497K 1 v342970_497k.htm 497K

 

 

 

Matthews Japan Fund  
   
SUMMARY PROSPECTUS—INVESTOR CLASS April 30, 2013

 

TICKER: MJFOX

 

Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund’s Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund’s Prospectus and other information about the Fund online at matthewsasia.com/prospectus. You may also obtain this information at no additional cost by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742) or by sending an e-mail request to prospectus@matthewsasia.com. The Fund’s Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated April 30, 2013, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.

 

Investment Objective

  

Long-term capital appreciation.

 

Fees and Expenses of the Fund

  

This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy and hold shares of this Fund.

  

SHAREHOLDER FEES       
(fees paid directly from your investment)    
Redemption Fee (as a percentage of amount redeemed on shares sold or exchanged within 90 days after purchase)   2.00%
Maximum Account Fee on Redemptions (for wire redemptions only)   $9

 

ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES    
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)  
Management Fees   0.67%
Distribution (12b-1) Fees   None
Other Expenses   0.53%
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees 0.15%  
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses   1.20%

 

EXAMPLE OF FUND EXPENSES

 

This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then redeem all of your shares at the end of those periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund’s operating expenses remain the same. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:

 

One year: $122 Three years: $381 Five years: $660 Ten years: $1,455

 

PORTFOLIO TURNOVER

 

The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or “turns over” its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example of fund expenses, affect the Fund’s performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund’s portfolio turnover rate was 49% of the average value of its portfolio.

 

PS-MJFOX-0413

 

 
 

 

Principal Investment Strategy

  

Under normal market conditions, the Matthews Japan 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. A company is considered to be “located” in a country or a region if it has substantial ties to that country or region, including for example, if it (i) is organized under the laws of that country or any country in that region; (ii) derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located, within that country or region; (iii) has the primary trading markets for its securities in that country or region; or (iv) is a governmental entity or an agency, instrumentality or a political subdivision of that country or any country in that region. The Fund seeks to invest in companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management’s depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health. Matthews expects that the companies in which the Fund invests typically will be of medium or large size, but the Fund may invest in companies of any size. Matthews measures a company’s size with respect to fundamental criteria such as, but not limited to, market capitalization, book value, revenues, profits, cash flow, dividends paid and number of employees.

 

Principal Risks of Investment

 

There is no guarantee that your investment in the Fund will increase in value. The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:

 

Political, Social and Economic Risks: The value of the Fund’s assets may be adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability; inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries within the Asian region (including countries in which the Fund invests, as well as the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural disasters; corruption and military activity. The Asian region, and particularly China, Japan and South Korea, may be adversely affected by political, military, economic and other factors related to North Korea. In addition, China’s long-running conflict over Taiwan, border disputes with many of its neighbors and historically strained relations with Japan could adversely impact economies in the region. The economies of many Asian countries differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global trade. Certain Asian countries are highly dependent upon and may be affected by developments in the United States, Europe and other Asian economies.

 

Currency Risks: When the Fund conducts securities transactions in a foreign currency, there is the risk of the value of the foreign currency increasing or decreasing against the value of the U.S. dollar. The value of an investment denominated in a foreign currency will decline in dollar terms if that currency weakens against the dollar. While the Fund is permitted to hedge currency risks, Matthews does not anticipate doing so at this time.

  

Trading Markets and Depositary Receipts: Asian securities may trade in the form of depositary receipts, including American, European and Global Depositary Receipts. Although depositary receipts have risks similar to the securities that they represent, they may also involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security. In addition, depositary receipts may not pass through voting and other shareholder rights, and may be less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange.

  

Risks Associated with Japan: Poor performance of the global economy has negatively affected equity returns in Japan, and may continue to do so. Japan’s economy and stock market have in the recent past had a strong correlation with the U.S. economic cycle and U.S. stock markets, and thus Japan’s economy may continue to be affected by current economic problems in the U.S. Japan also has a growing economic relationship with China and other Southeast Asian countries, and thus Japan’s economy may also be affected by economic, political or social instability in those countries (whether resulting from local or global events).

  

Risks Associated with Medium-Sized Companies: Medium-sized companies may be subject to a number of risks not associated with larger, more established companies, potentially making their stock prices more volatile and increasing the risk of loss.

 

2 MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND

 

 
 

 

Past Performance

  

The bar chart below shows the Fund’s performance for the past 10 years and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Fund’s volatility and some indication of risk. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Fund’s performance over certain periods of time, along with performance of its benchmark index and an index with a similar universe of companies in which the Fund may invest. The index performance does not take into consideration fees, expenses or taxes. The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results. Both the bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.2742.

 

ANNUAL RETURNS FOR YEARS ENDED 12/31

 

 

 

AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012  
         
        Since Inception
  1 year 5 years 10 years (12/31/98)
Matthews Japan Fund        
Return before taxes 8.32% -1.18% 5.78% 3.75%
Return after taxes on distributions1 8.45% -1.58% 5.48% 3.13%
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares1 5.58% -1.11% 5.03% 2.99%
MSCI Japan Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 8.36% -4.11% 5.06% 1.38%
Tokyo Stock Price Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) 7.83% -3.38% 4.98% 1.68%

 

1After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investor’s tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.

 

Investment Advisor

  

Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (“Matthews”)

 

Portfolio Managers

 

Lead Manager: Taizo Ishida has been a Portfolio Manager of the Japan Fund since 2006.

 

Co-Manager: Kenichi Amaki has been a Portfolio Manager of the Japan Fund since 2010.

 

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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares

 

You may purchase and sell Fund shares directly through the Fund’s transfer agent by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742) or online at matthewsasia.com. Fund shares may also be purchased and sold through various securities brokers and benefit plan administrators or their sub-agents. You may purchase and redeem Fund shares by electronic bank transfer, check, or wire. A 2.00% redemption fee will be assessed on the sale or exchange of Fund shares within 90 days after the date you purchase Fund shares. Please see page 76 in the statutory prospectus for more details. The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for various types of accounts offered by the Fund are shown below.

 

Type of Account Minimum Initial Investment Subsequent Investments
Non-retirement $2,500 $100
Retirement and Coverdell $500 $50

 

Tax Information

 

The Fund’s distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal from those accounts.

 

Payments to Broker-Dealers
and Other Financial Intermediaries

 

If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), Matthews may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. Shareholders who purchase or hold Fund shares through an intermediary may inquire about such payments from that intermediary. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediary’s website for more information.

 

 

 

4 MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND