N-CSRS 1 d427846dncsrs.htm FORM N-CSRS Form N-CSRS
Table of Contents

 

 

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, 2017

 

 

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, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 


Table of Contents

Item 1. Reports to Stockholders.

The Report to Shareholders is attached herewith.


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Funds  |  Semi-Annual Report

June 30, 2017  |  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 Focus 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

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

 

 

LOGO

 

LOGO


Table of Contents

LOGO

 


Table of Contents

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     16  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund     21  
Matthews China Dividend Fund     26  
ASIA VALUE STRATEGY  
Matthews Asia Value Fund     31  
ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund     35  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund     39  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund     43  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund     48  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund     53  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund     58  
Matthews China Fund     61  
Matthews India Fund     66  
Matthews Japan Fund     71  
Matthews Korea Fund     76  
ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund     81  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund     86  
Index Definitions     91  

Disclosures

    92  
Disclosure of Fund Expenses     93  
Statements of Assets and Liabilities     96  
Statements of Operations     104  
Statements of Changes in Net Assets     108  
Financial Highlights     117  
Notes to Financial Statements     135  

Cover photo: Conical Vietnamese hats, Hanoi, Vietnam

 

 

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, 2017. 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 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’ prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for more risk disclosure.


Table of Contents

Investor Class Performance and Expenses (June 30, 2017)

 

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)

    8.69%       4.94%       n.a.       5.08%       11/30/11       1.33%       1.15% 1 

Asia Credit Opportunities Fund (MCRDX)

    8.67%       n.a.       n.a.       8.72%       4/29/16       2.24%       1.15% 1 

ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asian Growth and Income Fund (MACSX)

    8.75%       6.05%       5.06%       9.50%       9/12/94       1.09%       n.a.  

Asia Dividend Fund (MAPIX)

    16.37%       9.81%       8.37%       9.65%       10/31/06       1.06%       n.a.  

China Dividend Fund (MCDFX)

    24.88%       12.46%       n.a.       10.39%       11/30/09       1.22%       n.a.  

ASIA VALUE STRATEGY

             

Asia Value Fund (MAVRX)

    26.51%       n.a.       n.a.       17.36%       11/30/15       11.48%       1.50% 3 

ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES

             

Asia Focus Fund (MAFSX)

    18.39%       n.a.       n.a.       2.95%       4/30/13       2.47%       1.50% 3 

Asia Growth Fund (MPACX)

    15.86%       10.11%       5.95%       9.32%       10/31/03       1.14%       n.a.  

Pacific Tiger Fund (MAPTX)

    15.35%       9.25%       6.97%       8.81%       9/12/94       1.09%       1.08% 2 

Asia ESG Fund (MASGX)

    19.18%       n.a.       n.a.       4.02%       4/30/15       3.54%       1.48% 3 

Emerging Asia Fund (MEASX)

    19.88%       n.a.       n.a.       10.36%       4/30/13       1.77%       1.47% 3 

Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX)

    24.21%       14.61%       6.85%       3.44%       12/27/99       1.24%       n.a.  

China Fund (MCHFX)

    40.32%       7.19%       4.98%       9.80%       2/19/98       1.18%       n.a.  

India Fund (MINDX)

    18.58%       16.66%       7.92%       12.42%       10/31/05       1.12%       n.a.  

Japan Fund (MJFOX)

    8.27%       13.74%       4.54%       6.19%       12/31/98       0.98%       n.a.  

Korea Fund (MAKOX)

    19.23%       12.30%       5.57%       6.68%       1/3/95       1.15%       n.a.  

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES

             

Asia Small Companies Fund (MSMLX)

    13.60%       7.31%       n.a.       11.62%       9/15/08       1.49%       1.47% 3 

China Small Companies Fund (MCSMX)

    27.82%       11.37%       n.a.       3.25%       5/31/11       2.24%       1.50% 4 

 

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

 

* These figures are from the Funds’ prospectus dated as of April 28, 2017, and may differ from the actual expense ratios for fiscal year 2017, 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%. 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 the (i) 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, 2018 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, 2018 and may be terminated at any time (i) by the Trust on behalf of the Fund or by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews 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, 2018 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.

 

4 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) to 1.50%. 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, 2018 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 ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Institutional Class Performance and Expenses (June 30, 2017)

 

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)

    8.96%       5.15%       n.a.       5.29%       11/30/11       1.12%       0.90% 1 

Asia Credit Opportunities Fund (MICPX)

    8.99%       n.a.       n.a.       8.95%       4/29/16       1.99%       0.90% 1 

ASIA GROWTH AND INCOME STRATEGIES

             

Asian Growth and Income Fund (MICSX)

    8.94%       6.22%       n.a.       4.71%       10/29/10       0.94%       n.a.  

Asia Dividend Fund (MIPIX)

    16.43%       9.94%       n.a.       7.50%       10/29/10       0.94%       0.93% 3 

China Dividend Fund (MICDX)

    25.05%       12.68%       n.a.       9.08%       10/29/10       1.06%       n.a.  

ASIA VALUE STRATEGY

             

Asia Value Fund (MAVAX)

    26.87%       n.a.       n.a.       17.69%       11/30/15       11.26%       1.25% 2 

ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES

             

Asia Focus Fund (MIFSX)

    18.60%       n.a.       n.a.       3.20%       4/30/13       2.29%       1.25% 2 

Asia Growth Fund (MIAPX)

    16.06%       10.32%       n.a.       6.79%       10/29/10       0.96%       n.a.  

Pacific Tiger Fund (MIPTX)

    15.57%       9.44%       n.a.       6.24%       10/29/10       0.91%       0.90% 3 

Asia ESG Fund (MISFX)

    19.46%       n.a.       n.a.       4.27%       4/30/15       3.36%       1.25% 2 

Emerging Asia Fund (MIASX)

    20.11%       n.a.       n.a.       10.60%       4/30/13       1.62%       1.25% 2 

Asia Innovators Fund (MITEX)

    24.51%       n.a.       n.a.       13.57%       4/30/13       1.01%       n.a.  

China Fund (MICFX)

    40.57%       7.35%       n.a.       2.30%       10/29/10       1.03%       n.a.  

India Fund (MIDNX)

    18.85%       16.87%       n.a.       6.84%       10/29/10       0.91%       n.a.  

Japan Fund (MIJFX)

    8.38%       13.88%       n.a.       11.21%       10/29/10       0.88%       n.a.  

Korea Fund (MIKOX)

    19.31%       12.42%       n.a.       10.12%       10/29/10       0.97%       n.a.  

ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGY

             

Asia Small Companies Fund (MISMX)

    13.89%       n.a.       n.a.       3.39%       4/30/13       1.34%       1.25% 2 

 

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

 

* These figures are from the Funds’ prospectus dated as of April 28, 2017, and may differ from the actual expense ratios for fiscal year 2017, 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%. 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, 2018 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 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, 2018 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 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, 2018 and may be terminated at any time (i) by the Trust on behalf of the Fund or by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.

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      3  


Table of Contents

LOGO

Message to Shareholders from the Investment Advisor

Dear Valued Investors,

Twenty years ago on July 2 1997, Thailand devalued its currency, the baht. Thus began the final denouement of years of overinvesting in Asia that came to be called the Asian Financial Crisis.

One after another, markets and economies toppled like dominoes. I remember being in Hong Kong during the crisis as hedge funds tried to attack the Hong Kong dollar peg; stock prices dove in a frenzy. I saw professional South Korean investors reduced to tears, ashen faced, as they watched what they feared was the unravelling not just of their stock markets but of their country. Foreigners bid US$1 for indebted Korean companies. “On the tombstone of every bankrupt company in Asia, you’ll see the names of Korean Banks,” remarked one stock broker, alluding to the region-wide loans these banks had made.

It hadn’t started as such a panic. The first analysis that greeted the baht devaluation included the idea that Thailand was managing its currency to smooth out volatility as they tried to reflate the economy. The baht fell 10% to 20% on that first day and it was just starting. “Just wait until the market opens,” one person told me after the devaluation: “It is going to soar.” Within two years, it had lost 80% of its value.

In truth Thailand needed deflation not inflation. It had persistently been spending more than it saved. Economies elsewhere in Asia also needed to deflate. But devaluing currencies couldn’t do the job—it just increased the burden of U.S. dollar debt, on which their companies had binged, sent these businesses into bankruptcy and thereby further crippled the economy. Indonesia’s total GDP eventually fell by nearly 60% in U.S. dollar terms; Thailand and South Korea’s dropped by nearly 40%. Stock markets fell by considerably more than that. The memory of this event has persisted even longer; it still casts a shadow over the region, even as Asia’s markets rally.

Asia’s markets have gotten off to a strong start this year, and yet the most common refrain I hear is one of fear. Is it too late? Have they overheated again?

But 2017 is not 1997.

We are nowhere near having overheated economies. Singapore, Taiwan and South Korea indeed are running very large current account surpluses (meaning their domestic savings are greater than their spending). Thailand, whose current account was in deficit as recently as 2013, now runs one at 11% of GDP. Nor is inflation a problem—core inflation in the 12 major markets of the region averages less than 2%. In India and Indonesia (which until recently had inflation problems), rates have been lowered to a moderate 4.1% and 3.3%, respectively. Asian currencies, which had weakened in 2014 and 2015 as economies wrung out some excesses, have now stabilized and (like the South Korean won and the Taiwan dollar) even strengthened against the U.S. dollar. U.S. dollar external debt is simply not an issue as it was 20 years ago. This time, the currencies did their job. These are all signs of stability; indeed, one can reasonably argue that what Asia really needs is a burst of stimulus.

Corporate earnings are finally on the move, too. Year-to-date, earnings per share in Asia ex Japan have risen by 7%.* This is a dramatic acceleration in growth and it has helped the markets move higher and outperform both the U.S. and Europe. But, as I have pointed out before, Asia’s corporate profits have been in the doldrums for a few years now. We must consider the recent improvement in profits in the context of many years of zero growth. When we do, the recent performance is less surprising. Today, earnings per share in Asia ex Japan are still 4% lower than they were nearly six years ago. So,

 

 

4    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

what we are seeing is accelerating profit growth over just a few months—after no growth in U.S. dollar terms for six years—even though sales per share have risen by 10% in U.S. dollars over that time, despite currency weakness.

Can this acceleration in earnings be sustained?

Likely yes, I believe, especially if several factors continue: First, is moderate GDP growth. This is the basic fuel for sales and profit growth. The IMF expects the Asia Pacific region to grow by 6.4% a year in U.S. dollar terms between 2016 and 2022. Growth should be even faster in Southeast Asia at 8% per annum. Second, is the fact that this growth should be supported by fiscal and monetary loosening. Asia has plenty of room to stimulate its economies, with its high savings ratios and low core inflation. Third, is the fact that corporate margins appear to be improving. We are not seeing the same wage hikes in Asia that characterized the years between 2010 and 2015 in particular, as minimum wages were hiked above the rate of productivity growth.

Asia’s earnings are looking better, but they are still lower than they were six years ago. I am hopeful the better growth in earnings can be sustained. This should help to sustain increasing investor confidence from abroad. Headline valuations are high on measures like price-to-earnings, but they don’t look that high when you take into account that earnings are depressed. There have been some false dawns over the last couple of years, with expectations of earnings growth slipping away. But I am more confident now that the recent earnings strength can be sustained. Of course, markets don’t go up in a straight line and the recent low volatility will not be sustained. However, if current economic conditions persist, I would be inclined to treat such volatility as an opportunity—not something to fear.

 

LOGO

Robert Horrocks, PhD

Chief Investment Officer

Matthews International Capital Management, LLC

 

* All EPS data from Factset Asia ex Japan Index as of June 16, 2017.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      5  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Teresa Kong, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Satya Patel  

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAINX   MINCX

CUSIP

  577125503   577125602

Inception

  11/30/11   11/30/11

NAV

 

$10.87

 

$10.86

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.33%

 

1.12%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.15%

 

0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

 

33

Net Assets

 

$76.3 million

Modified Duration3

 

3.6

Portfolio Turnover4

 

71.50%

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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund returned 5.68% (Investor Class) and 5.80% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index, returned 6.41%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 3.18% (Investor Class) and 3.24% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 1.76% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Interest rates across Asia fell in the second quarter. Markets appear to believe it is increasingly unlikely that U.S. President Donald Trump will be able to pass policies on his agenda that would lead to higher growth and inflation, including tax cuts, trade and fiscal expansion. The most notable exception is in China, where the central bank deliberately tightened credit conditions to force banks and shadow lending entities to deleverage, leading to a rise in yields.

High yield credit spreads widened slightly in the quarter amidst a strong environment for new issuance, but history indicates spreads typically tighten during U.S. rate hike cycles. Globally, high yield credit spreads in the U.S., Europe and Latin America have tightened by more than historical averages; Asia high yield credit spreads are unique in that they remain wider than average. We believe this presents an attractive entry point for Asia credit, and we expect spreads to tighten even further.

After a very strong start to the year, Asian currencies were mixed in the second quarter. The Malaysian ringgit and Chinese renminbi (RMB) were amongst the best performers. We think Chinese policymakers may have moved the currency to a path of appreciation versus the U.S. dollar ahead of July’s implementation of “China Direct Bond Connect.” The worst-performing currency of the quarter was the South Korean won, which fell more than 2%. It remains, however, one of the strongest-performing Asian currencies in 2017.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The biggest contributors to Fund performance were our positions in U.S. dollar (USD) bonds, followed by Indonesia rupiah (IDR)-denominated Indonesian government bonds and Indian rupee (INR)-denominated corporate bonds. With our U.S. dollar-denominated holdings, the biggest gainer was our position in China Hongqiao Group, which recovered after a short seller report in February questioned the company’s financial performance, accounting and valuation. We do not believe these issues will materially affect the company’s credit profile and we saw the short-term volatility as an opportunity to add to our position in the second quarter. In the case of our Indonesian holdings, the returns were driven by both a fall in Indonesian interest rates and the high coupon.

The biggest detractor to our portfolio’s performance was a currency forward position in the Korean won. Our long position in the currency produced negative returns as it depreciated relative to the U.S. dollar.

(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%. 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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

6    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
               
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                 
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAINX)      3.18%        5.68%        8.69%        3.90%        4.94%        5.08%        11/30/11  
Institutional Class (MINCX)      3.24%        5.80%        8.96%        4.15%        5.15%        5.29%        11/30/11  
Markit iBoxx Asian Local Bond Index5      1.76%        6.41%        0.89%        1.42%        1.78%        2.16%     
Lipper Emerging Markets Hard Currency Debt Funds Category Average6      2.13%        6.62%        7.77%        2.57%        3.82%        4.87%     

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                                                               
    2017           2016  
    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MAINX)   $ 0.07      $ 0.08        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.       $ 0.06      $ 0.11      $ 0.11      $ 0.13      $ 0.41  
Inst’l (MINCX)   $ 0.08      $ 0.08        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.       $ 0.06      $ 0.12      $ 0.12      $ 0.13      $ 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:

 

Investor Class: 4.70% (4.57% excluding waivers)

Institutional Class: 4.95% (4.80% excluding waivers)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/17, 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: 6.00%

 

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 $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 91 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.

 

  6 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS                     
     Sector      Currency      % of Net Assets  
Malaysia Government Investment Issue, 3.508%, 05/15/2018    Foreign Government Bonds      Malaysian Ringgit        5.3%  
Malaysia Government Investment Issue, 3.226%, 04/15/2020    Foreign Government Bonds      Malaysian Ringgit        5.0%  
Standard Chartered PLC, 6.500%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        5.0%  
Harvest Operations Corp., 6.875%, 10/01/2017    Energy      U.S. Dollar        4.7%  
Delta Investment Horizon International, Ltd., Cnv., 3.000%, 05/26/2020    Telecommunication Services      U.S. Dollar        4.5%  
Pakistan Government Bond, 8.250%, 04/15/2024    Foreign Government Bonds      U.S. Dollar        4.5%  
Indonesia Treasury Bond, 8.375%, 03/15/2034    Foreign Government Bonds      Indonesian Rupiah        4.4%  
Indonesia Treasury Bond, 8.375%, 03/15/2024    Foreign Government Bonds      Indonesian Rupiah        4.3%  
China Government Bond, 3.550%, 12/12/2021    Foreign Government Bonds      Chinese Renminbi        4.1%  
Debt and Asset Trading Corp., 1.000%, 10/10/2025    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.1%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                45.9%  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      7  


Table of Contents
 
CURRENCY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
U.S. Dollar (USD)     53.0  
Indonesian Rupiah (IDR)     13.9  
Malaysian Ringgit (MYR)     10.3  
Indian Rupee (INR)     9.5  
China Renminbi (CNY)     7.8  
Vietnamese Dong (VND)     2.5  
South Korean Won (KRW)     0.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8,9  
Indonesia     23.5  
China/Hong Kong     20.6  
Malaysia     10.3  
India     9.5  
Sri Lanka     9.5  
Vietnam     8.1  
South Korea     5.2  
Pakistan     4.5  
Thailand     3.8  
United States     2.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
Foreign Government Bonds     40.5  
Financials     27.2  
Telecommunication Services     7.1  
Real Estate     5.6  
Utilities     4.8  
Energy     4.7  
Materials     3.9  
Consumer Staples     3.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

Please note: Foreign Government Bonds category includes Supranationals.

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)7,8  
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds     48.8  
Government Bonds     40.5  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     8.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

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

 

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

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

We made a number of changes to our currency and credit allocations in the second quarter. We increased our allocation to Asian currencies, including the Malaysian ringgit, Singapore dollar, Chinese renminbi and Thai baht. Depending on our assessment of local interest rates, our local currency allocations came in a combination of currency and duration in corporate, quasi- and sovereign bonds, and currency forwards. We reduced exposure to the Sri Lankan rupee because of the risk that policymakers would allow a more significant currency depreciation than we previously anticipated.

In credit, we initiated positions in Modernland Realty, an Indonesian property developer, and State Grid Corp. of China, the government-owned electric utility monopoly of China. Modernland is a well-managed, midsize property developer with an improving operational profile, and we believe its bonds offer an attractive yield for the risk profile of the company. State Grid Corp. of China’s bond is our first investment in the onshore Chinese bond market. Tight onshore liquidity has led to a rise in yields, and with the upcoming implementation of “Bond Connect,” we expect the RMB to appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar.

Outlook:

Overall, we are optimistic about the prospects for Asia bonds. Mild reflation in the U.S. and Europe, which together account for about half of global GDP, creates a “Goldilocks scenario” for emerging markets as economic growth and search for yield drive both the demand for goods and investment opportunities in emerging markets. Despite a recent decrease in oil prices, we see mild reflation solidifying, driven by tighter labor markets and improving consumer and global manufacturing sentiment.

Country-specific fundamentals will drive investment opportunities. Chinese local currency bonds, for instance, provide attractive relative value since tight onshore liquidity has led to a rise in yields, and the currency has moved to an appreciation path ahead of the opening of “Bond Connect.”

Out of the three key drivers of return, we think currency and credit will continue to be positive drivers while interest rates might be a mild detractor. We see long-term fundamentals as well as short-term technical factors favoring Asian currencies over the U.S. dollar. Lastly, based on any measure of fair value, we believe the U.S. dollar is currently overvalued. As a result, we increased our exposure to Asian currencies during the first quarter. While rate hikes are more or less priced into Fed funds, most of the economies in Asia are just beginning to see the rise in the producer price index passing through to consumer prices.

We believe credit spreads will remain stable or even tighten as default rates stay low. This is because sustained credit spread widening requires the combination of increasing defaults and a U.S. recession.

Fixed income investments are subject to risks, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and inflation risks. Investing in emerging markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets.

 

 

8    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

 

NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 48.8%   FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS: 40.5%

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 16.4%  

Standard Chartered PLC
6.500%b, 12/29/49

    3,700,000       $3,778,625  

China Hongqiao Group, Ltd.
6.875%, 05/03/18

    3,000,000       2,977,596  

State Grid Corp. of China
3.150%, 11/14/21

    CNY 20,000,000       2,800,944  

HSBC Holdings PLC
6.375%b, 12/29/49

    2,500,000       2,660,000  

Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd.

 

 

7.250%, 01/29/24

    300,000       314,960  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      12,532,125  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 9.6%                

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

 

 

9.240%, 06/24/24

    INR 100,000,000       1,682,217  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

 

 

8.950%, 03/21/23

    INR 100,000,000       1,635,343  

Power Finance Corp., Ltd.
7.470%, 09/16/21

    INR 90,000,000       1,390,001  

Rural Electrification Corp., Ltd.
9.340%, 08/25/24

    INR 52,000,000       892,918  

Power Grid Corp. of India, Ltd., Series B
9.300%, 09/04/24

    INR 52,000,000       891,237  

Rural Electrification Corp., Ltd.
9.020%, 06/18/19

    INR 50,000,000       798,598  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      7,290,314  
   

 

 

 
   
SRI LANKA: 6.3%                

DFCC Bank PLC
9.625%, 10/31/18

    2,650,000       2,751,389  

National Savings Bank
5.150%, 09/10/19

    2,000,000       2,027,400  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      4,778,789  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 5.1%                

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

    1,900,000       1,888,410  

Alam Synergy Pte, Ltd.
6.950%, 03/27/20c

    1,500,000       1,518,750  

Alam Synergy Pte, Ltd.
6.950%, 03/27/20

    500,000       506,250  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

    3,913,410  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 4.7%                

Harvest Operations Corp.
6.875%, 10/01/17

    3,620,000       3,610,950  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

 

    3,610,950  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 4.1%                

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

    5,100,000       3,156,900  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

 

    3,156,900  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 2.6%                

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

    1,863,000       1,974,780  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      1,974,780  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS       37,257,268  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $35,824,282)

   
     Face Amount*     Value  
INDONESIA: 13.9%  

Indonesia Treasury Bond
8.375%, 03/15/34

    IDR 42,000,000,000       $3,392,459  

Indonesia Treasury Bond
8.375%, 03/15/24

    IDR 40,500,000,000       3,299,023  

Indonesia Treasury Bond
7.875%, 04/15/19

    IDR 38,000,000,000       2,923,241  

Indonesia Treasury Bond
7.000%, 05/15/27

    IDR 13,000,000,000       987,620  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

    10,602,343  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 10.3%  

Malaysia Government Investment Issue

 

 

3.508%, 05/15/18

    MYR 17,300,000       4,037,935  

Malaysia Government Investment Issue

 

 

3.226%, 04/15/20

    MYR 16,600,000       3,830,098  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

 

    7,868,033  
   

 

 

 
   
PAKISTAN: 4.5%  

Pakistan Government Bond
8.250%, 04/15/24

    3,000,000       3,404,004  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

 

    3,404,004  
   

 

 

 
   
CHINA/HONG KONG: 4.1%  

China Government Bond
3.550%, 12/12/21

    CNY 22,000,000       3,166,405  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

 

    3,166,405  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 4.0%  

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
5.200%, 01/12/22

    VND 43,000,000,000       1,916,055  

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
4.800%, 11/19/24

    1,055,000       1,108,731  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

 

    3,024,786  
   

 

 

 
   
SRI LANKA: 3.2%  

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

    2,400,000       2,449,270  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

 

    2,449,270  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 0.5%  

Korea Treasury Bond
3.500%, 03/10/24

    KRW 400,000,000       379,868  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

 

    379,868  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS
      30,894,709  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $30,184,102)

   
   
CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 8.3%  
INDONESIA: 4.5%  

Delta Investment Horizon International, Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

3.000%, 05/26/20

    3,500,000       3,473,750  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      3,473,750  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      9  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS (continued)

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
THAILAND: 3.8%  

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

    2,800,000       $2,877,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

 

    2,877,000  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS       6,350,750  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $6,147,128)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 97.6%             74,502,727  

(Cost $72,155,512d)

 

   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.4%
      1,835,696  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $76,338,423  
   

 

 

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

 

b Contingent convertible and variable rate security. The rate represents the rate in effect at June 30, 2017.

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $1,518,750 , which is 1.99% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $72,155,512 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $2,661,913  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (314,698
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $2,347,215  
 

 

 

 

 

* All values are in USD unless otherwise specified.

 

Cnv. Convertible

 

CNY Chinese Renminbi (Yuan)

 

IDR Indonesian Rupiah

 

INR Indian Rupee

 

KRW Korean Won

 

MYR Malaysian Ringgit

 

PHP Philippine Peso

 

SGD Singapore Dollar

 

THB Thai Baht

 

USD U.S. Dollar

 

VND Vietnamese Dong
 

FORWARD FOREIGN CURRENCY EXCHANGE CONTRACTS:

 

    

Currency

Purchased

     Currency Sold        Counterparty   Settlement
Date
       Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

LONG

  PHP 215,021,500        USD 4,300,000       

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    07/26/17          ($47,874
  SGD 4,879,350        USD 3,500,000       

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    08/02/17          46,044  
  SGD 4,876,900        USD 3,500,000       

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    08/02/17          44,264  
  THB 120,680,000        USD 3,500,000       

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    08/02/17          52,552  
  KRW 4,004,000,000        USD 3,500,000       

Merrill Lynch & Co., Inc.

    10/10/17          (107
                  

 

 

 
                     94,879  
                  

 

 

 

SHORT

  USD 4,280,739        PHP 215,021,500       

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    07/26/17          $28,613  
                  

 

 

 

OTC CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS - BUY PROTECTION*

 

Issuer   Pay
Fixed
Rate
     Counterparty      Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
(000)
       Value       

Premiums

Received

       Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Republic of Korea

  1.00%     

Bank of America, N.A.

       6/20/2022        USD  8,000          ($180,914        ($183,599        $2,685  
                             

 

 

 

 

* Swap is not centrally cleared.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

10    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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

  2.24%   1.99%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.15%   0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

 

25

Net Assets

  $19.8 million

Modified Duration3

  3.3

Portfolio Turnover4

  18.80%

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 supranational 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, 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund returned 5.34% (Investor Class) and 5.44% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the J.P Morgan Asia Credit Index (JACI), which returned 3.81% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 2.63% (Investor Class) and 2.66% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 1.22% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asia credit has continued to provide positive returns even amid volatility in the U.S. interest rate environment. Credit spreads widened slightly in the quarter amid a strong environment for new issuance, but history indicates spreads typically tighten during U.S. rate hike cycles. Investment grade spreads continued to hover near historical lows. Globally, we believe high yield credit spreads in the U.S., Europe and Latin America are now overvalued, trading at levels well below historical averages. Asia is the only region where high yield spreads are still trading at relatively fair value, at spreads slightly wider than average. We believe this presents an attractive entry point for Asia credit, particularly given historically higher returns and lower volatility in Asia relative to U.S., European and Latin American high yield. The preconditions for credit spreads to spike historically have been the combination of expectations of higher defaults and an impending economic recession. With commodity prices recovering and no recession in sight, we expect spreads to tighten even further.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the second quarter, among the biggest contributors to Fund performance were our holdings in the bonds of Debt and Asset Trading Corp, China Hongqiao Group and the HSBC Holdings PLC’s contingent convertible bonds. Debt and Asset Trading Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Vietnam’s Ministry of Finance, and its bonds provide an attractive spread pickup to sovereign bonds. China Hongqiao Group was the Fund’s biggest detractor to returns in the first quarter after a short seller report in February questioned the company’s financial performance, accounting and valuation. It recovered strongly in the second quarter, and we do not believe that these issues will materially affect the company’s credit profile. We saw short-term volatility during the quarter as an opportunity to add to our position. HSBC contingent convertible bonds continued to perform well as Europe continues on its recovery path. While HSBC’s revenues and overwhelming majority of its operating profits are derived from Asia, it nevertheless is more correlated to European than to Asian banks. As such, we were able to buy these bonds when the rest of its European peers had troubles. The only detractor to performance was our long credit default position in Korea, where we bought five-year protection on the South Korean sovereign as a hedge against tail risk* driven by North Korea. While spreads widened in the quarter, the coupon we paid for the default protection led to a slight loss on the position.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

We took profits on a portion of our investment in Sprint, a U.S. wireless communications company with majority ownership by SoftBank, a Japanese media

 

* Tail risk: The small statistical probability that an asset price will move more than three standard deviations from its current and/or average price level.

(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%. 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, 2018 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 Not annualized. The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      11  


Table of Contents
         
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                            
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual
Total Returns
      

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year     

Since

Inception

     Inception
Date
 

Investor Class (MCRDX)

     2.63%        5.34%        8.67%        8.72%        4/29/16  
Institutional Class (MICPX)      2.66%        5.44%        8.99%        8.95%        4/29/16  

J.P. Morgan Asia Credit Index5

     1.22%        3.81%        3.10%        4.50%     
Lipper Alternative Credit Focus Funds Category Average6      1.28%        2.91%        6.09%        6.57%     

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                  
    2017           2016  
    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MCRDX)   $ 0.12      $ 0.08        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.         n.a.      $ 0.06      $ 0.10      $ 0.16      $ 0.32  
Inst’l (MICPX)   $ 0.12      $ 0.08        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.         n.a.      $ 0.06      $ 0.11      $ 0.16      $ 0.33  

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: 4.08% (3.73% excluding waivers)

Institutional Class: 4.33% (3.74% excluding waivers)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/17, 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: 5.52%

 

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  6 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS                     
    

Sector

     Currency      % of Net Assets  
China Hongqiao Group, Ltd., 6.875%, 05/03/2018    Materials      U.S. Dollar        5.5%  
Debt and Asset Trading Corp., 1.000%, 10/10/2025    Financials      U.S. Dollar        5.3%  
Harvest Operations Corp., 6.875%, 10/01/2017    Energy      U.S. Dollar        5.2%  
DFCC Bank PLC, 9.625%, 10/31/2018    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.7%  
Sri Lanka Government Bond, 6.125%, 06/03/2025    Foreign Government Bonds      U.S. Dollar        4.6%  
Alam Synergy Pte, Ltd., 6.950%, 03/27/2020    Real Estate      U.S. Dollar        4.6%  
Pakistan Government Bond, 8.250%, 04/15/2024    Foreign Government Bonds      U.S. Dollar        4.6%  
Delta Investment Horizon International, Ltd., Cnv., 3.000%, 05/26/2020    Telecommunication Services      U.S. Dollar        4.5%  
ICTSI Treasury BV, 5.875%, 09/17/2025    Industrials      U.S. Dollar        4.4%  
HSBC Holdings PLC, 6.375%, 12/29/2049    Financials      U.S. Dollar        4.3%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                47.7%  

 

12    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

conglomerate. The bonds have performed well over the past year as its operational turnaround has continued, allowing the company to shore up its balance sheet and tap into new sources of liquidity. We continue to hold a position as the company explores mergers/partnerships with larger competitors that may further improve its competitive position and further credit improvement. We also initiated new positions in Modernland Realty, an Indonesian property developer, and State Grid Corp of China, the government-owned electric utility monopoly of China. Modernland is a well-managed, midsize property developer with an improving operational profile, and we believe the bonds offer an attractive yield for the risk profile of the company. State Grid Corp of China’s bond is RMB-denominated and is the Fund’s only non-U.S. dollar holding and our first investment in China’s onshore bond market. Tight onshore liquidity has led to a rise in interest rates and credit spreads, enabling us to purchase these bonds at prices well below historical levels. With the upcoming implementation of “Bond Connect,” we expect the RMB to be stable, with an appreciation bias relative to the U.S. dollar. We invested in a quasi-sovereign entity because we generally believe that credit risk is mispriced in the onshore market in China, and that investors are not adequately compensated for taking on additional credit risk.

Outlook:

Though interest rates have risen, good liquidity conditions and still relatively low interest rates across Asia continue to support market access and credit. Combined with the inflows into emerging markets and high yield asset classes, we see the near term as still supportive of Asian credit.

Some market participants continue to have concerns over China, especially regarding the recent volatility in money market rates. We see the recent intentional pull back of short-term liquidity as a prudent measure to reduce the leverage employed in wealth management products. Thus, we do not view the recent volatility in the money markets as a sign of stress, capital flight or policy missteps, and instead see it as a possible buying opportunity.

We are more concerned about risks arising from U.S. politics than from China-related risks. These include a potential ad-hoc, country-specific tariff on China. Chinese exports involve products from other Asian countries as the integrated supply chain in Asia is a well-documented phenomenon. A direct tariff levied on China will have indirect but painful effects on Asia, especially smaller, export-oriented economies, such as Taiwan and South Korea. While we do not see a tariff on China as our base case, we are positioning the portfolio to minimize the effects of such a scenario by limiting exposure to export-driven companies.

Fixed income investments are subject to risks, including, but not limited to, interest rate, credit and inflation risks. Investing in emerging markets involves different and greater risks, as these countries are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in more developed markets.

 
CURRENCY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
U.S. Dollar (USD)     90.0  
China Renminbi (CNY)     2.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.2  

 

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8,9  
China/Hong Kong     31.3  
Indonesia     20.9  
Sri Lanka     12.5  
Vietnam     7.4  
South Korea     5.2  
Pakistan     4.6  
Philippines     4.4  
Thailand     4.2  
United States     2.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.2  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
Financials     21.7  
Real Estate     17.4  
Foreign Government Bonds     11.3  
Telecommunication Services     8.9  
Utilities     6.9  
Materials     5.5  
Consumer Discretionary     5.2  
Energy     5.2  
Industrials     4.4  
Consumer Staples     4.2  
Information Technology     2.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.2  

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)7,8  
Non-Convertible Corporate Bonds     72.8  
Government Bonds     11.3  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     8.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     7.2  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

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

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      13  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

 

NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 72.8%   FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS: 11.3%

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 31.3%    

China Hongqiao Group, Ltd.
6.875%, 05/03/18

    1,100,000       $1,091,785  

HSBC Holdings PLC
6.375%b, 12/29/49

    800,000       851,200  

KWG Property Holding, Ltd.
8.975%, 01/14/19

    800,000       831,038  

Standard Chartered PLC
6.500%b, 12/29/49

    800,000       817,000  

Wanda Properties International Co., Ltd.

 

 

7.250%, 01/29/24

    750,000       787,400  

State Grid Corp. of China
3.150%, 11/14/21

    CNY 4,000,000       560,189  

Shimao Property Holdings, Ltd.
8.125%, 01/22/21

    400,000       424,008  

Unigroup International Holdings, Ltd.

 

 

6.000%, 12/10/20

    400,000       422,608  

Wynn Macau, Ltd.
5.250%, 10/15/21

    400,000       410,000  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      6,195,228  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 16.4%  

Alam Synergy Pte, Ltd.
6.950%, 03/27/20

    900,000       911,250  

Listrindo Capital BV
4.950%, 09/14/26

    800,000       810,000  

MPM Global Pte, Ltd.
6.750%, 09/19/19

    600,000       622,266  

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

    500,000       496,950  

TBG Global Pte, Ltd.
5.250%, 02/10/22

    400,000       414,617  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      3,255,083  
   

 

 

 
   
SRI LANKA: 7.9%  

DFCC Bank PLC
9.625%, 10/31/18

    900,000       934,434  

National Savings Bank
8.875%, 09/18/18

    600,000       632,820  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      1,567,254  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 5.3%  

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

    1,700,000       1,052,300  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      1,052,300  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 5.2%  

Harvest Operations Corp.
6.875%, 10/01/17

    1,030,000       1,027,425  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      1,027,425  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 4.4%  

ICTSI Treasury BV
5.875%, 09/17/25

    800,000       867,341  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      867,341  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 2.3%  

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

    420,000       445,200  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      445,200  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL NON-CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS       14,409,831  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $14,044,126)

   
   
     Face Amount*     Value  
SRI LANKA: 4.6%    

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

    900,000       $918,476  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      918,476  
   

 

 

 
   
PAKISTAN: 4.6%  

Pakistan Government Bond
8.250%, 04/15/24

    800,000       907,734  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      907,734  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 2.1%  

Socialist Republic of Vietnam
4.800%, 11/19/24

    400,000       420,372  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      420,372  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL FOREIGN GOVERNMENT OBLIGATIONS       2,246,582  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,146,531)

   
   

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 8.7%

 

INDONESIA: 4.5%                

Delta Investment Horizon International, Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

3.000%, 05/26/20

    900,000       893,250  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      893,250  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 4.2%  

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

    800,000       822,000  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      822,000  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS       1,715,250  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $1,658,682)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 92.8%       18,371,663  

(Cost $17,849,339C)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 7.2%
      1,417,030  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $19,788,693  
   

 

 

 

 

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

 

b Variable rate security. The rate represents the rate in effect at June 30, 2017.

 

c Cost for federal income tax purposes is $17,849,339 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $553,176  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (30,852
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $522,324  
 

 

 

 

 

* All values are in USD unless otherwise noted.

 

Cnv. Convertible

 

CNY Chinese Renminbi (Yuan)
 

 

14    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

OTC CREDIT DEFAULT SWAPS - BUY PROTECTION*

 

Issuer    Pay
Fixed
Rate
     Counterparty    Expiration
Date
   Notional
Amount
(000)
     Value     Premiums
Received
    Unrealized
Appreciation
 

Republic of Korea

   1.00%      Bank of America, N.A.    6/20/2022      USD  2,000        ($45,229     ($45,900     $671  
                    

 

 

 

 

* Swap is not centrally cleared.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      15  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Robert J. Horrocks, PhD  

Lead Manager

 
Kenneth Lowe, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MACSX   MICSX

CUSIP

  577130206   577130842

Inception

  9/12/94   10/29/10

NAV

 

$17.06

 

$17.04

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.09%

 

0.94%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

 

60

Net Assets

  $2.9 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

 

$44.0 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

 

15.64%

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 total 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, 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund returned 14.87% (Investor Class) and 14.99% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 22.93%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 5.03% (Investor Class) and 5.07% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian equity markets continued their strong performance into the second quarter as sentiment for emerging markets has shifted from being largely negative in many allocators’ minds to being somewhat more constructive. The prior five years of weaker-than-anticipated earnings growth and poor dollar-denominated market performance has turned as earnings expectations have been on the rise through a combination of base effects, reflation in China and a strong technology cycle. Additionally, a prospective border adjustment tax from the U.S. appears unlikely to succeed in its current form and European political risk has waned with the election of Europhile Emmanuel Macron as France’s new president. These points have all helped the asset class as “risk-on” assets gather momentum and volatility remains low.

More structurally during the quarter, we witnessed the inclusion of China A-shares to MSCI benchmarks. Initially, 222 large-capitalization stocks from the mainland will be included into the Emerging Markets Index at a small weighting slated to begin next spring. This, alongside the strength of internet stocks, likely helped China to become the region’s strongest performer during the quarter.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The bulk of the stocks within the portfolio rose during the quarter with the largest contributor to returns coming once more from Pan-Asian life insurer AIA Group, a core holding. The stock reached all-time highs during the period as its value of new business rose by an impressive 55% in constant currency terms during the first quarter. It remains clear that fundamental demand for covering protection gaps remains strong and the company’s cash generation will enable it to continue to grow dividends substantially. Other Hong Kong stocks, VTech Holdings and Techtronic Industries, also delivered strong performance. The former bounced back from a weak first quarter as earnings positively surprised on the integration of fellow electronic learning product company Leapfrog, as well as revenue growth in commercial phone sales and contract manufacturing. Techtronic Industries benefited from solid revenue growth in power tools, particularly as its partner, Home Depot, continues to post impressive year-over-year comparable store sales.

Information technology stocks also delivered strong absolute performance for the portfolio with Samsung Electronics rising on strong memory pricing and an ongoing share buyback. However, the portfolio’s underweight within the sector, given its large size in the index, hurt relative performance as Chinese internet stocks and many others within the technology supply chain rallied.

Beyond this, South Korean holdings Kangwon Land and Kepco Plant Service & Engineering (KPS) detracted from performance. The former is the country’s only casino in which local residents are allowed to gamble and there are concerns that this could change. The stock also has been hurt by poor earnings. KPS sputtered on weaker-than-expected overseas order wins and expectations for South Korea’s new president to readdress the use of nuclear power in the country.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

We added a number of new holdings to the portfolio during the quarter, including U.S.-listed fabless semiconductor company Broadcom. The business was formed

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

16    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
     
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MACSX)      5.03%        14.87%        8.75%        1.73%        6.05%        5.06%        9.50%        9/12/94  
Institutional Class (MICSX)      5.07%        14.99%        8.94%        1.89%        6.22%        n.a.        4.71%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index3      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        5.32%        8.27%        4.48%        4.46% 4    
Lipper Pacific Region Funds Category Average5      6.61%        17.21%        18.61%        4.51%        8.36%        2.88%        4.27%     

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                                                         
       2017           2016  
       June        December        Total           June        December        Total  
Investor (MACSX)      $ 0.10          n.a.          n.a.       $ 0.15        $ 0.33        $ 0.48  
Inst’l (MICSX)      $ 0.12          n.a.          n.a.       $ 0.16        $ 0.34        $ 0.50  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.01 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

30-DAY YIELD:

 

1.71% (Investor Class) 1.88% (Institutional Class)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/17, 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: 3.27%

 

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 6/30/17 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/17. 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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 8/31/94.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        3.6%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        3.3%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      South Korea        3.1%  
CapitaLand, Ltd., Cnv., 1.950%, 10/17/2023    Real Estate      Singapore        2.5%  
Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.    Telecommunication Services      Singapore        2.4%  
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.3%  
Ascendas REIT    Real Estate      Singapore        2.3%  
United Overseas Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Singapore        2.2%  
Genting Malaysia BHD    Consumer Discretionary      Malaysia        2.1%  
HSBC Holdings PLC    Financials      China/Hong Kong        2.0%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                25.8%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      17  


Table of Contents
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     32.2  
Singapore     14.1  
South Korea     12.0  
Japan     6.2  
Australia     4.9  
Taiwan     4.8  
Indonesia     3.9  
Malaysia     3.4  
United States     3.2  
Thailand     2.6  
India     1.7  
Vietnam     1.5  
Norway     1.5  
New Zealand     1.4  
Philippines     1.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.6  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8      
Industrials     15.4  
Consumer Discretionary     15.2  
Telecommunication Services     14.2  
Consumer Staples     13.6  
Financials     10.5  
Information Technology     9.2  
Real Estate     7.3  
Utilities     5.3  
Health Care     3.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.6  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     39.3  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     18.7  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     25.4  
Small Cap (under $3B)     11.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.6  

 

 
ASSET TYPE BREAKDOWN (%)8,9  
Common Equities and ADRs     81.2  
Convertible Corporate Bonds     10.2  
Preferred Equities     3.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.6  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

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

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

through the merger of Avago Technologies and Broadcom last year with headquarters in the U.S. and in Singapore. Much of the company’s product suite in areas such as wireless connectivity, network switching, data center storage etc. holds strong market positions and is mission critical to its customers. This enables high margins and strong free cash flow. We believe both wired and wireless products have a solid sustainable growth outlook that should lead to attractive dividend growth to accompany an already reasonable valuation of a 1.7% dividend yield and 15x price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio.*

We also added Indonesian bank and micro finance lender Bank Rakyat Indonesia. The company not only has an impressive pedigree in what is a lucrative business, but it also has a strong balance sheet with a Tier 1 ratio of 19.6%, a healthy funding base and fairly robust loan loss reserves. There have been some question marks over the company’s decision to increase corporate lending in recent years, but new management has sensibly refocused on micro lending once more. We believe that a franchise of this caliber was attractively priced at around 13.4x forward P/E and a 2.8% dividend yield. These additions were funded through the closure of positions in Keppel Corporation, ARA Asset Management and Transcosmos.

Outlook:

The strength of Asian equity markets this year has been, to a reasonable extent, justified by fundamentals. An improvement in earnings momentum and some level of de-risking being attempted within the Chinese financial system are both positive outcomes. Further, tail risks from global politics appear to have waned. Valuations, however, have returned to a level that on a trailing basis are in line with medium-term averages. Additionally, volatility is astoundingly low and it is sensible to question how long this can persist as monetary policy across the globe appears to be tightening. Despite government officials in China being aware of the debt challenges, deleveraging has not yet occurred and the quantity of outstanding credit and capital misallocation remains a concern.

With a backdrop of reasonable fundamentals, middling valuations and some residual tail risks, we will continue to offer our investors what we believe to be a portfolio that delivers solid risk-adjusted returns through a full economic cycle. We will avoid the chase for beta in such an unsustainably low volatility environment and deploy capital sensibly in those businesses that attempt to create value for minority shareholders over the long term.

 

* Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio) is a valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings.

 

Beta is a measure of volatility, or systemic risk, of a security or a portfolio in comparison to the market as a whole.
 

 

18    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 81.1%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 25.9%    

AIA Group, Ltd.

    14,184,800       $103,781,118  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

    14,665,000       67,385,621  

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR

    1,264,833       58,675,603  

Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd.

    909,900       58,411,923  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

    4,438,672       55,703,316  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    964,000       51,178,760  

CLP Holdings, Ltd.

    4,667,200       49,352,586  

Guangdong Investment, Ltd.

    32,744,000       45,126,537  

Pacific Textiles Holdings, Ltd.b

    31,906,000       40,866,096  

Hang Lung Properties, Ltd.

    15,220,920       38,039,312  

HKT Trust & HKT, Ltd.

    27,873,000       36,557,329  

Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.

    10,968,000       35,531,367  

VTech Holdings, Ltd.

    2,227,500       35,285,624  

Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.

    16,747,000       34,471,064  

Cheung Kong Property Holdings, Ltd.

    4,400,172       34,432,586  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      744,798,842  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 11.6%                

Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.

    24,329,100       68,707,340  

Ascendas REIT

    35,011,100       66,337,382  

United Overseas Bank, Ltd.

    3,796,000       63,729,683  

Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd.

    21,623,025       57,767,079  

SIA Engineering Co., Ltd.

    15,928,900       47,196,298  

ComfortDelGro Corp., Ltd.

    19,003,800       31,742,150  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      335,479,932  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 8.9%                

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    43,412       90,419,463  

Kangwon Land, Inc.

    1,557,377       47,457,161  

KT&G Corp.

    451,143       46,148,182  

GS Home Shopping, Inc.

    225,202       45,550,368  

KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd.

    634,668       24,500,156  

ING Life Insurance Korea, Ltd.c,d

    126,843       3,769,315  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      257,844,645  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 6.2%                

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    1,528,200       53,713,336  

Kao Corp.

    861,700       51,235,254  

KDDI Corp.

    1,480,800       39,163,646  

USS Co., Ltd.

    1,681,400       33,512,134  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      177,624,370  
   

 

 

 
   
AUSTRALIA: 4.9%                

CSL, Ltd.

    448,874       47,638,765  

Brambles, Ltd.

    4,238,855       31,696,332  

Insurance Australia Group, Ltd.

    5,886,381       30,677,668  

Domino’s Pizza Enterprises, Ltd.

    759,157       30,378,103  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      140,390,868  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 4.8%                

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    11,282,187       77,082,308  

Chunghwa Telecom Co., Ltd. ADR

    1,226,825       43,208,776  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

    477,024       16,676,759  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      136,967,843  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDONESIA: 3.9%    

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero ADR

    1,435,400       $48,329,918  

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    35,607,600       40,629,487  

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Persero

    139,319,300       23,497,913  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      112,457,318  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 3.4%                

Genting Malaysia BHD

    47,850,100       61,300,920  

British American Tobacco Malaysia BHD

    3,498,400       35,386,190  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      96,687,110  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 3.2%                

ResMed, Inc.

    589,000       45,865,430  

Broadcom, Ltd.

    196,700       45,840,935  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      91,706,365  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 1.7%                

Bharti Infratel, Ltd.

    8,473,114       49,082,753  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      49,082,753  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 1.5%                

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    6,294,291       43,639,975  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      43,639,975  
   

 

 

 
   
NORWAY: 1.5%                

Telenor ASA

    2,542,183       42,175,432  
   

 

 

 

Total Norway

      42,175,432  
   

 

 

 
   
NEW ZEALAND: 1.4%                

SKYCITY Entertainment Group, Ltd.

    13,775,057       41,199,718  
   

 

 

 

Total New Zealand

      41,199,718  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 1.2%                

Glow Energy Public Co., Ltd.

    15,554,000       36,045,578  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      36,045,578  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 1.0%                

Globe Telecom, Inc.

    742,500       30,135,553  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      30,135,553  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES:             2,336,236,302  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,010,691,958)

   
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      19  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

 

CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS: 10.2%   PREFERRED EQUITIES: 3.1%

 

     Face Amount*     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 6.3%  

Shine Power International, Ltd., Cnv.
0.000%, 07/28/19

    HKD 446,000,000       $57,481,957  

Johnson Electric Holdings, Ltd., Cnv.
1.000%, 04/02/21

    49,750,000       54,849,375  

Hengan International Group Co., Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

0.000%, 06/27/18

    HKD 339,000,000       45,699,620  

Haitian International Holdings, Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

2.000%, 02/13/19

    21,500,000       23,596,250  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      181,627,202  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 2.5%                

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

    SGD 96,500,000       71,774,832  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      71,774,832  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 1.4%                

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

    27,200,000       27,948,000  

Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Public Co., Ltd., Cnv.

 

 

0.000%, 09/18/19

    THB 385,000,000       11,999,374  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      39,947,374  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL CONVERTIBLE CORPORATE BONDS       293,349,408  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $298,038,029)

   
     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 3.1%    

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.

    99,637       $54,073,592  

Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    355,983       35,162,206  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      89,235,798  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES             89,235,798  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $21,226,632)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 94.4%             2,718,821,508  

(Cost $2,329,956,619e)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 5.6%
      160,844,837  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $2,879,666,345  
   

 

 

 

 

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

 

b Illiquid security, trading was halted at June 30, 2017.

 

c Non-income producing security.

 

d 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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $3,769,315, which is 0.13% of net assets.

 

e Cost for federal income tax purposes is $2,330,194,338 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $560,949,317  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (172,322,147
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $388,627,170  
 

 

 

 

 

* All values are in USD unless otherwise noted.

 

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

 

THB Thai Baht

 

USD U.S. Dollar

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

20    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Yu Zhang, CFA   Robert Horrocks, PhD

Lead Manager

  Lead Manager
Vivek Tanneeru  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAPIX   MIPIX

CUSIP

  577125107   577130750

Inception

  10/31/06   10/29/10

NAV

  $18.30   $18.29

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.06%

 

0.94%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.06%*  

0.93%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

 

69

Net Assets

  $6.0 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $49.6 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

39.76%

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 total 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.

 

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Dividend Fund returned 19.02% (Investor Class) and 19.03% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index, which returned 15.91% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 6.57% (Investor Class) and 6.54% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 5.87% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian equity markets further extended strong year-to-date performance during the second quarter of the year, owing to improving macroeconomic conditions and a positive, but benign, inflation environment. While most individual markets delivered solid returns, Australia and China’s domestic A-share market were laggards amid the rally. In China, this resulted from liquidity tightening by its central bank in an effort to deleverage its financial system. In Australia, there were increased market concerns about an overheated property market and the potential risks to Australian banks with exposure to the mortgage market.

Meanwhile, investor exuberance toward Chinese technology companies, including names like Tencent and Alibaba, drove some of those stocks to record-setting market capitalizations.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Despite the lackluster performance of China’s A-share market, top contributors to portfolio returns during the second quarter included home appliance manufacturer Midea Group and liquor maker Kweichou Moutai—both A-share stocks. Both stocks appeared to receive a boost from anticipation over being included in index provider MSCI’s global indices. However, we believe their strong fundamentals were more likely the key drivers of their performance. MSCI announced in late June its long-awaited decision to include China A-shares into its Emerging Market Index. We believe A-share companies with unique business models and strong fundamentals could attract the attention of more global long-term investors—which would be a positive development for the A-share market.

Our position in Hyundai Mobis, a South Korean auto parts company, which was initiated recently, was the biggest detractor to returns during the quarter. As part of the Hyundai Motor Group, Hyundai Mobis’s business is facing some clear challenges, mostly related to the poor sales performance by its main original equipment manufacturing (OEM) customers, including Hyundai Motors and Kia Motors. At the current distressed valuation multiples, we believe most of the negatives already have been factored into the share price. On the other hand, South Korea’s family-run chaebol companies are likely to face increasing scrutiny from the newly elected government, which has vowed to reform corporate governance. Given Hyundai Mobis’ strategic position within the Hyundai Group, especially its 20% stake in Hyundai Motor, any potential group-level restructuring could start unlocking the value of its investment holdings. We like its strong free-cash-flow generation and net-cash balance sheet and believe they may help Mobis increase shareholder returns, including higher dividend payouts.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

During the quarter, we initiated a few new names, including Chinese life insurer Ping An Insurance. The company, which manages one of the most efficient life

(continued)

 
* Reimbursement was below 0.01%
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, 2018 and may be terminated at any time (i) by the Trust on behalf of the Fund or by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.
3 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      21  


Table of Contents
                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAPIX)      6.57%        19.02%        16.37%        6.81%        9.81%        8.37%        9.65%        10/31/06  
Institutional Class (MIPIX)      6.54%        19.03%        16.43%        6.94%        9.94%        n.a.        7.50%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index4      5.87%        15.91%        23.00%        4.76%        8.59%        2.83%        4.18% 5    
Lipper International Equity Income Funds Category Average6      5.17%        13.07%        16.10%        -0.61%        5.77%        0.84%        2.69%     

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                                                               
    2017           2016  
    Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total           Q1      Q2      Q3      Q4      Total  
Investor (MAPIX)   $ 0.02      $ 0.15        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.       $ 0.01      $ 0.19      $ 0.06      $ 0.04      $ 0.29  
Inst’l (MIPIX)   $ 0.03      $ 0.15        n.a.        n.a.        n.a.       $ 0.02      $ 0.19      $ 0.07      $ 0.05      $ 0.32  

Totals may differ by $0.01 due to rounding and a return of capital. For distribution history please visit matthewsasia.com.

 

30-DAY YIELD:

 

1.46% (Investor Class) 1.58% (Institutional Class)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/17, 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: 2.66%

 

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 6/30/17 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/17. 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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 Calculated from 10/31/06.

 

  6 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS7                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Minth Group, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        4.1%  
HSBC Holdings PLC    Financials      China/Hong Kong        2.9%  
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.8%  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.    Financials      Japan        2.8%  
LG Chem, Ltd., Pfd.    Materials      South Korea        2.7%  
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.    Financials      Japan        2.7%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        2.5%  
Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      South Korea        2.5%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        2.5%  
Midea Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                27.9%  

 

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

 

22    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

insurance businesses in China, has been benefiting from rising affluence in China and has focused on growing its business. Shareholder returns were not among its top priorities. After our recent interactions with the firm, however, management sent a clear message that the company is now in a position to deliver both growth and shareholder returns via higher dividend payouts. As the interest rate yield curve in China is steepening with the central bank’s measures to tighten liquidity, including squeezing out “rogue players” in the insurance market, large players like Ping An are likely to see both higher investment returns and improving competitive conditions. The initiation in Ping An Insurance, alongside a few other new positions, was partially funded by exiting our positions in Jiangsu Expressway and PICC Property & Casualty, whose business fundamentals look less attractive today.

Outlook:

After two years of disappointing earnings, Asian companies delivered both strong positive earnings-per-share growth and free cash flow growth during the first quarter of the year. Notwithstanding strong year-to-date share performance, valuations for the region remain at long-term averages. As managers of a total-return dividend strategy, we believe Asian companies today are better-positioned to deliver both attractive dividend yield and higher dividend growth.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)8,9  
China/Hong Kong     33.3  
Japan     26.8  
South Korea     13.8  
Singapore     7.5  
India     4.4  
Taiwan     2.7  
Indonesia     2.6  
Thailand     2.1  
Australia     1.4  
Vietnam     1.4  
Luxembourg     1.4  
Philippines     1.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.6  

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)9  
Consumer Discretionary     20.3  
Consumer Staples     20.0  
Financials     18.9  
Industrials     10.3  
Information Technology     6.5  
Telecommunication Services     5.7  
Energy     4.2  
Real Estate     3.8  
Materials     3.7  
Health Care     2.7  
Utilities     2.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.6  

 

MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)9  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     38.2  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     23.6  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     23.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     13.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.6  

 

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

 

9 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      23  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 93.3%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 33.3%    

Minth Group, Ltd.

    57,319,000       $242,821,512  

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    25,854,000       169,999,690  

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

    23,135,500       152,402,772  

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    22,819,730       144,858,326  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    14,318,000       133,019,814  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    168,640,000       132,045,415  

Sands China, Ltd.

    27,533,600       126,036,153  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,657,292       115,391,551  

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares

    131,449,000       102,220,835  

China Gas Holdings, Ltd.

    47,510,000       95,915,068  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. H Shares b

    21,248,000       81,339,958  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    1,509,825       80,156,609  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.

    92,646,000       66,443,763  

Far East Horizon, Ltd.

    67,294,000       58,705,627  

Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.

    7,424,400       58,504,272  

Café de Coral Holdings, Ltd.

    17,330,000       56,141,373  

Henan Shuanghui Investment & Development Co., Ltd. A Shares

    13,214,900       46,294,546  

HKBN, Ltd.

    45,415,623       45,449,152  

HSBC Holdings PLC ADR

    855,800       39,700,562  

China Conch Venture Holdings, Ltd.

    19,200,500       35,151,536  

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. ADR

    153,000       12,025,800  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      1,994,624,334  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 26.8%                

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    24,719,900       166,736,924  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    4,069,100       158,875,830  

Hoya Corp.

    2,370,300       123,401,071  

Pigeon Corp.

    3,077,300       111,876,228  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    3,123,500       109,785,109  

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    4,617,000       105,819,998  

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,162,900       89,250,869  

Kao Corp.

    1,402,700       83,402,218  

Seven Bank, Ltd.

    23,009,400       82,499,203  

Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.

    1,758,100       79,360,800  

Mitsubishi Pencil Co., Ltd.

    2,628,400       74,183,014  

Kyushu Railway Co.

    2,142,300       69,483,599  

Anritsu Corp.

    7,080,000       63,970,616  

ITOCHU Corp.

    4,152,500       61,826,275  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    2,138,600       59,123,835  

NTT DoCoMo, Inc.

    2,367,700       55,997,729  

Nifco, Inc.

    689,800       37,100,959  

LIXIL VIVA Corp.

    1,999,900       36,041,763  

Suntory Beverage & Food, Ltd.

    643,600       29,915,059  

Skylark Co., Ltd.

    424,500       6,099,101  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      1,604,750,200  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 8.7%                

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

    682,941       149,298,982  

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    1,531,424       135,298,371  

KT&G Corp.

    978,858       100,129,043  

Woori Bank

    4,866,238       78,389,696  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    27,949       58,212,788  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      521,328,880  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
SINGAPORE: 7.5%    

United Overseas Bank, Ltd.

    8,576,000       $143,979,388  

CapitaLand, Ltd.

    50,207,800       127,579,014  

Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd.

    28,460,000       76,032,427  

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT

    48,605,700       57,899,654  

Ascendas India Trust

    53,470,700       44,031,497  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      449,521,980  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 4.4%                

ITC, Ltd.

    20,701,500       103,557,961  

Bharti Infratel, Ltd.

    17,014,689       98,562,084  

Gujarat Pipavav Port, Ltd.

    21,381,946       49,379,677  

Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.

    348,532       12,854,232  

Minda Industries, Ltd.

    93,673       927,089  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      265,281,043  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 2.7%                

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

    3,027,940       105,856,782  

St. Shine Optical Co., Ltd.

    1,965,000       41,111,372  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    2,336,469       15,963,255  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      162,931,409  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 2.6%                

PT United Tractors

    51,000,100       104,968,756  

PT Cikarang Listrindob

    443,866,500       39,965,470  

PT Hanjaya Mandala Sampoerna

    25,476,200       7,340,357  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      152,274,583  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 2.1%                

Thai Beverage Public Co., Ltd.

    189,041,400       123,578,083  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      123,578,083  
   

 

 

 
   
AUSTRALIA: 1.4%                

Breville Group, Ltd.

    10,644,019       85,484,086  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      85,484,086  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 1.4%                

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    11,887,938       82,422,200  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      82,422,200  
   

 

 

 
   
LUXEMBOURG: 1.4%                

L’Occitane International SA

    35,557,750       81,557,941  
   

 

 

 

Total Luxembourg

      81,557,941  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 1.0%                

Globe Telecom, Inc.

    1,447,730       58,758,443  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      58,758,443  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES:       5,582,513,182  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $4,417,086,648)

   
 

 

24    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 5.1%

 

     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 5.1%    

LG Chem, Ltd., Pfd.

    909,328       $160,563,145  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    90,196       147,064,410  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      307,627,555  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       307,627,555  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $195,924,175)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.4%       5,890,140,737  

(Cost $4,613,010,823C)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES : 1.6%
      93,363,674  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $5,983,504,411  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $121,305,428, which is 2.03% of net assets.

 

c Cost for federal income tax purposes is $4,618,478,562 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $1,368,121,068  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (96,458,893
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $1,271,662,175  
 

 

 

 

 

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.

        

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      25  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Yu Zhang, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
Sherwood Zhang, CFA  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MCDFX   MICDX

CUSIP

  577125305   577130735

Inception

  11/30/09   10/29/10

NAV

  $16.30   $16.30

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.22%   1.06%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  45

Net Assets

  $238.0 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $54.6 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  72.96%

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 total 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.

Matthews China Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews China Dividend Fund returned 17.11% (Investor Class) and 17.19% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI China Index, returned 24.96%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 8.13% (Investor Class) and 8.14% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 10.66% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Chinese equities continued to perform well over the second quarter of the year, particularly within the information technology sector as two internet giants, Tencent and Alibaba, reported strong earnings and guidance. During the quarter, the U.S. Federal Reserve also announced an additional interest rate hike, though emerging markets remained stable and China’s currency appreciated to a new high for the year. In late June, global index provider MSCI announced its decision to include a select number of China A-share stocks into its emerging market index, concluding a three-year evaluation. The initial weighting of A-shares in the index will be minimal, representing about 0.73% of the index. The inclusion, however, serves as a vote of confidence in China’s reform efforts and policies toward opening and developing its capital markets. The domestic A-Share market rallied strongly on the back of this news.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the first half of the year, our lower allocation to the information technology sector versus the benchmark was the biggest detractor to our relative performance. While Tencent, China’s leading social media and gaming operator, continued to be the top performer for the second quarter, we maintained a lower allocation to the technology sector as many such companies tend to be lacking in terms of making regular dividend payments. The portfolio also underperformed the benchmark in the second quarter due to its lower allocation in auto-related industries.

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, a global leader in video surveillance equipment, was another strong performer during the second quarter. It benefited from market excitement over technology it has developed, which is being increasingly adopted into artificial intelligence applications.

In terms of detractors to Fund performance, Guangshen Railway was the largest detractor to performance during the quarter, as it faces greater competition from a newly built high speed railway connecting Hong Kong–Shenzhen–Guangzhou, while its ability to raise ticket prices still lags behind our initial expectation. HKBN, a local Hong Kong telecom operator, was the second-largest detractor to Fund performance as the company failed to deliver on its most recent acquisition, while the market started to worry about pricing competition. We are closely watching both companies and reviewing their portfolio positions.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

During the second quarter, we initiated another position in the A-share stocks of Midea Group, a leader in manufacturing electrical appliances. With an impressive portfolio of home appliances—ranging from small appliances to larger white goods—the company should be well-poised to benefit from China’s ongoing trend of urbanization. Its acquisition of Kuka, a global leader of industrial robotics, could also provide more upside potential if well-integrated. Within the financials sector, we swapped life insurance provider AIA group for Ping An Insurance Group, as we believe Ping An could deliver stronger earnings growth while also being more attractively valued compared to AIA.

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratio.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

26    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
   
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017         
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Year      5 Year      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MCDFX)      8.13%        17.11%        24.88%        11.40%        12.46%        10.39%        11/30/09  
Institutional Class (MICDX)      8.14%        17.19%        25.05%        11.58%        12.68%        9.08%        10/29/10  
MSCI China Index3      10.66%        24.96%        32.34%        8.29%        9.20%        4.46% 4    
Lipper China Region Funds Category Average5      8.83%        21.85%        25.75%        6.93%        8.79%        5.04%     

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                                         
       2017           2016  
       June        December        Total           June        December        Total  
Investor (MCDFX)      $ 0.20          n.a.          n.a.       $ 0.21        $ 0.07        $ 0.28  
Inst’l (MICDX)      $ 0.21          n.a.          n.a.       $ 0.22        $ 0.08        $ 0.30  

Note: This table does not include capital gains distributions. Totals may differ by $0.01 due to rounding. For income distribution history, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

30-DAY YIELD:

 

2.13% (Investor Class) 2.28% (Institutional Class)

 

The 30-Day Yield represents net investment income earned by the Fund over the 30-day period ended 6/30/17, 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: 2.92%

 

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 6/30/17 divided by the current price of each equity as of 6/30/17. 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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 11/30/09.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology             6.2%  
HSBC Holdings PLC    Financials             4.0%  
Midea Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             3.5%  
WH Group, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             3.2%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials             3.1%  
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp.    Energy             2.9%  
China Everbright, Ltd.    Financials             2.9%  
Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.9%  
PICC Property & Casualty Co., Ltd.    Financials             2.9%  
Bank of China, Ltd.    Financials             2.8%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                34.4%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      27  


Table of Contents
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     92.1  
Taiwan     2.6  
Singapore     2.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.3  

 

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8

 
Financials     18.5  
Consumer Discretionary     17.3  
Information Technology     16.2  
Industrials     12.6  
Telecommunication Services     7.5  
Health Care     7.2  
Consumer Staples     6.3  
Real Estate     3.9  
Energy     2.9  
Materials     2.3  
Utilities     2.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.3  

 

 

MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8

 
Mega Cap (over $25B)     30.2  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     13.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     22.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     30.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.3  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Matthews China Dividend Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

We also exited China Machinery Engineering during the quarter. While we believe the company appears to benefit from China’s so-called “One Belt, One Road” development strategy to push infrastructure investment in developing countries, increasing domestic competition may negatively impact profitability.

Outlook:

For the remainder of the year, we believe the market will again turn its attention to China’s headline GDP growth figure, which will be compared to the high base set by last year’s strong second half. We believe GDP headline growth has more impact on short term sentiment than it does on long-term investments. In the meantime, U.S.-China tensions could also get further attention due to trade and other geopolitical issues. As long as China remains committed to globalization and open trade, we believe it will present more investment opportunities, rather than becoming a casualty of a trade war.

 

 

28    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews China Dividend Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 96.7%

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 18.5%    

Banks: 8.8%

   

HSBC Holdings PLC

    1,031,600       $9,583,967  

Bank of China, Ltd. H Shares

    13,509,000       6,624,366  

Dah Sing Financial Holdings, Ltd.

    578,000       4,851,729  
   

 

 

 
      21,060,062  
   

 

 

 

Insurance: 6.8%

   

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

    1,136,500       7,486,579  

PICC Property & Casualty Co., Ltd. H Shares

    4,110,000       6,864,149  

Fanhua, Inc. ADR

    213,900       1,830,984  
   

 

 

 
      16,181,712  
   

 

 

 

Capital Markets: 2.9%

   

China Everbright, Ltd.

    3,180,000       6,916,204  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      44,157,978  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 17.3%                

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 4.1%

   

China International Travel Service Corp., Ltd. A Shares

    1,153,360       5,126,093  

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

    14,574,000       4,553,790  
   

 

 

 
      9,679,883  
   

 

 

 

Diversified Consumer Services: 3.6%

   

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems, Ltd.

    5,920,000       4,836,261  

Tarena International, Inc. ADR

    207,300       3,712,743  
   

 

 

 
      8,549,004  
   

 

 

 

Household Durables: 3.5%

   

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,302,411       8,267,630  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 2.9%

   

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, Ltd.

    6,490,600       6,876,665  
   

 

 

 
   

Auto Components: 1.7%

   

Weifu High-Technology Group Co., Ltd. B Shares

    1,725,512       4,084,706  
   

 

 

 
   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 1.5%

   

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    563,000       3,701,935  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      41,159,823  
   

 

 

 
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 16.2%                

Internet Software & Services: 8.7%

   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    412,100       14,784,071  

NetEase, Inc. ADR

    20,200       6,072,726  
   

 

 

 
      20,856,797  
   

 

 

 

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.9%

 

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,182,800       5,640,944  

Aurora Corp.

    603,000       1,174,992  
   

 

 

 
    6,815,936  
   

 

 

 
   

IT Services: 2.6%

   

TravelSky Technology, Ltd. H Shares

    2,099,000       6,182,611  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 2.0%

 

 

Hua Hong Semiconductor, Ltd.c

    3,462,000       4,695,698  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      38,551,042  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  
INDUSTRIALS: 12.6%    

Transportation Infrastructure: 5.9%

   

Guangdong Provincial Expressway Development Co., Ltd. B Shares

    8,325,006       $6,301,774  

Shanghai International Airport Co., Ltd. A Shares

    825,005       4,540,676  

Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. H Sharesc

    5,546,000       3,186,346  
   

 

 

 
      14,028,796  
   

 

 

 

Marine: 2.0%

   

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    6,144,000       4,828,732  
   

 

 

 
   

Machinery: 1.6%

   

China Conch Venture Holdings, Ltd.

    2,033,500       3,722,854  
   

 

 

 
   

Road & Rail: 1.4%

   

Guangshen Railway Co., Ltd. H Shares

    5,854,000       2,901,151  

Guangshen Railway Co., Ltd. ADR

    14,400       357,984  
   

 

 

 
      3,259,135  
   

 

 

 

Electrical Equipment: 1.0%

   

Xin Point Holdings, Ltd.b

    5,415,000       2,385,875  
   

 

 

 
   

Professional Services: 0.7%

   

Sporton International, Inc.

    343,000       1,736,423  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      29,961,815  
   

 

 

 
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: 7.5%                

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 4.8%

 

 

HKBN, Ltd.

    5,839,957       5,844,268  

CITIC Telecom International Holdings, Ltd.

    17,186,000       5,501,277  
   

 

 

 
      11,345,545  
   

 

 

 

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.7%

   

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    121,330       6,441,410  
   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

      17,786,955  
   

 

 

 
   
HEALTH CARE: 7.2%                

Health Care Providers & Services: 3.5%

 

 

China National Accord Medicines Corp., Ltd. B Shares

    733,413       4,270,403  

Universal Medical Financial & Technical Advisory Services Co., Ltd.c

    5,097,000       4,073,452  
   

 

 

 
      8,343,855  
   

 

 

 

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 2.2%

 

 

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

    6,568,000       5,152,781  
   

 

 

 
   

Pharmaceuticals: 1.5%

   

Luye Pharma Group, Ltd.

    6,589,500       3,612,509  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      17,109,145  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 6.3%                

Food Products: 3.2%

   

WH Group, Ltd.c

    7,652,000       7,726,773  
   

 

 

 
   

Food & Staples Retailing: 3.1%

   

Shanghai Bailian Group Co., Ltd. B Sharesb

    2,717,024       4,110,857  

Taiwan FamilyMart Co., Ltd.

    487,000       3,274,940  
   

 

 

 
      7,385,797  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      15,112,570  
   

 

 

 
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      29  


Table of Contents

Matthews China Dividend Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
REAL ESTATE: 3.9%    

Equity REITs: 2.1%

   

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT

    4,087,100       $4,868,599  
   

 

 

 
   

Real Estate Management & Development: 1.8%

 

Red Star Macalline Group Corp., Ltd. H Sharesc

    4,213,600       4,317,517  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      9,186,116  
   

 

 

 
   
ENERGY: 2.9%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.9%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    8,926,000       6,989,074  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      6,989,074  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 2.3%                

Containers & Packaging: 2.3%

   

Greatview Aseptic Packaging Co., Ltd.

    8,609,000       5,369,803  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      5,369,803  
   

 

 

 
   
UTILITIES: 2.0%                

Gas Utilities: 2.0%

   

China Gas Holdings, Ltd.

    2,394,000       4,833,102  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      4,833,102  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 96.7%             230,217,423  

(Cost $209,111,394d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 3.3%
      7,761,717  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $237,979,140  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $23,999,786, which is 10.08% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $209,157,094 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $27,886,219  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (6,825,890
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $21,060,329  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

30    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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

 

$12.11

 

$11.99

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

11.48%

 

11.26%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.50%

 

1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  43

Net Assets

 

$20.1 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

 

$25.5 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

19.60%

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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Value Fund returned 21.59% (Investor Class) and 21.73% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 22.93%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 10.49% (Investor Class) and 10.61% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

The second quarter of the year was relatively uneventful compared with the general market movements of recent years. It might be hard to believe but Brexit took place a year ago, followed immediately by a global market plunge. In contrast to the panic that ensued back then, Asia’s emerging markets, led by stocks in the information technology sector, continued to move upward in the second quarter. These markets shook off warning signs, including lingering concerns about China’s growth and its currency, nuclear tensions on the Korean peninsula, uncertainty over Brexit in Europe and the as yet untested young Trump administration. As widely expected, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark interest rate in June for the second time this year, though most Asian currencies are still up against the U.S dollar year to date.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Yamada Consulting, a management consulting firm serving mostly small and midsize enterprises in Japan, was by far the biggest contributor during the quarter. A growing portion of its business comes from higher-margin mergers and acquisition advisory work, which will continue to be a booming area in Japan due to a lack of succession planning among family businesses set up decades ago. Yamada Consulting reported good full-year numbers during the quarter. In Yamada, we believed we had found the rare alignment of a good shareholder-return policy at a bargain valuation—which led this to be our top position in the Fund. We initiated our position in early 2016 at 6x earnings, before interest and taxes (EBIT)*, and we were pleased with the share price run over the quarter. Its share price remained at less than 10x EBIT—a reasonable valuation relative to what we see as the company’s growth prospects.

In Korea, both Samsung Electronics and Samsung SDI did well during the quarter. Samsung Electronics is the flagship electronics company within the Samsung group. Moving past its Galaxy Note 7 smartphone recall late last year, it successfully launched its new smartphones series (Galaxy S8) in April this year, and it expects to continue dominating the booming memory-chip market. Samsung SDI, the Samsung Group’s battery company, is one of the biggest battery suppliers for electric vehicles globally along with LG Chemical and Panasonic. Samsung SDI’s share price has rebounded strongly after a poor 2016 as the company is expected to finally turn profitable later this year. During the quarter, we saw few significant detractors. However, Taro pharmaceutical was among the relative laggards. The generic drug maker—a subsidiary of India’s Sun Pharmaceutical Industries—continued to experience pricing pressure in its main market, the U.S. Its absolute negative contribution to the portfolio, however, was minimal and we continue to own the stock as we believe its depressed share price has already factored in news of the pricing challenges.

 

* Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT): Earnings before interest and tax is an indicator of a company’s profitability, often calculated as revenue minus expenses, excluding tax and interest.

(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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      31  


Table of Contents
           
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                   
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual
Total Returns
      

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year     

Since

Inception

     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAVRX)      10.49%        21.59%        26.51%        17.36%        11/30/15  
Institutional Class (MAVAX)      10.61%        21.73%        26.87%        17.69%        11/30/15  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        17.71%     
Lipper Pacific Region Funds Category Average5      6.61%        17.21%        18.61%        13.26%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
YAMADA Consulting Group Co., Ltd.    Industrials      Japan        5.7%  
Baidu, Inc.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        5.7%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        4.6%  
MPHB Capital BHD    Financials      Malaysia        3.6%  
CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.    Industrials      China/Hong Kong        3.6%  
Kukbo Design Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      South Korea        3.6%  
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        3.3%  
DGB Financial Group, Inc.    Financials      South Korea        3.1%  
Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.    Financials      South Korea        3.1%  
Hyundai Greenfood Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      South Korea        3.1%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                39.4%  

 

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

 

32    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Value Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We exited more companies than usual in the quarter as some had already been diluted to tiny position sizes following a large cash inflow into the Fund. Rather than adding to the positions in which we had valuation concerns, we exited them. We enjoyed substantial gains upon selling our holdings of Cognizant and ARA Asset Management.

Among the companies in which we initiated positions, we bought two names that are classic value stocks in terms of valuation. We bought stakes in Cosco Shipping International at a price well below the cash value on its balance sheet. This is an asset-light service subsidiary of Cosco Shipping, the Chinese shipping giant. Its share price has been depressed primarily due to a current slump in the global shipping industry. We bought the B shares of Jiangling Motors at a little above its cash value on the balance sheet. It is one of two Ford joint-venture partners in China and is effectively managed by Ford and focused more on commercial rather than passenger vehicles. Its profit took a dive last year due to its higher spending on new car model launches and transitions between models. We believe the share price was attractive because in our view it included its core operating business more or less for free.

Outlook:

Rather than spending an undue amount of time discussing the outlook or growth prospects in management meetings, we often like to evaluate past track records, and see how management has handled various situations in the past. History doesn’t repeat itself but it can certainly rhyme.

In the face of uncertainty, we wait patiently, aiming to react to bad news only opportunistically. We then always ask ourselves if the bad news has been more than discounted in an already depressed share price. We firmly believe to do so would be a winning formula over the long run.

 

B-Shares: B-Shares are mainland Chinese companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges, available to both Chinese and non-Chinese investors.
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
South Korea     34.6  
China/Hong Kong     26.0  
Japan     11.0  
Taiwan     5.1  
Malaysia     4.6  
Singapore     4.3  
United States     1.5  
Switzerland     1.5  
Israel     1.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     10.4  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Consumer Discretionary     23.6  
Industrials     18.2  
Information Technology     16.3  
Financials     13.0  
Consumer Staples     8.1  
Health Care     5.7  
Materials     4.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     10.4  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     18.4  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     3.3  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     7.3  
Small Cap (under $3B)     60.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     10.4  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      33  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Value Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 80.3%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 26.0%    

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    6,400       $1,144,704  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

    58,000       727,874  

Clear Media, Ltd.

    498,000       588,100  

Texwinca Holdings, Ltd.

    894,000       543,884  

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

    584,000       458,164  

COSCO SHIPPING International Hong Kong Co., Ltd.

    968,000       386,811  

Goldlion Holdings, Ltd.

    773,000       344,548  

Anhui Gujing Distillery Co., Ltd. B Shares

    75,500       326,267  

Jiangling Motors Corp., Ltd. B Shares

    96,779       202,910  

Sohu.com, Inc.b

    4,300       193,758  

Qualcomm, Inc.

    3,500       193,270  

Kweichow Moutai Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,700       118,365  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      5,228,655  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 25.3%  

Kukbo Design Co., Ltd.

    48,811       720,958  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    60,895       627,809  

Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.

    12,995       624,678  

Hyundai Greenfood Co., Ltd.

    40,374       624,520  

Kwangju Bank Co., Ltd.

    54,049       618,860  

CMS Edu Co., Ltd.

    14,104       355,616  

Kangnam Jevisco Co., Ltd.

    9,744       335,545  

Geumhwa PSC Co., Ltd.

    10,576       332,305  

POSCO Chemtech Co., Ltd.

    17,957       241,028  

Grand Korea Leisure Co., Ltd.

    12,298       240,768  

Hy-Lok Corp.

    9,185       202,227  

Nice Information & Telecommunication, Inc.

    7,007       160,760  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      5,085,074  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 11.0%  

YAMADA Consulting Group Co., Ltd.

    17,100       1,147,225  

Honma Golf, Ltd.b,c

    311,500       301,412  

San-A Co., Ltd.

    4,500       199,044  

Ohashi Technica, Inc.

    15,600       195,057  

Naigai Trans Line, Ltd.

    17,100       195,002  

Asante, Inc.

    9,300       160,917  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      2,198,657  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 5.1%  

Tehmag Foods Corp.

    43,000       357,683  

P-Duke Technology Co., Ltd.

    150,000       342,334  

Lumax International Corp., Ltd.

    171,000       330,749  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      1,030,766  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 4.6%  

MPHB Capital BHDb

    1,931,400       733,389  

Genting BHD

    89,700       196,630  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      930,019  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 4.3%  

Haw Par Corp., Ltd.

    60,200       489,426  

Straits Trading Co., Ltd.

    210,800       375,153  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      864,579  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
UNITED STATES: 1.5%    

News Corp. Class B

    21,400       $302,810  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      302,810  
   

 

 

 
   
SWITZERLAND: 1.5%  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    3,640       301,206  
   

 

 

 

Total Switzerland

      301,206  
   

 

 

 
   
ISRAEL: 1.0%  

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.b

    1,700       190,502  
   

 

 

 

Total Israel

      190,502  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES:       16,132,268  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $15,567,727)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 9.3%

 

SOUTH KOREA: 9.3%  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    569       927,753  

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    9,050       653,020  

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

    2,840       289,173  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      1,869,946  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES       1,869,946  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $1,673,776)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 89.6%       18,002,214  

(Cost $17,241,503d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 10.4%
      2,089,814  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

 

    $20,092,028  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $301,412, which is 1.50% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $17,244,237 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $817,431  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (59,454
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $757,977  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
BHD Berhad
Pfd. Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

34    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Kenneth Lowe, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
S. Joyce Li, CFA  

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAFSX   MIFSX

CUSIP

  577125701   577125800

Inception

  4/30/13   4/30/13

NAV

  $10.82   $10.85

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

2.47%

 

2.29%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.50%

 

1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  32

Net Assets

 

$12.0 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $73.5 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

21.10%

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 total assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of companies located in Asia excluding Japan, but including all other developed, emerging and frontier countries and markets in the Asian region. The Fund is currently expected to hold stocks of between 25 and 35 companies under normal market conditions.

Matthews Asia Focus Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Focus Fund returned 20.49% (Investor Class) and 20.69% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 22.93%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 7.34% (Investor Class) and 7.43% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

The second quarter saw continued strong performance in Asian equity markets as sentiment appears to have meaningfully improved. The negative views of the past few years have made way for more constructive conversations from asset allocators. To a large degree, this has been driven by fundamentals as the earnings misses over the period preceding this rally have been replaced by rising earnings expectations. Base effects have played a role alongside a strong technology cycle and reflation in China—although it remains to be seen if this uplift is sustainable. Beyond this, risk assets have benefited from a perceived reduction in potential fat tail events, such as rising protectionism in the U.S. and European political risk. The latter is true given the election of new French President and Europhile Emmanuel Macron, although U.S. policy remains uncertain.

From a longer-term perspective, the most meaningful event of the quarter was the introduction of China’s domestic A-shares into MSCI benchmarks. This process will start in May 2018 and will see 222 large capitalization stocks make up a small 0.73% of the emerging markets index. This is an important step for China and further liberalization should follow. A combination of this and the strength of internet stocks led to China’s markets being the region’s strongest performer during the quarter.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The largest contributor to returns during the quarter came from the portfolio’s holdings in the financials sector. AIA Group was the strongest of these, as the Pan-Asian life insurer once again beat growth expectations, with the important measurement of new business growing an impressive 55% in constant currency terms during the first quarter. The company’s cash generation continues to grow as demand for closing protection gaps across the region remains strong. Bank Rakyat Indonesia, the largest microfinance provider in the archipelago, also rose as a new CEO refocuses on micro and away from corporate lending, which has been challenging for the company. It also appears that loan growth and new non-performing loan formation also have improved.

