.34%        2.24%        2.10%        1.90%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.50% 4       1.50%       1.50%        1.50%        1.50%        1.67%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.75% 4       0.78%       0.66%        1.17%        0.80%        0.14%  

Portfolio turnover5

    28.30% 3      76.67%       67.22%        63.15%        72.49%        32.42%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2019
(unaudited)
    Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2018
    Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20176
                         

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $9.59       $11.87       $11.90                             

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.10       0.11       (0.01         

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    1.71       (2.21     0.67                             

Total from investment operations

    1.81       (2.10     0.66                             

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

          (0.05     (0.13         

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.16     (0.56                           

Total distributions

          (0.21     (0.69                           

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

          0.03                                   

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $11.40       $9.59       $11.87                             

TOTAL RETURN

    18.87% 3      (17.48%     6.19% 3                             

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $24,524       $20,740       $476                             

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.53% 4       1.79%       2.09% 4                             

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.25% 4       1.25%       1.25% 4                             

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    1.80% 4       1.05%       (1.20% )4                            

Portfolio turnover5

    28.30% 3      76.67%       67.22% 3          

 

1

Calculated using the average daily shares method.

2

Less than $0.01 per share.

3

Not annualized.

4

Annualized.

5

The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.

6

Commenced operations on November 30, 2017.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

136    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited)

 

1.

ORGANIZATION

Matthews Asia Funds (the “Trust”) is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Trust currently issues seventeen separate series of shares (each a “Fund”, and collectively, the “Funds”): Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund, Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund, Matthews Asia Dividend Fund, Matthews China Dividend Fund, Matthews Asia Value Fund, Matthews Asia Growth Fund, Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund, Matthews Asia ESG Fund, Matthews Emerging Asia Fund, Matthews Asia Innovators Fund, Matthews China Fund, Matthews India Fund, Matthews Japan Fund, Matthews Korea Fund, Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund, and Matthews China Small Companies Fund. Each Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Institutional Class. Each class of shares has identical voting, dividend, liquidation and other rights and the same terms and conditions, except each class may be subject to different class expenses as outlined in the relevant prospectus and each class has exclusive voting rights with respect to matters solely affecting such class.

 

2.

SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies consistently followed by the Funds in preparation of their financial statements.

 

A.

SECURITY VALUATION: The value of the Trust’s securities is based on market quotations for those securities, or on their fair value determined by the valuation policies approved by the Funds’ Board of Trustees (the “Board”). Market quotations and valuation information are provided by commercial pricing services or securities dealers that are independent of the Funds and Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”), in accordance with procedures established by the Funds’ Board. Foreign exchange-traded securities are valued as of the close of trading on the primary exchange on which they trade. Securities that trade in over-the-counter markets, including most debt securities (bonds), may be valued by other third-party vendors or by using indicative bid quotations from dealers or market makers, or other available market information. Market values for securities are determined based on quotations, market data or other information from the principal (or most advantageous) market on which the security is traded. Market quotations for equity securities used by the Funds include last reported sale prices, or, if such prices are not reported or available, bid and ask prices. Swap agreements are valued utilizing quotes received daily by the Funds’ pricing service or through brokers, which are derived using daily swap curves and models that incorporate a number of market data factors, such as discounted cash flows, trades and values of the underlying reference instruments. Foreign currency exchange contracts are valued at the mean between the bid and ask prices and are determined at the close of business on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). Interpolated values are derived when the settlement date of the contract is an interim date for which quotations are not available. The Funds may also utilize independent pricing services to assist them in determining a current market value for each security based on sources believed to be reliable.

The Board has delegated to the Board’s Valuation Committee the responsibility for oversight of the fair valuation process under the Trust’s Pricing and Valuation Policy. The Board’s Valuation Committee, in turn, has delegated the determination of fair value prices under Matthews’ Pricing and Valuation Procedures to Matthews’ Valuation Committee (the “Valuation Committee”). The Board’s Valuation Committee will review and approve fair value determinations by Matthews’ Valuation Committee in accordance with the Pricing and Valuation Policy. When fair value pricing is employed, the prices of securities used by a Fund to calculate its Net Asset Value (“NAV”) may differ from any quoted or published prices for the same securities for that day. All fair value determinations are made subject to the Board’s oversight. Events affecting the value of foreign investments may occur between the time at which they are determined and when the Funds calculate their NAV, which is normally the close of trading on the NYSE. If such events render market quotations unreliable, and the impact of such events can be reasonably determined, the investments will be valued at their fair value in accordance with pricing policies. The fair value of a security held by the Funds may be determined using the services of third-party pricing services to assist in this process.

The books and records of the Funds are maintained in U.S. dollars. Transactions, portfolio securities, and assets and liabilities denominated in a foreign currency are translated and recorded in U.S. dollars at the prevailing exchange rate as of the close of trading on the NYSE. Translation gains or losses resulting from changes in the exchange rate during the reporting period and realized gains and losses on the settlement of foreign currency transactions are reported in the results of operations for the current period. The Funds isolate that portion of gains and losses on investments in fixed income securities that is due to changes in foreign exchange rate from that which is due to changes in market prices of securities.

Foreign securities held by the Funds may be traded on days and at times when the NYSE is closed. Accordingly, the value of the Funds may be significantly affected on days when shareholders have no access to the Funds.

 

B.

FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS: In accordance with the guidance on fair value measurements and disclosures under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”), the Funds prioritize the determination of the fair value of their investments and derivative financial instruments using a hierarchy based on the inputs used to measure the fair value.

The hierarchy and the inputs utilized are as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities (foreign securities that are valued based on market quotations).

Level 2: Other significant observable inputs. Certain foreign securities may be fair valued by Matthews using information such as quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, and foreign exchange. Additionally, external pricing services are used when the Funds determine that events affecting the value of foreign securities which occur between the time at which they are determined and the close of trading on the NYSE render market quotations unreliable.

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs. As described in Note 2-A, Level 3 securities are valued based on significant unobservable inputs as determined under the direction of the Board. Characterization of such securities as Level 3 securities are not necessarily an indication of their liquidity or the risk associated with investing in these securities. A significant change in the unobservable inputs could result in a significantly lower or higher value in such Level 3 securities and could impact overall Fund performance. Level 3 securities consisted of equities that, as of June 30, 2019, were suspended from trading.

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Levels for Multi-Country Funds (1 of 2):

Summary of inputs used to determine the fair valuation of multi-country Funds’ investments as of June 30, 2019.

 

     Matthews Asia
Strategic
Income Fund
    Matthews Asia
Credit
Opportunities Fund
    Matthews Asian
Growth and
Income Fund
    Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
    Matthews Asia
Value Fund
    Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
 
Assets:            
Investments:            

Level 1: Quoted Prices

           

Common Equities:

           

Bangladesh

    $—       $—       $—       $—       $—       $41,397,290  

China/Hong Kong

                92,073,971       191,319,879       809,583       159,704,625  

Japan

                            832,913        

Philippines

                      104,740,511             5,657,865  

Singapore

                      90,314,666       878,717        

South Korea

                18,082,635       230,419,228       434,625        

Sri Lanka

                                  6,249,775  

Taiwan

                21,448,620       92,532,858              

United States

                48,977,018             323,289       6,741,000  

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

           

Foreign Government Obligationsa

    23,933,741       9,511,154                          

Non-Convertible Corporate Bondsa

    78,844,083       43,050,111                          

Convertible Corporate Bondsa

    5,742,584       1,510,444       166,547,497                    

Common Equities:

           

Australia

                75,367,662       95,551,702             48,853,716  

Bangladesh

                      69,401,008              

China/Hong Kong

                390,887,692       2,409,357,673       8,797,399       183,342,591  

France

                44,788,566                    

India

                45,809,191       139,859,813       199,315       54,694,255  

Indonesia

                40,763,408       114,782,547       158,533       91,593,483  

Japan

                34,268,015       1,374,699,872       2,328,855       424,713,225  

Malaysia

                15,315,738             399,556        

Philippines

                21,082,037                   11,045,979  

Singapore

                129,129,337       231,527,808       843,137        

South Korea

                84,402,469       266,835,115       3,778,348        

Sri Lanka

                                  17,276,809  

Taiwan

                72,633,080       172,650,763       433,893       11,197,753  

Thailand

                20,131,939       116,047,947             18,086,447  

United Kingdom

                26,805,739                    

Vietnam

                16,382,838       66,490,887             16,467,160  

Preferred Equities:

           

South Korea

                28,664,656       181,651,426       2,831,931        

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

                                   

Total Market Value of Investments

    $108,520,408       $54,071,709       $1,393,562,108       $5,948,183,703       $23,050,094       $1,097,021,973  

 

a

Industry, countries, or security types are disclosed on the Schedule of Investments.

 

138    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Levels for Multi-Country Funds (2 of 2):

Summary of inputs used to determine the fair valuation of multi-country Funds’ investments as of June 30, 2019.

 

     Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
    Matthews
Asia ESG
Fund
    Matthews
Emerging Asia
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Innovators
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
 
Assets:          
Investments:          

Level 1: Quoted Prices

         

Common Equities:

         

Bangladesh

    $—       $1,771,217       $—       $7,162,992       $—  

China/Hong Kong

    787,292,987       2,263,905       34,997,299       55,868,283       6,470,997  

India

          2,253,603       952,337             4,158,628  

Indonesia

    50,019,114       775,195       38,206,276             4,849,727  

Japan

    58,925,160                          

Pakistan

          348,069       42,362,093              

Philippines

                15,041,850             2,069,776  

Singapore

          406,430                   2,913,902  

South Korea

    373,261,630                         1,725,817  

Sri Lanka

                33,414,222              

Taiwan

                            2,232,892  

United States

    164,363,931                          

Vietnam

                13,802,545             2,658,506  

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

         

Common Equities:

         

Australia

                3,721,628             2,235,200  

Bangladesh

          570,975       18,382,005              

China/Hong Kong

    2,847,795,111       11,501,683       15,027,386       124,416,269       46,521,893  

India

    1,746,294,109       6,217,598       36,754,159       34,694,555       24,036,796  

Indonesia

    628,836,878       1,506,777       44,424,466       16,430,245       6,376,983  

Japan

          6,946,356                   2,048,648  

Malaysia

    192,057,855                         4,990,581  

Pakistan

                1,511,468              

Philippines

    238,274,074       914,815       23,533,865       4,183,646        

Singapore

          1,059,826       3,022,157              

South Korea

    622,394,936       1,426,915             23,143,282       15,939,008  

Sri Lanka

                10,807,731              

Switzerland

    236,718,475                          

Taiwan

    420,869,156       3,646,584                   23,126,101  

Thailand

    459,036,597       1,052,644                   14,053,968  

Vietnam

    153,180,278       534,333       71,758,036       6,933,673       8,575,083  

Preferred Equities:

         

South Korea

          2,164,513             6,627,102        

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

                             

Total Market Value of Investments

    $8,979,320,291       $45,361,438       $407,719,523       $279,460,047       $174,984,506  

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Levels for Single Country Funds:

Summary of inputs used to determine the fair valuation of the single country Funds’ investments as of June 30, 2019.

 

     Matthews China
Dividend Fund
    Matthews
China Fund
    Matthews
India Fund
    Matthews
Japan Fund
    Matthews
Korea Fund
    Matthews
China Small
Companies
Fund
 
Assets:            
Investments:            

Level 1: Quoted Prices

           

Common Equities:

           

Communication Services

    $9,009,540       $43,830,251       $—       $—       $—       $—  

Consumer Discretionary

    25,059,363       121,212,330       8,254,483             2,884,301       5,279,038  

Consumer Staples

                            5,274,223        

Financials

    6,441,704             94,471,199             2,790,821        

Health Care

    2,193,758             36,296,801                   3,325,317  

Industrials

          7,127,200       18,513,546             3,319,659        

Information Technology

                53,789,794                   1,674,584  

Materials

                1,313,959                    

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

           

Common Equities:

           

Communication Services

    40,128,332       82,394,554       30,103,632       218,342,791       7,097,492        

Consumer Discretionary

    53,222,166       77,373,719       192,936,414       382,733,098       13,291,615       3,537,520  

Consumer Staples

    53,706,691       56,616,442       182,886,491       244,020,302       10,001,757       5,450,216  

Energy

    9,372,223       7,663,723                   2,129,196       3,018,034  

Financials

    28,208,804       264,305,702       467,612,546       168,840,364       18,356,116        

Health Care

    15,171,140       29,713,300       126,682,568       395,331,129       12,370,117       6,968,193  

Industrials

    30,721,954             78,732,198       636,456,978             13,550,416  

Information Technology

    27,852,574       38,991,793       125,916,844       498,071,774       15,219,574       14,443,378  

Materials

    17,127,660       20,757,845       43,126,678       29,303,120       7,661,188       5,264,847  

Real Estate

    22,928,704       69,326,379             67,846,196             6,867,659  

Utilities

    14,508,854                                

Preferred Equities:

           

Consumer Discretionary

                            7,118,240        

Consumer Staples

                            9,375,594        

Energy

                            1,922,683        

Financials

                            5,923,023        

Information Technology

                            15,979,054        

Materials

                            4,042,912        

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

           

Common Equities:

           

Information Technology

                                  249  

Total Market Value of Investments

    $355,653,467       $819,313,238       $1,460,637,153       $2,640,945,752       $144,757,565       $69,379,451  

Levels for Derivative Financial Instruments:    

Summary of inputs used to determine the fair valuation of the Funds’ derivative financial instruments as of June 30, 2019.    

 

      Matthews Asia
Strategic
Income Fund
 

Derivative Financial Instruments1

  

Assets

  
Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs   

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

     $130,886  
  

 

 

 

Liabilities

  
Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs   

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

     ($556,972)  

Interest Rate Swaps

     (54,169)  
  

 

 

 
     ($611,141)  
  

 

 

 

 

1

Derivative financial instruments are forward foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps. Forward foreign currency exchange contracts and interest rate swaps are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instruments.    

 

140    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Changes in the Balances of Level 3 Securities:    

The Funds’ policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out of Level 3 during the reporting period.    

 

     Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 
    Common
Equities —
Information
Technology
 
Balance as of 12/31/18 (market value)     $249  
Accrued discounts/premiums      
Realized gain/(loss)      
Change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation)      
Purchases      
Sales      
Transfers in to Level 3*      
Transfer out of Level 3*      
Balance as of 6/30/19 (market value)     $249  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Level 3 investments held as of 6/30/19**     $—  

 

*

The Funds’ policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period.    

**

Included in the related amounts on the Statements of Operations.    

Certain foreign securities, for which market quotations are not readily available, may be fair valued and classified as either Level 2 or Level 3. When the underlying inputs include significant observable inputs obtained from sources independent of the Funds, the securities are classified as Level 2. These inputs include evaluated prices from the Funds’ pricing vendors, day-on-day price changes, primary and ancillary pricing sources, and other available independent market indicators of value. When the underlying inputs include significant unobservable inputs and reflect assumptions of market participants, the securities are classified as Level 3. Certain securities held by the Funds that were suspended from trading and classified as Level 3 on June 30, 2019 subsequently resumed trading and were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1, Level 2 or were sold.

 

C.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Matthews China Fund and Matthews Asia Dividend Fund (the “Investing Funds”) for the 2014-2016 period include the accounts of the Matthews CF-U Series and Matthews ADF-U Series (the “U Series Funds”), respectively. The U Series Funds were series of Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company registered under the 1940 Act. All of the interests offered by U Series Funds were exclusively owned by the Investing Funds. The U Series Funds primarily invested in the stocks of Chinese companies listed on Mainland China Stock Exchanges, and traded and denominated in the currency of China, the Renminbi. To allow U Series Funds to invest in China A Shares Matthews applied for and received a license from the China Securities Regulatory Commission as a Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (“QFII”) and had been allocated by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange of China an initial quota of $100 million in June 2014, and an additional quota of $440 million in July 2015, representing the equivalent value in Renminbi of China A Shares that the Funds could purchase. Access to the quota was subject to Matthews’ trade allocation procedures and access allocation procedures. The U Series Funds were subject to the same investment policies and restrictions that apply to Investing Funds. Intercompany accounts and transactions, if any, have been eliminated in the consolidation process. The U Series Funds were intended to be disregarded entities for tax purposes. Therefore, no federal tax provision was required. Consolidated financial statements include expenses that are accrued for and paid by the Investing Funds. These include on-going operational costs as well as costs in connection with the launching of the U Series Funds.

In September 2016, the Board of Directors of the Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC adopted resolutions authorizing the termination and liquidation of the Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC. Consequently, as of September 30, 2016, the U Series Funds sold their securities and effectively ceased investment operations. The outstanding interests of each U Series Fund were redeemed by its respective Investing Fund. The Matthews A Share Selections Fund, LLC filed an initial application for deregistration as a registered investment company with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in October 2016, which was subsequently granted in February 2017.

 

D.

RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH NON-U.S. COMPANIES: Investments by the Funds in the securities of non-U.S. companies may involve investment risks not typically associated with investments in U.S. issuers. These risks include possible political, economic, social and religious instability, inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries within the Asia Pacific region (including in countries where the Funds may invest, as well as in the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural disasters; corruption; and military activity. Foreign securities may be subject to greater fluctuations in price than securities of domestic corporations or the U.S. government. Foreign investing may also include the risk of expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds or other assets, currency crises and exchange controls, the imposition of foreign withholding tax on the interest income payable on such instruments, the possible seizure or nationalization of foreign deposits or assets, or the adoption of other foreign government restrictions that might adversely affect the foreign securities held by the Funds. Additionally, Asia Pacific countries may utilize formal or informal currency exchange controls or “capital controls” that may limit the ability to repatriate investments or income or adversely affect the value of portfolio investments. The economies of many Asia Pacific countries differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as their rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency and dependence on other economies, financial system stability, the national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global trade.

Certain Asia Pacific countries are highly dependent upon and may be affected by developments in the economies of other countries. Non-U.S. companies are subject to different accounting, auditing, and financial reporting standards, practices, and requirements than U.S. companies. There is generally less government regulation of stock exchanges, brokers, and listed companies abroad than in the United States, which may result in less transparency with respect to a company’s operations, and make obtaining information about them more difficult (or such information may be unavailable).

Foreign stock markets may not be as developed or efficient as those in the United States, and the absence of negotiated brokerage commissions in certain countries may result in higher brokerage fees. The time between the trade and settlement dates of securities transactions on foreign exchanges

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

ranges from one day to four weeks or longer and may result in higher custody charges. Custodial arrangements may be less well developed than in the United States. Foreign securities are generally denominated and pay distributions in foreign currencies, exposing the Funds to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. Investing in any country in the Asia Pacific region will also entail risks specific and unique to that country, and these risks can be significant and change rapidly.

Changes in interest rates in each of the countries in which the Funds may invest, as well as interest rates in more-developed countries, may cause a decline in the market value of an investment. Generally, fixed income securities will decrease in value when interest rates rise and can be expected to rise in value when interest rates decline. As interest rates decline, debt issuers may repay or refinance their loans or obligations earlier than anticipated. The issuers of fixed income securities may, therefore, repay principal in advance. This would force the Funds to reinvest the proceeds from the principal prepayments at lower rates, which reduces the Funds’ income.

 

E.

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS: It is the policy of Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund and Matthews China Dividend Fund to distribute net investment income on a semi-annual basis and capital gains, if any, annually. It is the policy of Matthews Asia Dividend Fund, Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund to distribute net investment income on a quarterly basis and capital gains, if any, annually. Each of the other Funds distributes a net investment income and capital gains, if any, annually. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Income and capital gain distributions are determined in accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from U.S. GAAP.

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2018   

Ordinary

Income

       Net Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Total Taxable
Distributions
       Return of
Capital
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $2,884,604          $—          $2,884,604          $381,950  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      1,411,365                   1,411,365           
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      46,680,045          180,408,534          227,088,579           
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      226,081,829          266,855,532          492,937,361           
Matthews China Dividend Fund      11,590,471          24,594,264          36,184,735           
Matthews Asia Value Fund      1,125,780          159,629          1,285,409           
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      8,510,896          6,873,778          15,384,674           
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      192,063,450          248,646,631          440,710,081           
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      110,310          861,827          972,137           
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      3,675,977          8,952,247          12,628,224           
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      1,092,195          8,851,877          9,944,072           
Matthews China Fund      9,777,889          126,839,507          136,617,396           
Matthews India Fund               279,269,366          279,269,366           
Matthews Japan Fund      19,888,292          136,613,164          156,501,456           
Matthews Korea Fund      2,951,789          24,410,239          27,362,028           
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      2,523,811          43,064,299          45,588,110           
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      368,243          2,204,423          2,572,666           

 

F.

INVESTMENT TRANSACTIONS AND INCOME: Securities transactions are accounted for on the date the securities are purchased or sold or on the following business day. Financial statements reflect security transactions on trade date. Gains or losses on the sale of securities are determined on the identified cost basis. Interest income is recorded on the accrual basis. Interest income, including amortization and accretion of premiums and discounts on debt securities, is recognized daily on an accrual basis. For convertible securities, premiums attributable to the conversion feature are not amortized. Dividend income is generally recorded on the ex-dividend date net of any foreign taxes withheld at the source. Dividend income for certain issuers headquartered in countries which the Funds invest may not be recorded until approved by the shareholders (which may occur after the ex-dividend date) if, in the judgment of management, such dividends are not reasonably determined as of the ex-dividend date. Income and realized and unrealized gains or losses on investments are allocated to each class of shares based on its relative net assets.

The Funds may be subject to foreign taxation related to income received, capital gains on the sale of securities and certain foreign currency transactions in the foreign jurisdictions in which they invest. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest. Foreign taxes, if any, are recorded based on the tax regulations and rates that exist in the foreign markets in which the Funds invest. When a capital gain tax is determined to apply, the Funds record an estimated deferred tax liability in an amount that may be payable if the securities were disposed of on the valuation date.

 

G.

FUND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS: The Funds account separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each Fund. Estimated expenses are accrued daily. Direct expenses of each Fund or class are charged to that Fund or class while general expenses are allocated pro-rata among the Funds based on net assets or other appropriate methods.

 

H.

CASH, CASH OVERDRAFTS, AND FOREIGN CURRENCY: QFII accounts (i.e., the accounts through which the QFII quota is accessed) are required by the local market to maintain a cash reserve. The cash reserve is based upon a fixed ratio of the QFII’s approved investment quota, which is defined as the amount remitted into its special Renminbi (RMB) cash account. These amounts, if any, are included in “Segregated foreign currency at value” on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. The fixed ratio is set at 0.08 percent for the Shanghai and 0.06 percent for the Shenzhen market. When any of the Funds’ cash balances are overdrawn, a Fund is charged an overdraft fee by the custodian of 1.00% above the 30-day LIBOR rate on outstanding balances. These amounts, if any, are included in “Other expenses” on the Statements of Operations.

 

I.

USE OF ESTIMATES: The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

J.

RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE: In March 2017, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued amended guidance to shorten the amortization period for certain callable debt securities, held at premium. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2018. Adoption will have no effect on the Funds’ net assets. Management is evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on the Funds’ results of operations and financial disclosures.

 

142    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

On August 28, 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Disclosure Framework—Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement”, which amends the fair value measurement disclosure requirements under U.S. GAAP. The amendments of ASU 2018-13 include new, eliminated, and modified disclosure requirements. In addition, the amendments clarify that materiality is an appropriate consideration of entities when evaluating disclosure requirements. The ASU is effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, including interim periods therein. An entity is permitted to early adopt any eliminated or modified disclosures upon issuance of this ASU and delay adoption of the new disclosures until their effective date. As such, each Fund has early adopted the eliminated and modified disclosures, including the amount of and reasons for transfers between Level 1 and Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, as permitted by this ASU. Management is currently evaluating the impact that the adoption of the new disclosures will have on the Funds’ financial statements.

 

3.

DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

Each of the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund engages in derivative transactions for a variety of purposes, including managing interest rate, currency and credit exposure. Derivative transactions in which each Fund may engage include financial futures contracts, swaps and/or forward foreign currency exchange contracts.

Certain derivative transactions may result in each Fund’s exposure to a currency to exceed the value of the Fund’s assets and the Fund could be exposed to currency risk whether or not it holds a bond or other instrument denominated in that currency. The gross notional value of derivative financial instruments and transactions could exceed the value of the Fund’s net assets, although the net market value of these instruments and transactions, on a marked-to-market basis, at most times, is expected to be substantially lower.

The primary risks associated with the use of derivative financial instruments are: (i) Matthews may not correctly predict the direction of currency exchange rates, interest rates, security prices, or other economic factors; (ii) Matthews may not correctly predict changes in the value of derivative financial instruments and related underlying instruments or assets, which may result in disproportionately increased losses and/or reduced opportunities for gains; (iii) imperfect correlation between the change in market value of the securities held by a Fund and the price of financial futures contracts and credit default swaps contracts; (iv) the lack of, or a reduction in the liquidity of, any secondary market for the instrument, and the resulting inability to close the position (or exit the position) when desired; (v) losses, which are potentially unlimited, due to unanticipated market movements; (vi) the value of the instrument may change unfavorably due to movements in the value of the referenced foreign currencies; (vii) a Fund may suffer disproportionately heavy losses relative to the amount invested; (viii) changes in the value of the derivatives may not match or fully offset changes in the value of hedged or related portfolio securities, thereby failing to achieve the hedging or investment purpose for the derivative transaction; and (ix) the other party to the instrument may fail to fulfill its obligation.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: The Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund enter into forward foreign currency exchange contracts to gain or reduce exposure to foreign currency exchange rate risk. A forward foreign currency exchange contract is an agreement between two parties to buy and sell a currency at a set exchange rate on a future date. The contract is marked-to-market daily and the change in market value is recorded by the Fund as an unrealized gain or loss. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed. The Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund do not offset financial assets and financial liabilities on forward foreign currency contacts in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as they are not subject to netting arrangements.

Swaps: The Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund enter into swap contracts to manage exposure to issuers, markets and securities to reduce their risk exposure to defaults of corporate and/or sovereign issuers or to create exposure to corporate and/or sovereign issuers to which they are not otherwise exposed (credit risk). Such contracts are agreements between the Funds and a counterparty to make periodic net payments on a specified notional amount or a net payment upon termination. Swap agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and may be entered into as a bilateral contract (“OTC Swaps”) or centrally cleared (“centrally cleared swaps”).

For OTC swaps, any upfront premiums paid and any upfront fees received are shown as swap premiums paid and swap premiums received, respectively, in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities and amortized over the term of the contract. The daily fluctuation in market value is recorded as unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on OTC Swaps in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities. Payments received or paid are recorded in the Statements of Operations as realized gains or losses, respectively. When an OTC swap is terminated, a realized gain or loss is recorded in the Statements of Operations equal to the difference between the proceeds from (or cost of) the closing transaction and the Funds’ basis in the contract, if any. Generally, the basis of the contract is the amortized premium received or paid.

The Funds may enter into interest rate swaps to gain or reduce exposure to interest rates or to manage duration, the yield curve or interest rate (interest rate risk).

Interest rate swaps are agreements to exchange cash flows based on the difference between specified interest rates applied to a notional principal amount for a specified period of time. Risks related to the use of interest rate swaps include the potential for unanticipated movements in interest or currency rates, the possible failure of a counterparty to perform in accordance with the terms of the swap agreements and potential government regulation that could adversely affect the Funds’ swap investments.

Counterparty Credit Risk: A derivative contract may suffer a mark to market loss if the value of the contract decreases due to an unfavorable change in the market rates or values of the underlying instrument. Losses can also occur if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

A Fund’s risk of loss from counterparty credit risk on OTC derivatives is generally limited to the aggregate unrealized gain netted against any collateral held by such Fund.

With exchange traded futures and centrally cleared swaps, there is less counterparty credit risk to the Funds since the exchange or clearinghouse, as counterparty to such instruments, guarantees against a possible default. The clearinghouse stands between the buyer and the seller of the contract; therefore, the credit risk is limited to failure of the clearinghouse. While offset rights may exist under applicable law, a Fund does not have a contractual right of offset against a clearing broker or clearinghouse in the event of a default (including the bankruptcy or insolvency) of the clearing broker or clearinghouse. Additionally, credit risk exists in exchange traded futures and centrally cleared swaps with respect to initial and variation margin that is held in a clearing broker’s customer accounts. While clearing brokers are required to segregate customer margin from their own assets, in the event that a clearing broker becomes insolvent or goes into bankruptcy and at that time there is a shortfall in the aggregate amount of margin held by the clearing broker for all its clients, typically the shortfall would be allocated on a pro rata basis across all the clearing broker’s customers, potentially resulting in losses to the Funds.

In order to better define its contractual rights and to secure rights that will help the Funds mitigate their counterparty risk, a Fund may enter into an International Swaps and Derivatives Association, Inc. Master Agreement (“ISDA Master Agreement”) or similar agreement with its derivative contract counterparties. An ISDA Master Agreement is a bilateral agreement between each Fund and a counterparty that governs OTC derivatives and typically contains, among other things, collateral posting terms and netting provisions in the event of a default and/or termination event. Under an ISDA

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Master Agreement, each Fund may, under certain circumstances, offset with the counterparty certain derivative financial instruments’ payables and/or receivables with collateral held and/or posted and create one single net payment. The provisions of the ISDA Master Agreement typically permit a single net payment in the event of default including the bankruptcy or insolvency of the counterparty. However, bankruptcy or insolvency laws of a particular jurisdiction may impose restrictions on or prohibitions against the right of offset in bankruptcy, insolvency or other events. In addition, certain ISDA Master Agreements allow counterparties to OTC derivatives to terminate derivative contracts prior to maturity in the event a Fund’s net assets decline by a stated percentage or the Fund fails to meet the terms of its ISDA Master Agreements, which would cause the Fund to accelerate payment of any net liability owed to the counterparty.

Collateral requirements: For derivatives traded under an ISDA Master Agreement, the collateral requirements are typically calculated by netting the mark to market amount for each transaction under such agreement and comparing that amount to the value of any collateral currently pledged by a Fund and the counterparty. Cash collateral that has been pledged to cover obligations of a Fund, if any, is reported separately on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as cash pledged as collateral. Non-cash collateral pledged by a Fund, if any, is noted in the Schedules of Investments.

For financial reporting purposes, the Funds do not offset derivative assets and derivative liabilities that are subject to netting arrangements in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities.

The Funds have implemented the disclosure requirements pursuant to FASB Accounting Standards update No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, that requires disclosures to make financial statements that are prepared under U.S. GAAP more comparable to those prepared under International Financial Reporting Standards. Under this guidance the Funds disclose in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities both gross and net information about instruments and transactions eligible for offset such as instruments and transactions subject to an agreement similar to a master netting arrangement. In addition, the Funds disclose collateral received and posted in connection with master netting agreements or similar arrangements.

As of June 30, 2019, the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund had $54,169 in gross/net liabilities in the Statements of Assets and Liabilities for OTC derivatives with Bank of America, N.A. There was no collateral pledged or received by the Fund with this counterparty.

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure:

As of June 30, 2019, the fair values of derivative financial instruments were as follows:    

 

     Statements of Assets and Liabilities Location        Matthews Asia
Strategic Income
Fund
 
 

Asset Derivatives

   
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign    
  currency exchange contracts       $130,886  
     

 

 

 
 

Liability Derivatives

   
  Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign    
  currency exchange contracts       ($556,972
OTC interest rate contracts   Unrealized depreciation on interest rate contracts       (54,169
     

 

 

 
 

Total

      ($611,141
     

 

 

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, the effects of derivative financial instruments on the Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

Derivative type   Statements of Operations Location  

Matthews Asia
Strategic Income
Fund

    Matthews Asia
Credit Opportunities
Fund
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     
Foreign currency contracts:      

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  Net realized gain (loss) on forward foreign    
  currency exchange contracts     $803,516       $728  
OTC interest rate swaps:      

Interest rate contracts

  Net realized gain (loss) on swaps     85,613        
   

 

 

 
 

Total

    $889,129       $728  
   

 

 

 

Net Change In Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     
Foreign currency contracts:      

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts

  Net change in unrealized appreciation/    
  depreciation on forward foreign currency    
  exchange contracts     ($1,119,966     ($728
OTC interest rate swaps:      

Interest rate contracts

  Net change in unrealized appreciation/    
  depreciation on swaps     (54,169      
   

 

 

 
 

Total

    ($1,174,135     ($728
   

 

 

 

Forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into by the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund, the average notional ending quarterly amounts purchased in USD were $6,149,210 and the average notional ending quarterly amounts sold in USD were $28,000,000. The Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund held an Interest Rate Swap with a notional amount of 330,000,000 INR for the period 1/16/19 - 4/4/19. The notional amounts disclosed on the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund’s Schedule of Investments is indicative of the activity for the period June 18, 2019 - June 30, 2019 for Interest Rate Swaps.

 

144    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

4.

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

 

     Six-Month Period Ended
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
     Year Ended December 31, 2018  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     270,021        $2,891,100        2,673,655        $29,287,179  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     62,343        668,496        155,200        1,663,927  

Shares redeemed

     (719,071      (7,655,617      (4,636,979      (49,347,994

Net (decrease)

     (386,707      ($4,096,021      (1,808,124      ($18,396,888

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,391,419        $14,760,614        4,881,483        $52,321,637  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     104,681        1,122,650        114,737        1,209,687  

Shares redeemed

     (531,454      (5,643,206      (1,981,621      (20,513,956

Net increase

     964,646        $10,240,058        3,014,599        $33,017,368  

MATTHEWS ASIA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     321,588        $3,260,019        621,546        $6,369,451  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     20,248        207,612        34,462        346,195  

Shares redeemed

     (154,523      (1,562,723      (749,130      (7,545,536

Net increase (decrease)

     187,313        $1,904,908        (93,122      ($829,890

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,495,991        $15,205,043        1,955,614        $19,773,740  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     61,014        626,006        70,100        697,699  

Shares redeemed

     (333,140      (3,381,556      (907,590      (8,976,611

Net increase

     1,223,865        $12,449,493        1,118,124        $11,494,828  

MATTHEWS ASIAN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     3,404,065        $50,165,861        7,692,701        $124,999,548  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     576,457        8,727,555        6,291,585        90,673,150  

Shares redeemed

     (8,290,850      (124,294,136      (44,530,783      (727,925,822

Net (decrease)

     (4,310,328      ($65,400,720      (30,546,497      ($512,253,124

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     10,361,550        $153,536,916        19,468,288        $325,288,280  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     450,370        6,809,588        5,846,765        84,477,052  

Shares redeemed

     (15,393,708      (230,390,354      (57,543,636      (917,676,867

Net (decrease)

     (4,581,788      ($70,043,850      (32,228,583      ($507,911,535

MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     17,009,977        $284,885,655        41,217,543        $788,692,238  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     1,400,669        23,198,086        11,593,833        197,404,775  

Shares redeemed

     (27,345,283      (458,152,335      (70,902,063      (1,313,499,842

Net (decrease)

     (8,934,637      ($150,068,594      (18,090,687      ($327,402,829

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     30,152,201        $507,569,029        60,848,321        $1,153,786,170  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     1,749,772        28,989,308        13,060,327        222,009,324  

Shares redeemed

     (21,885,579      (366,175,799      (50,882,787      (904,298,337

Net increase

     10,016,394        $170,382,538        23,025,861        $471,497,157  

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six-Month Period Ended
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
     Year Ended December 31, 2018  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS CHINA DIVIDEND FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     5,670,155        $90,307,189        5,966,861        $103,895,668  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     248,376        3,899,398        1,359,166        20,830,044  

Shares redeemed

     (2,690,161      (42,650,838      (8,392,276      (143,578,333

Net increase (decrease)

     3,228,370        $51,555,749        (1,066,249      ($18,852,621

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,659,939        $26,849,887        3,759,608        $67,020,667  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     98,335        1,543,858        525,095        8,055,027  

Shares redeemed

     (572,769      (9,099,957      (2,258,122      (36,385,874

Net increase

     1,185,505        $19,293,788        2,026,581        $38,689,820  

MATTHEWS ASIA VALUE FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     404,493        $4,652,557        1,051,874        $13,252,147  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   72,411        795,079  

Shares redeemed

     (280,999      (3,217,495      (1,753,683      (21,328,776

Net increase (decrease)

     123,494        $1,435,062        (629,398      ($7,281,550

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     314,802        $3,598,877        466,954        $5,447,710  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   18,592        202,462  

Shares redeemed

     (425,733      (4,854,099      (114,752      (1,403,647

Net increase (decrease)

     (110,931      ($1,255,222      370,794        $4,246,525  

MATTHEWS ASIA GROWTH FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     3,129,174        $77,878,648        10,786,092        $298,040,265  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   261,406        6,250,221  

Shares redeemed

     (3,433,953      (85,358,800      (10,780,916      (285,324,564

Net increase (decrease)

     (304,779      ($7,480,152      266,582        $18,965,922  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     3,981,112        $99,471,589        13,280,478        $366,402,524  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   254,228        6,121,801  

Shares redeemed

     (2,066,577      (52,050,829      (3,723,336      (95,217,584

Net increase

     1,914,535        $47,420,760        9,811,370        $277,306,741  

MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     10,257,728        $289,488,897        23,880,091        $723,000,071  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   4,100,739        110,309,880  

Shares redeemed

     (10,469,220      (294,929,075      (35,883,150      (1,069,368,504

Net (decrease)

     (211,492      ($5,440,178      (7,902,320      ($236,058,553

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     34,205,193        $964,963,393        73,569,231        $2,205,765,648  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   8,621,801        231,581,567  

Shares redeemed

     (25,382,096      (712,451,732      (72,136,270      (2,150,140,709

Net increase

     8,823,097        $252,511,661        10,054,762        $287,206,506  

MATTHEWS ASIA ESG FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     737,901        $8,006,774        518,131        $5,764,694  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   39,314        388,821  

Shares redeemed

     (220,876      (2,292,955      (552,444      (5,766,903

Net increase

     517,025        $5,713,819        5,001        $386,612  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     500,669        $5,328,084        1,862,932        $18,844,975  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   56,216        554,851  

Shares redeemed

     (119,489      (1,269,852      (224,650      (2,278,724

Net increase

     381,180        $4,058,232        1,694,498        $17,121,102  

 

146    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six-Month Period Ended
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
     Year Ended December 31, 2018  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,400,015        $18,035,883        4,620,696        $65,897,785  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   212,377        2,658,966  

Shares redeemed

     (2,062,747      (26,406,315      (9,507,354      (133,149,866

Net (decrease)

     (662,732      ($8,370,432      (4,674,281      ($64,593,115

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     7,773,539        $99,853,546        13,299,754        $190,322,581  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   477,196        5,993,576  

Shares redeemed

     (2,324,042      (29,980,331      (10,983,928      (147,221,998

Net increase

     5,449,497        $69,873,215        2,793,022        $49,094,159  

MATTHEWS ASIA INNOVATORS FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     2,533,698        $32,271,743        10,925,559        $155,176,262  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   334,533        3,867,195  

Shares redeemed

     (3,052,075      (39,162,445      (10,079,828      (140,682,243

Net increase (decrease)

     (518,377      ($6,890,702      1,180,264        $18,361,214  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,658,583        $21,824,445        8,564,706        $117,389,330  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   219,506        2,550,665  

Shares redeemed

     (1,040,027      (13,187,033      (2,844,442      (36,304,986

Net increase

     618,556        $8,637,412        5,939,770        $83,635,009  

MATTHEWS CHINA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     6,364,385        $107,768,354        15,121,019        $340,339,102  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   7,011,755        104,895,844  

Shares redeemed

     (5,392,610      (90,437,893      (20,695,099      (427,936,552

Net increase

     971,775        $17,330,461        1,437,675        $17,298,394  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     6,103,539        $98,934,581        6,614,792        $150,104,126  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   588,948        8,792,993  

Shares redeemed

     (614,714      (10,572,933      (6,742,777      (135,104,968

Net increase

     5,488,825        $88,361,648        460,963        $23,792,151  

MATTHEWS INDIA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     5,798,714        $152,254,183        10,324,568        $334,912,011  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   5,722,656        144,439,816  

Shares redeemed

     (6,045,925      (159,562,486      (18,347,443      (565,381,775

Net (decrease)

     (247,211      ($7,308,303      (2,300,219      ($86,029,948

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     2,214,392        $58,789,099        6,465,401        $215,871,605  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   1,158,242        29,500,413  

Shares redeemed

     (5,946,833      (159,551,688      (13,006,329      (414,651,704

Net (decrease)

     (3,732,441      ($100,762,589      (5,382,686      ($169,279,686

MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     11,055,072        $217,173,581        35,434,821        $838,074,072  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

           

 
     3,537,698        69,727,510  

Shares redeemed

     (25,630,711      (526,089,605      (36,383,495      (791,989,983

Net increase (decrease)

     (14,575,639      ($308,916,024      2,589,024        $115,811,599  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     8,701,605        $179,373,556        28,126,973        $681,080,915  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   788,439        15,563,790  

Shares redeemed

     (22,428,614      (450,829,905      (47,031,577      (1,073,069,165

Net (decrease)

     (13,727,009      ($271,456,349      (18,116,165      ($376,424,460

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Six-Month Period Ended
June 30, 2019 (Unaudited)
     Year Ended December 31, 2018  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS KOREA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     950,334        $4,414,943        4,808,867        $28,840,215  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   4,259,343        19,124,478  

Shares redeemed

     (2,065,797      (9,547,199      (9,178,750      (52,897,760

Net (decrease)

     (1,115,463      ($5,132,256      (110,540      ($4,933,067

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     2,752,961        $12,709,569        4,291,986        $26,760,451  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   605,040        2,734,781  

Shares redeemed

     (507,031      (2,317,549      (5,384,782      (29,526,364

Net increase (decrease)

     2,245,930        $10,392,020        (487,756      ($31,132

MATTHEWS ASIA SMALL COMPANIES FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     744,408        $12,246,014        1,341,878        $28,839,901  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   1,344,976        21,129,567  

Shares redeemed

     (1,260,791      (21,181,782      (4,600,698      (92,122,082

Net (decrease)

     (516,383      ($8,935,768      (1,913,844      ($42,152,614

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,272,599        $21,124,747        2,031,529        $42,209,221  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   1,164,500        18,247,712  

Shares redeemed

     (1,812,311      (30,109,020      (8,539,680      (162,341,803

Net (decrease)

     (539,712      ($8,984,273      (5,343,651      ($101,884,870

MATTHEWS CHINA SMALL COMPANIES FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,044,531        $11,471,292        4,586,645        $55,688,924  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   95,152        942,955  

Shares redeemed

     (1,140,562      (12,154,305      (3,284,316      (36,655,946

Net increase (decrease)

     (96,031      ($683,013      1,397,481        $19,975,933  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     659,146        $6,987,941        2,620,573        $28,921,075  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   32,751        324,895  

Shares redeemed

     (670,842      (7,485,821      (530,287      (5,561,926

Net increase (decrease)

     (11,696      ($497,880      2,123,037        $23,684,044  

Through June 30, 2019, a 2.00% redemption fee was assessed on the sale or exchange of shares of the Matthews Emerging Asia Fund, Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund and Matthews China Small Companies Fund (collectively, the “Covered Funds”) within 90 days after the date an investor purchases shares of the Covered Funds. This fee is payable directly to the Covered Funds.

To determine whether the redemption fee applies, the Covered Funds do not count the day that shares were purchased, and first redeem the shares that have been held the longest.

The redemption fees returned to the assets of the Funds are stated in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

 

5.

INVESTMENT ADVISORY FEES AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES

Matthews, a registered investment advisor under the 1940 Act, provides the Funds with investment management services. Pursuant to the prior Investment Advisory Agreement dated August 13, 2004, as amended (the “Prior Advisory Agreement”) and the current Investment Advisory Agreement dated February 1, 2016, as amended (the “Current Advisory Agreement,” and together with the Prior Advisory Agreement, the “Advisory Agreement”), the Funds pay Matthews (i) for management and advisory services; and (ii) for certain administrative services, an annual fee as a percentage of average daily net assets. Under the Advisory Agreement each of the Funds, other than Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund, Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, Matthews Emerging Asia Fund, Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund, and Matthews China Small Companies Fund (the “Family-Priced Funds”), pays Matthews 0.75% of their aggregate average daily net assets up to $2 billion, 0.6834% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $2 billion up to $5 billion, 0.65% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $5 billion up to $25 billion, 0.64% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $25 billion up to $30 billion, 0.63% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $30 billion up to $35 billion, 0.62% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $35 billion up to $40 billion, 0.61% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $40 billion up to $45 billion, and 0.60% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $45 billion. Each of the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund pays Matthews an annual fee of 0.55% of such Fund’s annual average daily net assets pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Each of the Matthews Emerging Asia Fund, Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund, and the Matthews China Small Companies Fund pays Matthews an annual fee of 1.00% of the average daily net assets of such Fund up to $1 billion and 0.95% of the average daily net assets of such Fund over $1 billion pursuant to the Advisory Agreement. Each Fund pays Matthews a monthly fee at the annual rate using the applicable management fee calculated based on the actual number of days of that month and based on the Fund’s average daily net asset value for the month.

 

148    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Pursuant to a fee waiver letter agreement, effective as of September 1, 2014, between the Trust, on behalf of the Family-Priced Funds, and Matthews (as amended from time to time, the “Fee Waiver Agreement”), for each Family-Priced Fund, Matthews has agreed to waive a portion of the fee payable under the Advisory Agreement and a portion of the fee payable under the Administration and Shareholder Services Agreement, if any Family-Priced Fund’s average daily net assets are over $3 billion, as follows: for every $2.5 billion average daily net assets of a Family-Priced Fund that are over $3 billion, the fee rates that otherwise would be applied for calculating fees payable under the Advisory Agreement and the Administration and Shareholder Services Agreement for such Family-Priced Fund with respect to such excess average daily net assets will be each reduced by 0.01%, in each case without reducing such fee rate below 0.00%.

Investment advisory fees charged, waived fees and reimbursed additional expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, were as follows:

 

      Gross Advisory Fees        Advisory Fees
Waived and
Reimbursed in
Excess of the
Expense Limitation
       Net Advisory Fee/
Reimbursement
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $293,987          ($25,859        $268,128  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      134,281          (50,460        83,821  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      4,770,829                   4,770,829  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      20,275,181          (190,457        20,084,724  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      1,123,589                   1,123,589  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      89,587          (58,374        31,213  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      3,533,896                   3,533,896  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      29,514,343          (518,018        28,996,325  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      134,663          (53,794        80,869  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      2,142,828          (514,640        1,628,188  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      908,817                   908,817  
Matthews China Fund      2,629,864                   2,629,864  
Matthews India Fund      5,111,917                   5,111,917  
Matthews Japan Fund      9,503,572                   9,503,572  
Matthews Korea Fund      501,506                   501,506  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      957,806          (237,652        720,154  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      356,650          (85,055        271,595  

Under a written agreement between the Funds and Matthews (the “Operating Expense Agreement”), Matthews agrees to waive fees and reimburse expenses to a Fund if its expense ratio exceeds a certain percentage level. Effective November 30, 2017 for all Funds, except Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, this level is 1.25% for the Institutional Class. Matthews agrees to reduce the expense ratio by waiving an equal amount of non-class specific expenses for the Investor Class. Because certain expenses of the Investor Class may be higher than those of the Institutional Class and because class specific expenses may be waived solely for the Institutional Class, total annual Fund expenses for the Investor Class may exceed 1.25%. For Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund this level is 0.90% for the Institutional Class. Matthews agrees to reduce the expense ratio by waiving an equal amount of non-class specific expenses for the Investor Class. Because certain expenses of the Investor Class may be higher than those of the Institutional Class and because class specific expenses may be waived solely for the Institutional Class, total annual Fund expenses for the Investor Class may exceed 0.90%. In turn, if the expenses of a Fund, other than the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, fall below the level noted within three years after Matthews has made such a reimbursement, the Fund may reimburse Matthews up to an amount of the recoupment available not to exceed the lesser of (i) the expense limitation applicable at the time of that fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of recoupment. For the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, any amount waived is not subject to recoupment. This agreement will continue through April 30, 2020, may be extended for additional periods not exceeding one year, and may be terminated at any time by the Board of Trustees on behalf of the Fund on 60 days’ written notice to Matthews. Matthews may decline to renew this agreement by written notice to the Trust at least 30 days before its annual expiration date.

Waived Fees Subject to Possible Future Recoupment

On June 30, 2019, the amounts subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:

 

     Expiring December 31,  
      2019        2020        2021        2022  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      $211,035          $119,683          $81,767          $58,374  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      163,853          156,429          156,459          53,794  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      553,167          878,171          1,073,964          514,640  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      252,008          272,597          308,001          237,652  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      142,295          184,162          275,220          85,055  

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund, Matthews Asia Dividend Fund, Matthews China Dividend Fund, Matthews Asia Growth Fund, Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund, Matthews Asia Innovators Fund, Matthews China Fund, Matthews India Fund, Matthews Japan Fund and Matthews Korea Fund had no amounts available for recoupment and no amounts recouped during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

The Funds have an Administration and Shareholder Services Agreement dated August 13, 2004, as amended (the “Shareholder Services Agreement” or “Services Agreement”), in which the Funds pay an annual administration and shareholder servicing fee to Matthews, as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund in aggregate, computed and prorated on a daily basis. Under the Shareholder Services Agreement, the Funds in the aggregate pay Matthews 0.25% of their aggregate average daily net assets up to $2 billion, 0.1834% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $2 billion up to $5 billion, 0.15% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $5 billion up to $7.5 billion, 0.125% of their aggregate average daily

 

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Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

net assets over $7.5 billion up to $15 billion, 0.11% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $15 billion up to $22.5 billion, 0.10% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $22.5 billion up to $25 billion, 0.09% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $25 billion up to $30 billion, 0.08% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $30 billion up to $35 billion, 0.07% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $35 billion up to $40 billion, 0.06% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $40 billion up to $45 billion, and 0.05% of their aggregate average daily net assets over $45 billion.

Administration and shareholder servicing fees charged, for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, were as follows:    

 

      Gross
Administration and
Shareholder
Servicing Fees
       Administration and
Shareholder
Servicing Fees
Waived in Excess  of
Expense Limitation
       Net
Administration and
Shareholder
Servicing Fees
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $73,781          $—          $73,781  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      33,691                   33,691  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      993,622                   993,622  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      4,222,455          (190,457        4,031,998  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      233,920                   233,920  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      18,649                   18,649  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      735,892                   735,892  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      6,146,970          (518,018        5,628,952  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      28,034                   28,034  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      295,692                   295,692  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      189,241                   189,241  
Matthews China Fund      547,412                   547,412  
Matthews India Fund      1,064,771                   1,064,771  
Matthews Japan Fund      1,979,339                   1,979,339  
Matthews Korea Fund      104,450                   104,450  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      132,194                   132,194  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      49,193                   49,193  

In addition to the fees paid to the Funds’ transfer agent, the Funds bear the cost of fees paid to certain service providers or intermediaries, including supermarkets, which provide transfer agency, record-keeping and shareholder servicing to certain shareholders. These fees are referred to as intermediary service fees on the Statements of Assets and Liabilities as well as the Statements of Operations. Additional information concerning these services and fees is contained in the Funds’ prospectuses.

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (“BNY Mellon”), an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation, serves as the Funds’ administrator, and in that capacity, performs various administrative and accounting services for each Fund. BNY Mellon also serves as the Funds’ transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar. An officer of BNY Mellon serves as Assistant Treasurer to the Funds. Total fees accrued by the Funds for administration and accounting services for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

      Administration and
Accounting fees
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $4,276  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      1,953  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      57,599  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      244,786  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      13,566  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      1,082  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      42,666  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      356,330  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      1,626  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      17,143  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      10,972  
Matthews China Fund      31,752  
Matthews India Fund      61,716  
Matthews Japan Fund      114,738  
Matthews Korea Fund      6,055  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      7,663  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      2,853  

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. serves as the Funds’ custodian. Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, serves as the Funds’ distributor in the United States pursuant to an Underwriting Agreement. Matthews Asia Funds are distributed in Latin America by HMC Partners.

 

150    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

As of June 30, 2019, Matthews and its affiliates held significant shares in the Funds as follows:

 

     

Shares held by Matthews

and its Affiliates

       Percentage of
Outstanding Shares
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      989,046          10
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      1,121,239          20
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      1,042,250          25

Certain officers and Trustees of the Funds are also officers and directors of Matthews. All officers serve without compensation from the Funds. The Funds paid the Independent Trustees $832,305 in aggregate for regular compensation during the six-month period ended June 30, 2019.

 

6.

INVESTMENTS

The value of investment transactions made for affiliated and unaffiliated holdings for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 were as follows:

 

      Affiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Affiliated Sales
       Unaffiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Unaffiliated Sales
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $—          $—          $68,735,472          $62,009,166  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund                        45,450,494          32,920,577  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund                        145,808,694          318,158,299  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      81,890,814          85,881,048          1,046,022,189          1,126,348,346  
Matthews China Dividend Fund                        200,978,549          139,429,274  
Matthews Asia Value Fund                        6,408,562          2,797,945  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      3,939,095                   171,629,389          125,205,648  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      180,731,838          34,891,829          692,888,793          723,789,520  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund                        17,667,695          3,477,094  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      4,968,018                   49,971,079          9,822,495  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund                        100,079,352          107,012,935  
Matthews China Fund                        314,237,278          245,116,406  
Matthews India Fund                        194,157,492          334,813,463  
Matthews Japan Fund                        313,453,459          885,145,203  
Matthews Korea Fund                        24,222,793          17,846,396  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      1,385,644                   45,793,973          88,125,755  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund                        22,326,255          18,828,569  

 

7.

HOLDINGS OF 5% VOTING SHARES OF PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

The 1940 Act defines “affiliated companies” to include investments in portfolio companies in which a fund owns 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares. During the six-month period ended June 30, 2019, the Funds below held 5% or more of the outstanding voting shares of the noted portfolio companies. During this period, other Funds in the Trust may also have held voting shares of the issuers at levels below 5%.

Investments in affiliates:

A summary of transactions in securities of issuers affiliated with a Fund for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019 is as follows:

 

     Shares Held at
Dec. 31, 2018
    Shares
Purchsed
   

Shares

Sold

    Shares Held at
June 30, 2019
   

Value at

June 30, 2019

   

Dividend
Income

Jan. 1, 2019–
June 30, 2019

    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
Jan. 1, 2019–
June 30, 2019
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

Anritsu Corp.

    9,384,700             578,200       8,806,500       $153,562,339       $967,572       $5,118,961       $30,110,001  

Ascendas India Trust

    57,863,800                   57,863,800       58,163,169       1,585,252             12,311,961  

Beijing Capital International Airport Co., Ltd.†

    94,084,000       4,772,000       10,536,000       88,320,000                          

BELLSYSTEM24 Holdings, Inc.

    5,597,000       165,500             5,762,500       79,845,707       840,748             12,288,517  

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    961,660             95,734       865,926       158,238,761       1,926,153       2,832,547       (4,205,136

Breville Group, Ltd.

    12,185,538             3,876,984       8,308,554       95,551,702       1,511,211       20,395,009       31,252,196  

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT†

    49,800,000                   49,800,000                          

China Steel Chemical Corp.

    15,589,000                   15,589,000       67,558,380                   (2,385,590

Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd.

    3,493,200       258,300             3,751,500       59,526,577       483,564             (21,540,543

HKBN, Ltd.†

    56,401,123                   56,401,123                          

KATITAS Co., Ltd.

          2,134,900             2,134,900       79,538,069       408,413             10,640,899  

Minda Industries, Ltd.

    13,962,765       698,017             14,660,782       67,586,347       91,792             184,920  

Minth Group, Ltd.

    68,147,000       1,164,000             69,311,000       186,928,707       5,847,089             (36,588,651

Shanghai Jin Jiang International Hotels Group Co., Ltd.

    173,612,000             51,510,000       122,102,000       24,839,724             (7,653,829     1,171,138  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.

    97,328,000                   97,328,000       79,489,455       2,976,297             5,654,747  
               

Total Affiliates

            $1,110,828,937       $16,638,091       $20,692,688       $38,894,459  
               

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      151  


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

     Shares Held at
Dec. 31, 2018
    Shares
Purchsed
   

Shares

Sold

    Shares Held at
June 30, 2019
   

Value at

June 30, 2019

   

Dividend
Income

Jan. 1, 2019–
June 30, 2019

    Net Realized
Gain (Loss)
Jan. 1, 2019–
June 30, 2019
    Change in
Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
MATTHEWS ASIA GROWTH FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

Sampath Bank PLC

    16,126,387       5,772,829 ††            21,899,216       $17,276,809       $395,119       $—       ($7,382,357
MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.

    7,315,882             1,463,156       5,852,726       $149,023,639       $4,210,094       $21,493,517       $12,143,322  

DB Insurance Co., Ltd.

    3,570,463                   3,570,463       183,370,247       5,336,898             (41,495,436

DKSH Holding AG

    2,861,150       1,178,719             4,039,869       236,718,475       4,182,133             (30,773,338

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd.