Beyond the financial sector, information technology stocks contributed to performance. Tencent Holdings was particularly strong as first quarter results from the internet giant were stellar. All divisions reported attractive revenue growth with revenues in mobile gaming, social networking, advertising and payments delivering.

However, the strategy’s underweight to the sector hurt relative performance as it has become such a meaningful component of the overall benchmark, and many internet and hardware stocks performed well. At a stock-specific level, our holdings

(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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      35  


Table of Contents
             
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                          
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAFSX)      7.34%        20.49%        18.39%        3.06%        2.95%        4/30/13  
Institutional Class (MIFSX)      7.43%        20.69%        18.60%        3.33%        3.20%        4/30/13  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        5.32%        5.89%     
Lipper Pacific ex Japan Funds Category Average5      7.97%        22.02%        21.94%        4.36%        4.95%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
AIA Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        6.9%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        5.6%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      South Korea        4.3%  
Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        4.1%  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        3.9%  
Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.    Telecommunication Services      Singapore        3.6%  
Samsonite International SA    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        3.2%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        3.2%  
United Overseas Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Singapore        3.2%  
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.    Consumer Staples      South Korea        3.1%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                41.1%  

 

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

 

36    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Focus Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

in consumer companies Tata Motors and Kangwon Land also detracted from performance. The former sputtered following frustration over a lack of delivery in cash flow growth due to some foreign exchange challenges and execution missteps despite solid volume growth for Jaguar Land Rover. Kangwon Land was weak due to poor first quarter results and a concern that it could lose its monopoly over being the only casino that local residents are allowed to gamble in.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

We added one new holding to the portfolio during the quarter, U.S. listed fabless semiconductor company Broadcom. The business was formed through the merger of Avago Technologies and Broadcom last year and has headquarters in the U.S. and in Singapore. Much of the company’s product suite in areas like RF components, wireless connectivity, network switching, data center storage, etc. have a strong market position and are mission critical to its customers. This enables high margins and strong free cash flow. We believe that both wired and wireless products have a solid sustainable growth outlook that should lead to attractive dividend growth to accompany already reasonable valuations.

Outlook:

As we have noted, an improvement in earnings expectations as well as reduced tail risks* have led to a turn in sentiment for Asian equities. However, strong performance has resulted in valuations that are now at levels comparable with medium-term averages as forward price-to-earnings ratios are about 13.5x. Further, although Chinese authorities recognize the risk that such high debt levels domestically entails and are de-risking the most dangerous parts of the system, this does remain a concern. Ongoing low levels of volatility are unlikely to persist in perpetuity, especially in light of an increasingly coordinated global monetary policy tightening cycle.

With this backdrop, earnings, cash flow and dividends are likely to pay shareholders over the medium term as the period of expanding multiples may be ending. We will continue to avoid chasing beta in an upward market and focus on disconnects where high quality businesses are trading at valuations that we believe are below a company’s intrinsic value.

 

* Tail risk: The small statistical probability that an asset price will move more than three standard deviations from its current and/or average price level.
Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio: Price-to-Earnings Ratio (P/E Ratio) is a valuation ratio of a company’s current share price compared to its per-share earnings.
Beta: Beta is a measure of the volatility, or systematic risk, of a security or a portfolio in comparison to the market as a whole.
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
China/Hong Kong     33.8  
South Korea     13.5  
Singapore     12.4  
Taiwan     7.3  
Malaysia     5.3  
United States     5.2  
India     4.3  
Indonesia     3.9  
Thailand     2.7  
Japan     2.6  
Switzerland     2.4  
Australia     2.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

 

 

SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8

 
Financials     21.3  
Consumer Discretionary     20.9  
Information Technology     19.5  
Consumer Staples     11.1  
Industrials     10.7  
Telecommunication Services     7.6  
Health Care     2.7  
Real Estate     1.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

 

 

MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8

 
Mega Cap (over $25B)     50.5  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     18.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     17.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     9.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.5  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      37  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Focus Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.5%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 33.8%  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    112,200       $820,896  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    18,800       674,449  

Techtronic Industries Co., Ltd.

    108,000       496,260  

Samsonite International SA

    93,000       388,535  

CK Hutchison Holdings, Ltd.

    26,728       335,424  

Jardine Matheson Holdings, Ltd.

    5,100       327,400  

HSBC Holdings PLC

    34,000       315,873  

China Mobile, Ltd.

    25,000       265,045  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    1,237       221,250  

Hang Lung Group, Ltd.

    50,000       206,880  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

 

    4,052,012  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 13.5%  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    250       520,706  

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.

    434       377,104  

Coway Co., Ltd.

    4,044       367,526  

Kangwon Land, Inc.

    11,355       346,015  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

 

    1,611,351  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 12.4%  

Singapore Telecommunications, Ltd.

    152,300       430,108  

United Overseas Bank, Ltd.

    22,500       377,744  

Singapore Technologies Engineering, Ltd.

    135,300       361,461  

Sheng Siong Group, Ltd.

    436,800       314,102  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

 

    1,483,415  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 7.3%  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    56,000       382,604  

Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.

    217,000       255,369  

Ennoconn Corp.

    19,000       240,536  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

 

    878,509  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 5.3%  

Heineken Malaysia BHD

    73,700       317,624  

Genting Malaysia BHD

    243,400       311,821  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

 

    629,445  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 5.2%  

ResMed, Inc.

    4,100       319,267  

Broadcom, Ltd.

    1,300       302,965  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

 

    622,232  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 4.3%  

Tata Motors, Ltd.

    46,144       308,209  

Bharti Infratel, Ltd.

    36,411       210,920  
   

 

 

 

Total India

 

    519,129  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 3.9%  

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    410,400       468,280  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

    468,280  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
THAILAND: 2.7%  

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

    55,500       $324,011  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

 

    324,011  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 2.6%  

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    9,000       316,333  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

 

    316,333  
   

 

 

 
   
SWITZERLAND: 2.4%  

Cie Financiere Richemont SA

    3,467       286,890  
   

 

 

 

Total Switzerland

 

    286,890  
   

 

 

 
   
AUSTRALIA: 2.1%  

Insurance Australia Group, Ltd.

    48,086       250,607  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

 

    250,607  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.5%             11,442,214  

(Cost $10,168,187c)

 

   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.5%
      536,422  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

 

    $11,978,636  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Cost for federal income tax purposes is $10,209,721 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $1,648,396  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (415,903
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $1,232,493  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt
BHD Berhad

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

 

38    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Taizo Ishida  

Lead Manager

 
Sharat Shroff, CFA  

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MPACX   MIAPX

CUSIP

  577130867   577130776

Inception

  10/31/03   10/29/10

NAV

 

$25.05

 

$25.24

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.14%

 

0.96%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

    54

Net Assets

    $711.7 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $25.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

     

13.61%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Growth Fund returned 19.00% (Investor Class) and 19.11% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia Pacific Index, which returned 15.91% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 9.87% (Investor Class) and 9.93% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 5.87% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian markets were strong during the second quarter, following robust first quarter performance. In fact, this was the first time we saw two consecutive quarters of solid gains over the last three years. Despite significant global events such as the presidential elections in France and South Korea, and tensions stemming from North Korean provocations, Northeast Asian countries performed much better than Southeast Asian nations. The ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) markets had mixed results. Indonesia and Philippines performed well, while Thailand did not. Frontier markets generally underperformed with the exception of Sri Lanka, which has struggled in recent years. The “value” rally we saw over the previous two quarters appeared to fade as more quality, growth names came back in favor during the second quarter, coinciding with a diminished “Trump reflation story.”

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The strongest performance came from Chinese internet firms, including Baozun, a relatively new name for the portfolio. Baozun is an e-commerce solutions firm that is becoming an essential partner to global brands, such as Nike, for online business in China. Autohome, the largest internet auto website in China, was another good performer on the back of cheap valuations and constant upward earnings revisions. Lanka ORIX Leasing of Sri Lanka also rebounded during the quarter after faltering over the past six months. The company’s focus on Cambodia’s microfinancing business began to bolster its enterprise value, and its expansion plans into Pakistan and Indonesia helped to boost its stock price.

On the negative contribution side, among the relatively few detractors were two Indian pharmaceutical names. One was Lupin and the other Sun Pharmaceutical. Both stocks suffered from pricing pressure from powerful third-party administrators called pharmacy benefit managers who are hired by insurers, employers and unions to negotiate discounts from drug makers. Another factor was ever-intensifying competition in the U.S. generic drug industry. It appears that the high growth stage of India’s pharmaceutical companies is ending as some large Indian generic drug makers are stepping up their focus on more complex (and more costly) generic products in order to seek further growth opportunities. We think that large and resourceful companies such as Lupin and Sun Pharmaceutical ultimately will prevail, although it may take some time.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, no major additions or deletions were made in the portfolio. We did add to our position in Japan’s Softbank during the quarter as we found valuations to be very attractive. While Softbank is categorized as a telecommunications firm and its valuation tends to be treated as a mere utility holding, the firm’s business profile is much broader and includes large and diversified tech investments.

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      39  


Table of Contents
     
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MPACX)      9.87%        19.00%        15.86%        5.47%        10.11%        5.95%        9.32%        10/31/03  
Institutional Class (MIAPX)      9.93%        19.11%        16.06%        5.68%        10.32%        n.a.        6.79%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia Pacific Index3      5.87%        15.91%        23.00%        4.76%        8.59%        2.83%        7.26% 4    
Lipper Pacific Region Funds Category Average5      6.61%        17.21%        18.61%        4.51%        8.36%        2.88%        7.52%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 10/31/03.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        4.7%  
PT Astra International    Consumer Discretionary      Indonesia        4.1%  
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        4.0%  
HDFC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        4.0%  
Start Today Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      Japan        3.5%  
M3, Inc.    Health Care      Japan        3.5%  
ITC, Ltd.    Consumer Staples      India        3.1%  
ORIX Corp.    Financials      Japan        3.0%  
Baozun, Inc.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        2.9%  
China Lodging Group, Ltd. ADS    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.8%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                35.6%  

 

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

 

40    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Outlook:

We remain cautious about the trajectory of global economic growth. As the price of oil and other commodities remain depressed, inflationary pressures are still benign. For the time being, global trade appears to be shrugging off the potential for protectionist policies by the Trump administration. However, without any meaningful “macro” growth anywhere, the market may refocus on “micro” company earnings reports.

Large Chinese e-commerce companies are now expanding to Southeast Asian countries, which were previously not considered “e-commerce friendly” markets due to logistical challenges relating to poor infrastructure and isolated islands in Indonesia and the Philippines. However, the expansion of the e-commerce firms seems to be a testament to their further growth potential. We will continue to monitor this industry.

Given arguably slower top-line growth for some technology firms, we see firms continuing to look toward artificial intelligence and robotics technology in order to increase efficiencies. Here, we continue seeing investment opportunities in our search to add more quality growth names to the portfolio.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
Japan     38.0  
China/Hong Kong     16.5  
Indonesia     14.9  
India     10.6  
Australia     4.5  
Sri Lanka     3.5  
Vietnam     2.9  
Philippines     2.9  
Bangladesh     2.9  
Pakistan     1.4  
Thailand     1.1  
Taiwan     0.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Consumer Discretionary     21.4  
Health Care     18.4  
Consumer Staples     17.7  
Financials     17.2  
Information Technology     11.0  
Industrials     7.0  
Telecommunication Services     2.2  
Materials     2.0  
Energy     1.8  
Real Estate     1.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     28.6  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     12.6  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     33.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     24.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      41  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 99.7%

 

     Shares     Value  
JAPAN: 38.0%    

Start Today Co., Ltd.

    1,009,800       $24,886,209  

M3, Inc.

    891,000       24,579,467  

ORIX Corp.

    1,358,300       21,134,959  

Pigeon Corp.

    544,900       19,810,014  

Nidec Corp.

    178,600       18,349,365  

SoftBank Group Corp.

    194,000       15,770,288  

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    111,800       14,965,913  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    171,400       14,154,442  

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.

    194,800       13,574,937  

PeptiDream, Inc.b

    384,400       12,169,336  

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

    257,800       10,376,904  

CYBERDYNE, Inc.b

    768,500       10,240,661  

Sysmex Corp.

    163,500       9,786,083  

Sosei Group Corp.b

    86,600       9,526,150  

Kakaku.com, Inc.

    626,200       9,001,582  

Komatsu, Ltd.

    288,200       7,397,359  

Rinnai Corp.

    76,400       7,137,773  

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

    165,200       6,816,886  

Daiken Medical Co., Ltd.

    911,500       6,514,222  

Gunosy, Inc.b

    281,000       5,827,319  

FANUC Corp.

    29,600       5,728,954  

HEALIOS KKb

    203,200       2,783,858  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      270,532,681  
   

 

 

 
   
CHINA/HONG KONG: 16.5%                

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    4,378,000       28,786,982  

Baozun, Inc. ADRb

    918,100       20,354,277  

China Lodging Group, Ltd. ADSb

    245,900       19,839,212  

Autohome, Inc. ADRb

    409,600       18,579,456  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    116,200       16,372,580  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    44,600       7,977,156  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesc

    959,400       5,210,224  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      117,119,887  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 14.9%                

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    29,535,100       33,700,557  

PT Astra International

    43,107,700       28,882,046  

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur

    23,574,000       15,578,221  

PT Ace Hardware Indonesia

    154,466,000       12,285,422  

PT Mayora Indah

    47,580,700       7,909,173  

PT Arwana Citramulia

    214,668,400       7,704,532  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      106,059,951  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 10.6%                

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    1,102,893       28,172,918  

ITC, Ltd.

    4,455,774       22,289,731  

Emami, Ltd.b

    805,608       13,406,007  

Lupin, Ltd.

    420,088       6,887,473  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

    510,687       4,387,268  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      75,143,397  
   

 

 

 
   
AUSTRALIA: 4.5%                

CSL, Ltd.

    181,525       19,265,154  

Oil Search, Ltd.

    2,481,915       12,996,729  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      32,261,883  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
SRI LANKA: 3.5%    

Sampath Bank PLC

    8,533,267       $15,936,407  

Lanka Orix Leasing Co. PLCb

    12,121,473       8,915,928  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      24,852,335  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 2.9%                

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    2,597,160       18,006,793  

Taisun International Holding Corp.b

    648,000       2,931,757  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      20,938,550  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 2.9%                

Jollibee Foods Corp.

    2,007,890       8,112,797  

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.

    58,472,700       6,739,650  

Emperador, Inc.

    37,942,500       5,669,569  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      20,522,016  
   

 

 

 
   
BANGLADESH: 2.9%                

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    4,382,312       15,738,075  

BRAC Bank, Ltd.

    4,545,139       4,564,937  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      20,303,012  
   

 

 

 
   
PAKISTAN: 1.4%                

Habib Bank, Ltd.

    4,001,000       10,270,187  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      10,270,187  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 1.1%                

Major Cineplex Group Public Co., Ltd.

    7,714,400       7,664,439  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      7,664,439  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 0.5%                

St. Shine Optical Co., Ltd.

    173,000       3,619,475  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      3,619,475  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.7%             709,287,813  

(Cost $501,081,590d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 0.3%
      2,372,053  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $711,659,866  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $5,210,224 which is 0.73% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $501,081,590 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $238,628,077  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (30,421,854
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $208,206,223  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

ADS American Depositary Share

 

JSC Joint Stock Co.

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

42    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Sharat Shroff, CFA    

Lead Manager

   
Rahul Gupta    

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MAPTX   MIPTX

CUSIP

  577130107   577130834

Inception

  9/12/94   10/29/10

NAV

  $27.55   $27.55

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.09%   0.91%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

  1.08%   0.90%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

  66

Net Assets

  $8.2 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $49.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

      5.73%

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 total 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 2017, the Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund returned 20.20% (Investor Class) and 20.31% (Institutional Class), while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 22.93%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 6.62% (Investor Class) and 6.66% (Institutional Class) compared to benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian markets have performed well so far this year, including during the second quarter, due to earnings upgrades that have continued over the past 12 months—reflecting an improved market environment compared with more than a year ago.

In India, optimism surrounds ongoing reforms, including its Goods and Services Tax (GST) to be implemented starting in the third quarter. During the second quarter, however, we also saw a setback in policy direction when India’s largest state government announced it would forgive farm loans, which could amount to about 2.6% of the state’s GDP. We are wary of such populist measures despite our confidence in the direction of India’s broader reform efforts.

A marquee event this quarter was index provider MSCI’s inclusion of China’s domestic A-shares in its global indices. The first-round weighting will be minimal and unlikely to lead to a large influx of capital. The inclusion is an encouraging sign, however, and we believe this market is a compelling source of opportunities that has been overlooked by global investors due to its relative inaccessibility. We believe the weighting should increase over time, acknowledging the growing importance of the Chinese economy.

During the quarter, there were a number of indicators of improvements to corporate governance, particularly in China and also in South Korea, where the new president has committed to reform the country’s large family-controlled conglomerates known as chaebol.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund performed strongly in absolute terms during the quarter but trailed its benchmark largely due to underweight positions in information technology stocks. Hardware industries did well amid a “technology refresh” cycle. Our portfolio’s lack of exposure to semiconductors, however, posed a drag on relative performance. A handful of internet stocks also grew to quite sizable weights in the Index, which also affected relative performance. While we have held some strong internet stocks, we find it imprudent to carry outsized positions as the Index does. In addition, some detractors to performance also came from a few of our Indian holdings, particularly Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Tata Power due to near-term business challenges.

Contribution to absolute performance returns was broad-based from a number of portfolio holdings. Key contributors included a mall operator in Thailand, private banks in India and insurance companies in China.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

While there were no major additions or exits in the portfolio during the quarter, incremental allocations were made toward domestic demand businesses in China and toward more attractively valued ASEAN countries where economic performance is stabilizing. We are finding attractive opportunities that we believe may benefit from Asia’s rising affluence.

(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, 2018 and may be terminated at any time (i) by the Trust on behalf of the Fund or by the Board of Trustees upon 60 days’ prior written notice to Matthews; or (ii) by Matthews upon 60 days’ prior written notice to the Trust, in each case without payment of any penalty.
3 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      43  


Table of Contents
 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017  
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAPTX)      6.62%        20.20%        15.35%        6.22%        9.25%        6.97%        8.81%        9/12/94  
Institutional Class (MIPTX)      6.66%        20.31%        15.57%        6.41%        9.44%        n.a.        6.24%        10/29/10  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        5.32%        8.27%        4.48%        4.46% 5    
Lipper Pacific ex Japan Funds Category Average6      7.97%        22.02%        21.94%        4.36%        7.64%        4.15%        5.18%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 Calculated from 8/31/94.

 

  6 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS7                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Central Pattana Public Co., Ltd.    Real Estate      Thailand        3.1%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        3.1%  
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.0%  
Baidu, Inc.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        2.6%  
DKSH Holding, Ltd.    Industrials      Switzerland        2.6%  
Vietnam Dairy Products JSC    Consumer Staples      Vietnam        2.6%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        2.6%  
Tata Power Co., Ltd.    Utilities      India        2.5%  
Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        2.5%  
Titan Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      India        2.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                27.0%  

 

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

 

44    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Outlook:

We have seen improvements in the market environment over the past two quarters. We still find sentiment around China, and Asia in general, to be only lukewarm. Given the strength and stabilization of the Chinese economy, including housing, we are beginning to see that authorities are tightening on the margin. Aggressive capital deployment by some insurance companies, for example, has come under greater scrutiny. In our view, this is a positive proactive approach. We continue to see Chinese authorities nudge the economy toward a much higher services mix. That should continue to provide us with attractive, long-term investment opportunities in the services sector.

In India, the balancing act has become a bit tighter. Markets have done well but earnings have not followed as strongly. Policymakers are trying to implement important changes that should help India’s economy over the medium to long term, but are disrupters in the short term. The implementation of the GST could add to that turbulence, but we will believe these ultimately should be just growing pains.

Lastly, the long-term case for the Asian consumer remains resilient. Businesses focused on this segment of the region’s economies continue to be well-represented in the portfolio.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)8,9  
China/Hong Kong     31.4  
India     19.9  
South Korea     12.6  
Indonesia     6.4  
Thailand     5.8  
Taiwan     5.7  
Malaysia     3.5  
United States     2.8  
Switzerland     2.6  
Vietnam     2.6  
Philippines     2.4  
Singapore     0.2  
Japan     0.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.0  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)9  
Financials     19.9  
Consumer Staples     19.3  
Information Technology     18.0  
Consumer Discretionary     9.9  
Health Care     7.6  
Real Estate     6.3  
Utilities     5.0  
Industrials     5.0  
Telecommunication Services     3.6  
Materials     1.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.0  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)9  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     32.6  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     23.1  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     34.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     6.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.0  

 

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

 

9 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      45  


Table of Contents

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 31.4%  

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

    38,343,000       $252,580,643  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    1,211,800       216,742,548  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    5,886,500       211,177,955  

Sinopharm Group Co., Ltd. H Shares

    45,134,400       203,913,236  

China Resources Beer Holdings Co., Ltd.

    75,359,775       190,052,025  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    1,291,700       182,000,530  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    22,790,800       166,745,721  

Hengan International Group Co., Ltd.

    19,471,500       143,643,713  

China Resources Land, Ltd.

    47,814,000       139,294,921  

China Mobile, Ltd. ADR

    2,380,026       126,355,580  

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

    38,503,482       122,713,504  

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

    31,836,000       121,872,124  

Dairy Farm International Holdings, Ltd.

    15,454,946       121,784,974  

Tasly Pharmaceutical Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    14,569,795       89,276,004  

Guangdong Advertising Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    62,473,566       73,953,055  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    2,603,000       67,246,926  

Lenovo Group, Ltd.

    73,394,000       46,321,297  

Yum China Holdings, Inc.b

    1,174,410       46,306,986  

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

    36,796,000       28,867,501  

Swire Pacific, Ltd. A Share Class

    1,363,000       13,305,139  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,589,387       9,948,477  

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

    3,806,400       7,956,560  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

 

    2,582,059,419  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 19.9%  

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.

    16,873,409       249,333,405  

Tata Power Co., Ltd.

    164,620,436       204,993,040  

Titan Co., Ltd.b

    24,643,894       199,845,941  

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    6,223,409       158,974,253  

GAIL India, Ltd.

    26,059,477       145,618,564  

ITC, Ltd.

    28,102,500       140,581,001  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    4,935,685       123,263,891  

Container Corp. of India, Ltd.

    6,839,995       121,174,644  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

    12,045,017       103,477,710  

Dabur India, Ltd.

    21,117,482       95,392,515  

Thermax, Ltd.

    5,310,034       76,764,518  

Just Dial, Ltd.,b

    3,557,718       20,438,099  
   

 

 

 

Total India

 

    1,639,857,581  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 12.6%  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    95,105       198,086,773  

Dongbu Insurance Co., Ltd.

    3,159,380       187,755,541  

Naver Corp.

    244,116       178,944,552  

Orion Corp.d

    217,080       151,121,738  

Green Cross Corp.

    776,872       118,518,293  

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.

    6,954,297       111,853,311  

Amorepacific Corp.

    345,972       91,885,577  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

 

    1,038,165,785  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDONESIA: 6.4%  

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero

    421,304,300       $143,071,377  

PT Bank Central Asia

    100,580,000       137,172,886  

PT Indofood CBP Sukses Makmur

    191,522,600       126,562,372  

PT Perusahaan Gas Negara Persero

    298,485,100       50,343,182  

PT Astra International

    66,745,900       44,719,579  

PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia Persero ADR

    728,140       24,516,474  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

    526,385,870  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 5.8%  

Central Pattana Public Co., Ltd.

    126,625,200       257,940,393  

The Siam Cement Public Co., Ltd.

    7,522,950       111,573,857  

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

    18,431,800       107,605,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

 

    477,119,844  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 5.7%  

President Chain Store Corp.

    21,486,608       193,062,448  

Delta Electronics, Inc.

    31,251,182       170,954,693  

Synnex Technology International Corp.

    95,600,921       107,098,852  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

 

    471,115,993  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 3.4%  

Genting BHD

    52,881,000       115,919,565  

Public Bank BHD

    17,846,594       84,469,130  

IHH Healthcare BHD

    47,676,300       63,884,398  

IHH Healthcare BHD

    11,543,000       15,762,368  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

 

    280,035,461  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 2.8%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    2,186,600       145,190,240  

Yum! Brands, Inc.

    1,174,410       86,624,482  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

 

    231,814,722  
   

 

 

 
   
SWITZERLAND: 2.6%  

DKSH Holding, Ltd.

    2,638,062       214,480,394  
   

 

 

 

Total Switzerland

 

    214,480,394  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 2.6%  

Vietnam Dairy Products JSC

    30,834,534       213,783,932  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

 

    213,783,932  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 2.4%  

SM Prime Holdings, Inc.

    164,670,771       107,593,353  

GT Capital Holdings, Inc.

    3,897,540       93,342,085  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

 

    200,935,438  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 0.2%  

Hyflux, Ltd.

    35,190,730       14,058,399  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

 

    14,058,399  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 0.1%  

LINE Corp. ADRb

    195,200       6,789,056  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

 

    6,789,056  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES       7,896,601,894  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $5,386,026,733)

   
 

 

46    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

WARRANTS: 0.1%

 

     Shares     Value  
MALAYSIA: 0.1%    

Genting BHD, expires 12/18/18b

    12,253,875       $4,653,027  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      4,653,027  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL WARRANTS             4,653,027  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $5,593,674)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 96.0%             7,901,254,921  

(Cost $5,391,620,407e)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.0%
      328,625,248  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $8,229,880,169  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $129,828,684 which is 1.58% of net assets.

 

d Illiquid security, trading was halted at June 30, 2017.

 

e Cost for federal income tax purposes is $5,393,356,757 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $2,878,141,706  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (370,243,542
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $2,507,898,164  
 

 

 

 

 

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      47  


Table of Contents

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

 

$10.69

 

$10.64

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

3.54%

 

3.36%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.48%

 

1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

 

57

Net Assets

 

$13.1 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

 

$17.3 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

16.10%

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 total 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 period ending June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews ESG Fund returned 19.18% (Investor Class) and 19.28% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, returned 22.93%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 6.16% (Investor Class) and 6.19% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asia’s markets further built on the strong start to the year, rising during the second quarter. As near-term risks, such as an adverse outcome in the French presidential election, receded and confidence in global growth increased, global markets continue to inch up.

South Korea and China/Hong Kong were the best-performing markets during the second quarter, while Pakistan and Japan were the worst-performing. The second quarter saw a continuation of strong performance from the information technology sector, while the energy sector gave back some of the recent gains. South and Southeast Asian currencies generally appreciated against the U.S. dollar, led by the Malaysian ringgit, which saw a 3% appreciation, while the South Korean won depreciated by 2.2%.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the quarter, stock selection in India and Taiwan detracted from the Fund’s relative performance. The Fund’s underweight allocation to the information technology sector, especially within the Chinese internet and e-commerce areas, proved a drag as did an overweight allocation to the health care sector.

Samsung SDI, a South Korean battery and electronic materials company, was the biggest contributor to performance during the quarter. The company’s stock price corrected sharply toward the end of 2016 as its smartphone battery recall affected the company’s profitability and provided a very attractive entry point. We remain confident in the company’s long-term growth prospects. Profitability is normalizing for Samsung’s phone battery unit, its automotive batteries continue to gain scale and its electronic materials business is growing. Samsung SDI also has a minority stake in the world’s largest organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panel company. We believe Samsung SDI should benefit as the adoption of OLED panels, especially in smartphones, is poised for a sharp pickup over the coming years.

Lupin, an Indian pharmaceutical company, was the biggest detractor to performance during the quarter. The company faltered as distributor and retailer consolidation in the U.S., a key market for Lupin, led to increased pricing pressures on generic drug manufacturers globally. We expect that over the medium term the channel consolidation will lead weaker players to exit the market as prices are driven to unsustainably low levels. The company also has been increasing its spending on research and development to diversify into higher value-added products. We remain positive on the company’s long-term prospects given its strong development pipeline and attractive valuations.

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratio.
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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

48    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
           
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                   
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual
Total Returns
      

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MASGX)      6.16%        19.18%        19.18%        4.02%        4/30/15  
Institutional Class (MISFX)      6.19%        19.28%        19.46%        4.27%        4/30/15  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index4      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        2.40%     
Lipper Pacific Region Funds Category Average5      6.61%        17.21%        18.61%        3.34%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        4.7%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        4.2%  
Inner Mongolia Yili Industrial Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        3.4%  
PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero    Financials      Indonesia        3.4%  
Total Access Communication Public Co., Ltd. NVDR    Telecommunication Services      Thailand        3.3%  
Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.    Financials      India        3.3%  
BRAC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Bangladesh        3.2%  
Hanon Systems    Consumer Discretionary      South Korea        2.7%  
Lupin, Ltd.    Health Care      India        2.6%  
JD.com, Inc.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.5%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                33.3%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      49  


Table of Contents
   
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7      
China/Hong Kong     22.0  
South Korea     13.7  
Japan     13.4  
Taiwan     12.2  
India     12.1  
Bangladesh     5.8  
Philippines     4.9  
Thailand     4.4  
Indonesia     3.4  
Pakistan     2.6  
Singapore     2.5  
Luxembourg     1.6  
Sri Lanka     1.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8      
Financials     20.3  
Health Care     17.8  
Information Technology     13.0  
Industrials     12.8  
Consumer Discretionary     11.6  
Consumer Staples     8.5  
Telecommunication Services     6.7  
Utilities     4.7  
Materials     3.0  
Real Estate     1.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     17.9  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     12.6  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     24.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     45.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     0.3  

 

7 Not all countries are included in the benchmark index.

 

8 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, the Fund added a position in Wuxi Biologics Cayman, a Chinese biologics contract development and manufacturing organization. Wuxi helps biotech companies convert a product idea into a commercial reality in a cost-effective and expedient fashion, leading to better health care outcomes for patients globally. Wuxi is a global top five player and the leader in the Chinese biologics outsourcing market with dominant market share. It is favorably exposed to fast-growing global biologics outsourcing services in general and to the Chinese outsourcing market in particular. We like the company in part for its strong employee equity participation and training programs.

During the quarter, we took profits after the strong performance of Japan’s Nakanishi, a dental equipment maker, and Taiwan’s Lumax International, an industrials sector holding, and exited our small positions in them.

Outlook:

We continue to watch for early signs of trouble for the Trump administration in pushing its agenda, in areas such as health care and on punitive trade policies, through Congress. Despite the related risks, we take comfort in economic fundamentals that appear to be improving globally as well as positive nominal GDP growth prospects in Asia. Furthermore, Asian consumers are increasingly focusing on products and services with positive environmental and social impacts, while Asian governments and regulators are pushing companies to strive for better environmental and governance standards—regardless of whether the U.S. retains policies established by the Obama administration. We believe such a push provides an encouraging backdrop for pursuing ESG-focused investing in Asia.

We employ a fundamental, bottom-up investment process in managing a portfolio of companies that make a positive environmental, social and economic impact while aiming to generate profitable growth. We will be on the lookout for market dislocations in Asia as they often present an opportunity to buy high-quality companies with best-in-class ESG attributes at reasonable prices.

 

 

50    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.0%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 22.0%  

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

    138,200       $440,454  

JD.com, Inc. ADRb

    8,400       329,447  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.b,c

    82,000       308,257  

MTR Corp., Ltd.

    54,500       306,690  

AIA Group, Ltd.

    38,200       279,485  

HKBN, Ltd.

    270,000       270,199  

CSPC Pharmaceutical Group, Ltd.

    126,000       184,037  

China Conch Venture Holdings, Ltd.

    95,000       173,922  

Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing, Ltd.

    6,400       165,340  

Guangdong Investment, Ltd.

    106,000       146,085  

Haier Electronics Group Co., Ltd.

    55,000       142,995  

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

    231,000       124,529  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

 

    2,871,440  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 13.4%  

Fuji Seal International, Inc.

    9,900       273,696  

Tsukui Corp.

    46,200       271,167  

Daikin Industries, Ltd.

    2,600       266,739  

Sohgo Security Services Co., Ltd.

    5,900       266,327  

Hoya Corp.

    3,200       166,596  

Bunka Shutter Co., Ltd.

    18,800       144,409  

Koito Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    2,600       134,447  

Ain Holdings, Inc.

    1,600       115,791  

LINE Corp. ADRb

    3,200       111,297  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

 

    1,750,469  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 12.2%  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    80,000       546,577  

Sitronix Technology Corp.

    73,000       225,097  

Zhen Ding Technology Holding, Ltd.

    85,000       201,256  

Tehmag Foods Corp.

    21,000       174,682  

Merida Industry Co., Ltd.

    25,000       133,808  

CHC Resources Corp.

    64,000       116,257  

ECOVE Environment Corp.

    17,000       99,195  

Sporton International, Inc.

    18,247       92,375  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

 

    1,589,247  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 12.1%  

Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.

    11,642       429,369  

Lupin, Ltd.

    20,770       340,531  

Bharat Financial Inclusion, Ltd.b

    21,869       243,707  

Power Grid Corp. of India, Ltd.b

    68,252       222,241  

Ipca Laboratories, Ltd.b

    27,668       210,717  

Sanofi India, Ltd.

    2,005       128,817  
   

 

 

 

Total India

 

    1,575,382  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 9.0%  

Hanon Systems

    38,444       346,232  

KT Skylife Co., Ltd.

    14,719       210,383  

iMarketKorea, Inc.

    16,719       198,845  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    18,921       195,070  

Samjin Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    5,932       171,006  

Samsung Biologics Co., Ltd.b,c

    210       53,569  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

 

    1,175,105  
   

 

 

 
     Shares     Value  
BANGLADESH: 5.8%  

BRAC Bank, Ltd.

    413,907       $415,710  

GrameenPhone, Ltd.

    40,983       175,036  

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    46,337       166,409  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

 

    757,155  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 4.9%  

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

    271,200       239,436  

Energy Development Corp.

    1,980,000       237,241  

Security Bank Corp.

    37,580       161,599  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

 

    638,276  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 4.4%  

Total Access Communication Public Co., Ltd. NVDR

    280,300       432,770  

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd. NVDR

    24,100       140,697  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

 

    573,467  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 3.4%  

PT Bank Rakyat Indonesia Persero

    385,300       439,640  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

 

    439,640  
   

 

 

 
   
PAKISTAN: 2.6%  

Bank Alfalah, Ltd.b

    457,500       175,408  

Abbott Laboratories Pakistan, Ltd.

    18,350       164,751  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

 

    340,159  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 2.5%  

Parkway Life REIT

    87,000       169,356  

Raffles Medical Group, Ltd.

    165,500       161,191  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

 

    330,547  
   

 

 

 
   
LUXEMBOURG: 1.6%  

L’Occitane International SA

    91,750       210,445  
   

 

 

 

Total Luxembourg

 

    210,445  
   

 

 

 
   
SRI LANKA: 1.1%  

Nestle Lanka PLC

    10,717       141,864  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

 

    141,864  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES             12,393,196  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $10,983,695)

   
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      51  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 4.7%

 

     Shares     Value  
SOUTH KOREA: 4.7%    

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    8,541       $616,292  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      616,292  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES             616,292  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $434,248)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 99.7%             13,009,488  

(Cost $11,417,943d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 0.3%
      42,213  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $13,051,701  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $486,355, which is 3.73% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $11,432,555 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $1,969,666  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (392,733
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $1,576,933  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

NVDR Non-voting Depositary Receipt

 

Pfd. Preferred

 

REIT Real Estate Investment Trust

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

52    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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

  $14.66  

$14.71

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.77%

 

1.62%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.47%

 

1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  77

Net Assets

  $376.8 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $2.4 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

34.90%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Emerging Asia Fund returned 11.23% (Investor Class) and 11.27% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index, returned 23.31%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 6.54% (Investor Class) and 6.52% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 8.74% over the same period.

Market Environment:

The first half of 2017 delivered relatively strong returns for Asian investors, despite concerns at the start of the year over growth, as well as the controversial election rhetoric and policy uncertainties of the Trump administration. Since then, we have seen little to no traction on Trump’s plans for health care or tax reform. We have also seen China fortifying islands in the South China Sea and North Korea firing missiles into the ocean off the coast of Japan—an interesting backdrop for such solid performance. In the second quarter, the strongest-performing markets in the Asia region have been South Korea, China and Taiwan. This was the result of a change in investor growth expectations combined with low valuations in these markets. The Indian market—where valuations were arguably expensive at the start of the year—has performed surprisingly well, even while delivering relatively soft earnings.

Frontier and smaller markets in Southeast Asia have broadly been ignored in the first half of the year. Markets like Vietnam and Bangladesh delivered solid economic growth and stable currencies. Meanwhile, Pakistan and Sri Lanka faced headwinds from macro concerns, especially with regard to their external accounts. Strong imports have overshadowed relatively weak export performance and soft remittance data has caused concerns for both the Sri Lankan and Pakistani rupee.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Emerging Asia underperformed the benchmark for both the second quarter and first half of the year, primarily due to differences in asset allocation. The majority of the benchmark’s performance has been driven by strong returns from three countries: South Korea, Taiwan and China. These three countries account for approximately 70% weighting in the benchmark while Emerging Asia, during the second quarter, saw a combined weighting in these markets of about 8%.

We continue to view South Korea and Taiwan as “developed” rather than “emerging” markets and will continue to offer our clients exposure to the least-developed parts of Asia that we believe have the most growth potential.

The main detractors to Fund performance were The Searle Company and K-Electric, both of Pakistan. Pharmaceutical firm Searle had become expensive and we reduced our position earlier in the year, while K-Electric faces the possibility of a tariff reduction after the latest regulatory review. The firm has appealed the decision and we await the outcome. Hong Kong-listed Tongda Group also was a notable detractor after it was featured in a short-sellers research report. The share price of this high-precision component maker has since stabilized and investors are now awaiting developments before the stock can move upward.

(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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      53  


Table of Contents
 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017  
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual
Total Returns
      

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MEASX)      6.54%        11.23%        19.88%        10.65%        10.36%        4/30/13  
Institutional Class (MIASX)      6.52%        11.27%        20.11%        10.89%        10.60%        4/30/13  
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index4      8.74%        23.31%        28.26%        5.37%        6.07%     
Lipper Emerging Markets Funds Category Average5      5.79%        17.73%        20.22%        0.28%        1.37%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.    Consumer Staples      Vietnam        3.6%  
Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.8%  
BRAC Bank, Ltd.    Financials      Bangladesh        2.8%  
British American Tobacco Bangladesh Co., Ltd.    Consumer Staples      Bangladesh        2.6%  
PC Jeweller, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      India        2.5%  
Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC    Consumer Discretionary      Vietnam        2.5%  
Indus Motor Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      Pakistan        2.4%  
PT Bank Mandiri Persero    Financials      Indonesia        2.4%  
Vinh Hoan Corp.    Consumer Staples      Vietnam        2.3%  
Balkrishna Industries, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      India        2.2%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                26.1%  

 

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

 

54    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

By country, Vietnam, India and Indonesia were top contributors to Fund performance during the quarter, while Thailand and Myanmar delivered negative returns. The portfolio’s small weighting in these countries, however, limited the impact of the declines.

The largest contributor to returns during the quarter came from Vietnam’s Phu Nhuan Jewelry, which continued to deliver strong earnings from an expanding store base. Another notable contributor in Vietnam was Military Commercial Bank. The bank performed well, appreciating by about 61% since the start of the year, as investors seemed more optimistic about banks in general. Military Commercial Bank had an attractive valuation and also delivered solid earnings growth during the quarter.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, we initiated a sizable new position in Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage, Vietnam’s dominant brewery. The country’s beer market has grown significantly over the past decade. We believe the company has significant potential for further growth along with operational efficiencies. We also added to our position in Indus Motor in Pakistan and Tongda Group following share price weakness induced by market short sellers.

Prior to the second quarter, we had already begun to trim our position in DHG Pharmaceuticals following sharp price appreciation—the share price having doubled in the first six months of the year—and ultimately we began to exit our position as we believe its valuation had become too rich versus our more moderate growth expectations.

Outlook:

In our view, growth opportunities in more developed markets remain relatively limited, broadly speaking, as compared with the opportunities we are finding in the emerging and frontier markets. Valuations in some stocks and some markets are now higher, making the opportunities less attractive. We will focus on offering investors exposure to the least developed markets in Asia, driven by a bottom-up fundamental process.

In the shorter term, the outlook is clouded by the ever-shifting sentiment of international investors. In the medium term, high debt levels globally remain a concern and a headwind to growth. We remain concerned about the potential impact on oil prices from political tensions across the world and in the Middle East. A prolonged disruption to oil supply could lead to a sharp and sustained recovery in oil prices, which would negatively affect Emerging Asian economies.

Looking forward, Asian frontier markets are likely to continue to attract foreign direct investment, create new manufacturing jobs, receive growing remittance flows and increase their share of global exports off a low base. We believe these factors should lead to a relatively bright future for patient investors.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8  
Vietnam     20.4  
Pakistan     18.0  
Indonesia     12.3  
India     12.3  
Bangladesh     11.7  
China/Hong Kong     8.1  
Sri Lanka     6.7  
Philippines     5.2  
Australia     0.6  
Singapore     0.6  
Thailand     0.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.6  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8  
Consumer Staples     27.2  
Consumer Discretionary     24.2  
Financials     16.2  
Health Care     8.8  
Industrials     7.5  
Materials     4.9  
Real Estate     2.8  
Information Technology     2.2  
Energy     1.4  
Utilities     1.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.6  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     0.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     4.6  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     13.9  
Small Cap (under $3B)     77.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     3.6  

 

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; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      55  


Table of Contents

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 96.4%

 

     Shares     Value  
VIETNAM: 20.4%    

Saigon Beer Alcohol Beverage Corp.

    1,462,000       $13,397,326  

Phu Nhuan Jewelry JSC

    2,063,683       9,242,134  

Vinh Hoan Corp.

    3,315,820       8,606,457  

Masan Group Corp.

    3,610,260       6,670,666  

Tien Phong Plastic JSC

    1,861,224       5,485,989  

Thien Long Group Corp.

    906,250       5,481,913  

National Seed JSC

    979,585       4,697,319  

Mobile World Investment Corp.

    1,020,454       4,619,450  

Domesco Medical Import Export JSCb

    787,290       4,502,560  

Military Commercial Joint Stock Bank

    4,483,600       4,398,587  

Nam Long Investment Corp.

    3,272,278       4,102,763  

Lix Detergent JSC

    1,047,635       2,396,596  

Dinh Vu Port Investment & Development JSC

    517,550       1,593,540  

Taisun International Holding Corp.b

    293,000       1,325,625  

DHG Pharmaceutical JSC

    30,000       164,049  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      76,684,974  
   

 

 

 
   
PAKISTAN: 18.0%                

Indus Motor Co., Ltd.

    536,030       9,158,964  

PAK Suzuki Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,081,900       8,052,184  

Hascol Petroleum, Ltd.

    2,365,500       7,715,551  

Shifa International Hospitals, Ltd.

    2,172,451       6,837,471  

The Searle Company, Ltd.

    1,220,869       5,961,473  

Habib Bank, Ltd.

    1,885,000       4,838,616  

ICI Pakistan, Ltd.

    451,900       4,717,474  

K-Electric, Ltd.b

    66,568,500       4,393,959  

Akzo Nobel Pakistan, Ltd.

    1,854,100       4,244,006  

Pakistan Petroleum, Ltd.

    2,127,300       3,005,176  

National Foods, Ltd.

    958,500       2,477,382  

Meezan Bank, Ltd.

    3,276,000       2,468,326  

Hum Network, Ltd.b

    17,939,500       2,008,676  

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Pakistan, Ltd.b

    973,957       1,941,505  
   

 

 

 

Total Pakistan

      67,820,763  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 12.3%                

PT Bank Mandiri Persero

    9,531,400       9,136,046  

PT Gudang Garam

    1,393,100       8,191,558  

PT Matahari Department Store

    7,077,200       7,526,402  

PT Hexindo Adiperkasa

    18,901,100       5,460,081  

PT Adira Dinamika Multi Finance

    8,203,300       4,176,895  

PT Mayora Indah

    24,273,200       4,034,849  

PT Kino Indonesia

    16,629,000       2,841,769  

PT Catur Sentosa Adiprana

    70,131,000       2,503,205  

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya

    50,991,700       2,180,849  

PT BFI Finance Indonesia

    7,965,000       310,771  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      46,362,425  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 12.3%                

PC Jeweller, Ltd.

    1,249,637       9,466,827  

Balkrishna Industries, Ltd.

    324,532       8,347,045  

Kwality, Ltd.

    2,533,204       5,782,081  

Caplin Point Laboratories, Ltd.

    489,805       4,186,477  

Praj Industries, Ltd.b

    3,594,497       4,173,796  

Shriram Transport Finance Co., Ltd.

    268,352       4,145,941  
     Shares     Value  

Supreme Industries, Ltd.

    178,934       $3,395,760  

VST Industries, Ltd.

    60,083       3,315,940  

Cipla India, Ltd.

    311,919       2,681,301  

Poly Medicure, Ltd.

    234,582       796,971  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      46,292,139  
   

 

 

 
   
BANGLADESH: 11.7%                

BRAC Bank, Ltd.

    10,465,792       10,511,381  

British American Tobacco Bangladesh Co., Ltd.

    278,950       9,792,583  

Square Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    2,236,661       8,032,458  

Berger Paints Bangladesh, Ltd.

    235,998       6,149,213  

The City Bank, Ltd.

    9,945,509       4,615,200  

Olympic Industries, Ltd.

    757,426       2,612,330  

Marico Bangladesh, Ltd.

    191,945       2,433,280  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      44,146,445  
   

 

 

 
   
CHINA/HONG KONG: 8.1%                

Shenzhou International Group Holdings, Ltd.

    1,630,000       10,717,858  

Tongda Group Holdings, Ltd.

    27,650,000       8,249,092  

Luk Fook Holdings International, Ltd.

    1,822,000       6,229,824  

Red Star Macalline Group Corp., Ltd. H Sharesc

    2,429,000       2,488,905  

Future Bright Holdings, Ltd.

    18,612,000       1,669,574  

The 13 Holdings, Ltd.b

    5,608,000       1,156,444  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      30,511,697  
   

 

 

 
   
SRI LANKA: 6.7%                

Ceylon Cold Stores PLC

    1,350,000       7,794,078  

Sampath Bank PLC

    3,248,392       6,066,574  

Teejay Lanka PLC

    14,268,292       3,907,719  

National Development Bank PLC

    3,502,989       3,287,293  

Expolanka Holdings PLC

    73,732,547       3,269,416  

Ceylon Tobacco Co. PLC

    90,306       585,765  

Lanka Orix Leasing Co. PLCb

    573,466       421,812  
   

 

 

 

Total Sri Lanka

      25,332,657  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 5.2%                

STI Education Systems Holdings, Inc.

    235,681,000       6,679,030  

Cosco Capital, Inc.

    34,548,800       5,405,692  

San Miguel Pure Foods Co., Inc.

    753,370       4,726,852  

Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc.

    12,519,100       1,442,970  

Emperador, Inc.

    9,266,300       1,384,619  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      19,639,163  
   

 

 

 
   
AUSTRALIA: 0.6%                

Oil Search, Ltd.

    467,309       2,447,098  
   

 

 

 

Total Australia

      2,447,098  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 0.6%                

Yoma Strategic Holdings, Ltd.

    5,491,766       2,333,706  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      2,333,706  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

56    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Emerging Asia Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
THAILAND: 0.5%    

SNC Former Public Co., Ltd.

    4,002,800       $1,707,973  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      1,707,973  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 96.4%       363,279,040  

(Cost $307,535,416d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 3.6%
      13,527,714  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $376,806,754  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $2,488,905, which is 0.66% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $307,535,416 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $71,118,412  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (15,374,788
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $55,743,624  
 

 

 

 

 

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      57  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Michael J. Oh, CFA  

Lead Manager

   
Lydia So, CFA   Robert Harvey, CFA

Co-Manager

  Co-Manager
FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MATFX   MITEX

CUSIP

  577130883   577125859

Inception

  12/27/99   4/30/13

NAV

 

$13.14

 

$13.21

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.24%

 

1.01%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  45

Net Assets

  $149.3 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $76.5 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

 

92.25%

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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Innovators Fund returned 30.10% (Investor Class) and 30.28% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Index, which returned 22.93% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 13.57% (Investor Class) and 13.68% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 8.40% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asia’s equity markets generally showed strong performance during the second quarter despite rising geopolitical risks caused by North Korea’s nuclear ambitions and uncertainties stemming from the Trump administration’s unclear policies toward Asia and the rest of the world. North Asian markets performed particularly well during the quarter, mostly led by strong earnings momentum from the technology and consumer sectors. Asia’s markets comfortably digested the second rate hike from the U.S. Federal Reserve and the overall improvement in the global economy seems to have had a positive impact on the Asian economy.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The biggest contributor during the quarter was Hugel, a South Korea-based biopharmaceutical company that focuses on developing beauty-related products, including botulinum toxin (botox). Hugel’s main target markets are emerging economies. We added this holding to the portfolio after an onsite visit in March 2016. The share price was strong during the second quarter as a result of strong earnings growth, and on the back of news that Bain Capital had agreed to acquire a majority stake in the company in order to gain control. Hugel’s products are well positioned to benefit from rising disposable income in Asia as well as in other emerging countries elsewhere in the world. As discussed in our first quarter commentary, we have been increasing our exposure to China’s e-commerce sector and that has benefited Fund performance during the second quarter as both Alibaba and JD.com performed well.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

During the quarter, the Fund added three A-share (mainland China) listed companies—Midea Group, Wuliangye Yibin and Shenzhen Inovance Technology. Midea, one of China’s major consumer appliance makers, recently acquired Kuka, a major German automation company. The automation market in China remains bright and we believe that Midea can play a major role in developing China’s automation industry. Wuliangye Yibin is a high-end liquor-maker that is innovative in its development of new products based on traditional Chinese spirits. Shenzhen Inovance Technology manufactures key automation-related components. We also added more exposure to banks that are well positioned to lead the Fintech sector in the region.

Outlook:

Asian equity markets have been performing well on the back of strong earnings growth stemming mainly from information technology, consumer and financial companies. We view any volatility as a good opportunity to accumulate high-quality, innovative companies that are well-positioned to benefit from rising disposable income in the region. We believe the Asian market is primed to benefit from innovation. We will continue to focus on companies that can create products and services that capture opportunities created by long-term trends in the region.

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

58    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017  
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MATFX)      13.57%        30.10%        24.21%        7.76%        14.61%        6.85%        3.44%        12/27/99  
Institutional Class (MITEX)      13.68%        30.28%        24.51%        7.97%        n.a.        n.a.        13.57%        4/30/13  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Index3      8.40%        22.93%        27.06%        5.32%        8.27%        4.48%        6.40% 4    
Lipper Pacific ex Japan Funds Category Average5      7.97%        22.02%        21.94%        4.36%        7.64%        4.15%        6.79%     

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. For the Fund’s most recent month-end performance, visit matthewsasia.com.

 

 

GROWTH OF A $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 12/31/99.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        4.5%  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        4.1%  
Hugel, Inc.    Health Care      South Korea        3.9%  
Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      Taiwan        3.6%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology      South Korea        3.2%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology      South Korea        3.2%  
Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd.    Health Care      China/Hong Kong        3.1%  
NetEase, Inc.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        2.9%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        2.8%  
Midea Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        2.7%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                34.0%  

 

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

 

   
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7,8      
China/Hong Kong     41.4  
South Korea     25.6  
Taiwan     7.0  
India     6.7  
Indonesia     5.1  
Vietnam     3.4  
Thailand     3.3  
Bangladesh     2.6  
Philippines     2.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  
   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)8      
Information Technology     36.3  
Financials     18.1  
Consumer Discretionary     17.1  
Health Care     13.1  
Consumer Staples     10.4  
Materials     1.4  
Industrials     1.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)8      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     40.1  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     22.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     9.1  
Small Cap (under $3B)     26.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.3  
 

 

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

 

  8 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      59  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 94.5%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 41.4%    

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    47,800       $6,735,020  

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    172,500       6,188,431  

Jiangsu Hengrui Medicine Co., Ltd. A Shares

    624,995       4,663,392  

NetEase, Inc. ADR

    14,300       4,299,009  

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

    637,500       4,199,467  

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    646,338       4,102,916  

TAL Education Group ADR

    31,600       3,864,996  

JD.com, Inc. ADRb

    97,300       3,816,106  

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. ADRb

    67,900       3,657,094  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. A Shares

    397,976       3,267,088  

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares

    3,850,000       2,993,938  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    16,000       2,861,760  

China Biologic Products, Inc.b

    25,000       2,827,500  

Sino Biopharmaceutical, Ltd.

    3,075,000       2,718,988  

Tongda Group Holdings, Ltd.

    6,610,000       1,972,025  

Shenzhen Inovance Technology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    513,280       1,932,825  

Wuxi Biologics Cayman, Inc.b

    480,000       1,804,430  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      61,904,985  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 22.4%                

Hugel, Inc.b

    11,836       5,787,172  

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    2,277       4,742,585  

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

    25,760       3,867,182  

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

    96,420       3,807,867  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    59,444       3,001,342  

SK Hynix, Inc.

    49,230       2,898,649  

Naver Corp.

    3,551       2,602,992  

Hana Tour Service, Inc.

    32,463       2,596,132  

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    25,400       2,244,041  

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd.

    2,211       1,921,145  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      33,469,107  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 7.0%                

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    782,000       5,342,791  

Wistron NeWeb Corp.

    940,000       2,797,044  

Ennoconn Corp.

    187,162       2,369,436  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      10,509,271  
   

 

 

 
   
INDIA: 6.7%                

IndusInd Bank, Ltd.

    136,690       3,125,138  

Info Edge India, Ltd.

    171,922       2,749,350  

Britannia Industries, Ltd.

    35,934       2,051,288  

Supreme Industries, Ltd.

    106,077       2,013,100  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      9,938,876  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 5.1%                

PT Bank Mandiri Persero

    3,122,900       2,993,365  

PT Media Nusantara Citrab

    17,757,900       2,448,066  

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya

    50,808,100       2,172,997  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      7,614,428  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
VIETNAM: 3.4%    

Mobile World Investment Corp.

    707,470       $3,202,616  

Domesco Medical Import Export JSCb

    315,410       1,803,849  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      5,006,465  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 3.3%                

Kasikornbank Public Co., Ltd.

    520,200       3,036,949  

Major Cineplex Group Public Co., Ltd.

    1,874,100       1,861,963  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      4,898,912  
   

 

 

 
   
BANGLADESH: 2.6%                

BRAC Bank, Ltd.

    3,876,131       3,893,015  
   

 

 

 

Total Bangladesh

      3,893,015  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 2.6%                

Puregold Price Club, Inc.

    2,569,600       2,268,642  

San Miguel Pure Foods Co., Inc.

    248,530       1,559,346  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      3,827,988  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES             141,063,047  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $100,204,693)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: 3.2%

   
SOUTH KOREA: 3.2%                

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    2,942       4,796,926  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      4,796,926  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES             4,796,926  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $2,989,622)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 97.7%             145,859,973  

(Cost $103,194,315c)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.3%
      3,482,497  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $149,342,470  
   

 

 

 

 

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

 

b Non-income producing security.

 

c Cost for federal income tax purposes is $103,485,316 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $42,833,119  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (458,462
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $42,374,657  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

JSC Joint Stock Co.

 

Pfd. Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

 

60    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Andrew Mattock, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Henry Zhang, CFA   Winnie Chwang

Co-Manager

 

Co-Manager

FUND FACTS        
    Investor   Institutional      

Ticker

  MCHFX   MICFX

CUSIP

  577130701   577130818

Inception

  2/19/98   10/29/10

NAV

  $20.12   $20.10

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.18%   1.03%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  47

Net Assets

  $654.4 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $116.0 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  83.82%

Benchmark

MSCI China 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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews China Fund returned 30.06% (Investor Class) and 30.18% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI China Index, which returned 24.96% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 12.28% (Investor Class) and 12.35% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 10.66% over the same period.

Market Environment:

China’s second quarter GDP growth of 6.9% matched that of the first quarter of the year, and relieved concerns about China’s ability to realize its target GDP growth rate of 6.5% for the year. The market trends we saw in the first quarter appeared to continue, and China’s economic activity has continued to skew toward its newer economy sectors. While producer prices—a metric that tracks manufacturing activity—continued to decrease from the peak seen in the first quarter, other areas such as e-commerce, continued to register strong growth of more than 30% over the first five months of 2017. China has also continued efforts to deleverage its economy in the second quarter, and raised its borrowing rates for most of the second quarter. Elsewhere, high property prices in major Chinese cities continue to be of concern despite the restrictive policies already in place. Property prices in lower tier cities, however, remain priced at more reasonable levels. Equity valuations also continue to be reasonable given better-than-expected earnings growth thus far this year.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

The Fund outperformed its benchmark during the quarter owing to good stock selection. The top three contributors to absolute performance were information technology holdings. Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology, a leader in the video surveillance industry, performed strongly during the quarter and was among the top contributors to performance. Investors were impressed by the firm’s new product offerings in smart home, industrial robots and auto electronics, on top of solid core business growth. We used the rally to trim some of our exposure as the stock became fully valued. Ping An Insurance Group, a financial conglomerate and China’s second-largest life insurer, was also a main contributor to Fund performance. The company is expected to maintain sustainable and quality growth as its efforts to push out long-term protection products and its success in consumer finance business start to bear fruit. While Tencent Holdings and Alibaba Group were also the top contributors to absolute Fund performance, they were relative detractors during the quarter as the two companies combined accounted for about 26% of the Index (versus 17.6% for the Fund).

Conversely, our holdings in the industrials sector performed poorly and were among the major detractors to Fund performance. China Everbright International, an environmental resource management conglomerate, corrected during the quarter as its rapid expansion has put a strain on cash flow.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

During the second quarter, we exited our position in Chongqing Changan Automobile as we saw intensified competition among domestic auto brands and a lack of new models from its joint venture with Ford Motor. We initiated a position in Beijing Capital International Airport as we were attracted to its strong cash flow and the fact that it benefits from a new round of bidding for its duty free shop concession rights. We also added some positions to the materials, health care and

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      61  


Table of Contents
 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017  
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MCHFX)      12.28%        30.06%        40.32%        8.38%        7.19%        4.98%        9.80%        2/19/98  
Institutional Class (MICFX)      12.35%        30.18%        40.57%        8.52%        7.35%        n.a.        2.30%        10/29/10  
MSCI China Index3      10.66%        24.96%        32.34%        8.29%        9.20%        4.24%        4.26% 4    
Lipper China Region Funds Category Average5      8.83%        21.85%        25.75%        6.93%        8.79%        3.47%        7.49%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 2/28/98.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Tencent Holdings, Ltd.    Information Technology             10.9%  
Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd.    Information Technology             6.7%  
China Life Insurance Co., Ltd.    Financials             6.7%  
Ping An Insurance Group Co. of China, Ltd.    Financials             5.0%  
China Construction Bank Corp.    Financials             4.7%  
Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd.    Financials             4.4%  
China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd.    Financials             3.5%  
Ctrip.com International, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.6%  
SINA Corp.    Information Technology             2.4%  
CITIC Securities Co., Ltd.    Financials             2.4%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                49.3%  

 

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

 

62    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews China Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

consumer discretionary sectors. One such company, Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology, is well-known among Chinese property developers for its quality waterproofing products and brand name, and has consistently gained market share. We exited Fuyao Glass and Brilliance China Automotive as both stocks rallied and were no longer attractively priced.

Outlook:

China’s ongoing transition toward service-oriented sectors continues to benefit a sustainably growing economy. We also note further progress on supply reforms and longer term, we anticipate that China’s so-called “One Belt, One Road” development strategy will ultimately increase China’s presence on the global stage. In late June, we were very encouraged by index provider MSCI’s long-awaited decision to include China’s domestic A-share stocks into its Emerging Markets Index after an evaluation period that took several years. This inclusion will initially be comprised of a list of 222 stocks, representing 0.73% of the MSCI Emerging Market Index and is projected to begin in June 2018. While this marks a relatively small and gradual rollout, the initial inclusion could spur about US$8 billion to US$10 billion in fund flows to China’s A-share markets. It also marks a historic first step toward further inclusion in the future. At Matthews Asia, we believe that this is positive news for China’s domestic equity markets and a testament to the country’s progress in opening up its financial markets. In the long run, we believe that China’s representation in global indices will continue to be enhanced and look forward to identifying good companies at reasonable valuations for our portfolios.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  
China/Hong Kong     98.9  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.1  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Information Technology     30.9  
Financials     28.9  
Consumer Discretionary     14.1  
Energy     5.9  
Industrials     4.1  
Real Estate     3.8  
Consumer Staples     3.8  
Materials     3.5  
Utilities     1.9  
Telecommunication Services     1.5  
Health Care     0.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.1  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     67.4  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     6.7  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     16.6  
Small Cap (under $3B)     8.3  
Liabilities in Excess of Cash and Other Assets     1.1  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      63  


Table of Contents

Matthews China Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 98.9%

 

     Shares     Value  
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 30.9%    

Internet Software & Services: 24.9%

   

Tencent Holdings, Ltd.

    1,988,800       $71,348,121  

Alibaba Group Holding, Ltd. ADRb

    312,200       43,988,980  

SINA Corp.b

    186,900       15,880,893  

NetEase, Inc. ADR

    38,610       11,607,324  

Baidu, Inc. ADRb

    58,100       10,391,766  

Baozun, Inc. ADRb

    384,541       8,525,274  

Weibo Corp. ADRb

    18,690       1,242,324  
   

 

 

 
      162,984,682  
   

 

 

 
   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.6%

 

 

Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,875,700       13,714,629  

Chaozhou Three-Circle Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,018,638       3,153,501  
   

 

 

 
      16,868,130  
   

 

 

 

IT Services: 1.8%

   

Chinasoft International, Ltd.

    21,998,000       11,654,166  
   

 

 

 
   

Communications Equipment: 1.6%

   

ZTE Corp. H Sharesb

    4,565,400       10,889,594  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      202,396,572  
   

 

 

 
   
FINANCIALS: 28.9%                

Banks: 14.8%

   

China Construction Bank Corp. H Shares

    39,068,660       30,381,601  

Industrial & Commercial Bank of China, Ltd. H Shares

    42,445,000       28,645,397  

China Merchants Bank Co., Ltd. H Shares

    7,659,643       23,081,428  

Bank of China, Ltd. H Shares

    29,420,000       14,426,594  
   

 

 

 
      96,535,020  
   

 

 

 
   

Insurance: 11.7%

   

China Life Insurance Co., Ltd. H Shares

    14,236,000       43,506,027  

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

    5,010,500       33,006,163  
   

 

 

 
      76,512,190  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 2.4%

   

CITIC Securities Co., Ltd. H Shares

    7,626,000       15,771,942  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      188,819,152  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 14.1%                

Household Durables: 6.3%

   

Gree Electric Appliances, Inc. of Zhuhai A Shares

    2,228,200       13,534,708  

Midea Group Co., Ltd. A Shares

    2,046,772       12,992,790  

Zhejiang Supor Cookware Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,837,769       11,126,659  

Suofeiya Home Collection Co., Ltd. A Shares

    564,743       3,415,037  
   

 

 

 
      41,069,194  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 4.4%

   

Ctrip.com International, Ltd. ADRb

    318,600       17,159,796  

JD.com, Inc. ADRb

    304,979       11,961,276  
   

 

 

 
      29,121,072  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Auto Components: 3.4%

   

Nexteer Automotive Group, Ltd.

    6,449,000       $10,102,726  

Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,925,450       6,885,202  

Xinyi Glass Holdings, Ltd.

    5,176,000       5,123,332  
   

 

 

 
      22,111,260  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      92,301,526  
   

 

 

 
   
ENERGY: 5.9%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 5.9%

   

China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. H Shares

    19,166,000       15,007,012  

Yanzhou Coal Mining Co., Ltd. H Shares

    16,188,000       14,511,277  

China Shenhua Energy Co., Ltd. H Shares

    4,129,000       9,186,503  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      38,704,792  
   

 

 

 
   
INDUSTRIALS: 4.1%                

Commercial Services & Supplies: 1.7%

   

China Everbright International, Ltd.

    9,046,000       11,282,247  
   

 

 

 
   

Construction & Engineering: 1.5%

   

China Railway Construction Corp., Ltd. H Shares

    5,657,500       7,375,237  

China State Construction International Holdings, Ltd.

    1,380,000       2,361,303  
   

 

 

 
      9,736,540  
   

 

 

 
   

Transportation Infrastructure: 0.9%

   

Beijing Capital International Airport Co., Ltd. H Shares

    3,998,000       5,631,019  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      26,649,806  
   

 

 

 
   
REAL ESTATE: 3.8%                

Real Estate Management & Development: 3.8%

 

 

China Overseas Grand Oceans Group, Ltd.

    20,951,000       11,186,819  

China Resources Land, Ltd.

    2,954,000       8,605,789  

KWG Property Holding, Ltd.

    7,640,500       5,118,135  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      24,910,743  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 3.8%                

Food Products: 2.1%

   

WH Group, Ltd.c

    8,518,000       8,601,235  

Angel Yeast Co., Ltd. A Shares

    1,332,281       5,087,717  
   

 

 

 
      13,688,952  
   

 

 

 
   

Beverages: 1.7%

   

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. A Shares

    884,949       7,269,811  

Wuliangye Yibin Co., Ltd. A Shares

    452,841       3,717,489  
   

 

 

 
      10,987,300  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      24,676,252  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 3.5%                

Construction Materials: 2.7%

   

China National Materials Co., Ltd. H Shares

    37,937,000       12,676,724  

Beijing Oriental Yuhong Waterproof Technology Co., Ltd. A Shares

    968,912       5,301,747  
   

 

 

 
      17,978,471  
   

 

 

 
   

Metals & Mining: 0.8%

   

MMG, Ltd.b

    14,056,000       5,184,752  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      23,163,223  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

64    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews China Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
UTILITIES: 1.9%    

Water Utilities: 1.9%

   

Beijing Enterprises Water Group, Ltd.

    15,746,000       $12,219,420  
   

 

 

 

Total Utilities

      12,219,420  
   

 

 

 
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: 1.5%  

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.5%

 

 

China Unicom Hong Kong, Ltd.b

    6,802,000       10,096,699  
   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

      10,096,699  
   

 

 

 
   
HEALTH CARE: 0.5%                

Pharmaceuticals: 0.5%

   

Dong-E-E-Jiao Co., Ltd. A Shares

    312,583       3,314,321  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      3,314,321  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.9%             647,252,506  

(COST $528,039,466d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES : 1.1%
      7,121,990  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $654,374,496  
   

 

 

 

 

a Certain securities were fair valued under the valuation polices 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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $8,601,235, which is 1.31% of net assets.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $536,694,800 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $126,611,948  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (16,054,242
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $110,557,706  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      65  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Sunil Asnani    

Lead Manager

   
Sharat Shroff, CFA  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MINDX   MIDNX

CUSIP

  577130859   577130768

Inception

  10/31/05   10/29/10

NAV

  $31.34   $31.52

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.12%

 

0.91%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

 

52

Net Assets

  $2.2 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $16.5 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

 

15.76%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews India Fund returned 22.18% (Investor Class) and 22.31% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index, returned 24.55%. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 4.05% (Investor Class) and 4.13% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 4.63% over the same period.

Market environment:

In the second quarter of the year, Indian equities continued to rally, led by strong performance in the financials and consumer staples sectors. Many state-owned banks reported better-than-expected earnings amid a moderation in loan loss provisions owing to the previous quarter’s low base. This could reverse as more provisions are made toward nonperforming assets. Consumer stocks rallied in anticipation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. The positive sentiment also was fueled by the strength of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s party in the elections in India’s largest state, Uttar Pradesh, last quarter. Other factors that helped sentiments included excess liquidity in formal channels following India’s demonetization program and U.S. Federal Reserve interest rate policy moves.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the quarter, the portfolio’s higher allocation to the information and health care sectors could have detracted from returns. Stock-specific factors, however, helped to mitigate pressures in these industries in export markets such as the U.S. Shares of Cognizant Technology, for example, rallied after the firm agreed to undergo operational improvements suggested by U.S. hedge fund Elliott Management, which owns a stake in the company. Cognizant’s earnings results during the quarter also were positive, demonstrating its ability to sustain profitable growth amid sectoral headwinds.

The largest detractor to Fund performance during the quarter was industrials holding AIA Engineering, which provides chrome-based grinding media solutions for global utility and mining companies. The firm has been affected by both an increase in its raw material prices and an appreciating rupee, resulting in a compression of its gross margins. We believe AIA Engineering’s long-term growth drivers remain intact, however, and that the company should be able to pass on the cost increase for raw materials to its customers.

The portfolio’s lower allocation to the metals and energy sectors, and its higher allocation to consumer staples helped relative returns. Commodity prices have been in correction mode, while consumer staples companies have been recovering from a correction that was induced by last year’s fears of demonetization.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We added two new positions during the quarter: Suzuki Motor and Pidilite Industries. Suzuki Motor is the parent of Maruti Suzuki, which claims half of the market share in India’s underpenetrated passenger-car segment and derives the majority of its earnings from the Indian subsidiary. Given the discrepancy in valuations of the two entities, we preferred to own the parent company rather than its Indian subsidiary. Pidilite is a high-quality branded adhesives and sealants company in an underpenetrated and growing market. We like that the firm has been undergoing a business transformation led by a professional management team as the family owners take a more hands-off approach.

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

66    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MINDX)      4.05%        22.18%        18.58%        13.61%        16.66%        7.92%        12.42%        10/31/05  
Institutional Class (MIDNX)      4.13%        22.31%        18.85%        13.86%        16.87%        n.a.        6.84%        10/29/10  
S&P Bombay Stock Exchange 100 Index3      4.63%        24.55%        23.73%        7.23%        11.53%        4.90%        10.90% 4    
Lipper India Region Funds Category Average5      4.64%        25.65%        23.34%        9.61%        12.82%        3.57%        9.27%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 10/31/05.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
HDFC Bank, Ltd.    Financials             5.9%  
ITC, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             5.2%  
IndusInd Bank, Ltd.    Financials             4.9%  
Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.    Financials             4.6%  
Eicher Motors, Ltd.    Industrials             4.1%  
Suzuki Motor Corp.    Consumer Discretionary             4.1%  
Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp.    Information Technology             4.0%  
Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.    Health Care             3.9%  
Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.    Financials             3.2%  
VST Industries, Ltd.    Consumer Staples             3.0%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                42.9%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      67  


Table of Contents

 

 

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  
India     86.6  
Japan     4.1  
United States     4.0  
Israel     3.9  
Cash and Other Assets Les Liabilities     1.4  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Financials     32.6  
Consumer Staples     17.9  
Information Technology     12.4  
Industrials     11.9  
Health Care     10.7  
Consumer Discretionary     9.4  
Materials     3.7  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.4  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     24.2  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     16.7  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     14.5  
Small Cap (under $3B)     43.3  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.4  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Matthews India Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

Outlook:

India’s market valuations remain ahead of fundamentals even though the near-term outlook for corporate earnings do not appear any better than they did in the recent past. If anything, metals and commodities companies could report disappointing results as the impact of a correction in global material prices is baked into upcoming financial results. A destocking by channel partners, amid the changing taxation regime, also could keep reported earnings growth low in the short term. The investment climate is likely to remain subdued until there is greater clarity on the GST and its resulting impact on various segments of the economy. Core infrastructure and banking reforms also are running behind schedule. Despite all the challenges, we believe the central bank may need to take a more accommodative stance on its monetary policy in an environment of low inflationary expectations, decelerating industrial growth and high real interest rates. If it does, this could provide some support to valuations over the short run.

 

 

68    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews India Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 98.6%

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 32.6%    

Banks: 18.6%

   

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    4,345,349       $111,000,034  

IndusInd Bank, Ltd.

    4,625,934       105,762,553  

Kotak Mahindra Bank, Ltd.

    6,697,258       98,963,413  

DCB Bank, Ltd.

    12,139,846       37,281,976  

Yes Bank, Ltd.

    920,000       20,812,817  

HDFC Bank, Ltd. ADR

    206,922       17,996,006  

IDFC Bank, Ltd.

    13,650,467       11,541,250  
   

 

 

 
      403,358,049  
   

 

 

 
   

Consumer Finance: 7.3%

   

Shriram City Union Finance, Ltd.

    1,873,192       69,085,321  

Bharat Financial Inclusion, Ltd.b

    4,499,665       50,144,026  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.

    1,359,532       23,641,568  

Sundaram Finance, Ltd.

    588,318       14,622,226  
   

 

 

 
      157,493,141  
   

 

 

 
   

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance: 4.2%

   

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    2,458,810       61,406,368  

GRUH Finance, Ltd.

    4,266,010       29,378,503  
   

 

 

 
      90,784,871  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 2.1%

   

CRISIL, Ltd.

    1,515,723       45,597,504  
   

 

 

 
   

Diversified Financial Services: 0.4%

   

IDFC, Ltd.b

    11,350,467       9,690,561  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      706,924,126  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 17.9%                

Tobacco: 8.3%

   

ITC, Ltd.

    22,771,965       113,915,333  

VST Industries, Ltd.†

    1,185,704       65,438,203  
   

 

 

 
      179,353,536  
   

 

 

 
   

Personal Products: 7.4%

   

Dabur India, Ltd.

    11,252,176       50,828,663  

Emami, Ltd.b

    2,665,122       44,349,912  

Bajaj Corp., Ltd.

    6,199,447       36,558,215  

Marico, Ltd.

    6,222,328       30,239,280  
   

 

 

 
      161,976,070  
   

 

 

 
   

Food Products: 2.2%

   

Nestle India, Ltd.

    244,636       25,492,064  

Zydus Wellness, Ltd.

    1,670,471       21,933,276  
   

 

 

 
      47,425,340  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      388,754,946  
   

 

 

 
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 12.4%                

IT Services: 10.0%

   

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. Class A

    1,300,300       86,339,920  

eClerx Services, Ltd.†

    2,701,931       55,257,016  

Mindtree, Ltd.

    4,936,665       40,369,436  

Tata Consultancy Services, Ltd.

    950,000       34,699,683  
   

 

 

 
      216,666,055  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Internet Software & Services: 2.4%

   

Info Edge India, Ltd.

    3,230,761       $51,665,838  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      268,331,893  
   

 

 

 
   
INDUSTRIALS: 11.9%                

Machinery: 8.9%

   

Eicher Motors, Ltd.b

    214,500       89,660,288  

AIA Engineering, Ltd.

    2,933,837       63,331,391  

Ashok Leyland, Ltd.b

    15,856,152       23,004,957  

Thermax, Ltd.

    1,161,822       16,795,882  
   

 

 

 
      192,792,518  
   

 

 

 
   

Air Freight & Logistics: 1.3%

   

Blue Dart Express, Ltd.

    380,973       27,748,751  
   

 

 

 
   

Transportation Infrastructure: 0.9%

   

Gujarat Pipavav Port, Ltd.

    8,578,564       19,811,420  
   

 

 

 
   

Road & Rail: 0.8%

   

Container Corp. of India, Ltd.

    1,002,568       17,761,098  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      258,113,787  
   

 

 

 
   
HEALTH CARE: 10.7%                

Pharmaceuticals: 10.1%

   

Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.b

    759,400       85,098,364  

Ajanta Pharma, Ltd.

    2,426,230       57,964,847  

Caplin Point Laboratories, Ltd.

    3,028,687       25,886,886  

Alembic Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    2,640,862       20,664,945  

Sun Pharma Advanced Research Co., Ltd.b

    3,796,014       17,887,623  

Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Ltd.

    1,352,917       11,622,794  
   

 

 

 
      219,125,459  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 0.6%

   

Poly Medicure, Ltd.

    4,153,464       14,111,014  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      233,236,473  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 9.4%                

Automobiles: 4.1%

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    1,857,900       88,506,592  
   

 

 

 
   

Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods: 2.8%

   

Page Industries, Ltd.

    107,100       27,728,665  

Titan Co., Ltd.b

    3,178,691       25,777,115  

Kewal Kiran Clothing, Ltd.

    330,462       8,772,613  
   

 

 

 
      62,278,393  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Durables: 2.5%

   

Symphony, Ltd.

    2,023,202       42,598,547  

LA Opala RG, Ltd.

    1,481,323       11,770,139  
   

 

 

 
      54,368,686  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      205,153,671  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 3.7%                

Chemicals: 3.7%

   

Supreme Industries, Ltd.

    1,206,965       22,905,451  

Pidilite Industries, Ltd.

    1,800,000       22,443,961  

Asian Paints, Ltd.

    1,176,000       20,042,980  

Castrol India, Ltd.

    2,299,063       14,384,913  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      79,777,305  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      69  


Table of Contents

Matthews India Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

            Value  
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.6%       $2,140,292,201  

(Cost $1,599,844,472c)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 1.4%
      30,059,317  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $2,170,351,518  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Cost for federal income tax purposes is $1,599,947,578 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $605,468,470  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (65,123,847
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $540,344,623  
 

 

 

 

 

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

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

70    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS

Kenichi Amaki    

Lead Manager

   
Taizo Ishida    

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional

Ticker

  MJFOX   MIJFX

CUSIP

  577130800   577130792

Inception

  12/31/98   10/29/10

NAV

 

$21.58

 

$21.62

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

0.98%

 

0.88%

Portfolio Statistics

   

Total # of Positions

  61

Net Assets

  $3.5 billion

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $21.4 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

 

55.15%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Japan Fund returned 14.61% (Investor Class) and 14.63% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI Japan Index, which returned 10.11% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 6.73% (Investor Class) and 6.71% (Institutional Class) compared to the benchmark return of 5.23% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Japan’s equity markets advanced steadily during the second quarter, and ended the first half of the year with a healthy double-digit gain. Market participants seem to have shifted their focus toward improving corporate fundamentals rather than political headlines for the time being. On the currency front, the yen reversed the strengthening trend seen in the first quarter amid talk of a Federal Reserve balance sheet unwind, though it remains stronger than it was at the beginning of the year.

The Japanese economy has continued to expand at a modest pace. First quarter GDP growth figures were revised down to 1% from the preliminary reading of 2.2% but were largely due to a decline in inventories of oil and other raw materials. Business spending and exports have been robust in recent quarters while consumption also showed some improvement. Demand for labor remains strong with the job offer-to-applicant ratio reaching 1.49x in May, levels not seen since 1974. Unemployment has edged up but largely due to discouraged workers returning to the labor force and should bode well for job creation.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

For both the second quarter and half-year period, stock selection was the source of the Fund’s relative outperformance versus its benchmark while sector allocation slightly detracted. During the second quarter, the consumer discretionary sector was the leading source of outperformance. Our decision to avoid mega-cap auto producers with large exposure to the saturated U.S. auto market has worked in our favor. Additionally, our holding Suzuki Motor performed well on the back of growth of its India business and margin improvements outside of India. Misumi Group, a manufacturer and distributor of machinery and factory automation components, was the single-largest contributor to returns. The stock performed well on the back of particularly robust monthly sales figures, aided by strong domestic demand and expansion overseas.

On the other hand, Mabuchi Motor, which makes micro-size motors for the auto industry, was the leading detractor. Mabuchi performed poorly due to concerns that its revenue and profits may decline this year due to weak auto-related motor sales. Automobiles account for roughly 70% of Mabuchi’s revenue. We believe such concern is slightly short-sighted, however, as the number of motors per car is expected to continue growing along with electrification. Mabuchi also is expanding its product lineup into slightly larger and higher priced motors and is taking market share from existing players.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter we added staffing and recruiting company Temp Holdings (renamed Persol Holdings as of July 2017). We believe Japan’s labor market tightening is structural, with demand driven by service sectors jobs while supply remains constrained due to an aging population. Demand for staffing is growing at

(continued)

 

* The Matthews Japan Fund closed to most new investors effective after market closing on July 29, 2016, but will continue to accept investments from existing shareholders.
 

 

 

1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      71  


Table of Contents
                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MJFOX)      6.73%        14.61%        8.27%        9.56%        13.74%        4.54%        6.19%        12/31/98  
Institutional Class (MIJFX)      6.71%        14.63%        8.38%        9.68%        13.88%        n.a.        11.21%        10/29/10  
MSCI Japan Index3      5.23%        10.11%        19.58%        5.87%        9.86%        1.42%        3.37% 4    
Lipper Japanese Funds Category Average5      6.14%        12.16%        20.37%        7.73%        11.47%        3.11%        4.66%     

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 $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 91 for index definitions.

 

  4 Calculated from 12/31/98.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.    Financials             3.6%  
Suzuki Motor Corp.    Consumer Discretionary             3.0%  
Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.    Information Technology             2.7%  
Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.5%  
Keyence Corp.    Information Technology             2.5%  
Nidec Corp.    Industrials             2.5%  
Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.    Financials             2.3%  
SoftBank Group Corp.    Telecommunication Services             2.2%  
MISUMI Group, Inc.    Industrials             2.1%  
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.1%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                25.5%  

 

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

 

72    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Japan Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

close to double-digit rates as companies seek to fulfill their labor needs. We also added human resource solution and marketing media company Recruit Holdings. Indeed, the U.S. based online job search engine is the crown jewel in Recruit’s business portfolio. Indeed is aggressively expanding its footprint outside of the U.S., supported by Recruit’s know-how in marketing and training. We also believe Recruit’s capability to provide productivity enhancing technology solutions to business customers in Japan will become even more valuable as the labor shortage continues.

To fund these new positions, we exited railway operator Kyushu Railway and financial services firm Financial Products Group. We had subscribed to Kyushu Railway’s IPO as the offer price was at a sizeable discount to other listed railway operators. With share price appreciation, the valuation gap with peers had closed and therefore we decided to exit the stock. With regards to Financial Products Group, we were a bit disappointed by slowing sales growth for its mainstay tax planning product in what seems to be a favorable business environment. The company seems to be taking a conservative approach as growth had been very robust in recent years. Additionally, tax authorities are starting to clamp down on tax loopholes, which may affect a portion of their business.

Outlook:

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s approval ratings have declined sharply following much-reported turmoil amid allegations of cronyism. As a result, the Liberal Democratic Party was routed in the Tokyo Metropolitan Government elections, ceding seats to the new regional Tomin First Party. We don’t believe this is an immediate threat to Abe’s administration due to the lack of a credible opponent at the national level. But Abe will likely be desperate to score points on the economic front, including the possibility of an expanded fiscal spending package. If implemented, it should bode well for domestic demand and the inflation outlook. We are wary, however, of the political situation around Abe and his administration. If Abe were to be forced out of office, the resulting uncertainty may negatively affect corporate sentiment and equity valuations over the short term. We retain an optimistic view of Japanese equities as valuations remain among the most inexpensive in developed markets despite solid corporate earnings growth combined with the potential for further improvements in shareholder returns.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  

Japan

    97.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

   
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7      
Industrials     24.8  
Consumer Discretionary     18.0  
Financials     12.1  
Consumer Staples     11.2  
Information Technology     10.4  
Health Care     9.9  
Materials     5.7  
Real Estate     3.3  
Telecommunication Services     2.2  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     32.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     19.4  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     20.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     26.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     2.4  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      73  


Table of Contents

Matthews Japan Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 97.6%

 

     Shares     Value  
INDUSTRIALS: 24.8%    

Professional Services: 6.8%

   

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

    1,755,600       $70,665,994  

Nihon M&A Center, Inc.