    34,726,400       8,152,800             42,879,200       133,152,824       3,779,933             (4,563,034

Guotai Junan Securities Co., Ltd.

    43,100,000       39,204,600             82,304,600       146,600,437                   (24,865,898

Just Dial, Ltd.

    3,557,718             249,878       3,307,840       36,462,147             262,701       13,471,029  

Orion Holdings Corp.

    5,656,566                   5,656,566       84,072,589       2,747,898             (2,450,014

Tata Power Co., Ltd.

    180,316,487                   180,316,487       180,304,311       3,384,209             (17,959,438
               

Total Affiliates

            $1,149,704,669       $23,641,165       $21,756,218       ($96,492,807
               
MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.

    3,287,600       2,538,400             5,826,000       $8,350,053       $91,438       $—       ($742,624

Shifa International Hospitals, Ltd.

    2,783,351                   2,783,351       3,829,612                   (309,720

Taisun International Holding Corp.

    2,127,000                   2,127,000       8,296,034                   (490,895

Vietnam National Seed Group JSC

    1,126,522                   1,126,522       4,248,929       72,834             (122,142
               

Total Affiliates

            $24,724,628       $164,272       $—       ($1,665,381
               
MATTHEWS INDIA FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

Caplin Point Laboratories, Ltd.

    3,870,311                   3,870,311       $25,303,651       $—       $—       $4,145,801  

eClerx Services, Ltd.†

    2,390,594             604,076       1,786,518                          

VST Industries, Ltd.

    1,167,175                   1,167,175       58,149,139                   3,479,303  
               

Total Affiliates

            $83,452,790       $—       $—       $7,625,104  
               
MATTHEWS ASIA SMALL COMPANIES FUND

 

         
Name of Issuer:                

Kuobrothers Corp.

    517,000       804,000             1,321,000       $2,232,892       $63,100       $—       $11,572  

 

Issuer was not an affiliated company as of June 30, 2019.

††

Includes stock dividend during the period.

 

8.

INCOME TAX INFORMATION

It is the policy of the Funds to comply with all requirements of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (“the Code”), applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute substantially all of their taxable income to their shareholders. The Funds have met the requirements of the Code applicable to regulated investment companies for the six-month period ended June 30, 2019. Therefore, no federal income tax provision is required.

Management has analyzed the Funds’ tax positions taken on federal income tax returns for all open tax years (current and prior three tax years), and has concluded that no provision for federal income tax is required in the Funds’ financial statements. The Funds’ federal and state income and federal excise tax returns for tax years for which the applicable statutes of limitations have not expired are subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service and state departments of revenue.

 

152    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

Under current tax law, the Funds have elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the year ending December 31, 2018:

 

     

Late Year

Losses*

 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      (109,716
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      (4,708
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      (9,108,081
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      (41,320,881
Matthews China Dividend Fund      (1,209,434
Matthews Asia Value Fund      (841,114
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      (1,448,783
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      (73,756
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      (1,133,192
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      (42,130
Matthews India Fund      (2,591,650
Matthews Korea Fund      (272,844
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      (47,359

 

*

As permitted by the Internal Revenue Service, the Funds have elected to defer certain qualified late-year losses and recognize such losses in the next fiscal year.    

As of December 31, 2018, the Funds have capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:

 

     Amount With No Expiration           
      Short-term
Losses
       Long-term
Losses
       Total  
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $4,165,505          $146,893          $4,312,398  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      520,152          163,234          683,386  

Under the Regulated Investment Company Modernization Act of 2010, the Funds are permitted to carry forward capital losses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 for an unlimited period. However, any losses incurred during those future taxable years will be required to be utilized prior to any losses incurred in pre-enactment taxable years, which generally expire after eight years from when they are incurred. Additionally, post-enactment capital losses that are carried forward will retain their character as either short-term or long-term capital losses rather than being considered all short-term as under previous law.    

As of June 30, 2019, the tax cost of investments, including derivatives, and the related net unrealized appreciation and depreciation were as follows:

 

      Tax Cost     

Gross

Unrealized

Appreciation

    

Gross

Unrealized

Depreciation

    Net Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $104,936,223        $3,915,135        ($330,950     $3,584,185  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      53,081,339        1,211,515        (221,145     990,370  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      1,241,343,180        236,322,059        (84,103,131     152,218,928  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      5,055,658,793        1,266,003,286        (373,478,376     892,524,910  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      340,613,087        49,535,670        (23,181,043     26,354,627  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      23,506,322        1,743,981        (2,200,209     (456,228
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      881,491,512        312,806,948        (97,276,487     215,530,461  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      6,299,257,935        3,268,256,820        (588,194,464     2,680,062,356  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      42,097,085        5,410,223        (2,145,870     3,264,353  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      450,179,317        60,982,440        (103,442,234     (42,459,794
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      233,823,091        51,124,680        (5,487,724     45,636,956  
Matthews China Fund      809,790,950        69,090,979        (59,568,691     9,522,288  
Matthews India Fund      1,291,453,321        309,637,374        (140,453,542     169,183,832  
Matthews Japan Fund      2,399,092,383        421,727,097        (179,873,728     241,853,369  
Matthews Korea Fund      137,319,364        18,841,063        (11,402,862     7,438,201  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      177,057,500        23,463,497        (25,536,491     (2,072,994
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      68,389,126        9,428,788        (8,438,463     990,325  

 

9.

SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

Management has evaluated the impact of all subsequent events on the Funds through the date the financial statements were issued, and has determined that there were no subsequent events that require recognition or disclosure in the financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      153  


Matthews Asia Funds    

INVESTMENT ADVISOR

Matthews International Capital Management, LLC

Four Embarcadero Center, Suite 550

San Francisco, CA 94111

800.789.ASIA

 

CUSTODIAN

Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

50 Post Office Square

Boston, MA 02110

 

ACCOUNT SERVICES

Matthews Asia Funds

P.O. Box 9791

Providence, RI 02940

800.789.ASIA

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Paul Hastings LLP

101 California Street, 48th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94111

 

LOGO

 

P.O. Box 9791  |  Providence, RI 02940  |  matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA (2742)

 

Matthews Asia Funds are distributed in the United States by Foreside Funds Distributors LLC, Berwyn, Pennsylvania

Matthews Asia Funds are distributed in Latin America by HMC Partners

 

LOGO

 

SAR-0619

 

154


Item 2.

Code of Ethics.

Not applicable.

 

Item 3.

Audit Committee Financial Expert.

Not applicable.

 

Item 4.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services.

Not applicable.

 

Item 5.

Audit Committee of Listed Registrants.

Not applicable.

 

Item 6.

Investments.

 

(a)

Schedule of Investments in securities of unaffiliated issuers as of the close of the reporting period is included as part of the report to shareholders filed under Item 1 of this form.

 

(b)

Not applicable.


Item 7.

Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 8.

Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 9.

Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers.

Not applicable.

 

Item 10.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which the shareholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors, where those changes were implemented after the registrant last provided disclosure in response to the requirements of Item 407(c)(2)(iv) of Regulation S-K (17 CFR 229.407) (as required by Item 22(b)(15) of Schedule 14A (17 CFR 240.14a-101)), or this Item.

 

Item 11.

Controls and Procedures.

 

  (a)

The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) (17 CFR 270.30a-3(c))) are effective, as of a date within 90 days of the filing date of the report that includes the disclosure required by this paragraph, based on their evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(b)) and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (17 CFR 240.13a-15(b) or 240.15d-15(b)).

 

  (b)

There were no changes in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act (17 CFR 270.30a-3(d))) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.


Item 12.

Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

Not applicable.

 

Item 13.

Exhibits.

 

   (a)(1)   Not applicable.
   (a)(2)   Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(a) under the 1940 Act and Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.
   (a)(3)   Not applicable.
   (a)(4)   Not applicable.
   (b)   Certifications pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the 1940 Act and Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are attached hereto.


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

(Registrant)  

Matthews International Funds                                

By (Signature and Title)*  

/s/ William J. Hackett

  William J. Hackett, President
  (principal executive officer)
Date  

September 5, 2019                                                     

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By (Signature and Title)*  

/s/ William J. Hackett

  William J. Hackett, President
  (principal executive officer)
Date  

September 5, 2019                                    

By (Signature and Title)*  

/s/ Shai Malka

  Shai Malka, Treasurer
  (principal financial officer)
Date  

September 5, 2019                                                     

 

* 

Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.