    1,622,600       59,394,335  

Temp Holdings Co., Ltd.

    2,777,100       52,176,698  

Recruit Holdings Co., Ltd.

    3,006,900       51,748,400  
   

 

 

 
      233,985,427  
   

 

 

 
   

Machinery: 5.5%

   

SMC Corp.

    230,900       70,584,354  

Komatsu, Ltd.

    2,413,000       61,935,553  

Harmonic Drive Systems, Inc.

    1,685,300       58,467,029  
   

 

 

 
      190,986,936  
   

 

 

 
   

Electrical Equipment: 4.4%

   

Nidec Corp.

    833,400       85,623,520  

Mabuchi Motor Co., Ltd.

    1,300,300       64,992,726  
   

 

 

 
      150,616,246  
   

 

 

 
   

Trading Companies & Distributors: 4.2%

   

MISUMI Group, Inc.

    3,229,700       74,023,575  

Mitsui & Co., Ltd.

    5,054,600       72,360,830  
   

 

 

 
      146,384,405  
   

 

 

 
   

Building Products: 2.8%

   

Daikin Industries, Ltd.

    607,900       62,365,710  

Aica Kogyo Co., Ltd.

    1,169,300       35,704,935  
   

 

 

 
      98,070,645  
   

 

 

 
   

Construction & Engineering: 0.9%

   

Totetsu Kogyo Co., Ltd.

    997,600       30,549,943  
   

 

 

 
   

Road & Rail: 0.2%

   

Trancom Co., Ltd.

    164,400       8,034,008  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      858,627,610  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 18.0%                

Automobiles: 4.1%

   

Suzuki Motor Corp.

    2,155,900       102,702,708  

Subaru Corp.

    1,166,900       39,567,314  
   

 

 

 
      142,270,022  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 3.7%

   

Nitori Holdings Co., Ltd.

    649,800       86,984,347  

JINS, Inc.

    761,500       42,424,677  
   

 

 

 
      129,409,024  
   

 

 

 
   

Auto Components: 3.5%

   

NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd.

    2,066,000       44,254,782  

Nifco, Inc.

    786,000       42,275,086  

Nippon Seiki Co., Ltd.

    1,660,000       33,466,250  
   

 

 

 
      119,996,118  
   

 

 

 
   

Multiline Retail: 2.1%

   

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

    289,300       72,406,222  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet & Direct Marketing Retail: 1.6%

   

Start Today Co., Ltd.

    2,251,300       55,482,594  
   

 

 

 
   

Media: 1.0%

   

LIFULL Co., Ltd.

    4,069,900       35,765,132  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Distributors: 1.0%

   

Doshisha Co., Ltd.

    1,854,800       $35,322,529  
   

 

 

 
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 1.0%

   

Kyoritsu Maintenance Co., Ltd.

    1,158,500       33,741,748  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      624,393,389  
   

 

 

 
   
FINANCIALS: 12.1%                

Banks: 6.8%

   

Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, Inc.

    18,369,700       123,904,517  

Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc.

    2,025,300       79,076,754  

Seven Bank, Ltd.

    9,537,500       34,196,291  
   

 

 

 
      237,177,562  
   

 

 

 
   

Insurance: 3.8%

   

Tokio Marine Holdings, Inc.

    1,670,400       69,510,812  

Dai-ichi Life Holdings, Inc.

    3,414,400       61,976,191  
   

 

 

 
      131,487,003  
   

 

 

 
   

Diversified Financial Services: 1.5%

   

ORIX Corp.

    3,209,500       49,939,372  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      418,603,937  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 11.2%                

Food & Staples Retailing: 3.4%

   

Seven & I Holdings Co., Ltd.

    1,656,600       68,358,680  

San-A Co., Ltd.

    1,131,900       50,066,289  
   

 

 

 
      118,424,969  
   

 

 

 
   

Food Products: 2.6%

   

Ezaki Glico Co., Ltd.

    956,300       51,490,343  

Ariake Japan Co., Ltd.

    535,100       37,289,264  
   

 

 

 
      88,779,607  
   

 

 

 
   

Personal Products: 1.9%

   

Kao Corp.

    1,129,100       67,134,415  
   

 

 

 
   

Tobacco: 1.8%

   

Japan Tobacco, Inc.

    1,769,700       62,201,603  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Products: 1.5%

   

Pigeon Corp.

    1,404,600       51,064,683  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      387,605,277  
   

 

 

 
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 10.4%                

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 6.7%

 

Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.

    619,800       94,622,409  

Keyence Corp.

    197,000       86,724,889  

Horiba, Ltd.

    843,600       51,459,260  
   

 

 

 
      232,806,558  
   

 

 

 
   

Software: 1.7%

   

Oracle Corp. Japan

    912,800       59,375,555  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet Software & Services: 1.4%

   

Infomart Corp.

    6,408,700       48,763,044  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 0.6%

 

Lasertec Corp.

    1,453,700       20,248,574  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      361,193,731  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

74    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Japan Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
HEALTH CARE: 9.9%    

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 7.2%

 

Hoya Corp.

    1,345,400       $70,043,371  

Asahi Intecc Co., Ltd.

    1,485,700       67,605,491  

Sysmex Corp.

    1,058,600       63,361,147  

CYBERDYNE, Inc.b

    2,719,000       36,232,086  

Daiken Medical Co., Ltd.

    1,660,000       11,863,532  
   

 

 

 
      249,105,627  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Technology: 1.6%

   

M3, Inc.

    1,981,400       54,659,658  
   

 

 

 
   

Biotechnology: 0.6%

   

PeptiDream, Inc.b

    724,600       22,939,389  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Providers & Services: 0.5%

 

Japan Lifeline Co., Ltd.

    423,700       17,921,350  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      344,626,024  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 5.7%                

Chemicals: 5.7%

   

Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

    769,900       70,070,816  

Nitto Denko Corp.

    743,800       61,424,001  

W-Scope Corp.

    2,315,300       40,670,604  

Fuso Chemical Co., Ltd.

    792,800       25,799,376  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      197,964,797  
   

 

 

 
   
REAL ESTATE: 3.3%                

Real Estate Management & Development: 3.3%

 

Relo Group, Inc.

    3,661,400       71,283,888  

Mitsui Fudosan Co., Ltd.

    1,866,500       44,718,555  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      116,002,443  
   

 

 

 
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: 2.2%          

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.2%

 

 

SoftBank Group Corp.

    957,600       77,843,443  
   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

      77,843,443  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 97.6%             3,386,860,651  

(Cost $2,906,660,943c)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 2.4%
      83,058,473  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $3,469,919,124  
   

 

 

 
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 Cost for federal income tax purposes is $2,909,138,488 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $531,716,703  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (53,994,540
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $477,722,163  
 

 

 

 

 

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      75  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Michael J. Oh, CFA    

Lead Manager

   
Michael B. Han, CFA  

Co-Manager

   
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional  

Ticker

  MAKOX   MIKOX

CUSIP

  577130305   577130826

Inception

  1/3/95   10/29/10

NAV

  $6.66   $6.70

Initial Investment

  $2,500   $100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

  1.15%   0.97%

Portfolio Statistics

Total # of Positions

  45

Net Assets

  $201.7 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $60.8 billion

Portfolio Turnover2

  34.73%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Korea Fund returned 26.86% (Investor Class) and 27.14% (Institutional Class), outperforming its benchmark, the Korea Composite Stock Price Index, which returned 24.66% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 9.00% (Investor Class) and 9.12% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 8.22% over the same period.

Market Environment:

During the first half of the year, the Korean market performed strongly thanks in part to a snap election that ended the recent political vacuum that followed the impeachment of the previous president. President Moon Jae-In won the election by a wide margin and was inaugurated a day after election without the traditional transition period. Given that this was his second bid for the presidency, we believe he seems well-prepared for the position. He showed his commitment for reform and change by appointing impressive figures for key cabinet positions. For example, he appointed a minority shareholder activist as a head of the country’s Fair Trade Commission. The Korean public showed strong support for such moves through record high approval ratings that were well above 70%. We are optimistic that President Moon has strong political power to initiate reforms that we believe will benefit the Korean economy.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

During the first six months, the top contributors were Samsung Electronics, SK Hnynix and Modetour Network. Both Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix performed strongly as they are leaders in the memory semiconductor industry and benefited from an improving market position amid industry consolidation against robust demand. Modetour Network, an outbound tour operator, performed strongly as the leisure industry, especially outbound travel, continues to be strong.

Major detractors to the performance were Amorepacific Corp., Dong-A ST Co., and KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd. Amorepacific, a leading cosmetics brand with sizable revenues coming from Chinese consumers, suffered from the recent diplomatic conflict with China on the deployment of a missile defense system. Dong-A ST, a pharmaceutical company, and KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering both suffered from weak earnings. In the first quarter, we swapped our preferred shares of Amorepacific Corp. with those of AMOREPACIFIC Group as we saw better opportunities with its holding company.

Notable Changes to Portfolio:

During the quarter, we initiated a position in Woori Bank, a major commercial bank. The company had been under government receivership for over a decade following the Asian Financial Crisis but was recently privatized. We found the valuations attractive while the new management may be more profit-oriented than the previous management. We exited positions in Silicon Works, a chip designer, and Daesang, a major food company, as both are undergoing restructuring, which often can take longer than anticipated.

Outlook:

President Moon seems to have secured solid political support from the public with his strong reform drive to boost transparency and improve overall governance. We believe that his reform measures benefit minority investors in South Korea. While the Moon administration is facing a difficult geopolitical environment, mostly

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 The lesser of fiscal year 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

76    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
                 
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                        
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      10 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MAKOX)      9.00%        26.86%        19.23%        8.84%        12.30%        5.57%        6.68%        1/3/95  
Institutional Class (MIKOX)      9.12%        27.14%        19.31%        9.03%        12.42%        n.a.        10.12%        10/29/10  
Korea Composite Stock Price Index3      8.22%        24.66%        24.48%        3.51%        6.72%        2.52%        3.67% 4    
Lipper Pacific ex Japan Funds Category Average5      7.97%        22.02%        21.94%        4.36%        7.64%        4.15%        6.53%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  4 Calculated from 1/3/95.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.    Information Technology             8.2%  
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.    Information Technology             8.2%  
SK Hynix, Inc.    Information Technology             4.5%  
Hana Financial Group, Inc.    Financials             3.8%  
KB Financial Group, Inc.    Financials             3.7%  
Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.    Financials             3.4%  
Modetour Network, Inc.    Consumer Discretionary             3.2%  
Naver Corp.    Information Technology             3.2%  
LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.    Consumer Staples             3.1%  
Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd., 2nd Pfd.    Consumer Discretionary             3.0%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                44.3%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      77  


Table of Contents
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  
South Korea     98.5  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.5  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Information Technology     28.1  
Financials     21.2  
Consumer Discretionary     19.0  
Consumer Staples     9.6  
Materials     6.0  
Health Care     5.5  
Telecommunication Services     3.8  
Energy     3.7  
Industrials     1.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.5  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     23.8  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     36.9  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     17.0  
Small Cap (under $3B)     20.8  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     1.5  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

Matthews Korea Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

stemming from North Korea’s continuing nuclear and long-range missile development, the administration’s pragmatic approach to pursuing dialogue might provide an alternative approach to previous administrations.

Consumer sentiment, after dropping significantly at the height of massive protest in November 2016, has significantly improved. The composite consumer sentiment index hit a multiyear high in June. Despite geopolitical uncertainty, a strong reform drive coupled with consumer optimism, we believe that Korea’s economic outlook in the near term remains bright.

 

 

78    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Korea Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: SOUTH KOREA: 76.6%

 

     Shares     Value  
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 19.3%    

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 8.2%

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

    7,921       $16,498,032  
   

 

 

 
   

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 5.4%

 

SK Hynix, Inc.

    153,358       9,029,676  

Koh Young Technology, Inc.

    35,261       1,849,461  
   

 

 

 
      10,879,137  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet Software & Services: 3.1%

   

Naver Corp.

    8,678       6,361,241  
   

 

 

 
   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 2.6%

 

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd.

    34,435       5,169,503  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      38,907,913  
   

 

 

 
   
FINANCIALS: 18.7%                

Banks: 13.2%

   

Hana Financial Group, Inc.

    193,005       7,622,252  

KB Financial Group, Inc.

    148,355       7,490,480  

Shinhan Financial Group Co., Ltd.

    158,869       6,854,432  

Woori Bank

    199,948       3,220,940  

DGB Financial Group, Inc.

    147,735       1,523,102  
   

 

 

 
      26,711,206  
   

 

 

 
   

Capital Markets: 3.6%

   

Kiwoom Securities Co., Ltd.

    51,053       4,164,002  

Shinyoung Securities Co., Ltd.

    63,434       3,049,312  
   

 

 

 
      7,213,314  
   

 

 

 
   

Insurance: 1.9%

   

Dongbu Insurance Co., Ltd.

    65,165       3,872,624  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      37,797,144  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 16.0%                

Auto Components: 5.2%

   

Hyundai Mobis Co., Ltd.

    26,986       5,899,459  

Hankook Tire Co., Ltd.

    81,800       4,546,986  
   

 

 

 
      10,446,445  
   

 

 

 
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 5.1%

   

Modetour Network, Inc.

    234,114       6,476,181  

Kangwon Land, Inc.

    128,193       3,906,360  
   

 

 

 
      10,382,541  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 1.7%

   

LOTTE Himart Co., Ltd.

    55,183       3,366,493  
   

 

 

 
   

Media: 1.2%

   

Innocean Worldwide, Inc.

    44,713       2,495,566  
   

 

 

 
   

Automobiles: 1.1%

   

Kia Motors Corp.

    65,541       2,188,786  
   

 

 

 
   

Household Durables: 1.0%

   

Cuckoo Electronics Co., Ltd.

    15,695       1,988,388  
   

 

 

 
   

Multiline Retail: 0.7%

   

Hyundai Department Store Co., Ltd.

    15,163       1,464,585  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      32,332,804  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
HEALTH CARE: 5.5%    

Biotechnology: 2.9%

   

Hugel, Inc.b

    11,909       $5,822,865  
   

 

 

 
   

Pharmaceuticals: 2.6%

   

Yuhan Corp.

    14,793       3,180,292  

DongKook Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

    28,602       1,579,006  

Dong-A ST Co., Ltd.

    6,065       488,690  
   

 

 

 
      5,247,988  
   

 

 

 

Total Health Care

      11,070,853  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 5.1%                

Food & Staples Retailing: 2.8%

   

BGF Retail Co., Ltd.

    48,425       4,278,256  

Hyundai Greenfood Co., Ltd.

    87,793       1,358,014  
   

 

 

 
      5,636,270  
   

 

 

 
   

Food Products: 2.3%

   

Orion Corp.c

    6,707       4,669,124  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      10,305,394  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 4.1%                

Metals & Mining: 4.1%

   

POSCO

    22,860       5,726,249  

Korea Zinc Co., Ltd.

    6,362       2,535,165  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      8,261,414  
   

 

 

 
   
TELECOMMUNICATION SERVICES: 3.9%                

Wireless Telecommunication Services: 2.1%

 

SK Telecom Co., Ltd. ADR

    159,000       4,081,530  
   

 

 

 
   

Diversified Telecommunication Services: 1.8%

 

KT Corp. ADR

    220,400       3,667,456  
   

 

 

 

Total Telecommunication Services

      7,748,986  
   

 

 

 
   
ENERGY: 2.4%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 2.4%

   

SK Innovation Co., Ltd.

    24,541       3,398,840  

S-Oil Corp.

    18,205       1,508,329  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      4,907,169  
   

 

 

 
   
INDUSTRIALS: 1.6%                

Aerospace & Defense: 1.0%

   

LIG Nex1 Co., Ltd.

    29,375       1,900,374  
   

 

 

 
   

Commercial Services & Supplies: 0.6%

   

KEPCO Plant Service & Engineering Co., Ltd.

    33,138       1,279,230  
   

 

 

 

Total Industrials

      3,179,604  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL COMMON EQUITIES             154,511,281  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $97,348,176)

   
   

PREFERRED EQUITIES: SOUTH KOREA: 21.9%

 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 8.8%                

Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals: 8.2%

 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    10,149       16,547,926  
   

 

 

 
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      79  


Table of Contents

Matthews Korea Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

PREFERRED EQUITIES: SOUTH KOREA (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 0.6%

 

Samsung SDI Co., Ltd., Pfd.

    17,470       $1,260,580  
   

 

 

 

Total Information Technology

      17,808,506  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 4.5%                

Personal Products: 4.5%

   

LG Household & Health Care, Ltd., Pfd.

    11,638       6,316,012  

AMOREPACIFIC Group, Pfd.

    51,316       2,783,403  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      9,099,415  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 3.0%                

Automobiles: 3.0%

   

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

    59,135       6,021,213  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Discretionary

      6,021,213  
   

 

 

 
   
FINANCIALS: 2.4%                

Insurance: 2.4%

   

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

    28,572       4,869,589  
   

 

 

 

Total Financials

      4,869,589  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 1.9%                

Chemicals: 1.9%

   

LG Chem, Ltd., Pfd.

    22,073       3,897,505  
   

 

 

 

Total Materials

      3,897,505  
   

 

 

 
   
ENERGY: 1.3%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 1.3%

   

S-Oil Corp., Pfd.

    38,278       2,575,632  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      2,575,632  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL PREFERRED EQUITIES             44,271,860  
   

 

 

 

(Cost $25,465,257)

   
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 98.5%             198,783,141  

(Cost $122,813,433d)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 1.5%
      2,941,263  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $201,724,404  
   

 

 

 
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 Illiquid security, trading was halted at June 30, 2017.

 

d Cost for federal income tax purposes is $123,935,393 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $77,237,322  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (2,389,574
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $74,847,748  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

Pfd. Preferred

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

80    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Lydia So, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Kenichi Amaki   Beini Zhou, CFA

Co-Manager

  Co-Manager
FUND FACTS
    Investor   Institutional  

Ticker

  MSMLX   MISMX

CUSIP

  577125206   577125867

Inception

  9/15/08   4/30/13

NAV

  $21.81   $21.82

Initial Investment

  $2,500  

$100,000

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

1.49%

 

1.34%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.47%

 

1.25%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

 

81

Net Assets

  $399.9 million

Weighted Average
Market Cap

  $1.1 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

44.44%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund returned 14.49% (Investor Class) and 14.66% (Institutional Class) while its benchmark, the MSCI All Country Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index, returned 16.25% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 3.66% (Investor Class) and 3.71% (Institutional Class) compared with the benchmark return of 3.06% over the same period.

Market Environment:

Asian equity markets continued to perform well in the second quarter after an exceptionally strong first quarter. Large-cap stocks performed better than their small-cap counterparts by a wide margin due to strong earnings by some high-profile companies, most notably in the technology sector. Compared with the preceding quarter, investors seemed to have focused more on earnings and fundamentals than sentiment around U.S. President Donald Trump’s policy agenda.

Corporate earnings in China continued to stabilize and improve. Reforms in India have gradually taken place, meanwhile, with a generally positive market reaction. However, implementation issues surrounding India’s Goods and Services Tax reforms, set to take place late this summer, have caused some anxiety in the marketplace. Lastly, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points (0.25%) in June, which was in line with market sentiment.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

Holdings in China/Hong Kong, Malaysia and the Philippines contributed positively to performance while some holdings in South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore suffered in the second quarter. GD Express Carrier, a courier service provider in Malaysia, was among the top performers during the quarter due to keen investor interest in the company’s growth prospects, which are linked to the domestic e-commerce market. Melco International Development, a Macau-centric gaming company, also performed strongly thanks to solid business momentum and a willingness to improve capital allocation.

By sector, absolute performance was driven by holdings in materials, information technology and financials, which performed strongly during the quarter. Our holding in TCC International, a cement producer based in Southern China, was a top contributor to Fund performance following a privatization offer at a substantial premium by its Taiwan-based parent company.

During the quarter, some holdings did not perform as well as we had hoped. For example, IMAX China, a manufacturer and operator of cinema screens, experienced de-rating pressures due to lackluster box office results in China over the first half of this year.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

We took profits on highfliers, such as GD Express, whose valuations we believe had become too rich. We exited Malaysia’s GD Express and Chinese materials firm TCC International, both due to unfavorable risk-reward profiles. We also exited some long-term holdings such as Hy-lok in South Korea and CRISIL in India over concerns relating to moderated growth outlooks due to unfavorable industry dynamics that may be out of management’s influence or control.

(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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      81  


Table of Contents
               
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                 
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
Date
 
Investor Class (MSMLX)      3.66%        14.49%        13.60%        0.68%        7.31%        11.62%        9/15/08  
Institutional Class (MISMX)      3.71%        14.66%        13.89%        0.93%        n.a.        3.39%        4/30/13  
MSCI AC Asia ex Japan Small Cap Index4      3.06%        16.25%        15.92%        1.34%        6.86%        8.14% 5    
Lipper Pacific ex Japan Funds Category Average6      7.97%        22.02%        21.94%        4.36%        7.64%        9.10% 7    

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 Calculated from 9/15/08.

 

  6 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

  7 Calculated from 9/30/08.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS8                     
     Sector      Country      % of Net Assets  
GRUH Finance, Ltd.    Financials      India        2.0%  
Concepcion Industrial Corp.    Industrials      Philippines        1.9%  
Clear Media, Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        1.8%  
Value Partners Group, Ltd.    Financials      China/Hong Kong        1.8%  
Unisem M BHD    Information Technology      Malaysia        1.8%  
Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.    Consumer Staples      China/Hong Kong        1.7%  
Silergy Corp.    Information Technology      China/Hong Kong        1.7%  
Bursa Malaysia BHD    Financials      Malaysia        1.7%  
SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.    Industrials      China/Hong Kong        1.6%  
Q Technology Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary      China/Hong Kong        1.6%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                17.6%  

 

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

 

82    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

We have become more constructive on certain sub-segments within the information technology sector. During the quarter we initiated new positions in Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd., a South Korean enterprise software company and Advanced Ceramic X, a Taiwanese radio frequency component manufacturer. We believe both companies are well-positioned for the rising adoption of these specific components and their potential to gain market share in their respective markets.

Outlook:

We are keen on companies that are well-positioned to take advantage of changing consumption trends and behaviors. We are constructive on innovative yet capital-efficient companies that have built strong brands and unique product offerings that cater to Asia’s growing middle class. We are mindful, however, that valuations for some pockets of the market might have garnered too much investor enthusiasm and seem somewhat stretched. In addition, uncertainties could arise from geopolitical fronts in Asia and policy risks could emerge in the west. We will continue to hold companies in the portfolio that have strong attributes, can propel long-term growth and are financially sound enough to weather the uncertainties brought on by external forces.

 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)9,10  
China/Hong Kong     29.8  
South Korea     15.5  
Taiwan     14.2  
India     10.9  
Indonesia     7.2  
Malaysia     4.5  
Thailand     3.4  
Japan     3.4  
Philippines     3.0  
Singapore     1.3  
United States     1.2  
Israel     0.3  
Vietnam     0.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.2  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)10  
Consumer Discretionary     20.3  
Information Technology     16.7  
Industrials     16.6  
Health Care     11.1  
Financials     10.8  
Consumer Staples     10.7  
Materials     6.0  
Real Estate     1.5  
Energy     1.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.2  

 

 
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)10,11  
Mega Cap (over $25B)     0.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     0.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     2.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     92.1  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     5.2  

 

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

 

10 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

11 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.
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      83  


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 94.8%

 

     Shares     Value  
CHINA/HONG KONG: 29.8%    

Clear Media, Ltd.

    6,111,000       $7,216,622  

Value Partners Group, Ltd.

    7,848,000       7,143,583  

Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.

    3,368,000       6,932,498  

Silergy Corp.

    358,000       6,893,260  

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    8,300,000       6,523,189  

Q Technology Group Co., Ltd.

    6,549,000       6,466,315  

Melco International Development, Ltd.

    2,376,000       6,356,676  

China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.

    22,254,000       6,299,283  

Ten Pao Group Holdings, Ltd.

    24,760,000       6,219,641  

Lifetech Scientific Corp.b

    26,176,000       6,202,416  

Jacobson Pharma Corp., Ltd.

    22,250,000       5,865,685  

Chow Sang Sang Holdings International, Ltd.

    2,485,000       5,799,717  

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

    9,158,000       4,936,970  

Hutchison China MediTech, Ltd. ADRb

    210,900       4,916,079  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesc

    871,500       4,732,864  

Zhou Hei Ya International Holdings Co., Ltd.c

    4,518,500       4,534,377  

China Yuchai International, Ltd.

    246,634       4,491,205  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings, Ltd.

    8,018,000       4,423,823  

Genscript Biotech Corp.

    7,488,000       4,047,787  

IMAX China Holding, Inc.b,c

    1,143,100       3,506,048  

Gridsum Holding, Inc. ADRb

    359,747       3,079,434  

Times Property Holdings, Ltd.

    3,317,000       2,072,593  

Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. H Sharesc

    1,094,000       628,536  
   

 

 

 

Total China/Hong Kong

      119,288,601  
   

 

 

 
   
SOUTH KOREA: 15.5%                

Yonwoo Co., Ltd.b

    244,968       6,234,087  

Incross Co., Ltd.b

    126,376       5,732,564  

i-SENS, Inc.

    221,966       5,332,575  

Medy-Tox, Inc.

    10,871       5,323,523  

LEENO Industrial, Inc.

    126,432       5,301,633  

CLIO Cosmetics Co., Ltd.

    141,727       4,806,195  

Douzone Bizon Co., Ltd.

    169,526       4,564,276  

Value Added Technologies Co., Ltd.

    185,639       4,533,281  

LIG Nex1 Co., Ltd.

    67,462       4,364,359  

Wonik Materials Co., Ltd.b

    61,690       4,141,720  

Vitzrocell Co., Ltd.d

    389,604       3,629,074  

BH Co., Ltd.b

    197,835       2,925,312  

Dexter Studios Co., Ltd.b

    359,761       2,614,099  

Cell Biotech Co., Ltd.

    69,643       2,365,782  
   

 

 

 

Total South Korea

      61,868,480  
   

 

 

 
   
TAIWAN: 14.2%                

Macauto Industrial Co., Ltd.

    1,074,000       6,352,135  

Elite Material Co., Ltd.

    1,301,000       6,304,894  

Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

    1,218,000       6,285,881  

Taiwan Paiho, Ltd.

    1,633,000       6,142,170  

Kinik Co.

    2,307,000       5,825,114  

Sinbon Electronics Co., Ltd.

    2,269,060       5,356,085  

Advanced Ceramic X Corp.

    410,000       4,983,971  

PChome Online, Inc.

    569,916       4,406,318  

Kerry TJ Logistics Co., Ltd.

    3,060,000       3,814,196  

Great Tree Pharmacy Co., Ltd.

    908,000       2,900,297  

MPI Corp.

    842,000       2,518,939  

Aerospace Industrial Development Corp.

    1,684,000       1,981,758  
   

 

 

 

Total Taiwan

      56,871,758  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  
INDIA: 10.9%    

GRUH Finance, Ltd.

    1,133,699       $7,807,383  

Supreme Industries, Ltd.

    291,245       5,527,168  

DCB Bank, Ltd.

    1,756,753       5,395,062  

Page Industries, Ltd.

    19,677       5,094,463  

AIA Engineering, Ltd.

    227,923       4,920,069  

Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Co., Ltd.

    259,942       4,520,259  

LA Opala RG, Ltd.

    540,917       4,297,961  

Berger Paints India, Ltd.

    1,029,713       3,917,601  

Gabriel India, Ltd.

    537,391       1,252,939  

Merck, Ltd.

    57,533       949,679  
   

 

 

 

Total India

      43,682,584  
   

 

 

 
   
INDONESIA: 7.2%                

PT Bank Tabungan Pensiunan Nasional

    32,789,300       6,101,479  

PT Sumber Alfaria Trijaya

    122,674,800       5,246,643  

PT Astra Otoparts

    26,538,125       5,157,287  

PT Ultrajaya Milk Industry & Trading Co.b

    12,206,500       4,583,781  

PT Puradelta Lestari

    245,920,800       3,980,263  

PT Arwana Citramulia

    107,723,800       3,866,249  
   

 

 

 

Total Indonesia

      28,935,702  
   

 

 

 
   
MALAYSIA: 4.5%                

Unisem M BHD

    8,490,900       7,077,832  

Bursa Malaysia BHD

    2,728,300       6,752,743  

Karex BHD

    10,820,825       4,285,325  
   

 

 

 

Total Malaysia

      18,115,900  
   

 

 

 
   
THAILAND: 3.4%                

Aeon Thana Sinsap Thailand Public Co., Ltd.

    1,582,800       4,938,969  

Forth Smart Service Public Co., Ltd.

    8,674,600       4,775,243  

Plan B Media Public Co., Ltd. F Shares

    22,306,600       3,739,111  

Aeon Thana Sinsap Thailand Public Co., Ltd. NVDR

    88,700       276,780  
   

 

 

 

Total Thailand

      13,730,103  
   

 

 

 
   
JAPAN: 3.4%                

Honma Golf, Ltd.b,c

    5,375,000       5,200,927  

W-Scope Corp.

    241,600       4,243,950  

Tri Chemical Laboratories, Inc.

    156,400       4,005,152  
   

 

 

 

Total Japan

      13,450,029  
   

 

 

 
   
PHILIPPINES: 3.0%                

Concepcion Industrial Corp.

    4,450,460       7,532,090  

Philippine Seven Corp.

    1,217,291       4,319,492  
   

 

 

 

Total Philippines

      11,851,582  
   

 

 

 
   
SINGAPORE: 1.3%                

Delfi, Ltd.

    3,563,300       5,176,394  
   

 

 

 

Total Singapore

      5,176,394  
   

 

 

 
   
UNITED STATES: 1.2%                

Oclaro, Inc.b

    501,700       4,685,878  
   

 

 

 

Total United States

      4,685,878  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

84    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
ISRAEL: 0.3%    

Sarine Technologies, Ltd.

    1,236,500       $1,383,120  
   

 

 

 

Total Israel

      1,383,120  
   

 

 

 
   
VIETNAM: 0.1%                

DHG Pharmaceutical JSC

    33,960       185,704  
   

 

 

 

Total Vietnam

      185,704  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 94.8%             379,225,835  

(Cost $333,972,463e)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 5.2%
      20,687,984  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $399,913,819  
   

 

 

 

 

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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $23,539,722, which is 5.89% of net assets.

 

d Illiquid security, trading was halted at June 30, 2017.

 

e Cost for federal income tax purposes is $334,751,020 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $71,162,440  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (26,687,625
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $44,474,815  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

 

BHD Berhad

 

JSC Joint Stock Co.

 

NVDR Non-voting Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      85  


Table of Contents

LOGO

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGERS
Tiffany Hsiao, CFA  

Lead Manager

 
Kenichi Amaki  

Co-Manager

 
FUND FACTS
    Investor

Ticker

  MCSMX

CUSIP

  577125404

Inception

  5/31/11

NAV

  $10.11

Initial Investment

  $2,500

Gross Expense Ratio1

 

2.24%

After Fee Waiver and Reimbursement2

 

1.50%

Portfolio Statistics

 

Total # of Positions

 

56

Net Assets

  $20.0 million

Weighted Average Market Cap

  $1.7 billion

Portfolio Turnover3

 

63.15%

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 total 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)

Period ended June 30, 2017

For the first half of 2017, the Matthews China Small Companies Fund returned 23.14% (Investor Class), outperforming its benchmark, the MSCI China Small Cap Index, which returned 8.76% over the same period. For the quarter ending June 30, 2017, the Fund returned 7.44% (Investor Class) compared with the benchmark return of –1.06% over the same period.

Market Environment:

China’s equity market saw a strong start to 2017, which we believe may be a result of it being oversold in the fourth quarter of 2016 when investors held deeper concerns over U.S.-China trade relations. However, a more fundamental reason may be that China is finally seeing a broad-based earnings recovery. With a mild global reflation and stable nominal GDP growth of approximately 6.5%, we hold an optimistic outlook for the revenue growth of Chinese corporations. China has been decelerating its loan growth and cleaning up overcapacity since 2009. This has led to a recovery in corporate margins despite a rebound in the producer price index. We are encouraged that property sales and consumption continued at a steady pace even as the government started tightening liquidity and home purchase restrictions during the first half of the year. From both a top-down and a bottom-up perspective, we see a noticeable and likely sustainable recovery in the Chinese economy, albeit at a slower pace compared with the sharp rebound in the first half of this year.

Performance Contributors and Detractors:

For the second quarter of 2017, our positive stock selection in the consumer discretionary and industrials sectors contributed to the Fund’s outperformance. Our holdings in the real estate and materials sectors, however, were slight drags on portfolio returns. For the first half of the year, the industrials and consumer discretionary sectors were among our top-performing sectors due to stock selection. The portfolio’s real estate holdings detracted from returns during the first half of the year due to the allocation effect.

During the quarter, two top individual contributors to Fund performance were TK Group, a high-end plastic mold company, and Melco International Development, an Asian gaming company with significant exposure to Macau. TK Group grew by diversifying and expanding its product categories and applications, demonstrating impressive, strong execution capabilities versus that of their competition. Melco International Development continues to benefit from a recovery in Macau’s gaming market as the city works to diversify its revenue source away from VIP high-rollers.

Among the top detractors to Fund performance during the quarter were Gridsum Holding and IMAX China. Gridsum suffered during the quarter as investors worried about the sustainability of its search engine optimization business. We believe the company is on track to diversify its product suite and we continue to hold a positive view of the shares. IMAX China suffered from another disappointing quarter of weak box office sales and worries about the financial stability of its top Chinese cinema client. We are monitoring the situation closely.

Notable Portfolio Changes:

During the quarter, we exited car component manufacturer Hu Lane Associate. While the company continues to execute well in the face of challenging input cost

(continued)

 
1 Prospectus expense ratios.
2 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) to 1.50%. 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, 2018 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 2016 long-term purchase costs or sales proceeds divided by the average monthly market value of long-term securities.

 

86    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
               
PERFORMANCE AS OF JUNE 30, 2017                                                 
 

 

    

 

      

 

      

 

     Average Annual Total Returns       

 

 
     3 Months      YTD      1 Year      3 Years      5 Years      Since
Inception
     Inception
date
 
Investor Class (MCSMX)      7.44%        23.14%        27.82%        7.21%        11.37%        3.25%        5/31/11  
MSCI China Small Cap Index4      -1.06%        8.76%        14.49%        1.82%        8.75%        0.01%     
Lipper China Region Funds Category Average5      8.83%        21.85%        25.75%        6.93%        8.79%        3.16%     

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 $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 91 for index definition.

 

  5 The Lipper Category Average does not reflect sales charges and is based on total return, including reinvestment of dividends and capital gains for the stated periods.

 

       
TOP TEN HOLDINGS6                     
     Sector             % of Net Assets  
Silergy Corp.    Information Technology             5.4%  
Wuxi Little Swan Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             3.9%  
SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.    Industrials             3.4%  
Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.    Industrials             3.1%  
TK Group Holdings, Ltd.    Industrials             3.0%  
China Aviation Oil Singapore Corp., Ltd.    Energy             2.9%  
Q Technology Group Co., Ltd.    Consumer Discretionary             2.9%  
China Biologic Products, Inc.    Health Care             2.8%  
Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd.    Industrials             2.8%  
Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.    Industrials             2.6%  
% OF ASSETS IN TOP TEN                32.8%  

 

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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      87  


Table of Contents
 
COUNTRY ALLOCATION (%)7  
China/Hong Kong     82.2  
Taiwan     10.5  
Japan     1.7  
United States     1.4  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.2  

 

 
SECTOR ALLOCATION (%)7  
Industrials     25.3  
Consumer Discretionary     21.7  
Information Technology     15.9  
Health Care     12.8  
Real Estate     5.9  
Financials     4.2  
Materials     3.8  
Energy     3.6  
Consumer Staples     2.6  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.2  

 

   
MARKET CAP EXPOSURE (%)7,8      
Mega Cap (over $25B)     0.0  
Large Cap ($10B–$25B)     0.0  
Mid Cap ($3B–10B)     18.7  
Small Cap (under $3B)     77.0  
Cash and Other Assets, Less Liabilities     4.2  

 

7 Source: FactSet Research Systems. Percentage values in data are rounded to the nearest tenth of one percent; the values may not sum to 100% due to rounding.

 

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.

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

Portfolio Manager Commentary  (unaudited) (continued)

inflation, especially in copper, we prefer the risk-reward opportunities we are finding among auto dealers at current valuations. We continue to like the auto space in China and initiated positions in auto dealers China Meidong Auto, for exposure to smaller cities, and China Zhengtong Auto, for exposure to the country’s major cities.

Outlook:

Given the uncertainty surrounding global trade policies, we are cautious heading into the second half of 2017. We continue to believe, however, that China has the ability to stabilize its economy through fiscal spending, interest rate adjustments and currency management. In addition, steps taken to correct China’s structural issues continue to progress. For now, we are focused on seeking innovative and capital-efficient, small companies that are relatively insulated from macroeconomic uncertainties. We will continue to seek companies that can weather uncertain economic conditions with sustainable, quality earnings streams, strong cash flows and good balance sheets. We believe sectors such as industrial automation, health care and consumer discretionary are among the most attractive from a secular growth perspective.

 

 

88    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited)

COMMON EQUITIES: 95.8%

 

     Shares     Value  
INDUSTRIALS: 25.3%  

Transportation Infrastructure: 5.4%

   

Qingdao Port International Co., Ltd. H Sharesb

    964,000       $553,846  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.

    724,000       519,238  
   

 

 

 
      1,073,084  
   

 

 

 
   

Commercial Services & Supplies: 5.2%

   

Sunny Friend Environmental Technology Co., Ltd.

    119,000       614,138  

Greentown Service Group Co., Ltd.

    786,000       431,051  
   

 

 

 
      1,045,189  
   

 

 

 
   

Machinery: 5.0%

   

TK Group Holdings, Ltd.

    1,460,000       594,079  

China Yuchai International, Ltd.

    16,300       296,823  

CIMC Enric Holdings, Ltd.c

    174,000       108,846  
   

 

 

 
      999,748  
   

 

 

 
   

Marine: 3.4%

   

SITC International Holdings Co., Ltd.

    858,000       674,325  
   

 

 

 
   

Air Freight & Logistics: 2.4%

   

Kerry Logistics Network, Ltd.

    331,500       489,841  
   

 

 

 
   

Electrical Equipment: 1.5%

   

Voltronic Power Technology Corp.

    17,974       295,839  
   

 

 

 
   

Professional Services: 1.2%

   

51job, Inc. ADRc

    5,424       242,616  
   

 

 

 
   

Construction & Engineering: 1.2%

   

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

    431,000       232,347  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Industrials

      5,052,989  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER DISCRETIONARY: 21.7%  

Household Durables: 10.0%

   

Wuxi Little Swan Co., Ltd. B Shares

    175,717       785,021  

Q Technology Group Co., Ltd.

    583,000       575,639  

Vatti Corp., Ltd. A Shares

    94,294       336,535  

Guangzhou Holike Creative Home Co., Ltd. A Shares

    58,378       300,924  
   

 

 

 
      1,998,119  
   

 

 

 
   

Specialty Retail: 3.2%

   

Chow Sang Sang Holdings International, Ltd.

    160,000       373,422  

China ZhengTong Auto Services Holdings, Ltd.

    164,500       131,611  

China Meidong Auto Holdings, Ltd.

    440,000       124,548  
   

 

 

 
      629,581  
   

 

 

 
   

Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure: 3.0%

   

Melco International Development, Ltd.

    141,000       377,227  

Fairwood Holdings, Ltd.

    53,500       225,073  
   

 

 

 
      602,300  
   

 

 

 
   

Media: 2.5%

   

Clear Media, Ltd.

    328,000       387,343  

IMAX China Holding, Inc.b,c

    34,900       107,043  
   

 

 

 
      494,386  
   

 

 

 
   

Leisure Products: 1.7%

   

Honma Golf, Ltd.b,c

    354,500       343,019  
   

 

 

 
   
     Shares     Value  

Diversified Consumer Services: 1.3%

   

China Maple Leaf Educational Systems, Ltd.

    312,000       $254,884  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Consumer Discretionary

      4,322,289  
   

 

 

 
   
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: 15.9%  

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment: 6.4%

 

Silergy Corp.

    56,000       1,078,276  

Parade Technologies, Ltd.

    16,000       196,678  
   

 

 

 
      1,274,954  
   

 

 

 
   

Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components: 4.1%

 

All Ring Tech Co., Ltd.

    165,000       313,760  

China Innovationpay Group, Ltd.c

    4,572,000       292,806  

Elite Material Co., Ltd.

    44,000       213,232  

China High Precision Automation Group, Ltd.c,d

    195,000       250  
   

 

 

 
      820,048  
   

 

 

 
   

Communications Equipment: 3.2%

   

Oclaro, Inc.c

    28,700       268,059  

Advanced Ceramic X Corp.

    18,000       218,808  

O-Net Technologies Group, Ltd.c

    271,000       143,009  
   

 

 

 
      629,876  
   

 

 

 
   

Software: 1.2%

   

Gridsum Holding, Inc. ADRc

    29,165       249,652  
   

 

 

 
   

Internet Software & Services: 1.0%

   

Sohu.com, Inc.c

    4,400       198,264  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Information Technology

      3,172,794  
   

 

 

 
   
HEALTH CARE: 12.8%  

Biotechnology: 5.3%

   

China Biologic Products, Inc.c

    5,000       565,500  

Shanghai Haohai Biological Technology Co., Ltd. H Sharesb

    89,200       484,419  
   

 

 

 
      1,049,919  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Equipment & Supplies: 3.6%

   

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

    560,000       439,336  

Lifetech Scientific Corp.c

    1,172,000       277,706  
   

 

 

 
      717,042  
   

 

 

 
   

Life Sciences Tools & Services: 1.8%

   

Genscript Biotech Corp.

    664,000       358,939  
   

 

 

 
   

Pharmaceuticals: 1.1%

   

Jacobson Pharma Corp., Ltd.

    866,000       228,300  
   

 

 

 
   

Health Care Providers & Services: 1.0%

   

Zhejiang Dian Diagnostics Co., Ltd. A Shares

    44,600       207,021  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Health Care

      2,561,221  
   

 

 

 
   
REAL ESTATE: 5.9%  

Real Estate Management & Development: 5.9%

 

CIFI Holdings Group Co., Ltd.

    1,146,000       509,676  

KWG Property Holding, Ltd.

    526,000       352,351  

K Wah International Holdings, Ltd.

    361,000       219,142  

Times Property Holdings, Ltd.

    161,000       100,599  
   

 

 

 

Total Real Estate

      1,181,768  
   

 

 

 
   
 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      89  


Table of Contents

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

June 30, 2017

Schedule of Investmentsa (unaudited) (continued)

COMMON EQUITIES (continued)

 

     Shares     Value  
FINANCIALS: 4.2%    

Capital Markets: 2.5%

   

Value Partners Group, Ltd.

    558,000       $507,915  
   

 

 

 
   

Banks: 1.7%

   

Dah Sing Banking Group, Ltd.

    158,400       337,165  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Financials

      845,080  
   

 

 

 
   
MATERIALS: 3.8%                

Construction Materials: 2.5%

   

China Resources Cement Holdings, Ltd.

    1,024,000       508,757  
   

 

 

 
   

Metals & Mining: 0.7%

   

MMG, Ltd.c

    360,000       132,791  
   

 

 

 
   

Containers & Packaging: 0.6%

   

CPMC Holdings, Ltd.

    228,000       112,410  
   

 

 

 
   

Total Materials

      753,958  
   

 

 

 
   
ENERGY: 3.6%                

Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels: 3.6%

   

China Aviation Oil Singapore Corp., Ltd.

    481,100       583,390  

Sinopec Kantons Holdings, Ltd.

    232,000       128,003  
   

 

 

 

Total Energy

      711,393  
   

 

 

 
   
CONSUMER STAPLES: 2.6%                

Food Products: 2.6%

   

Vitasoy International Holdings, Ltd.

    132,000       271,701  

Tehmag Foods Corp.

    30,000       249,546  
   

 

 

 

Total Consumer Staples

      521,247  
   

 

 

 
   
TOTAL INVESTMENTS: 95.8%             19,122,739  

(Cost $16,227,379e)

   
   
CASH AND OTHER ASSETS,
LESS LIABILITIES: 4.2%
      846,970  
   

 

 

 

NET ASSETS: 100.0%

      $19,969,709  
   

 

 

 
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 Fund’s Board of Directors. At June 30, 2017, the aggregate value is $1,720,674, which is 8.62% of net assets.

 

c Non-income producing security.

 

d Illiquid security, trading was halted at June 30, 2017.

 

e Cost for federal income tax purposes is $16,248,039 and net unrealized appreciation consists of:

 

Gross unrealized appreciation

    $3,444,966  

Gross unrealized depreciation

    (570,266
 

 

 

 

Net unrealized appreciation

    $2,874,700  
 

 

 

 

 

ADR American Depositary Receipt

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

    

 

 

90    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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: Korea, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Taiwan, Malaysia, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia and China.

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 cap-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, Korea, Philippines, Thailand and Singapore.

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, 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, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

The MSCI Emerging Markets (EM) Asia Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization weighted index of the stock markets of China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand.

The MSCI China Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of Chinese equities that includes China-affiliated corporations and H shares listed on the Hong Kong

exchange, and B shares listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen exchanges.

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, 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).

The MSCI All Country Asia Index is a free float–adjusted market capitalization–weighted index of the stock markets of China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      91  


Table of Contents

Disclosures

 

Fund Holdings: The Fund holdings shown in this report are as of June 30, 2017. 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 U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year on Form N-Q. The Funds’ Form N-Q is filed with the SEC within 60 days of the end of the quarter to which it relates, and is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. It may also be reviewed and copied at the Commission’s Public Reference Room in Washington, D.C. Information on the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 800.SEC.0330. 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).

Redemption Fee Policy: As of June 30, 2017, 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. The imposition of redemption fees pursuant to the Funds’ Short-Term Trading Redemption Fee Policy for the Covered Funds may assist the Covered Funds in discouraging market timing activity.

The redemption fee is also imposed to discourage short-term buying and selling of shares of the Covered Funds, which can disrupt the management of the Covered Funds’ investment portfolios and may have detrimental effects on the Covered Funds and other shareholders, and to allocate the costs the Covered Funds incur as a result of short-term trading and market timing. 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 Covered Funds may grant exemptions from the redemption fee in certain circumstances. For more information on this policy, please see the Funds’ prospectus.

The Funds (or their agents) attempt to contact shareholders whom the Funds (or their agents) believe have violated the Funds’ policies and procedures related to short-term trading and market-timing activity, and notify them that they will no longer be permitted to buy (or exchange) shares of the Funds. When a shareholder has purchased shares of the Funds through an intermediary, the Funds may not be able to notify the shareholder of a violation of the Funds’ policies or that the Funds have taken steps to address the situation (for example, the Funds may be unable to notify a shareholder that his or her privileges to purchase or exchange shares of the Funds have been terminated). Nonetheless, additional purchase and exchange orders for such investors will not be accepted by the Funds.

The Funds may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase or exchange, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.

 

 

92    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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 U.S. 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.

 

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      93  


Table of Contents

June 30, 2017

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (unaudited) (continued)

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

 

    INVESTOR CLASS           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
    

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/17

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/17

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/17–
6/30/172
          

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/17

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/17

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/17–
6/30/172
 
ASIA FIXED INCOME STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,056.80        1.15%        $5.86         $1,000.00        $1,058.00        0.90%        $4.59  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $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        $1,053.40        1.15%        $5.86         $1,000.00        $1,054.40        0.90%        $4.58  

Hypothetical 5% Return

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

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,148.70        1.11%        $5.91         $1,000.00        $1,149.90        0.94%        $5.01  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.30        1.11%        $5.59               $1,000.00        $1,029.46        0.94%        $4.73  

Matthews Asia Dividend Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,190.20        1.04%        $5.65         $1,000.00        $1,190.30        0.91%        $4.94  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,029.95        1.04%        $5.23               $1,000.00        $1,029.31        0.91%        $4.58  

Matthews China Dividend Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,171.10        1.19%        $6.41         $1,000.00        $1,171.90        1.04%        $5.60  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.70        1.19%        $5.99         $1,000.00        $1,029.95        1.04%        $5.23  
ASIA VALUE STRATEGY                                                                              

Matthews Asia Value Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,215.90        1.50%        $8.24         $1,000.00        $1,217.30        1.25%        $6.87  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $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 Focus Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,204.90        1.50%        $8.20         $1,000.00        $1,206.90        1.25%        $6.84  

Hypothetical 5% Return

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

Matthews Asia Growth Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,190.00        1.14%        $6.19         $1,000.00        $1,191.10        0.94%        $5.11  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.45        1.14%        $5.74               $1,000.00        $1,029.46        0.94%        $4.73  

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,202.00        1.07%        $5.84         $1,000.00        $1,203.10        0.90%        $4.92  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.10        1.07%        $5.39               $1,000.00        $1,029.26        0.90%        $4.53  

Matthews Asia ESG Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,191.80        1.50%        $8.15         $1,000.00        $1,192.80        1.25%        $6.80  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $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        $1,112.30        1.44%        $7.54         $1,000.00        $1,112.70        1.25%        $6.55  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,031.94        1.44%        $7.25               $1,000.00        $1,030.99        1.25%        $6.29  

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,301.00        1.26%        $7.19         $1,000.00        $1,302.80        1.05%        $6.00  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,031.04        1.26%        $6.35               $1,000.00        $1,030.00        1.05%        $5.28  

Matthews China Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,300.60        1.13%        $6.45         $1,000.00        $1,301.80        0.99%        $5.65  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.40        1.13%        $5.69               $1,000.00        $1,029.70        0.99%        $4.98  

Matthews India Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,221.80        1.09%        $6.00         $1,000.00        $1,223.10        0.89%        $4.91  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.20        1.09%        $5.49               $1,000.00        $1,029.21        0.89%        $4.48  

 

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.

 

94    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Disclosure of Fund Expenses (unaudited) (continued)

 

    INVESTOR CLASS           INSTITUTIONAL CLASS  
    

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/17

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/17

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/17–
6/30/172
          

Beginning
Account

Value

1/1/17

    

Ending
Account

Value

6/30/17

     Expense
Ratio1
     Operating
Expenses
Paid  During
Period
1/1/17–
6/30/172
 
ASIA GROWTH STRATEGIES (continued)                                                                              

Matthews Japan Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,146.10        0.96%        $5.11         $1,000.00        $1,146.30        0.86%        $4.58  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,029.56        0.96%        $4.83               $1,000.00        $1,029.06        0.86%        $4.33  

Matthews Korea Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,268.60        1.13%        $6.36         $1,000.00        $1,271.40        1.01%        $5.69  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,030.40        1.13%        $5.69         $1,000.00        $1,029.80        1.01%        $5.08  
ASIA SMALL COMPANY STRATEGIES                                                                              

Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund

                       

Actual Fund Return

    $1,000.00        $1,144.90        1.50%        $7.98         $1,000.00        $1,146.60        1.25%        $6.65  

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $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        $1,231.40        1.50%        $8.30               

Hypothetical 5% Return

    $1,000.00        $1,032.23        1.50%        $7.56                                             

 

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.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      95  


Table of Contents

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited)

 

        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

       $74,502,727          $18,371,663          $2,718,821,508  

Affiliated issuers

                          

Total investments

       74,502,727          18,371,663          2,718,821,508  

Cash

       489,820          1,339,391          169,991,192  

Segregated foreign currency at value (B)

                          

Foreign currency at value (B)

       271,974          54,893          1,103,915  

Dividends, interest and other receivable—Unaffiliated issuers

       1,239,726          338,515          7,140,748  

Receivable for securities sold

                         470,972  

Receivable for capital shares sold

       41,930          26,449          3,852,588  

Due from Advisor (Note 5)

                          

Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       171,473                    

Unrealized appreciation on credit default swaps

       2,685          671           

Prepaid expenses and other assets

       25,052          39,618          83,647  

TOTAL ASSETS

       76,745,387          20,171,200          2,901,464,570  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

                301,938          15,678,421  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

       8,865          955          2,525,522  

Swaps premium received

       183,599          45,900           

Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts

       47,981                    

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

       59,355                   478,319  

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

       34,841          5,248          1,677,525  

Administration and accounting fees payable

       1,033          266          39,366  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable

       9,064          2,343          345,163  

Custodian fees payable

                         112,040  

Intermediary service fees payable

       18,732          2,644          658,713  

Professional fees payable

       32,397          20,588          49,179  

Transfer agent fees payable

       732          79          14,109  

Offering costs (Note 2-E)

                          

Accrued other expenses payable

       10,365          2,546          219,868  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       406,964          382,507          21,798,225  

NET ASSETS

       $76,338,423          $19,788,693          $2,879,666,345  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $51,819,442          $6,774,908          $1,702,130,763  

Institutional Class

       24,518,981          13,013,785          1,177,535,582  

TOTAL

       $76,338,423          $19,788,693          $2,879,666,345  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

96    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

June 30, 2017

 

Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
    Matthews China
Dividend Fund
    Matthews Asia
Value Fund
    Matthews Asia
Focus Fund
    Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
    Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
 
         
         
  $5,329,489,609       $230,217,423       $18,002,214       $11,442,214       $709,287,813       $7,216,481,202  
  560,651,128                               684,773,719  
  5,890,140,737       230,217,423       18,002,214       11,442,214       709,287,813       7,901,254,921  
  69,617,866       4,263,934       3,233,227       518,502       6,602,925       316,736,114  
  54,565       10,433                         2,615,344  
  6,508,361       1,457,763                   74,771       9,232,930  
  23,493,682       1,232,304       22,007       34,930       1,293,849       14,349,598  
  39,461,586       466,635                          
  11,520,916       633,013       440,800       350       560,210       16,757,696  
              3,427       3,854              
                                 
                                 
  89,253       21,958       24,421       43,425       27,520       100,592  
  6,040,886,966       238,303,463       21,726,096       12,043,275       717,847,088       8,261,047,195  
         
  47,534,223             1,549,142             2,986,611       16,624,258  
  2,406,729       92,474             15,839       1,533,731       7,090,319  
                                 
                                 
  1,808,131                   7,790       898,007        
  3,427,824       135,849                   414,254       4,681,935  
  80,067       3,133       120       164       9,670       110,865  
  681,926       27,956       1,547       1,431       85,273       907,061  
  233,398                         39,125       535,925  
  786,708       37,797       3,214             136,345       936,485  
  60,313       21,769       29,674       32,966       30,467       80,936  
  102,514       2,045       120       445       4,813       42,388  
              50,251                    
  260,722       3,300             6,004       48,926       156,854  
  57,382,555       324,323       1,634,068       64,639       6,187,222       31,167,026  
  $5,983,504,411       $237,979,140       $20,092,028       $11,978,636       $711,659,866       $8,229,880,169  
         
  $3,145,517,994       $199,697,161       $19,662,352       $5,476,460       $464,308,497       $2,899,368,564  
  2,837,986,417       38,281,979       429,676       6,502,176       247,351,369       5,330,511,605  
  $5,983,504,411       $237,979,140       $20,092,028       $11,978,636       $711,659,866       $8,229,880,169  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      97  


Table of Contents

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

 

        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

       4,769,328          647,267          99,792,396  

Institutional Class

       2,257,799          1,243,390          69,116,897  

TOTAL

       7,027,127          1,890,657          168,909,293  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.87          $10.47          $17.06  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.86          $10.47          $17.04  

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $75,589,545          $19,047,859          $2,463,465,134  

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

       492,505          49,756          (29,334,201

Undistributed/accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions and swaps

       (2,162,770        167,895          57,162,391  

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translations, swaps and foreign capital gains taxes

       2,419,143          523,183          388,373,021  

NET ASSETS

       $76,338,423          $19,788,693          $2,879,666,345  

(A) Investments at cost:

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $72,155,512          $17,849,339          $2,329,956,619  

Affiliated issuers

                          

Total investments at cost

       $72,155,512          $17,849,339          $2,329,956,619  

(B) Foreign currency at cost

       $271,414          $54,738          $1,103,915  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

98    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

June 30, 2017

 

Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
    Matthews China
Dividend Fund
    Matthews Asia
Value Fund
    Matthews Asia
Focus Fund
    Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
    Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
 
         
         
  171,917,363       12,250,489       1,623,270       505,940       18,537,039       105,247,410  
  155,144,864       2,348,039       35,850       599,157       9,800,748       193,498,427  
  327,062,227       14,598,528       1,659,120       1,105,097       28,337,787       298,745,837  
         
  $18.30       $16.30       $12.11       $10.82       $25.05       $27.55  
  $18.29       $16.30       $11.99       $10.85       $25.24       $27.55  
         
  $4,614,885,863       $202,234,901       $19,240,640       $11,664,975       $483,950,686       $5,658,782,630  
  (3,742,006     (58,916     5,321       136,719       (2,408,182     27,882,485  
  97,096,515       14,673,932       85,388       (1,089,200     22,817,205       33,535,967  
  1,275,264,039       21,129,223       760,679       1,266,142       207,300,157       2,509,679,087  
  $5,983,504,411       $237,979,140       $20,092,028       $11,978,636       $711,659,866       $8,229,880,169  
         
  $4,274,768,153       $209,111,394       $17,241,503       $10,168,187       $501,081,590       $4,673,444,075  
  338,242,670                               718,176,332  
  $4,613,010,823       $209,111,394       $17,241,503       $10,168,187       $501,081,590       $5,391,620,407  
  $6,548,770       $1,433,699       $—       $—       $74,771       $9,231,094  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      99  


Table of Contents

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

 

        Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
       Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
 

ASSETS:

              

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

              

Unaffiliated issuers

       $13,009,488          $358,581,721          $145,859,973  

Affiliated issuers

                4,697,319           

Total investments

       13,009,488          363,279,040          145,859,973  

Cash

       30,164          17,899,230          4,244,214  

Segregated foreign currency at value (B)

       65                    

Foreign currency at value (B)

       49,087          2,633,119          426,288  

Dividends, interest and other receivable—Unaffiliated issuers

       56,216          836,382          377,512  

Receivable for securities sold

       19,206                    

Receivable for capital shares sold

       28,759          2,040,120          213,577  

Due from Advisor (Note 5)

       9,284                    

Prepaid expenses and other assets

       46,685          59,704          27,394  

TOTAL ASSETS

       13,248,954          386,747,595          151,148,958  

LIABILITIES:

              

Payable for securities purchased

       18,056          5,320,280          1,147,461  

Payable for capital shares redeemed

                270,715          205,089  

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

       46,241          3,983,805          282,004  

Foreign capital gains tax payable (Note 2-D)

       2,707                    

Due to Advisor (Note 5)

                247,848          82,353  

Administration and accounting fees payable

       75          4,735          1,872  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees payable

       1,547          42,973          16,941  

Custodian fees payable

                23,402           

Intermediary service fees payable

       1,223          8,666          33,390  

Professional fees payable

       31,727          33,005          26,719  

Transfer agent fees payable

       136          1,918          2,833  

Offering costs (Note 2-E)

       78,686                    

Accrued other expenses payable

       16,855          3,494          7,826  

TOTAL LIABILITIES

       197,253          9,940,841          1,806,488  

NET ASSETS

       $13,051,701          $376,806,754          $149,342,470  

NET ASSETS:

              

Investor Class

       $7,932,493          $201,021,894          $122,547,154  

Institutional Class

       5,119,208          175,784,860          26,795,316  

TOTAL

       $13,051,701          $376,806,754          $149,342,470  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

100    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

June 30, 2017

 

Matthews China
Fund
    Matthews India
Fund
    Matthews Japan
Fund
    Matthews Korea
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
    Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 
         
         
  $647,252,506       $2,019,596,982       $3,263,660,521       $198,783,141       $379,225,835       $19,122,739  
        120,695,219       123,200,130                    
  647,252,506       2,140,292,201       3,386,860,651       198,783,141       379,225,835       19,122,739  
  3,837,396       32,451,887       48,623,544       2,893,216       19,008,758       1,066,328  
  34,068                               565  
  908,747             1             1,152,005       68,618  
  5,733,849       3,429,249       10,454,314       108,996       799,472       90,629  
              26,491,252             2,075,806        
  1,172,092       3,385,114       20,205,887       415,409       3,247,821       109,800  
                                 
  43,041       60,801       70,645       31,332       49,588       31,359  
  658,981,699       2,179,619,252       3,492,706,294       202,232,094       405,559,285       20,490,038  
         
  198,506             15,463,951             4,241,409       465,195  
  3,455,258       1,118,836       4,276,858       301,170       518,882       3,500  
        6,102,890                   279,263        
                                 
  372,674       1,254,422       2,032,493       116,297       318,364       1,933  
  8,571       29,214       47,235       2,696       5,422       256  
  76,600       258,435       415,346       23,940       47,057       2,261  
        115,809       37,363             25,559        
  156,120       261,195       438,724       19,060       119,591       3,476  
  31,889       28,944       35,855       27,368       34,203       31,461  
  14,325       15,006       23,145       4,160       3,695       718  
                                 
  293,260       82,983       16,200       12,999       52,021       11,529  
  4,607,203       9,267,734       22,787,170       507,690       5,645,466       520,329  
  $654,374,496       $2,170,351,518       $3,469,919,124       $201,724,404       $399,913,819       $19,969,709  
         
  $617,321,924       $1,300,230,311       $1,954,900,507       $182,165,058       $204,540,323       $19,969,709  
  37,052,572       870,121,207       1,515,018,617       19,559,346       195,373,496        
  $654,374,496       $2,170,351,518       $3,469,919,124       $201,724,404       $399,913,819       $19,969,709  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      101  


Table of Contents

Statements of Assets and Liabilities (unaudited) (continued)

 

        Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
       Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
 

SHARES OUTSTANDING:

              

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

              

Investor Class

       742,392          13,713,253          9,325,738  

Institutional Class

       481,295          11,948,929          2,028,597  

TOTAL

       1,223,687          25,662,182          11,354,335  

NET ASSET VALUE:

              

Investor Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.69          $14.66          $13.14  

Institutional Class, offering price and redemption price

       $10.64          $14.71          $13.21  

NET ASSETS CONSIST OF:

              

Capital paid-in

       $11,314,591          $320,957,310          $94,762,847  

Undistributed (distributions in excess of) net investment income (loss)

       27,389          857,440          50,898  

Undistributed/accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, and foreign currency related transactions

       164,990          3,225,846          12,146,184  

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency translations and foreign capital gains taxes

       1,544,731          51,766,158          42,382,541  

NET ASSETS

       $13,051,701          $376,806,754          $149,342,470  

(A) Investments at cost:

 

Unaffiliated issuers

       $11,417,943          $303,602,375          $103,194,315  

Affiliated issuers

                3,933,041           

Total investments at cost

       $11,417,943          $307,535,416          $103,194,315  

(B) Foreign currency at cost

       $49,782          $2,633,749          $426,297  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

102    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

June 30, 2017

 

Matthews China
Fund
    Matthews India
Fund
    Matthews Japan
Fund
    Matthews Korea
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
    Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 
         
         
  30,682,748       41,481,759       90,607,416       27,367,345       9,377,032       1,974,761  
  1,843,009       27,606,003       70,072,243       2,921,023       8,954,256        
  32,525,757       69,087,762       160,679,659       30,288,368       18,331,288       1,974,761  
         
  $20.12       $31.34       $21.58       $6.66       $21.81       $10.11  
  $20.10       $31.52       $21.62       $6.70       $21.82       $—  
         
  $502,756,957       $1,605,455,999       $2,895,399,282       $114,208,115       $333,621,784       $16,245,039  
  4,112,989       (1,137,375     2,094,199       (1,785,076     1,279,658       288,530  
  28,297,449       31,808,098       92,331,580       13,331,913       20,051,520       539,827  
  119,207,101       534,224,796       480,094,063       75,969,452       44,960,857       2,896,313  
  $654,374,496       $2,170,351,518       $3,469,919,124       $201,724,404       $399,913,819       $19,969,709  
         
  $528,039,466       $1,524,131,349       $2,798,032,124       $122,813,433       $333,972,463       $16,227,379  
        75,713,123       108,628,819                    
  $528,039,466       $1,599,844,472       $2,906,660,943       $122,813,433       $333,972,463       $16,227,379  
  $908,719       $—       $1       $—       $1,151,352       $67,589  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      103  


Table of Contents

Statements of Operations (unaudited)

 

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

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $3,282          $3,159          $38,480,744  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

                          

Interest

       2,265,441          487,470          2,557,496  

Foreign withholding tax

       (64,950                 (2,456,932

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       2,203,773          490,629          38,581,308  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       234,406          58,256          9,108,024  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       2,885          717          109,838  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       50,545          12,555          1,924,192  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       9,325          3,113          21,250  

Custodian fees

       16,245          2,470          461,237  

Printing fees

       10,487          1,832          156,942  

Intermediary service fees

       69,292          11,393          2,350,168  

Professional fees

       32,045          26,614          58,705  

Registration fees

       13,361          959          24,630  

Transfer agent fees

       1,706          245          30,803  

Trustees fees

       1,930          457          76,856  

Offering costs (Note 2-E)

                33,230           

Other expenses

       7,443          5,411          34,942  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       449,670          157,252          14,357,587  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (59,105        (65,407         

Administration fees waived (Note 5)

                          

NET EXPENSES

       390,565          91,845          14,357,587  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       1,813,208          398,784          24,223,721  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS, SWAPS AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       860,904          142,133          13,252,430  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Affiliated Issuers

                          

Net realized gain (loss) on swaps

       (41,090        (10,272         

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

                          

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (779,046        150          681,377  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       2,170,837          385,769          335,926,104  

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (42,725                 (478,319

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps

       33,592          8,398           

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       (46,079        187          (22,675

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions, swaps and foreign capital gains taxes

       2,156,393          526,365          349,358,917  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $3,969,601          $925,149          $373,582,638  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

104    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

 

Matthews Asia
Dividend Fund
    Matthews China
Dividend Fund
   

Matthews Asia

Value Fund

    Matthews Asia
Focus Fund
    Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
    Matthews Pacific
Tiger Fund
 
         
  $80,506,393       $4,286,001       $53,699       $159,726       $6,338,413       $65,772,956  
  11,860,182                               3,514,861  
              73                    
  (5,650,236     (215,705     (4,774     (8,693     (612,406     (5,529,611
  86,716,339       4,070,296       48,998       151,033       5,726,007       63,758,206  
         
  17,727,659       700,442       16,942       37,085       2,209,260       24,986,569  
  213,797       8,447       204       447       26,643       301,336  
  3,742,948       147,900       3,548       7,833       466,686       5,276,650  
  23,905       17,491       16,753       14,606       19,547       23,194  
  704,686       72,089       15,500       12,702       182,129       1,613,200  
  179,388       13,715       1,671       2,199       33,828       162,126  
  3,301,980       205,030       6,155       8,682       520,848       3,900,184  
  83,808       24,628       23,921       25,393       34,857       111,150  
  28,570       19,927       4,090       9,369       29,572       33,270  
  234,875       4,632       351       1,003       10,803       88,978  
  130,191       4,775       64       341       18,233       190,408  
                                 
  59,513       8,429       6,830       7,414       14,379       67,521  
  26,431,320       1,227,505       96,029       127,074       3,566,785       36,754,586  
  (122,046           (57,927     (50,794           (328,970
  (122,046                             (328,970
  26,187,228       1,227,505       38,102       76,280       3,566,785       36,096,646  
  60,529,111       2,842,791       10,896       74,753       2,159,222       27,661,560  
         
  99,642,164       12,601,814       94,191       (152,885     19,092,731       36,651,890  
  10,522,110                               (6,161,828
                                 
  (189,342                              
  635,964       (9,877     (4,680     2,168       34,311       523,848  
  739,986,653       17,681,703       670,807       2,138,011       94,456,600       1,288,344,591  
  (1,808,131                 (7,790     (364,742      
                                 
  12,934       18,326       (90     164       (5,083     247,638  
  848,802,352       30,291,966       760,228       1,979,668       113,213,817       1,319,606,139  
  $909,331,463       $33,134,757       $771,124       $2,054,421       $115,373,039       $1,347,267,699  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      105  


Table of Contents

Statements of Operations (unaudited) (continued)

 

        Matthews Asia
ESG Fund
       Matthews Emerging
Asia Fund
       Matthews Asia
Innovators Fund
 

INVESTMENT INCOME:

              

Dividends—Unaffiliated Issuers

       $141,055          $3,335,857          $1,040,947  

Dividends—Affiliated Issuers (Note 7)

                64,787           

Interest

                          

Foreign withholding tax

       (13,616        (343,466        (137,868

TOTAL INVESTMENT INCOME

       127,439          3,057,178          903,079  

EXPENSES:

              

Investment advisory fees (Note 5)

       37,651          1,512,414          396,093  

Administration and accounting fees (Note 5)

       454          12,099          4,777  

Administration and shareholder servicing fees (Note 5)

       7,942          211,674          83,580  

Accounting out-of-pocket fees

       20,257          22,498          16,822  

Custodian fees

       26,010          326,642          52,518  

Printing fees

       787          7,156          10,328  

Intermediary service fees

       9,706          190,315          106,774  

Professional fees

       25,442          32,687          27,889  

Registration fees

       8,141          15,331          12,360  

Transfer agent fees

       285          4,805          6,334  

Trustees fees

       234          5,090          3,858  

Other expenses

       7,231          11,753          8,651  

TOTAL EXPENSES

       144,140          2,352,464          729,984  

Advisory fees waived and expenses waived or reimbursed (Note 5)

       (64,567        (304,462         

Administration fees waived (Note 5)

                          

NET EXPENSES

       79,573          2,048,002          729,984  

NET INVESTMENT INCOME (LOSS)

       47,866          1,009,176          173,095  
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND FOREIGN CAPITAL GAINS TAXES:               

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Unaffiliated Issuers

       228,626          3,708,993          3,221,780  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments—Affiliated Issuers

                          

Net realized foreign capital gains tax

       (2,910        (202,710         

Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions

       (1,353        (215,075        (9,821

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments

       1,655,253          28,314,104          27,605,874  

Net change in deferred foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (26,127        (1,040,444        (264,202

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations

       1,163          5,616          (220

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

       1,854,652          30,570,484          30,553,411  

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS FROM OPERATIONS

       $1,902,518          $31,579,660          $30,726,506  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

106    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

 

Matthews
China Fund
    Matthews
India Fund
    Matthews
Japan Fund
    Matthews
Korea Fund
    Matthews Asia
Small Companies
Fund
    Matthews China
Small Companies
Fund
 
         
  $8,040,696       $7,828,551       $27,000,507       $1,139,477       $2,839,259       $256,901  
              1,284,694                    
                          368        
  (631,229           (2,816,185     (187,146     (179,506     (4,302
  7,409,467       7,828,551       25,469,016       952,331       2,660,121       252,599  
         
  1,933,767       6,291,665       10,724,823       600,824       2,041,610       88,282  
  23,321       75,882       129,338       7,246       16,333       706  
  408,376       1,327,622       2,265,279       126,859       286,475       12,372  
  15,155       19,051       22,767       19,833       23,675       19,605  
  97,068       391,167       195,863       36,563       163,983       27,052  
  74,401       75,501       75,002       9,021       27,616       2,688  
  615,944       1,220,549       1,152,508       157,691       342,258       22,071  
  29,783       54,597       56,419       24,520       37,084       25,118  
  12,568       27,916       34,896       10,852       20,465       5,830  
  31,540       33,694       52,434       9,322       7,688       1,580  
  16,203       43,009       82,336       4,780       14,913       546  
  21,474       20,835       30,872       8,128       13,157       6,445  
  3,279,600       9,581,488       14,822,537       1,015,639       2,995,257       212,295  
              (11,276           (170,971     (79,810
              (11,276                  
  3,279,600       9,581,488       14,799,985       1,015,639       2,824,286       132,485  
  4,129,867       (1,752,937     10,669,031       (63,308     (164,165     120,114  
         
  39,948,883       18,597,821       28,791,499       4,303,710       22,008,592       417,727  
        202,048       2,189,720                    
                          (372      
  46,499       (337,931     133,814       106,519       66,997       (237
  106,253,234       348,231,118       394,278,016       37,438,448       34,356,316       3,131,714  
        (6,102,890                 (279,263      
  28,256       6,924       (120,676     (3,796     1,376       926  
  146,276,872       360,597,090       425,272,373       41,844,881       56,153,646       3,550,130  
  $150,406,739       $358,844,153       $435,941,404       $41,781,573       $55,989,481       $3,670,244  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      107  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $1,813,208        $3,216,131  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       40,768        (1,417,663

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       2,124,758        3,618,263  

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (42,725      (15,665

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps

       33,592        (30,907

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       3,969,601        5,370,159  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

       (725,965      (2,093,040

Institutional Class

       (316,334      (510,269

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (1,042,299      (2,603,309

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       4,604,258        3,909,410  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       7,531,560        6,676,260  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       68,806,863        62,130,603  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $492,505 and ($278,404), respectively)

       $76,338,423        $68,806,863  
MATTHEWS ASIA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 20161
 

OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

       $398,784        $424,556  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       132,011        67,487  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       385,956        136,556  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps

       8,398        (7,727

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       925,149        620,872  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Net investment income:

 

Investor Class

       (167,884      (323,728

Institutional Class

       (187,537      (168,476

Realized gains on investments:

 

Investor Class

              (16,637

Institutional Class

              (8,450

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (355,421      (517,291

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       2,894,995        16,220,389  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       3,464,723        16,323,970  

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of period

       16,323,970         

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $49,756 and $6,393, respectively)

       $19,788,693        $16,323,970  

1   Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund commenced operations on April 29, 2016.

    

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

108    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
MATTHEWS ASIAN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND    Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment income (loss)

     $24,223,721        $57,141,212  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     13,933,807        148,265,239  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

     335,903,429        (163,358,332

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

     (478,319       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     373,582,638        42,048,119  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

     

Net investment income:

     

Investor Class

     (10,274,392      (54,001,197

Institutional Class

     (8,012,571      (28,340,600

Realized gains on investments:

     

Investor Class

            (96,373,726

Institutional Class

            (49,003,449

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

     (18,286,963      (227,718,972

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

     30,129,231        (189,142,084

REDEMPTION FEES

     7         

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     385,424,913        (374,812,937

NET ASSETS:

     

Beginning of period

     2,494,241,432        2,869,054,369  

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($29,334,201) and ($35,270,959), respectively)

     $2,879,666,345        $2,494,241,432  
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND    Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 20161
 

OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

     $60,529,111        $87,117,020  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     110,610,896        55,403,187  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

     739,999,587        36,474,493  

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

     (1,808,131       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

     909,331,463        178,994,700  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Net investment income:

 

Investor Class

     (28,768,499      (49,010,082

Institutional Class

     (27,454,551      (39,312,230

Realized gains on investments:

 

Investor Class

            (17,325,153

Institutional Class

            (13,260,152

Return of Capital:

 

Investor Class

            (15,297,114

Institutional Class

            (11,747,472

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

     (56,223,050      (145,952,203

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

     445,509,039        (151,779,230

REDEMPTION FEES

            9  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

     1,298,617,452        (118,736,724

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of period

     4,684,886,959        4,803,623,683  

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($3,742,006) and ($8,048,067), respectively)

     $5,983,504,411        $4,684,886,959  

 

1 Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets. See Note 2-C.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      109  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS CHINA DIVIDEND FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $2,842,791        $3,827,576  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       12,591,937        4,186,024  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       17,700,029        (1,681,925

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       33,134,757        6,331,675  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

       (2,397,156      (3,001,665

Institutional Class

       (483,473      (469,585

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (2,247,824

Institutional Class

              (382,120

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

       (2,880,629      (6,101,194

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       19,567,853        7,006,687  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       49,821,981        7,237,168  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       188,157,159        180,919,991  

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($58,916) and ($21,078), respectively)

       $237,979,140        $188,157,159  
MATTHEWS ASIA VALUE FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $10,896        $18,087  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       89,511        25,479  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       670,717        106,708  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       771,124        150,274  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (129,547

Institutional Class

              (10,399

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (8,096

Institutional Class

              (542

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (148,584

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       16,617,344        969,275  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       17,388,468        970,965  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       2,703,560        1,732,595  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $5,321 and ($5,575), respectively)

       $20,092,028        $2,703,560  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

110    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
MATTHEWS ASIA FOCUS FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $74,753        $140,261  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       (150,717      (230,413

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       2,138,175        597,323  

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (7,790       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       2,054,421        507,171  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (70,761

Institutional Class

              (87,218

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (157,979

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (184,886      (1,414,939

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       1,869,535        (1,065,747

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       10,109,101        11,174,848  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $136,719 and $61,966, respectively)

       $11,978,636        $10,109,101  
MATTHEWS ASIA GROWTH FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $2,159,222        $2,400,166  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       19,127,042        23,160,593  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       94,451,517        (21,403,951

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (364,742      (391,511

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       115,373,039        3,765,297  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (4,658,025

Institutional Class

              (2,552,696

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (7,210,721

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (19,178,258      (157,945,254

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       96,194,781        (161,390,678

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       615,465,085        776,855,763  

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($2,408,182) and ($4,567,404), respectively)

       $711,659,866        $615,465,085  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      111  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $27,661,560        $39,910,764  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       31,013,910        131,856,477  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       1,288,592,229        (195,810,377

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       1,347,267,699        (24,043,136

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (13,577,737

Institutional Class

              (31,600,912

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (50,432,820

Institutional Class

              (86,777,397

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (182,388,866

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       229,921,546        173,707,489  

REDEMPTION FEES

       53        30  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       1,577,189,298        (32,724,483

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       6,652,690,871        6,685,415,354  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $27,882,485 and $220,925, respectively)

       $8,229,880,169        $6,652,690,871  
MATTHEWS ASIA ESG FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $47,866        $66,399  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       224,363        (10,559

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       1,656,416        53,654  

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (26,127      (10,279

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       1,902,518        99,215  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (85,420

Institutional Class

              (54,320

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (139,740

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       2,391,756        3,863,601  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       4,294,274        3,823,076  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       8,757,427        4,934,351  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $27,389 and ($20,477), respectively)

       $13,051,701        $8,757,427  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

112    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $1,009,176        $2,490,968  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       3,291,208        2,695,061  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       28,319,720        21,190,343  

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (1,040,444      (1,282,859

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       31,579,660        25,093,513  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (1,321,879

Institutional Class

              (1,048,573

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (1,325,678

Institutional Class

              (887,884

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (4,584,014

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       104,279,690        50,373,123  

REDEMPTION FEES

       59,421        136,866  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       135,918,771        71,019,488  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       240,887,983        169,868,495  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $857,440 and ($151,736), respectively)

       $376,806,754        $240,887,983  
MATTHEWS ASIA INNOVATORS FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 20161
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $173,095        ($190,585

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       3,211,959        8,883,438  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       27,605,654        (23,846,357

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (264,202      (17,802

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       30,726,506        (15,171,306

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (8,895,423

Institutional Class

              (1,728,457

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (10,623,880

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       18,145,010        (40,266,401

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       48,871,516        (66,061,587

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       100,470,954        166,532,541  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of $50,898 and ($122,197), respectively)

       $149,342,470        $100,470,954  

 

1 The Fund’s name changed from Matthews Asia Science and Technology Fund to Matthews Asia Innovators Fund on April 29, 2016.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      113  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS CHINA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 20161
 

OPERATIONS:

 

Net investment income (loss)

       $4,129,867        $7,458,536  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       39,995,382        13,454,903  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       106,281,490        (61,459,566

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on Unrealized appreciation

              (17,605

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       150,406,739        (40,546,127

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

 

Net investment income:

 

Investor Class

              (7,918,085

Institutional Class

              (287,088

Realized gains on investments:

 

Investor Class

              (38,601,123

Institutional Class

              (1,268,492

Return of Capital:

 

Investor Class

              (17,371,599

Institutional Class

              (571,054

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (66,017,441

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (7,806,348      (115,705,461

REDEMPTION FEES

              51  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       142,600,391        (222,268,978

NET ASSETS:

 

Beginning of period

       511,774,105        734,043,083  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $4,112,989 and ($16,878), respectively)

       $654,374,496        $511,774,105  

1   Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets. See Note 2-C.

       
MATTHEWS INDIA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       ($1,752,937      $1,007,080  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       18,461,938        28,818,985  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       348,238,042        (50,411,276

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (6,102,890      1,942,487  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       358,844,153        (18,642,724

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (17,649,381

Institutional Class

              (9,260,856

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (26,910,237

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       293,296,738        57,936,594  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       652,140,891        12,383,633  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       1,518,210,627        1,505,826,994  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income (loss) of ($1,137,375) and $615,562, respectively)

       $2,170,351,518        $1,518,210,627  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

114    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $10,669,031        $13,934,587  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       31,115,033        140,692,829  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       394,157,340        (83,399,840

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       435,941,404        71,227,576  

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (14,892,806

Institutional Class

              (12,780,128

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (4,615,399

Institutional Class

              (3,490,954

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (35,779,287

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       45,789,099        1,003,413,662  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       481,730,503        1,038,861,951  

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       2,988,188,621        1,949,326,670  

End of period (including undistributed/(distributions in excess of) net investment income of $2,094,199 and ($8,574,832), respectively)

       $3,469,919,124        $2,988,188,621  
MATTHEWS KOREA FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       ($63,308      $434,470  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       4,410,229        16,478,510  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       37,434,652        (27,906,464

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       41,781,573        (10,993,484

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (2,065,275

Institutional Class

              (116,928

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (10,912,600

Institutional Class

              (554,186

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (13,648,989

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       9,755,040        (32,836,778

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       51,536,613        (57,479,251

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       150,187,791        207,667,042  

End of period (including distributions in excess of net investment income of ($1,785,076) and ($1,721,768), respectively)

       $201,724,404        $150,187,791  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      115  


Table of Contents

Statements of Changes in Net Assets (continued)

 

 

MATTHEWS ASIA SMALL COMPANIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       ($164,165      $2,775,600  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       22,075,217        11,047,982  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       34,357,692        (19,272,943

Net change on foreign capital gains taxes on unrealized appreciation

       (279,263      56,811  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       55,989,481        (5,392,550

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (1,145,221

Institutional Class

              (1,307,167

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (2,452,388

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       (85,275,226      (173,006,090

REDEMPTION FEES

       12,254        123,630  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       (29,273,491      (180,727,398

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       429,187,310        609,914,708  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $1,279,658 and $1,443,823, respectively)

       $399,913,819        $429,187,310  
MATTHEWS CHINA SMALL COMPANIES FUND      Six-Month Period
Ended June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
December 31, 2016
 

OPERATIONS:

       

Net investment income (loss)

       $120,114        $224,432  

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency related transactions

       417,490        168,743  

Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related translations

       3,132,640        (882,977

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations

       3,670,244        (489,802

DISTRIBUTIONS TO SHAREHOLDERS FROM:

       

Net investment income:

       

Investor Class

              (57,353

Realized gains on investments:

       

Investor Class

              (747,907

Net decrease in net assets resulting from distributions

              (805,260

CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS (net) (Note 4)

       197,482        (4,154,641

REDEMPTION FEES

       760        4,924  

Total increase (decrease) in net assets

       3,868,486        (5,444,779

NET ASSETS:

       

Beginning of period

       16,101,223        21,546,002  

End of period (including undistributed net investment income of $288,530 and $168,416, respectively)

       $19,969,709        $16,101,223  

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

116    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.43      $9.96      $10.31      $10.42      $10.84      $9.93

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.26        0.50        0.47        0.46        0.40        0.37  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, financial futures contracts and foreign currency related transactions, swaps and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.33        0.38        (0.53      (0.19      (0.48 )      0.95

Total from investment operations

     0.59      0.88      (0.06 )      0.27      (0.08 )      1.32

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.15      (0.41      (0.29      (0.38      (0.35      (0.42

Net realized gains on investments

                                 (0.01       

Total distributions

     (0.15 )      (0.41 )      (0.29 )      (0.38 )      (0.36 )      (0.42 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       0.02         0.01   

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.87      $10.43      $9.96      $10.31      $10.42      $10.84

TOTAL RETURN

     5.68% 3       8.85%        (0.58%      2.54%        (0.50%      13.62%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $51,819      $55,409      $51,130      $58,594      $38,051      $29,479

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.30% 4       1.33%         1.28%         1.27%         1.28%         1.85%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.15% 4       1.15%         1.12%         1.13%         1.20%         1.17%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.96% 4       4.85%         4.57%         4.36%         3.75%         3.58%   

Portfolio turnover5

     26.36% 3       71.50%        50.09%        34.28%        48.71%        18.45%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS     

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.42      $9.96      $10.30      $10.42      $10.83      $9.93

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.28        0.53        0.49        0.48        0.42        0.39  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, financial futures contracts, and foreign currency related transactions, swaps and foreign capital gains taxes

     0.32        0.36        (0.52      (0.20      (0.46 )      0.94

Total from investment operations

     0.60      0.89      (0.03 )      0.28      (0.04 )      1.33

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.16      (0.43      (0.31      (0.40      (0.38      (0.44

Net realized gains on investments

                                 (0.01       

Total distributions

     (0.16 )      (0.43 )      (0.31 )      (0.40 )      (0.39 )      (0.44 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       0.02         0.01   

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.86      $10.42      $9.96      $10.30      $10.42      $10.83

TOTAL RETURN

     5.80% 3       9.02%        (0.27%      2.64%        (0.20%      13.74%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $24,519      $13,398      $11,001      $7,840      $7,662      $6,205

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.09% 4       1.12%         1.09%         1.07%         1.09%         1.70%   

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%         0.93%         1.00%         1.00%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     5.22% 4       5.13%         4.81%         4.55%         3.99%         3.70%   

Portfolio turnover5

     26.36% 3       71.50%        50.09%        34.28%        48.71%        18.45%  

 

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      117  


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout the period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS    Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Period Ended
December 31, 20161
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.13        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.22        0.29  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, swaps, and foreign currency related transactions

     0.32        0.18  

Total from investment operations

     0.54        0.47  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

     

Net investment income

     (0.20      (0.32

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.02

Total distributions

     (0.20      (0.34

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.47        $10.13  

TOTAL RETURN

     5.34% 3       4.66% 3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

     

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $6,775        $10,119  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.88% 4       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% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.26% 4       4.12% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     16.08% 3       18.80% 3 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS    Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Period Ended
December 31, 20161
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.13        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

     

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.24        0.30  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, swaps, and foreign currency related transactions

     0.31        0.18  

Total from investment operations

     0.31        0.48  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

     

Net investment income

     (0.21      (0.33

Net realized gains on investments

              (0.02

Total distributions

     (0.21      (0.35

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.47        $10.13  

TOTAL RETURN

     5.44% 3       4.82% 3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

     

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $13,014        $6,205  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.63% 4       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% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     4.64% 4       4.28% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     16.08% 3       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.

 

118    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

 

 

   Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30,  2017
(unaudited)
    Year Ended Dec. 31  
INVESTOR CLASS      2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.94       $16.03       $18.01       $18.91       $18.61       $15.07  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.14       0.32       0.39       0.39       0.41       0.43  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     2.08       (0.06     (1.19     (0.50     0.47       3.58  

Total from investment operations

     2.22       0.26       (0.80     (0.11     0.88       4.01  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

            

Net investment income

     (0.10     (0.48     (0.42     (0.35     (0.46     (0.47

Net realized gains on investments

           (0.87     (0.76     (0.44     (0.12      

Total distributions

     (0.10     (1.35     (1.18     (0.79     (0.58     (0.47

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                 2      2      2      2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.06       $14.94       $16.03       $18.01       $18.91       $18.61  

TOTAL RETURN

     14.87% 3      1.34%       (4.50%     (0.65%     4.83%       26.90%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

            

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,702,131       $1,684,987       $2,045,435       $3,052,565       $3,278,586       $3,214,984  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.11% 4      1.09%       1.09%       1.08%       1.08%       1.11%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.11% 4      1.09%       1.09%       1.08%       1.08%       1.11%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.68% 4      1.90%       2.17%       2.03%       2.14%       2.52%  

Portfolio turnover5

     7.91% 3      15.64%       16.48%       16.79%       15.27%       17.43%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
     2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.92       $16.02       $18.00       $18.90       $18.60       $15.06  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

            

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.16       0.34       0.42       0.42       0.44       0.45  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     2.08       (0.07     (1.19     (0.50     0.48       3.58  

Total from investment operations

     2.24       0.27       (0.77     (0.08     0.92       4.03  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

            

Net investment income

     (0.12     (0.50     (0.45     (0.38     (0.50     (0.49

Net realized gains on investments

           (0.87     (0.76     (0.44     (0.12      

Total distributions

     (0.12     (1.37     (1.21     (0.82     (0.62     (0.49

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                 2      2      2       

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $17.04       $14.92       $16.02       $18.00       $18.90       $18.60  

TOTAL RETURN

     14.99% 3      1.44%       (4.33%     (0.48%     5.04%       27.09%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

            

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,177,535       $809,254       $823,619       $1,182,690       $1,120,218       $856,876  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     0.94% 4      0.94%       0.92%       0.92%       0.93%       0.97%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     0.94% 4      0.94%       0.92%       0.92%       0.93%       0.97%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.92% 4      2.06%       2.34%       2.19%       2.30%       2.69%  

Portfolio turnover5

     7.91% 3      15.64%       16.48%       16.79%       15.27%       17.43%  

 

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.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      119  


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 
 
 

 

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
    20161     20151     20141     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $15.52     $15.36     $15.26     $15.60     $14.58     $12.48

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

    0.19       0.28       0.29       0.30       0.32       0.36  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    2.76       0.37       0.31       (0.34     1.30       2.30  

Total from investment operations

    2.95     0.65     0.60     (0.04 )     1.62     2.66

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.17     (0.29     (0.27     (0.23     (0.60     (0.56

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.11     (0.23                  

Return of capital

          (0.09           (0.07            

Total distributions

    (0.17 )     (0.49 )     (0.50 )     (0.30 )     (0.60 )     (0.56 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                3      3      3      3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $18.30     $15.52     $15.36     $15.26     $15.60     $14.58

TOTAL RETURN

    19.02% 4      4.13%       3.86%       (0.32%     11.27%       21.63%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $3,145,518     $2,650,611     $2,757,910     $2,918,228     $3,669,690     $2,780,043

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.05% 5      1.06%        1.06%        1.06%        1.06%        1.09%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.04% 5      1.06%        1.05%        1.05%        1.06%        1.09%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    2.18% 5      1.79%        1.82%        1.89%        2.04%        2.65%   

Portfolio turnover6

    14.24% 4      39.76%       35.98%       20.06%       14.06%       9.17%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

   


Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 
 
 

 

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
    20161     20151     20141     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $15.52     $15.35     $15.26     $15.59     $14.57     $12.48

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)2

    0.20       0.30       0.32       0.32       0.34       0.37  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

    2.75       0.38       0.29       (0.33     1.30       2.29  

Total from investment operations

    2.95     0.68     0.61     (0.01 )     1.64     2.66

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

    (0.18     (0.31     (0.29     (0.25     (0.62     (0.57

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.11     (0.23                  

Return of capital

          (0.09           (0.07            

Total distributions

    (0.18 )     (0.51 )     (0.52 )     (0.32 )     (0.62 )     (0.57 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                3      3      3      3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $18.29     $15.52     $15.35     $15.26     $15.59     $14.57

TOTAL RETURN

    19.03% 4      4.33%       3.93%       (0.18%     11.43%       21.70%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $2,837,986     $2,034,276     $2,045,713     $2,107,371     $2,124,214     $922,561

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.92% 5      0.94%        0.93%        0.93%        0.93%        0.97%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.91% 5      0.93%        0.92%        0.93%        0.93%        0.97%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    2.37% 5      1.91%        1.98%        2.02%        2.17%        2.72%   

Portfolio turnover6

    14.24% 4      39.76%       35.98%       20.06%       14.06%       9.17%  

 

1 Consolidated Financial Highlights. See Notes 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.

 

120    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.09      $13.79      $13.37      $13.74      $12.35      $10.06

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.20        0.31        0.29        0.25        0.25        0.25  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.21        0.47        1.01        (0.12 )      1.35        2.49  

Total from investment operations

     2.41      0.78      1.30      0.13      1.60      2.74

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.20      (0.28      (0.28      (0.36      (0.23      (0.46

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.20      (0.60      (0.14              

Total distributions

     (0.20 )      (0.48 )      (0.88 )      (0.50 )      (0.23 )      (0.46 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       0.02         0.01

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $16.30      $14.09      $13.79      $13.37      $13.74      $12.35

TOTAL RETURN

     17.11% 3       5.70%        9.54%        0.93%        13.35%        27.81%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $199,697      $160,400      $165,514      $116,954         $125,965         $59,535

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.19% 4       1.22%         1.19%         1.19%         1.24%         1.47%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.19% 4       1.22%         1.19%         1.19%         1.34%         1.50%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     2.65% 4       2.28%         1.97%         1.88%         1.94%         2.24%   

Portfolio turnover5

     45.29% 3       72.96%        79.91%        25.43%        20.52%        21.40%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS     

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $14.09      $13.79      $13.37      $13.74      $12.34      $10.06

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.22        0.29        0.28        0.28        0.33        0.22  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.20        0.51        1.04        (0.13      1.32        2.53  

Total from investment operations

     2.42      0.80      1.32      0.15      1.65      2.75

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

     (0.21      (0.30      (0.30      (0.38      (0.26      (0.48

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.20      (0.60      (0.14              

Total distributions

     (0.21 )      (0.50 )      (0.90 )      (0.52 )      (0.26 )      (0.48 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       0.01         0.01   

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $16.30      $14.09      $13.79      $13.37      $13.74      $12.34

TOTAL RETURN

     17.19% 3       5.90%        9.71%        1.11%        13.72%        27.90%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $38,282      $27,758         $15,406         $30,662         $24,790         $201   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.04% 4       1.06%         1.00%         1.01%         1.08%         1.29%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.04% 4       1.06%         1.00%         1.01%         1.08%         1.29%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     2.92% 4       2.09%         1.89%         2.06%         2.54%         1.87%   

Portfolio turnover5

     45.29% 3       72.96%        79.91%        25.43%        20.52%        21.40%  

 

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      121  


Table of Contents

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, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
     Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.96      $9.85      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.02        $0.09        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.13        $0.65        (0.16

Total from investment operations

     2.15      0.74      (0.14 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

        

Net investment income

            ($0.59      (0.01

Net realized gains on investments

            ($0.04       

Total distributions

            ($0.63 )      (0.01 )

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $12.11      $9.96      $9.85

TOTAL RETURN

     21.59% 3       7.43%      (1.35% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

        

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $19,662        $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)

     3.77% 4       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% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.42% 4       0.84%      2.70% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     10.52% 3       19.60%        10.80% 3 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS    Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
     Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $9.85      $9.83      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.03        0.10        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.11        0.67        (0.15

Total from investment operations

     2.14      0.77      (0.13 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

        

Net investment income

            (0.71      (0.04

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.04 )       

Total distributions

            (0.75 )      (0.04 )

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $11.99      $9.85      $9.83

TOTAL RETURN

     21.73% 3       7.72%      (1.30% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

        

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $430        $155      $143  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     3.52% 4       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% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.59% 4       1.01%      2.41% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     10.52% 3       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 share issues.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

122    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews Asia Focus 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, 2017

(unaudited)

 
 
 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31       

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20131

 

 

      2016      2015      2014     

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $8.98      $8.69      $10.01      $9.66      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.06        0.10        0.11        0.09        0.04  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, and foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     1.78        0.32        (1.31      0.33        (0.30

Total from investment operations

     1.84      0.42      (1.20 )      0.42      (0.26 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.13      (0.07      (0.07      (0.08

Net realized gains on investments

                   (0.05              

Total distributions

            (0.13 )      (0.12 )      (0.07 )      (0.08 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.82      $8.98      $8.69      $10.01      $9.66   

TOTAL RETURN

     20.49% 4       4.82%        (12.07%      4.38%        (2.63% )4 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $5,477         $4,713         $5,474         $7,839         $6,258   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     2.37% 5       2.47%         2.07%         2.16%         3.50% 5 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 5       1.50%         1.50%         1.57%         1.71% 5 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.20% 5       1.14%         1.08%         0.87%         0.64% 5 

Portfolio turnover6

     8.64% 4       21.10%        23.60%        24.12%        16.23% 4 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS     


Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 
 
 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31       

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20131

 

 

      2016      2015      2014     

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $8.99      $8.69      $10.04      $9.66      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.07        0.13        0.13        0.10        0.05  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, and foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     1.79        0.31        (1.33      0.36        (0.30

Total from investment operations

     1.86      0.44      (1.20 )      0.46      (0.25 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.14      (0.10      (0.08      (0.09

Net realized gains on investments

                   (0.05              

Total distributions

            (0.14 )      (0.15 )      (0.08 )      (0.09 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.85      $8.99      $8.69      $10.04         $9.66   

TOTAL RETURN

     20.69% 4       5.05%        (11.96%      4.77%        (2.48% )4 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $6,502         $5,397         $5,700         $7,148         $2,118   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     2.19% 5       2.29%         1.91%         1.94%         3.32% 5 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement,
waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 5       1.25%         1.25%         1.31%         1.50% 5 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.46% 5       1.37%         1.30%         0.96%         0.79% 5 

Portfolio turnover6

     8.64% 4       21.10%        23.60%        24.12%        16.23% 4 

 

1 Commenced operations on April 30, 2013.
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  


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $21.05      $21.09      $21.10      $21.17      $18.02      $15.34

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.07        0.06        0.11        0.12        0.11        0.15  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactoins and foreign capital gains taxes

     3.93        0.13        (0.12      0.19        3.37        2.53  

Total from investment operations

     4.00      0.19      (0.01 )      0.31      3.48      2.68

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.23             (0.38      (0.33       

Total distributions

            (0.23 )             (0.38 )      (0.33 )       

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $25.05      $21.05      $21.09      $21.10      $21.17      $18.02

TOTAL RETURN

     19.00% 3       0.92%        (0.05%      1.49%        19.35%        17.47%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $464,309        $419,516        $526,969        $561,922         $558,407         $276,884

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.14% 4       1.14%         1.11%         1.11%         1.12%         1.16%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.57% 4       0.30%         0.49%         0.55%         0.55%         0.92%   

Portfolio turnover5

     8.71% 3       13.61%        29.51%        22.24%        10.77%        44.76%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

    

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $21.19      $21.24      $21.19      $21.26      $18.08      $15.37

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.09        0.10        0.16        0.16        0.15        0.17  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactoins and foreign capital gains taxes

     3.96        0.13        (0.11      0.19        3.39        2.54  

Total from investment operations

     4.05      0.23      0.05      0.35      3.54      2.71

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.28             (0.42      (0.36       

Total distributions

            (0.28 )             (0.42 )      (0.36 )       

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $25.24      $21.19      $21.24      $21.19      $21.26      $18.08

TOTAL RETURN

     19.11% 3       1.06%        0.24%        1.63%        19.63%        17.63%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $247,351        $195,949        $249,886        $287,262         $227,852         $147,142

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.94% 4       0.96%         0.91%         0.91%         0.93%         0.98%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.80% 4       0.47%         0.72%         0.74%         0.73%         1.02%   

Portfolio turnover5

     8.71% 3       13.61%        29.51%        22.24%        10.77%        44.76%  

 

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


Table of Contents

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,  2017
(unaudited)
    Year Ended Dec. 31  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $22.92       $23.54       $26.57       $24.99       $24.42       $20.33  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.08       0.11       0.42       0.14       0.17       0.18  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    4.55       (0.13     (0.82     2.80       0.72       4.09  

Total from investment operations

    4.63       (0.02     (0.40     2.94       0.89       4.27  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.13     (0.42     (0.13     (0.16     (0.16

Net realized gains on investments

        (0.47     (2.21     (1.23     (0.16     (0.02

Total distributions

          (0.60     (2.63     (1.36     (0.32     (0.18

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

    2            2      2      2      2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $27.55       $22.92       $23.54       $26.57       $24.99       $24.42  

TOTAL RETURN

    20.20% 3      (0.16%     (1.30%     11.79%       3.63%       21.00%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $2,899,368       $2,445,183       $2,720,869       $3,047,077       $2,954,108       $2,994,026  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    1.09% 4      1.09%       1.09%       1.09%       1.09%       1.11%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    1.07% 4      1.08%       1.07%       1.08%       1.09%       1.11%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.61% 4      0.47%       1.53%       0.52%       0.67%       0.82%  

Portfolio turnover5

    2.98% 3      5.73%       12.56%       11.38%       7.73%       6.53%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

 

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
    2016     2015     2014     2013     2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

    $22.90       $23.52       $26.56       $24.97       $24.41       $20.32  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

           

Net investment income (loss)1

    0.10       0.16       0.44       0.18       0.21       0.21  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

    4.55       (0.14     (0.80     2.82       0.71       4.10  

Total from investment operations

    4.65       0.02       (0.36     3.00       0.92       4.31  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

           

Net investment income

          (0.17     (0.47     (0.18     (0.20     (0.20

Net realized gains on investments

          (0.47     (2.21     (1.23     (0.16     (0.02

Total distributions

          (0.64     (2.68     (1.41     (0.36     (0.22

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

    2            2      2      2      2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

    $27.55       $22.90       $23.52       $26.56       $24.97       $24.41  

TOTAL RETURN

    20.31% 3      0.03%       (1.15%     12.03%       3.78%       21.24%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

           

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

    $5,330,512       $4,207,508       $3,964,547       $5,049,643       $4,679,039       $3,770,568  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

    0.91% 4      0.91%       0.91%       0.92%       0.92%       0.95%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement or waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

    0.90% 4      0.90%       0.89%       0.91%       0.92%       0.95%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

    0.80% 4      0.65%       1.61%       0.68%       0.83%       0.95%  

Portfolio turnover5

    2.98% 3      5.73%       12.56%       11.38%       7.73%       6.53%  

 

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      125  


Table of Contents

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, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
     Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $8.97      $9.23      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.04        0.07        0.02  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     1.68        (0.20      (0.75

Total from investment operations

     1.72      (0.13 )      (0.73 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

        

Net investment income

            (0.13 )      (0.04 )

Total distributions

            (0.13 )      (0.04 )

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.69      $8.97      $9.23

TOTAL RETURN

     19.18% 3       (1.40%      (7.30% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

        

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $7,933        $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)

     2.62% 4       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       1.48%        1.44% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.70% 4       0.77%        0.25% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     16.30% 3       16.10%        21.72% 3 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS    Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended
Dec. 31, 2016
     Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20151
 

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $8.92      $9.17      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

        

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.05        0.09        0.05  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on
investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     1.67        (0.19      (0.77

Total from investment operations

     1.72      (0.10 )      (0.72 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

        

Net investment income

            (0.15 )      (0.11 )

Total distributions

            (0.15 )      (0.11 )

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.64      $8.92      $9.17

TOTAL RETURN

     19.28% 3       (1.16%      (7.14% )3 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

        

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $5,119        $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)

     2.42% 4       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% 4 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.06% 4       0.97%        0.75% 4 

Portfolio turnover5

     16.30% 3       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.

 

126    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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, 2017
(unaudited)

 
 
 
     Year Ended Dec. 31       
Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20131
 
 
      2016      2015      2014     

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $13.18        $11.27        $11.60        $9.93        $10.00  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.04        0.15        0.04        0.04        (0.01

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     1.44        2.01        (0.34      1.69        (0.05

Total from investment operations

     1.48        2.16        (0.30      1.73        (0.06

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.13      3       (0.06      3 

Return of capital

                                 (0.01

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.13      (0.03              

Total distributions

            (0.26      (0.03      (0.06      (0.01

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     3       0.01        3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $14.66        $13.18        $11.27        $11.60        $9.93  

TOTAL RETURN

     11.23% 4       19.25%        (2.56% )       17.39%        (0.61% )4 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $201,022        $145,164        $114,590        $110,363        $38,022  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.62% 5       1.77%        1.75%        1.78%        2.39% 5 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.44% 5       1.47%        1.50%        1.58%        1.98% 5 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.57% 5       1.26%        0.33%        0.34%        (0.08% )5 

Portfolio turnover6

     7.93% 4       34.90%        12.14%        8.21%        1.66% 4 
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS     


Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017
(unaudited)
 
 
 
 
     Year Ended Dec. 31       
Period Ended
Dec. 31, 20131
 
 
      2016      2015      2014     

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $13.22      $11.29      $11.60      $9.92      $10.00

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

              

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.06        0.21        0.07        0.06        0.01  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     1.43        1.99        (0.34      1.69        (0.07

Total from investment operations

     1.49      2.20      (0.27 )      1.75      (0.06 )

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

              

Net investment income

            (0.15      (0.01      (0.07      3 

Return of capital

                                 (0.02

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.13 )      (0.03 )              

Total distributions

            (0.28 )      (0.04 )      (0.07 )      (0.02 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     3       0.01        3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $14.71      $13.22      $11.29      $11.60      $9.92

TOTAL RETURN

     11.27% 4       19.61%        (2.33%      17.68%        (0.55% )4 

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

              

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $175,785        $95,724        $55,278        $21,350        $2,017  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.48% 5       1.62%        1.57%        1.59%        2.21% 5 

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.25% 5       1.25%        1.25%        1.33%        1.75% 5 

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.79% 5       1.72%        0.65%        0.55%        0.19% 5 

Portfolio turnover6

     7.93% 4       34.90%        12.14%        8.21%        1.66% 4 

 

1 Commenced operations on April 30, 2013.
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      127  


Table of Contents

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.

 

 

 

  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
INVESTOR CLASS      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.10       $12.32        $13.61        $12.59        $9.29        $8.16  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.01       (0.02      (0.05      2       0.01        0.03  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation
on investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     3.03       (1.07      0.64        1.16        3.30        1.12  

Total from investment operations

     3.04       (1.09      0.59        1.16        3.31        1.15  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

                         (0.06      (0.01      (0.02

Net realized gains on investments

           (1.13      (1.88      (0.08              

Total distributions

           (1.13      (1.88      (0.14      (0.01      (0.02

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                  2       2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $13.14       $10.10        $12.32        $13.61        $12.59        $9.29  

TOTAL RETURN

     30.10% 5      (9.10%      4.48%        9.24%        35.61%        14.11%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $122,547       $83,926        $129,763        $125,612        $111,751        $131,629  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.26% 6      1.24%        1.18%        1.16%        1.18%        1.18%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.25% 6      (0.19%      (0.33%      (0.02%      0.07%        0.30%  

Portfolio turnover

     24.77% 3,5      92.25% 3       72.85% 3       62.99% 3       62.04% 3       45.76%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31     

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20134

       

 

 
     2016      2015      2014        

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $10.14       $12.34        $13.61        $12.58        $10.09           

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.03       0.01        (0.02      0.03        0.04     

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation
on investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     3.04       (1.08      0.63        1.17        2.48           

Total from investment operations

     3.07       (1.07      0.61        1.20        2.52           

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

                         (0.09      (0.03   

Net realized gains on investments

           (1.13      (1.88      (0.08                

Total distributions

           (1.13      (1.88      (0.17      (0.03         

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                  2       2       2          

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $13.21       $10.14        $12.34        $13.61        $12.58           

TOTAL RETURN

     30.28% 5      (8.92%      4.63%        9.54%        24.99% 5          

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $26,795       $16,545        $36,770        $61,088        $49,236           

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.05% 6      1.01%        0.97%        0.95%        1.00% 6          

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.47% 6      0.06%        (0.16%      0.21%        0.56% 6          

Portfolio turnover3

     24.77% 5      92.25%        72.85%        62.99%        62.04% 5    

 

1 Calculated using the average daily shares method.
2 Less than $0.01 per share.
3 The portfolio turnover rate is calculated on the Fund as a whole without distinguishing between classes of shares issued.
4 Institutional Class commenced operations on April 30, 2013.
5 Not annualized.
6 Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

128    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Matthews China Fund

The tables below set forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

 

 

   Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30,  2017
(unaudited)
     Year Ended Dec. 31  
INVESTOR CLASS       20161      20151      20141      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $15.47        $18.42        $21.46        $22.84        $23.47        $21.51  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.12        0.21        0.20        0.24        0.25        0.30  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     4.53        (1.04      0.30        (1.25      1.33        2.26  

Total from investment operations

     4.65        (0.83      0.50        (1.01      1.58        2.56  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.26      (0.21      (0.27      (0.26      (0.35

Net realized gains on investments

            (1.29      (3.33      (0.10      (1.95      (0.25

Return of capital

            (0.57                            

Total distributions

            (2.12      (3.54      (0.37      (2.21      (0.60

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

            3       3       3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $20.12        $15.47        $18.42        $21.46        $22.84        $23.47  

TOTAL RETURN

     30.06% 4       (5.18%      2.41%        (4.42%      6.84%        11.96%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $617,322        $495,900        $709,767        $947,740        $1,286,309        $1,642,090  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.13% 5       1.18%        1.14%        1.11%        1.08%        1.12%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.38% 5       1.24%        0.89%        1.09%        1.06%        1.33%  

Portfolio turnover6

     41.09% 4       83.82%        66.22%        10.23%        6.29%        9.61%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      20161      20151      20141      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $15.44        $18.39        $21.44        $22.81        $23.45        $21.49  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)2

     0.21        0.22        0.25        0.28        0.26        0.36  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     4.45        (1.03      0.27        (1.25      1.36        2.25  

Total from investment operations

     4.66        (0.81      0.52        (0.97      1.62        2.61  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.28      (0.24      (0.30      (0.31      (0.40

Net realized gains on investments

            (1.29      (3.33      (0.10      (1.95      (0.25

Return of capital

            (0.57                            

Total distributions

            (2.14      (3.57      (0.40      (2.26      (0.65

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

            3       3       3       3       3 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $20.10        $15.44        $18.39        $21.44        $22.81        $23.45  

TOTAL RETURN

     30.18% 4       (5.06%      2.50%        (4.22%      6.97%        12.22%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $37,052        $15,874        $24,276        $52,478        $117,678        $390,744  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.99% 5       1.03%        0.99%        0.95%        0.91%        0.91%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     2.32% 5       1.32%        1.09%        1.27%        1.13%        1.58%  

Portfolio turnover6

     41.09% 4       83.82%        66.22%        10.23%        6.29%        9.61%  

 

1 Consolidated Financial Highlights.
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 share issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      129  


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $25.65      $26.43      $26.46      $16.28      $17.51      $13.59

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.04      0.01        (0.05      0.07        0.08        0.11  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     5.73        (0.33      0.26        10.29        (1.13      4.17  

Total from investment operations

     5.69      (0.32 )      0.21      10.36      (1.05 )      4.28

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

                   (0.03      (0.05      (0.18      (0.09

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.46      (0.23      (0.14      (0.01      (0.27

Total distributions

            (0.46 )      (0.26 )      (0.19 )      (0.19 )      (0.36 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   0.02        0.01         0.01        2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $31.34      $25.65      $26.43      $26.46      $16.28      $17.51

TOTAL RETURN

     22.18% 3       (1.23%      0.90%        63.71%        (5.90%      31.54%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,300,231      $967,009      $1,151,948      $974,838      $427,861      $607,800

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.09% 4       1.12%         1.11%         1.12%         1.13%         1.18%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.26% )4       0.02%         (0.17% )        0.32%         0.48%         0.65%   

Portfolio turnover5

     3.20% 3       15.76%        9.51%        14.86%        8.70%        7.03%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

    

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $25.77      $26.49      $26.49      $16.31      $17.53      $13.61

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.01      0.04        0.01        0.09        0.10        0.14  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and foreign capital gains taxes

     5.76        (0.30      0.26        10.29        (1.11      4.17  

Total from investment operations

     5.75      (0.26 )      0.27      10.38      (1.01 )      4.31

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

                   (0.06      (0.08      (0.21      (0.12

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.46      (0.23      (0.14      (0.01      (0.27

Total distributions

            (0.46 )      (0.29 )      (0.22 )      (0.22 )      (0.39 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   0.02        0.02         0.01        2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $31.52      $25.77      $26.49      $26.49      $16.31      $17.53

TOTAL RETURN

     22.31% 3       (1.00%      1.12%        63.80%        (5.67%      31.74%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $870,121      $551,202      $353,879      $109,331      $3,234      $36,166

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     0.89% 4       0.91%         0.90%         0.94%         0.95%         0.98%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.06% )4       0.16%         0.02%         0.38%         0.61%         0.87%   

Portfolio turnover5

     3.20% 3       15.76%        9.51%        14.86%        8.70%        7.03%  

 

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


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $18.83        $18.97        $15.70        $16.20        $12.27        $11.34  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.06        0.08        0.04        0.05        0.03        0.10  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.69        (0.01      3.23        (0.48      4.12        0.84  

Total from investment operations

     2.75        0.07        3.27        (0.43      4.15        0.94  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.16             (0.08      (0.24      (0.01

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.05                            

Total distributions

            (0.21             (0.08      (0.24      (0.01

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       0.01        0.02        2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $21.58        $18.83        $18.97        $15.70        $16.20        $12.27  

TOTAL RETURN

     14.61% 3       0.40%        20.83%        (2.60%      34.03%        8.32%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,954,900        $1,685,872        $1,330,743        $467,854        $312,988        $82,463  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     0.96% 4       0.98%        0.99%        1.03%        1.10%        1.20%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     0.96% 4       0.98%        0.99%        1.03%        1.10%        1.20%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.62% 4       0.43%        0.22%        0.32%        0.19%        0.81%  

Portfolio turnover5

     22.23% 3       55.15%        24.19%        42.52%        22.72%        48.58%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $18.86        $19.00        $15.71        $16.20        $12.26        $11.34  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.07        0.10        0.05        0.09        0.06        0.12  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     2.69        2       3.24        (0.50      4.12        0.84  

Total from investment operations

     2.76        0.10        3.29        (0.41      4.18        0.96  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.19             (0.09      (0.26      (0.04

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.05                            

Total distributions

            (0.24             (0.09      (0.26      (0.04

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       0.01        0.02        2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $21.62        $18.86        $19.00        $15.71        $16.20        $12.26  

TOTAL RETURN

     14.63% 3       0.51%        20.94%        (2.47%      34.27%        8.47%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $1,515,019        $1,302,317        $618,583        $154,750        $59,702        $22,233  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     0.86% 4       0.88%        0.87%        0.90%        0.96%        1.04%  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     0.86% 4       0.88%        0.87%        0.90%        0.96%        1.04%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.71% 4       0.54%        0.28%        0.58%        0.41%        0.99%  

Portfolio turnover5

     22.23% 3       55.15%        24.19%        42.52%        22.72%        48.58%  

 

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      131  


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $5.25        $6.15        $5.65        $5.95        $5.64        $4.59  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

            0.02        0.01        2       2       2 

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     1.41        (0.41      0.83        (0.05      0.57        1.10  

Total from investment operations

     1.41        (0.39      0.84        (0.05      0.57        1.10  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.08      (0.01             (0.02       

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.43      (0.33      (0.25      (0.24      (0.05

Total distributions

            (0.51      (0.34      (0.25      (0.26      (0.05

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

               2       2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $6.66        $5.25        $6.15        $5.65        $5.95        $5.64  

TOTAL RETURN

     26.86% 3       (6.32%      15.16%        (0.73%      10.11%        24.05%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $182,165        $142,726        $147,685        $127,774        $138,830        $141,247  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.13% 4       1.15%        1.10%        1.11%        1.13%        1.16%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.08% )4       0.41%        0.18%        0.04%        0.02%        0.01%  

Portfolio turnover5

     8.63% 3       34.73%        20.36%        17.37%        46.20%        34.84%  
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS   

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $5.27        $6.18        $5.68        $5.96        $5.67        $4.61  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

            (0.02      0.02        0.05        2       2 

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     1.43        (0.37      0.83        (0.08      0.56        1.11  

Total from investment operations

     1.43        (0.39      0.85        (0.03      0.56        1.11  

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.09      (0.02             (0.03       

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.43      (0.33      (0.25      (0.24      (0.05

Total distributions

            (0.52      (0.35      (0.25      (0.27      (0.05

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

                   2       2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $6.70        $5.27        $6.18        $5.68        $5.96        $5.67  

TOTAL RETURN

     27.14% 3       (6.31%      15.27%        (0.39%      9.87%        24.16%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $19,599        $7,462        $59,982        $91,431        $12,283        $8,597  

Ratio of expenses to average net assets

     1.01% 4       0.97%        0.93%        0.93%        0.97%        1.00%  

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.01% 4       (0.31%      0.28%        0.87%        (0.03%      (0.07%

Portfolio turnover5

     8.63% 3       34.73%        20.36%        17.37%        46.20%        34.84%  

 

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 share issued.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

132    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

    Year Ended Dec. 31  
     2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $19.05     $19.41      $21.46      $19.34      $18.13      $14.77

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     (0.02     0.09        0.02        0.09        0.11        0.17  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     2.78       (0.37      (2.05      2.11        1.19        3.36  

Total from investment operations

     2.76     (0.28 )      (2.03 )      2.20      1.30      3.53

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

           (0.08      (0.03      (0.08      (0.09      (0.09

Net realized gains on investments

                                       (0.08

Total distributions

           (0.08 )      (0.03 )      (0.08 )      (0.09 )      (0.17 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     2      2       0.01         2       2       2 

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $21.81     $19.05      $19.41      $21.46      $19.34      $18.13

TOTAL RETURN

     14.49% 3      (1.44%      (9.43%      11.39%        7.19%        23.92%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $204,540     $254,226      $387,747      $599,082         $407,352         $366,753   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.55% 4      1.49%         1.48%         1.47%         1.47%         1.50%   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets after any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator

     1.50% 4      1.47%         1.47%         1.47%         1.47%         1.50%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     (0.24% )4      0.45%         0.08%         0.44%         0.58%         1.06%   

Portfolio turnover

     31.93% 3,5      44.44% 5       48.29% 5       21.70% 5       37.01% 5       27.95%  

INSTITUTIONAL CLASS

  

Six-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

    Year Ended Dec. 31     

Period Ended

Dec. 31, 20136

       

 

 
     2016      2015      2014        

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $19.03     $19.40      $21.46      $19.33      $19.44         

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.01       0.12        0.11        0.15        0.18     

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments, foreign currency related transactions and
foreign capital gains taxes

     2.78       (0.36      (2.10      2.10      (0.16 )         

Total from investment operations

     2.79     (0.24 )      (1.99 )      2.25      0.02         

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                

Net investment income

           (0.13      (0.08      (0.12      (0.13         

Total distributions

           (0.13 )      (0.08 )      (0.12 )      (0.13 )         

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     2      2       0.01        2       2          

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $21.82     $19.03      $19.40      $21.46      $19.33         

TOTAL RETURN

     14.66% 3      (1.24%      (9.23%      11.65%        0.13% 3          

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $195,374     $174,962      $222,168      $77,168      $44,769         

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     1.37% 4      1.34%         1.30%         1.27%         1.25% 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%         1.26%         1.25% 4          

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     0.10% 4      0.64%         0.53%         0.70%         1.39% 4          

Portfolio turnover5

     31.93% 3      44.44%        48.29%        21.70%         37.01% 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 Institutional Class commenced operations on April 30, 2013.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      133  


Table of Contents

Financial Highlights (continued)

Matthews China Small Companies Fund

The table below sets forth financial data for a share of beneficial interest outstanding throughout each period presented.

 

INVESTOR CLASS     

Six-Month

Period Ended

June 30, 2017

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

     Year Ended Dec. 31  
      2016      2015      2014      2013      2012  

Net Asset Value, beginning of period

     $8.21      $8.79      $9.21      $9.89      $7.76      $7.04

INCOME (LOSS) FROM INVESTMENT OPERATIONS:

                 

Net investment income (loss)1

     0.06        0.10        0.08        0.01        0.02        0.03  

Net realized gain (loss) and unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments and foreign currency related transactions

     1.84        (0.28      0.27        (0.33      2.22        0.68  

Total from investment operations

     1.90      (0.18 )      0.35      (0.32 )      2.24      0.71

LESS DISTRIBUTIONS FROM:

                 

Net investment income

            (0.03      (0.06      (0.02      (0.11      (0.02

Net realized gains on investments

            (0.37      (0.72                     

Return of capital;

                          (0.34              

Total distributions

            (0.40 )      (0.78 )      (0.36 )      (0.11 )      (0.02 )

Paid-in capital from redemption fees (Note 4)

     2       2       0.01         2       2       0.03

Net Asset Value, end of period

     $10.11      $8.21      $8.79      $9.21      $9.89      $7.76

TOTAL RETURN

     23.14% 3       (2.35%      4.07%        (3.33% )      28.85%        10.53%  

RATIOS/SUPPLEMENTAL DATA

                 

Net assets, end of period (in 000’s)

     $19,970      $16,101      $21,546         $22,068         $26,674         $10,266   

Ratio of expenses to average net assets before any reimbursement, waiver or recapture of expenses by Advisor and Administrator (Note 5)

     2.41% 4       2.24%         2.10%         1.90%         2.04%         3.26%   

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%         1.67%         2.00%         2.00%   

Ratio of net investment income (loss) to average net assets

     1.36% 4       1.17%         0.80%         0.14%         0.17%         0.40%   

Portfolio turnover

     30.20% 3       63.15%        72.49%        32.42%        10.28%        34.01%  

 

1 Calculated using the average daily shares method.
2 Less than $0.01 per share.
3 Not annualized.
4 Annualized.

 

See accompanying notes to financial statements.

 

134    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

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 eighteen 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 Focus 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 except for Matthews China Small Companies Fund currently offers two classes of shares: Investor Class and Institutional Class. Matthews China Small Companies Fund currently offers only Investor Class shares. 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.

The Matthews Japan Fund closed to most new investors effective after market closing on July 29, 2016, but will continue to accept investments from existing shareholders.

 

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 Matthews Asia Funds’ (each a “Fund”, and collectively the “Funds” or the “Trust”) 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. Financial futures contracts traded on exchanges are valued at their settlement price. 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 Valuation and Pricing Policy. The Board’s Valuation Committee, in turn, has delegated the determination of fair value prices under Matthews’ Valuation and Pricing 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 Valuation and Pricing 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 disclose the fair value of their investments and derivative financial instruments in a hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs to valuation techniques used to measure the fair value. The hierarchy gives the highest priority to valuations based upon unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities (Level 1 measurements) and the lowest priority to valuations based upon unobservable inputs that are significant to the valuation (Level 3 measurements). Various inputs are used in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments, which are as follows:

Level 1: Quoted prices in active markets for identical securities.

Level 2: Other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar securities, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, foreign exchange etc.).

Level 3: Significant unobservable inputs (including the Fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments and derivative financial instruments).

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      135  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The summary of inputs used to determine the fair valuation of the Fund’s investments and derivative financials instruments as of June 30, 2017 is as follows:

 

    

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
Focus Fund
    Matthews Asia
Growth Fund
 
Assets:              
Investments:              

Level 1: Quoted Prices

             

China/Hong Kong

    $—       $—       $146,411,692       $381,540,115       $2,464,380       $221,250       $88,332,905  

India

                      12,854,232                    

Indonesia

                48,329,918       47,305,827                   12,285,422  

Israel

                            190,502              

Japan

                      36,041,763                    

Malaysia

                35,386,190             733,389       317,624        

Pakistan

                                        10,270,187  

Philippines

                30,135,553       58,758,443                   5,669,569  

Singapore

                      57,899,654                    

South Korea

                3,769,315             1,694,056              

Sri Lanka

                                        24,852,335  

Taiwan

                59,885,535       105,856,782                    

United States

                91,706,365             302,810       622,232        

Vietnam

                43,639,975       82,422,200                   18,006,793  

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

 

           

Foreign Government Obligationsa

    30,894,709       2,246,582                                

Non-Convertible Corporate Bondsa

    37,257,268       14,409,831                                

Convertible Corporate Bondsa

    6,350,750       1,715,250       293,349,408                          

Common Equities:

             

Australia

                140,390,868       85,484,086             250,607       32,261,883  

Bangladesh

                                        20,303,012  

China/Hong Kong

                557,521,054       1,613,084,219       2,764,275       3,830,762       28,786,982  

India

                49,082,753       252,426,811             519,129       75,143,397  

Indonesia

                64,127,400       104,968,756             468,280       93,774,529  

Japan

                177,624,370       1,568,708,437       2,198,657       316,333       270,532,681  

Luxembourg

                      81,557,941                    

Malaysia

                61,300,920             196,630       311,821        

New Zealand

                41,199,718                          

Norway

                42,175,432                          

Philippines

                                        14,852,447  

Singapore

                335,479,932       391,622,326       864,579       1,483,415        

South Korea

                254,075,330       521,328,880       3,391,018       1,611,351        

Switzerland

                            301,206       286,890        

Taiwan

                77,082,308       57,074,627       1,030,766       878,509       3,619,475  

Thailand

                36,045,578       123,578,083             324,011       7,664,439  

Vietnam

                                        2,931,757  

Preferred Equities:

             

South Korea

                89,235,798       307,627,555       1,869,946              

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

             

Common Equities:

             

China/Hong Kong

                40,866,096                          

Total Market Value of Investments

    $74,502,727       $18,371,663       $2,718,821,508       $5,890,140,737       $18,002,214       $11,442,214       $709,287,813  

 

a Industry, countries, or security types are disclosed on the Schedule of Investments.

 

136    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
     Matthews Asia
Strategic Income
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Credit Opportunities
Fund
 

Derivative Financial Instruments1

   

Assets

   

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

   

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

    $171,473       $—  

Credit default swaps

    2,685       671  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 
    $174,158       $671  

Liabilities

   

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

   

Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts

    ($47,981     $—  
 

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

1 Derivative financial instruments are foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps. Foreign currency exchange contracts and swaps are valued at the unrealized appreciation/depreciation on the instrument.

 

      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:

                 

Consumer Discretionary

     $11,980,373        $56,655,558        $8,772,613        $—        $9,842,674        $1,597,836  

Consumer Staples

     4,110,857        3,717,489        65,438,203                       

Financials

     1,830,984               87,081,327               3,049,312         

Health Care

     4,270,403        3,314,321        99,209,378                      1,049,919  

Industrials

     10,782,056               63,331,391                      539,439  

Information Technology

     6,072,726        94,790,062        86,339,920                      715,975  

Materials

            5,301,747                              

Real Estate

     9,186,116                                     

Telecommunication Services

     6,441,410                             7,748,986         

Preferred Equities:

                 

Financials

                                 4,869,589         

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

                 

Common Equities:

                 

Consumer Discretionary

     29,179,450        35,645,968        196,381,058        624,393,389        22,490,130        2,724,453  

Consumer Staples

     11,001,713        20,958,763        323,316,743        387,605,277        5,636,270        521,247  

Energy

     6,989,074        38,704,792                      4,907,169        711,393  

Financials

     42,326,994        188,819,152        619,842,799        418,603,937        34,747,832        845,080  

Health Care

     12,838,742               134,027,095        344,626,024        11,070,853        1,511,302  

Industrials

     19,179,759        26,649,806        194,782,396        858,627,610        3,179,604        4,513,550  

Information Technology

     32,478,316        107,606,510        181,991,973        361,193,731        38,907,913        2,456,569  

Materials

     5,369,803        17,861,476        79,777,305        197,964,797        8,261,414        753,958  

Real Estate

            24,910,743               116,002,443               1,181,768  

Telecommunication Services

     11,345,545        10,096,699               77,843,443                

Utilities

     4,833,102        12,219,420                              

Preferred Equities:

                 

Consumer Discretionary

                                 6,021,213         

Consumer Staples

                                 9,099,415         

Energy

                                 2,575,632         

Information Technology

                                 17,808,506         

Materials

                                 3,897,505         

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

                 

Common Equities:

                 

Consumer Staples

                                 4,669,124         

Information Technology

                                        250  

Total Market Value of Investments

     $230,217,423        $647,252,506        $2,140,292,201        $3,386,860,651        $198,783,141        $19,122,739  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      137  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

     

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

     $—          $—          $22,990,276          $—          $—  

China/Hong Kong

     701,147,178          637,704          3,645,349          41,899,311          30,735,487  

India

              558,186          4,112,911                   4,920,069  

Indonesia

     24,516,474                   7,951,701          2,172,997          16,505,409  

Israel

                                         1,383,120  

Japan

     6,789,056          111,297                             

Malaysia

     15,762,368                                     4,285,325  

Pakistan

              175,408          43,547,113                    

Philippines

              239,436          12,790,501          3,827,988          7,532,090  

Singapore

     14,058,399          169,356                            5,176,394  

South Korea

                                2,596,132          10,538,759  

Sri Lanka

              141,864          13,665,521                    

Taiwan

              191,570                             

United States

     231,814,722                                     4,685,878  

Vietnam

     213,783,932                   73,765,809          5,006,465          185,704  

Warrants:

                      

Malaysia

     4,653,027                                      

Level 2: Other Significant Observable Inputs

                      

Common Equities:

                      

Australia

                       2,447,098                    

Bangladesh

              757,155          21,156,169          3,893,015           

China/Hong Kong

     1,880,912,241          2,233,736          26,866,348          20,005,674          88,553,114  

India

     1,639,857,581          1,017,196          42,179,228          9,938,876          38,762,515  

Indonesia

     501,869,396          439,640          38,410,724          5,441,431          12,430,293  

Japan

              1,639,172                            13,450,029  

Luxembourg

              210,445                             

Malaysia

     264,273,093                                     13,830,575  

Pakistan

              164,751          24,273,650                    

Philippines

     200,935,438          398,840          6,848,662                   4,319,492  

Singapore

              161,191          2,333,706                    

South Korea

     887,044,047          1,175,105                   30,872,975          47,700,647  

Sri Lanka

                       11,667,136                    

Switzerland

     214,480,394                                      

Taiwan

     471,115,993          1,397,677                   10,509,271          56,871,758  

Thailand

     477,119,844          573,467          1,707,973          4,898,912          13,730,103  

Vietnam

                       2,919,165                    

Preferred Equities:

                      

South Korea

              616,292                   4,796,926           

Level 3: Significant Unobservable Inputs

                      

Common Equities:

                      

South Korea

     151,121,738                                     3,629,074  

Total Market Value of Investments

     $7,901,254,921          $13,009,488          $363,279,040          $145,859,973          $379,225,835  

 

138    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

Foreign securities that are valued based on market quotations are categorized as Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Certain foreign securities may be fair valued by external pricing services 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. Such fair valuations are typically categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. The Funds’ policy is to recognize transfers in and transfers out as of the beginning of the reporting period. At June 30, 2017, the Funds utilized third-party pricing services to fair value certain securities, some of which were different than the securities which had been valued by third-party pricing services at December 31, 2016. As a result, certain securities held by the Funds were transferred from Level 2 into Level 1 and certain securities held by the Funds were transferred from Level 1 to Level 2 with beginning of period values as follows:

 

      Transfer to Level 1
from Level 2
       Transfer to Level 2
from Level 1
 
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      $57,174,611          $—  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      289,078,417          126,089,312  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      16,285,742           
Matthews Asia Value Fund      147,205           
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      243,603           
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      33,320,944          23,164,790  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      286,185,709          123,629,144  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      174,565          717,536  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      29,510,658          23,199,434  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      8,169,004          1,989,052  
Matthews India Fund      115,040,381          105,964,950  
Matthews Japan Fund                
Matthews Korea Fund      11,536,221           
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      28,868,521          17,874,071  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      746,492          681,018  

Level 3 securities consisted of equities that, as of June 30, 2017, were suspended from trading. As described in Note 2-A, these securities are valued based on their fair value as determined under the direction of the Board. The significant unobservable inputs, the methodology used for valuing such securities, and the characterization of such securities as Level 3 securities are not necessarily an indication of 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 2 equity securities consist primarily of securities that have been fair valued by third-party pricing services (see Note 2-A).

A reconciliation of Level 3 investments for which significant unobservable inputs were used to determine value are as follows:

 

     Matthews
Asian Growth
and Income Fund
    Matthews
Pacific Tiger
Fund
    Matthews
Emerging Asia
Fund
    Matthews
Korea Fund
    Matthews
Asia Small
Companies Fund
    Matthews
China Small
Companies Fund
 
    Common
Equities —
China/Hong Kong
    Common
Equities —
South Korea
    Common
Equities —
Pakistan
   

Common
Equities —
Consumer

Staples

    Common
Equities —
South Korea
    Common
Equities —
Information
Technology
 
Balance as of 12/31/16 (market value)     $—       $43,840,293       $332,382       $—       $—       $251  
Accrued discounts/premiums                                    
Realized gain/(loss)                             25,442        
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation     6,282,955       33,462,006             955,718       (841,640     (1
Purchases                       1,713,928       3,476,933        
Sales                         (250,036      
Transfers in to Level 3*     34,583,141       117,659,732             1,999,478       1,218,375        
Transfers out of Level 3*           (43,840,293     (332,382                  
Balance as of 6/30/17 (market value)     $40,866,096       $151,121,738       $—       $4,669,124       $3,629,074       $250  
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on Level 3 investments held as of 6/30/17**     $6,282,955       $33,462,006       $—       $955,718       ($841,640     ($1

 

* The Fund’s 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. As of June 30, 2017, the Funds that previously used quoted prices or observable inputs now also utilize significant unobservable inputs for certain securities that were suspended from trading. As a result, certain securities held by the Funds that were previously classified as Level 1 or Level 2 were transferred to Level 3. Certain securities held by the Funds that were suspended from trading and classified as Level 3 on December 31, 2016 subsequently resumed trading and were transferred from Level 3 to Level 1, Level 2 or were sold.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      139  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The following table summarizes the valuation techniques used and unobservable inputs developed by the Valuation Committee to determine the fair value of certain, material Level 3 investments:

 

      Value        Valuation
Technique
     Unobservable
Input1
     Unobservable
Input - Proxy
Factor Price
Movement
 
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund Assets:                  

Common Equity

     $3,629,074        Last Price2 Multiplied by Proxy factor3      Proxy factor3        -7%  

 

1 Increase in unobservable input may result in a significant increase to value, while a decrease in unobservable input may result in a significant decrease to value.
2 Last Price could include closing price, last reported sales price, or last fair valued price as described in Note 2-A.
3 Proxy factor considers movement of Vitzro Tech Co., Ltd.

 

C. BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of Matthews China Fund and Matthews Asia Dividend Fund (the “Investing Funds”) include the accounts of the Matthews CF-U Series and Matthews ADF-U Series (the “U Series Funds”), respectively. The U Series Funds are 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 are exclusively owned by the Investing Funds. The U Series Funds primarily invest 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 is subject to Matthews’ trade allocation procedures and access allocation procedures. The U Series Funds are 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 are intended to be disregarded entities for the tax purposes. Therefore, no federal tax provision is 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 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. OFFERING COSTS: Offering costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over one year from each Fund’s respective commencement of operations. In the event that any of the initial shares are redeemed during the period of amortization of the Fund’s offering costs, the redemption proceeds will be reduced by any such unamortized offering costs in the same proportion as the number of shares being redeemed bears to the number of those shares outstanding at the time of redemption.

 

F. 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.

 

140    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

The tax character of distributions paid for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016 was as follows:

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2016    Ordinary
Income
       Net Long-Term
Capital Gains
       Total Taxable
Distributions
       Return of
Capital
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $2,603,309          $—          $2,603,309          $—  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      517,291                   517,291           
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      82,341,797          145,377,175          227,718,972           
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      88,322,312          30,585,305          118,907,617          27,044,586  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      3,471,251          2,629,943          6,101,194           
Matthews Asia Value Fund      148,584                   148,584           
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      157,979                   157,979           
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      7,210,721                   7,210,721           
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      60,675,860          121,713,006          182,388,866           
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      139,740                   139,740           
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      2,483,804          2,100,210          4,584,014           
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund               10,623,880          10,623,880           
Matthews China Fund      8,205,173          39,869,615          48,074,788          17,942,653  
Matthews India Fund      112,375          26,797,862          26,910,237           
Matthews Japan Fund      26,243,561          9,535,726          35,779,287           
Matthews Korea Fund      2,252,578          13,672,732          15,925,310           
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      2,452,388                   2,452,388           
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      57,353          747,907          805,260           

 

G. 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 an 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. 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.

 

H. FUND EXPENSE ALLOCATIONS: The Funds account separately for the assets, liabilities and operations of each Fund. 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.

 

I. CASH, CASH OVERDRAFTS, AND FOREIGN CURRENCY: QFII accounts 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.

 

J. 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.

 

K. RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE: In October 2016, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a new rule, Investment Company Reporting Modernization, which, among other provisions, amends Regulation S-X to require standardized, enhanced disclosures, particularly related to derivatives, in investment company financial statements. Compliance with the guidance is effective for financial statements filed with the SEC on or after August 1, 2017; adoption will have no effect on the Funds’ net assets or results of operations. Management is evaluating the impact, if any, of this guidance on the Funds’ financial statement disclosures.

 

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. In particular, each Fund may seek to take on currency exposure by using derivatives such as currency forwards, and the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund may also employ a currency overlay strategy in an effort to enhance returns and moderate volatility. Derivative financial instruments and transactions in which each Fund may engage include financial futures contracts, swaps and/or forward foreign currency exchange contracts. The currency overlay strategy involves long and short positions on one or more currencies. As a result, each Fund’s exposure to a currency could 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

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      141  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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.

Financial Futures Contracts: Financial futures contracts are agreements between the Fund and a counterparty to buy or sell a specific quantity of an underlying instrument at a specified price and at a specified date. Depending on the terms of the particular contract, futures contracts are settled either through physical delivery of the underlying instrument on the settlement date or by payment of a cash settlement amount on settlement date. Pursuant to the contract, the Fund agrees to receive from or pay an amount of cash equal to the daily fluctuation in value of the contract. Such receipts or payments are known as variation margin and are recorded by the Fund as unrealized appreciation or depreciation. When the contract is closed, the Fund records a realized gain or loss equal to the difference between the value of the contract at the time it was opened and the value at the time it was closed.

Forward Foreign Currency Exchange Contracts: 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 does 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 buy credit default swaps on single-name issuers (corporate or sovereign), a combination or basket of single-name issuers or traded indexes. Credit default swaps are agreements in which the protection buyer pays fixed periodic payments to the seller in consideration for a promise from the protection seller to make a specific payment should a negative credit event take place with respect to the referenced entity (e.g., bankruptcy, failure to pay, obligation acceleration, repudiation, moratorium or restructuring). As a buyer, if an underlying credit event occurs, the Funds will either (i) receive from the seller an amount equal to the notional amount of the swap and deliver the referenced security or underlying securities comprising the index, or (ii) receive a net settlement of cash equal to the notional amount of the swap less the recovery value of the security or underlying securities comprising the index.

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 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.

 

142    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

The following tables present the Funds’ OTC derivatives by counterparty net of amounts available for offset under an ISDA Master agreement or similar agreements and net of the related collateral received or pledged by the Funds:

 

Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund                  
Counterparty    Gross Assets in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
       Collateral
Received1
     Assets/(Liabilities)
Available for  Offset2
     Net Amount of
Assets3
 
Bank of America, N.A.      $2,685        $—      $(2,685)        $—  
Counterparty   

Gross Liabilities in the

Statements of Assets and Liabilities

       Collateral
Pledged
     Assets/(Liabilities)
Available for  Offset2
     Net Amount of
Liabilities4
 
Bank of America, N.A.      $(183,599)        $—      $2,685        $(180,914)  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund                  
Counterparty    Gross Assets in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities
      

Collateral
Received1

    

Assets/(Liabilities)
Available for Offset2

     Net Amount of
Assets3
 
Bank of America, N.A.      $671        $—      $(671)        $—  
Counterparty   

Gross Liabilities in the
Statements of Assets and Liabilities

      

Collateral
Pledged

     Assets/(Liabilities)
Available for  Offset2
     Net Amount of
Liabilities4
 
Bank of America, N.A.      $(45,900)        $—      $671        $(45,229)  

 

1 Excess of collateral received from the individual counterparty may not be shown for financial reporting purposes.
2 The amount of derivatives available for offset is limited to the amount of assets and/or liabilities that are subject to a master netting agreement.
3 Net amount represents the net amount receivable from the counterparty in the event of default.
4 Net amount represents the net amount payable due to the counterparty in the event of default.

Derivative Financial Instruments Categorized by Risk Exposure:

As of June 30, 2017, the fair values of derivative financial instruments were as follows:

 

     Statement of Assets and Liabilities Location   Matthews Asia
Strategic Income
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Credit Opportunities
Fund
 
  Asset Derivatives    
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts   Unrealized appreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     $171,473       $—  
Credit contracts   Value (unrealized appreciation on swaps)     2,685       671  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      $174,158       $671  
  Liability Derivatives    
Forward foreign currency exchange contracts   Unrealized depreciation on forward foreign currency exchange contracts     ($47,981     $—  
Credit contracts   Value (swaps premium received)     (183,599     (45,900
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
      ($231,580     ($45,900
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

For the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, the effects of derivative financial instruments on the Statements of Operations were as follows:

 

Derivative type   Statement of Operations Location   Matthews Asia
Strategic Income
Fund
    Matthews Asia
Credit Opportunities
Fund
 

Net Realized Gain (Loss)

     
Foreign currency contracts:      

Foreign currency exchange contracts

  Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency related transactions     ($607,139     $—  
Credit default swaps:      

Credit contracts

  Net realized gain (loss) on swaps     (41,090     ($10,272
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total       ($648,229     ($10,272
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)

     
Foreign currency contracts:      

Foreign currency exchange contracts

  Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on foreign currency related translations     ($59,045     $—  
Credit default swaps:      

Credit contracts

  Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on swaps     33,592       8,398  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 
Total       ($25,453     $8,398  
   

 

 

   

 

 

 

The notional amounts disclosed on the Matthews Asia Strategic Income and Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Funds’ Schedules of Investments are indicative of the activity during the six months for buy protection on credit default swaps. Regarding forward foreign currency exchange contracts entered into by the Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund, the average notional ending quarterly amounts purchased in USD were $5,140,370 and the average notional ending quarterly amounts sold in USD were $16,550,685.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      143  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

 

4. CAPITAL SHARE TRANSACTIONS

Each Fund is authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of beneficial interest with a par value of $0.001 per share.

 

    

Six-Month Period Ended

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31, 2016  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS ASIA STRATEGIC INCOME FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     744,802        $7,951,051        1,159,976        $12,036,561  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     67,449        722,689        200,404        2,086,240  

Shares redeemed

     (1,354,948      (14,400,228      (1,179,567      (12,189,837

Net increase (decrease)

     (542,697      ($5,726,488      180,813        $1,932,964  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,031,809        $10,958,784        394,381        $4,226,734  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     15,691        168,098        48,941        509,450  

Shares redeemed

     (75,008      (796,136      (262,800      (2,759,738

Net increase (decrease)

     972,492        $10,330,746        180,522        $1,976,446  

MATTHEWS ASIA CREDIT OPPORTUNITIES FUND*

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     286,771        $2,967,853        1,262,312        $12,795,706  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     16,240        167,884        33,461        340,366  

Shares redeemed

     (654,699      (6,765,979      (296,818      (3,053,588

Net increase (decrease)

     (351,688      ($3,630,242      998,955        $10,082,484  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     661,477        $6,845,854        604,202        $6,052,800  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     3,843        39,816        8,340        85,105  

Shares redeemed

     (34,472      (360,433              

Net increase (decrease)

     630,848        $6,525,237        612,542        $6,137,905  

MATTHEWS ASIAN GROWTH AND INCOME FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     10,136,696        $163,409,448        22,685,379        $370,706,327  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     568,958        9,762,989        9,221,755        142,699,973  

Shares redeemed

     (23,730,317      (386,122,587      (46,658,662      (755,701,576

Net increase (decrease)

     (13,024,663      ($212,950,150      (14,751,528      ($242,295,276

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     20,648,288        $337,029,495        20,043,072        $329,220,035  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     446,126        7,642,135        4,935,874        76,286,208  

Shares redeemed

     (6,227,556      (101,592,249      (22,147,192      (352,353,051

Net increase (decrease)

     14,866,858        $243,079,381        2,831,754        $53,153,192  

MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     24,864,660        $429,349,196        27,984,752        $444,670,505  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     1,490,637        27,018,629        4,679,731        75,148,885  

Shares redeemed

     (25,206,024      (423,930,034      (41,501,686      (644,529,546

Net increase (decrease)

     1,149,273        $32,437,791        (8,837,203      ($124,710,156

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     33,078,217        $563,880,378        30,119,651        $475,655,888  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     1,142,316        20,695,740        2,741,360        44,022,850  

Shares redeemed

     (10,163,871      (171,504,870      (35,037,220      (546,747,812

Net increase (decrease)

     24,056,662        $413,071,248        (2,176,209      ($27,069,074

 

* Investor Class and Institutional Class commencement of operations on April 29, 2016.

 

144    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
    

Six-Month Period Ended

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31, 2016  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS CHINA DIVIDEND FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     2,701,618        $41,263,117        3,715,788        $52,252,711  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     147,683        2,371,503        373,101        5,189,800  

Shares redeemed

     (1,982,942      (29,930,754      (4,710,228      (63,571,849

Net increase (decrease)

     866,359        $13,703,866        (621,339      ($6,129,338

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     404,621        $6,248,089        1,816,522        $24,989,758  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

     30,066        483,160        60,896        851,567  

Shares redeemed

     (56,584      (867,262      (1,024,910      (12,705,300

Net increase (decrease)

     378,103        $5,863,987        852,508        $13,136,025  

MATTHEWS ASIA VALUE FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,409,417        $16,816,425        116,636        $1,176,796  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   13,611        137,070  

Shares redeemed

     (42,014      (454,035      (35,718      (356,533

Net increase (decrease)

     1,367,403        $16,362,390        94,529        $957,333  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     20,113        $255,154        94        $1,000  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   1,100        10,942  

Shares redeemed

     (17      (200              

Net increase (decrease)

     20,096        $254,954        1,194        $11,942  

MATTHEWS ASIA FOCUS FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     31,623        $320,746        50,201        $471,150  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   7,605        70,199  

Shares redeemed

     (50,653      (496,378      (162,641      (1,484,289

Net increase (decrease)

     (19,030      ($175,632      (104,835      ($942,940

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     3,780        $40,981        43,659        $429,950  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   9,439        87,218  

Shares redeemed

     (4,989      (50,235      (108,595      (989,167

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,209      ($9,254      (55,497      ($471,999

MATTHEWS ASIA GROWTH FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     1,691,436        $38,702,392        2,949,928        $63,405,015  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   188,951        3,971,819  

Shares redeemed

     (3,085,505      (70,258,463      (8,189,460      (174,198,638

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,394,069      ($31,556,071      (5,050,581      ($106,821,804

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,197,233        $27,430,295        3,415,256        $73,020,609  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   74,896        1,584,032  

Shares redeemed

     (645,106      (15,052,482      (6,008,790      (125,728,091

Net increase (decrease)

     552,127        $12,377,813        (2,518,638      ($51,123,450

MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     11,406,137        $296,661,452        17,131,149        $413,602,913  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   2,559,033        60,214,039  

Shares redeemed

     (12,838,150      (324,844,990      (28,593,668      (674,989,402

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,432,013      ($28,183,538      (8,903,486      ($201,172,450

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     28,167,395        $731,255,351        56,472,145        $1,339,949,453  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   2,784,965        65,450,776  

Shares redeemed

     (18,400,185      (473,150,267      (44,079,703      (1,030,520,290

Net increase (decrease)

     9,767,210        $258,105,084        15,177,407        $374,879,939  

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      145  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

    

Six-Month Period Ended

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31, 2016  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS ASIA ESG FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     198,954        $1,978,857        392,569        $3,433,859  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   9,403        85,286  

Shares redeemed

     (55,587      (563,431      (154,929      (1,375,756

Net increase (decrease)

     143,367        $1,415,426        247,043        $2,143,389  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     211,087        $2,092,234        190,080        $1,675,988  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   6,022        54,320  

Shares redeemed

     (108,768      (1,115,904      (1,101      (10,096

Net increase (decrease)

     102,319        $976,330        195,001        $1,720,212  

MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     5,554,151        $77,220,775        7,191,280        $93,797,154  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   201,637        2,637,405  

Shares redeemed

     (2,851,070      (39,187,324      (6,553,598      (74,847,077

Net increase (decrease)

     2,703,081        $38,033,451        839,319        $21,587,482  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     5,248,448        $73,767,864        3,585,928        $43,671,071  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   147,701        1,936,356  

Shares redeemed

     (540,714      (7,521,625      (1,388,856      (16,821,786

Net increase (decrease)

     4,707,734        $66,246,239        2,344,773        $28,785,641  

MATTHEWS ASIA INNOVATORS FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     2,635,026        $31,926,814        1,489,685        $17,976,640  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   824,801        8,528,446  

Shares redeemed

     (1,618,213      (18,691,150      (4,537,543      (51,381,223

Net increase (decrease)

     1,016,813        $13,235,664        (2,223,057      ($24,876,137

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     397,882        $4,913,772        338,687        $3,702,742  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   76,287        791,856  

Shares redeemed

     (351      (4,426      (1,763,369      (19,884,862

Net increase (decrease)

     397,531        $4,909,346        (1,348,395      ($15,390,264

MATTHEWS CHINA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     2,389,422        $44,181,454        2,148,342        $35,732,757  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   3,793,239        62,095,323  

Shares redeemed

     (3,764,846      (67,291,006      (12,420,378      (207,255,992

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,375,424      ($23,109,552      (6,478,797      ($109,427,912

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,131,247        $21,293,347        499,092        $7,772,205  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   130,030        2,125,988  

Shares redeemed

     (316,166      (5,990,143      (921,220      (16,175,742

Net increase (decrease)

     815,081        $15,303,204        (292,098      ($6,277,549

MATTHEWS INDIA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     8,924,679        $261,532,792        9,247,717        $242,746,822  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   624,141        16,190,215  

Shares redeemed

     (5,136,427      (149,416,904      (15,766,962      (410,982,081

Net increase (decrease)

     3,788,252        $112,115,888        (5,895,104      ($152,045,044

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     8,834,174        $258,688,066        11,428,013        $300,476,619  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   105,665        2,753,632  

Shares redeemed

     (2,617,582      (77,507,216      (3,502,779      (93,248,613

Net increase (decrease)

     6,216,592        $181,180,850        8,030,899        $209,981,638  

 

146    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
    

Six-Month Period Ended

June 30, 2017 (Unaudited)

     Year Ended December 31, 2016  
      Shares      Amount      Shares      Amount  

MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     15,767,844        $319,882,054        74,348,475        $1,376,674,296  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   1,004,971        18,963,796  

Shares redeemed

     (14,684,832      (296,311,667      (55,996,138      (1,083,210,353

Net increase (decrease)

     1,083,012        $23,570,387        19,357,308        $312,427,739  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     12,063,646        $247,081,154        46,376,072        $877,486,384  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   187,215        3,536,499  

Shares redeemed

     (11,041,257      (224,862,442      (10,076,300      (190,036,960

Net increase (decrease)

     1,022,389        $22,218,712        36,486,987        $690,985,923  

MATTHEWS KOREA FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     4,010,988        $24,162,948        8,524,610        $50,478,123  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   2,345,781        12,432,626  

Shares redeemed

     (3,846,271      (23,038,781      (7,683,043      (45,259,031

Net increase (decrease)

     164,717        $1,124,167        3,187,348        $17,651,718  

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,695,377        $9,768,382        3,215,987        $19,291,961  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   125,391        668,333  

Shares redeemed

     (189,115      (1,137,509      (11,634,445      (70,448,790

Net increase (decrease)

     1,506,262        $8,630,873        (8,293,067      ($50,488,496

MATTHEWS ASIA SMALL COMPANIES FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     784,439        $16,527,662        1,475,764        $28,101,064  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   55,224        1,077,417  

Shares redeemed

     (4,751,763      (96,378,889      (8,162,469      (159,237,120

Net increase (decrease)

     (3,967,324      ($79,851,227      (6,631,481      ($130,058,639

Institutional Class

           

Shares sold

     1,854,110        $37,793,667        1,431,111        $26,873,891  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   66,423        1,294,585  

Shares redeemed

     (2,093,389      (43,217,666      (3,758,085      (71,115,927

Net increase (decrease)

     (239,279      ($5,423,999      (2,260,551      ($42,947,451

MATTHEWS CHINA SMALL COMPANIES FUND

           

Investor Class

           

Shares sold

     503,187        $4,755,639        253,087        $2,130,881  

Shares issued through reinvestment of distributions

                   91,953        794,479  

Shares redeemed

     (488,827      (4,558,157      (837,034      (7,080,001

Net increase (decrease)

     14,360        $197,482        (491,994      ($4,154,641

As of June 30, 2017, a 2.00% redemption fee will be 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. The imposition of redemption fees pursuant to the Funds’ Short-Term Trading Redemption Fee Policy for the Covered Funds may assist the Covered Funds in discouraging market timing activity.

The redemption fee is imposed to discourage market timing and short-term buying and selling of shares of the Covered Funds, which can disrupt the management of the Covered Funds’ investment portfolios and may have detrimental effects on the Covered Funds and other shareholders, and to allocate the costs the Covered Funds incur as a result of short-term trading and market timing. 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 Covered Funds may grant an exemption from the redemption fee when the Covered Funds have previously received assurances that transactions do not involve a substantial risk of the type of harm that the policy is designed to avoid. The Covered Funds may also waive the imposition of redemption fees in certain circumstances. For more information on this policy, please see the Funds’ prospectuses. The redemption fees returned to the assets of the Funds are stated in the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

The Funds (or their agents) attempt to contact shareholders whom the Funds (or their agents) believe have violated the Funds’ policies and procedures related to short-term trading and market-timing activity, and notify them that they will no longer be permitted to buy (or exchange) shares of the Funds. When a shareholder has purchased shares of the Funds through an intermediary, the Funds may not be able to notify the shareholder of a violation of the Funds’ policies or that the Funds have taken steps to address the situation (for example, the Funds may be unable to notify a share- holder that his or her privileges to purchase or exchange shares of the Funds have been terminated). Nonetheless, additional purchase and exchange orders for such investors will not be accepted by the Funds.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      147  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

The Funds may reject for any reason, or cancel as permitted or required by law, any purchase or exchange, including transactions deemed to represent excessive trading, at any time.

 

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 0.65% 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.

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%.  

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 April 28, 2017 for all Funds, except Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund, Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund, and Matthews China Small Companies 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%. For Matthews China Small Companies Fund this level is 1.50% for the Investor Class. In turn, if a Fund’s expenses 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. This agreement will continue through April 30, 2018, 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.

On June 30, 2017, the amounts subject to possible future recoupment under the expense limitation agreement are as follows:    

 

     Expiring December 31,  
      2017        2018        2019        2020  
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $79,504          $113,621          $123,474          $59,105  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund                        110,447          65,407  
Matthews Asia Value Fund               41,278          211,035          57,927  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      62,897          87,252          111,801          50,794  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund               183,986          163,853          64,566  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      152,284          452,048          553,167          304,462  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      15,270          113,037          252,008          170,971  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      63,212          133,327          142,295          79,810  

Investment advisory fees charged, waived fees and reimbursed additional expenses for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, 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      $234,406          ($59,105        $175,301  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      58,256          (65,407        (7,151
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      9,108,024                   9,108,024  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      17,727,659          (122,046        17,605,613  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      700,442                   700,442  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      16,942          (57,927        (40,985

 

148    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
      Gross Advisory Fees        Advisory Fees
Waived and
Reimbursed in
Excess of the
Expense Limitation
       Net Advisory Fee/
Reimbursement
 
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      $37,085          ($50,794        ($13,709
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      2,209,260                   2,209,260  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      24,986,569          (328,970        24,657,599  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      37,651          (64,567        (26,916
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      1,512,414          (304,462        1,207,952  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      396,093                   396,093  
Matthews China Fund      1,933,767                   1,933,767  
Matthews India Fund      6,291,665                   6,291,665  
Matthews Japan Fund      10,724,823          (11,276        10,713,547  
Matthews Korea Fund      600,824                   600,824  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      2,041,610          (170,971        1,870,639  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      88,282          (79,810        8,472  

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 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, 2017, 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      $50,545          $—          $50,545  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      12,555                   12,555  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      1,924,192                   1,924,192  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      3,742,948          (122,046        3,620,902  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      147,900                   147,900  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      3,548                   3,548  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      7,833                   7,833  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      466,686                   466,686  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      5,276,650          (328,970        4,947,680  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      7,942                   7,942  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      211,674                   211,674  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      83,580                   83,580  
Matthews China Fund      408,376                   408,376  
Matthews India Fund      1,327,622                   1,327,622  
Matthews Japan Fund      2,265,279          (11,276        2,254,003  
Matthews Korea Fund      126,859                   126,859  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      286,475                   286,475  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      12,372                   12,372  

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.

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      149  


Table of Contents

 

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

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, 2017 were as follows:

 

      Administration and
Accounting Fees
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $2,885  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      717  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      109,838  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      213,797  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      8,447  
Matthews Asia Value Fund      204  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      447  
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      26,643  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      301,336  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      454  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund      12,099  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund      4,777  
Matthews China Fund      23,321  
Matthews India Fund      75,882  
Matthews Japan Fund      129,338  
Matthews Korea Fund      7,246  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      16,333  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      706  

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.

Cross trades for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, were executed by the Funds pursuant to Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act. Cross trading is the buying or selling of portfolio securities between Funds to which Matthews International Capital Management, LLC serves as investment advisor. At its regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the Board reviews such transactions as of the most recent calendar quarter for compliance with the requirements and restrictions set forth by Rule 17a-7. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2017, the purchase and sale transactions with an affiliated Fund in compliance with Rule 17a-7 under the 1940 Act were as follows:

 

      Purchases        Sales  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      $6,715,506          $—  
Matthews Japan Fund               6,715,506  

As of June 30, 2017, 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      $1,496,908          21
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund      1,209,403          64
Matthews Asia Value Fund      147,613          9
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      150,175          14
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      392,816          32
Matthews China Small Companies Fund      447,950          23

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 $785,250 in aggregate for regular compensation during the six-month period ended June 30, 2017.

 

6. INVESTMENTS

The value of investment transactions made for affiliated and unaffiliated holdings for the six-month period ended June 30, 2017 were as follows:

 

      Affiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Affiliated Sales
       Unaffiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Unaffiliated Sales
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $—          $—          $24,857,893          $18,121,825  
Matthews Asia Credit Opportunities Fund                    4,809,676          2,572,517  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund                        206,537,575          298,910,599  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      20,130,546          18,541,886          1,187,596,230          726,885,938  
Matthews China Dividend Fund                    111,413,978          91,921,002  
Matthews Asia Value Fund                        15,534,303          549,628  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund                        916,373          1,230,040  

 

150    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents
      Affiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Affiliated Sales
       Unaffiliated Purchases        Proceeds from
Unaffiliated Sales
 
Matthews Asia Growth Fund      $—          $—          $56,532,360          $66,534,543  
Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund      7,061,379          32,644,536          237,203,995          184,723,849  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund                        4,346,090          1,783,986  
Matthews Emerging Asia Fund                        121,897,685          22,656,509  
Matthews Asia Innovators Fund                        44,021,733          28,824,709  
Matthews China Fund                        236,182,434          248,992,623  
Matthews India Fund               842,616          350,273,068          57,646,666  
Matthews Japan Fund               9,503,418          705,225,502          687,788,011  
Matthews Korea Fund                        24,851,205          15,220,451  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund                        124,816,242          215,856,923  
Matthews China Small Companies Fund                        5,160,816          5,691,814  

 

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, 2017, 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, 2017 is as follows:

 

      Shares Held at
Dec. 31, 2016
     Shares
Purchased
    

Shares

Sold

     Shares Held at
June 30, 2017
   

Value at

June 30, 2017

    

Dividend

Income

Jan. 1, 2017–

June 30, 2017

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

Jan. 1, 2017–

June 30, 2017

 
MATTHEWS ASIA DIVIDEND FUND                   
Name of Issuer:                    

Anritsu Corp.

     6,321,500        758,500               7,080,000       $63,970,616        $478,228        $—  

Ascendas India Trust

     53,470,700                      53,470,700       44,031,497        1,134,779         

Breville Group, Ltd.

     10,644,019                      10,644,019       85,484,086        1,252,712         

CapitaLand Retail China Trust, REIT

     43,232,400        5,373,300               48,605,700       57,899,654        1,451,462         

Minth Group, Ltd.

     57,963,000        2,538,000        3,182,000        57,319,000       242,821,512        5,162,870        9,835,536  

Yuexiu Transport Infrastructure, Ltd.

     100,968,000               8,322,000        92,646,000       66,443,763        2,380,131        686,574  
                   

Total Affiliates

                $560,651,128        $11,860,182        $10,522,110  
                   
MATTHEWS PACIFIC TIGER FUND                   
Name of Issuer:                    

Cheil Worldwide, Inc.

     6,504,297        450,000               6,954,297       $111,853,311        $—        $—  

Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd. H Shares

     34,836,000               3,000,000        31,836,000       121,872,124        3,514,861        2,745,465  

Green Cross Corp.

     776,872                      776,872       118,518,293                

Just Dial, Ltd.

     3,557,718                      3,557,718       20,438,099                

Synnex Technology International Corp.

     103,100,921               7,500,000        95,600,921       107,098,852               (1,174,468

Tata Power Co., Ltd.

     171,620,436               7,000,000        164,620,436       204,993,040               (7,732,825
                   

Total Affiliates

                $684,773,719        $3,514,861        ($6,161,828
                   
MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND                   
Name of Issuer:                    

National Seed JSC

     979,585                      979,585       $4,697,319        $64,787        $—  
                   

Total Affiliates

                $4,697,319        $64,787        $—  
                   
MATTHEWS INDIA FUND                   
Name of Issuer:                    

eClerx Services, Ltd.

     2,751,931               50,000        2,701,931       $55,257,016        $—        $202,048  

VST Industries, Ltd.

     1,185,704                      1,185,704       65,438,203                
                   

Total Affiliates

                $120,695,219        $—        $202,048  
                   

 

matthewsasia.com  |  800.789.ASIA      151  


Table of Contents

Notes to Financial Statements (unaudited) (continued)

 

      Shares Held at
Dec. 31, 2016
     Shares
Purchased
    

Shares

Sold

     Shares Held at
June 30, 2017
   

Value at

June 30, 2017

    

Dividend

Income

Jan. 1, 2017–

June 30, 2017

    

Net Realized

Gain (Loss)

Jan. 1, 2017–

June 30, 2017

 
MATTHEWS JAPAN FUND                   
Name of Issuer:                    

Daiken Medical Co., Ltd.

     1,755,200               95,200        1,660,000       $11,863,532        $272,314        $56,958  

Doshisha Co., Ltd.†

     1,989,400               134,600        1,854,800                      

Infomart Corp.†

     6,539,000               130,300        6,408,700                      

Septeni Holdings Co., Ltd.†

     7,039,100               7,039,100                             

TechnoPro Holdings, Inc.

     2,045,800               290,200        1,755,600       70,665,994        1,012,380        2,132,762  

W-Scope Corp.

     2,315,300                      2,315,300       40,670,604                
                   

Total Affiliates

                $123,200,130        $1,284,694        $2,189,720  
                   

 

Issuer was not an affiliated company as of June 30, 2017.

 

8. INCOME TAX INFORMATION INCOME AND WITHHOLDING TAXES

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 year ended December 31, 2016. 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

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, 2016:

 

      Late Year
Losses*
 
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $121,441  
Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund      7,187,374  
Matthews Asia Dividend Fund      10,884,608  
Matthews China Dividend Fund      13,952  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      13,364  
Matthews China Fund      1,208,997  
Matthews Japan Fund      2,221,694  

 

* 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, 2016, the Funds have capital loss carryforwards available to offset future realized capital gains through the indicated expiration dates as follows:

 

     Amount With No Expiration*           
LOSSES DEFERRED EXPIRING IN:    Short-term
Losses
       Long-term
Losses
       Total  
Matthews Asia Strategic Income Fund      $1,806,590          $396,949          $2,203,539  
Matthews Asia Focus Fund      153,688          740,492          894,180  
Matthews Asia ESG Fund      42,774                   42,774  
Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund      1,481,217                   1,481,217  

 

* Post-Enactment Losses: Must be utilized prior to losses subject to expiration.

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.

 

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.

 

152    MATTHEWS ASIA FUNDS


Table of Contents

LOGO

 


Table of Contents
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 Milk Street

Boston, MA 02109

 

ACCOUNT SERVICES

Matthews Asia Funds

P.O. Box 9791

Providence, RI 02940

800.789.ASIA

 

LEGAL COUNSEL

Paul Hastings LLP

55 Second Street, 24th Floor

San Francisco, CA 94105

 

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-0617-243M


Table of Contents

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.


Table of Contents

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 registrant’s second fiscal quarter of 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. 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.

 

  (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.


Table of Contents

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 7, 2017                                                                             

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 7, 2017                                                                             

By (Signature and Title)*    /s/ Shai Malka                                                

                                             Shai Malka, Treasurer

                                             (principal financial officer)

Date    September 7, 2017                                                                             

 

* Print the name and title of each signing officer under his or her signature.