PS-MEASX-0415
2 MATTHEWS EMERGING ASIA FUND
if they are rated, they may be rated below investment grade (these are referred to as junk bonds, which are primarily speculative securities, and include unrated securities, regardless of quality), which may have a greater risk of default. Investments in convertible securities may also subject the Fund to currency risk and risks associated with foreign exchange rate. Convertible securities may trade less frequently and in lower volumes, making it difficult for the Fund to value those securities.
Risks Associated with Smaller Companies: Smaller companies may offer substantial opportunities for capital growth; they also involve substantial risks, and investments in smaller companies may be considered speculative. Such companies often have limited product lines, markets or financial resources. Smaller companies may be more dependent on one or few key persons and may lack depth of management. Larger portions of their stock may be held by a small number of investors (including founders and management) than is typical of larger companies. Credit may be more difficult to obtain (and on less advantageous terms) than for larger companies. As a result, the influence of creditors (and the impact of financial or operating restrictions associated with debt financing) may be greater than in larger or more established companies. The Fund may have more difficulty obtaining information about smaller companies, making it more difficult to evaluate the impact of market, economic, regulatory and other factors on them. Informational difficulties may also make valuing or disposing of their securities more difficult than it would for larger companies. Securities of smaller companies may trade less frequently and in lesser volume than more widely held securities and the securities of such companies generally are subject to more abrupt or erratic price movements than more widely held or larger, more established companies or the market indices in general. The value of securities of smaller companies may react differently to political, market and economic developments than the markets as a whole or than other types of stocks.
Risks Associated with Micro-Cap Companies: Investments in micro-cap companies are subject to the same types of risks described above for investments in smaller companies, but the likelihood of losses from such risks is even greater for micro-cap companies.
Past Performance
The bar chart below shows the Funds performance for each full calendar year since its inception and how it has varied from year to year, reflective of the Funds volatility and some indication of risk. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Funds performance over certain periods of time, along with performance of its benchmark index. The index performance does not take into consideration fees, expenses or taxes. The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results. Both the bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. For the Funds most recent month-end performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.ASIA (2742).
ANNUAL RETURN FOR YEAR ENDED 12/31
AVERAGE ANNUAL TOTAL RETURNS FOR PERIODS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2014
1 year | Since Inception (04/30/13) |
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Matthews Emerging Asia Fund |
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Return before taxes |
17.39% | 9.67% | ||||||
Return after taxes on distributions1 |
17.33% | 9.67% | ||||||
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares1 |
10.03% | 7.50% | ||||||
MSCI Emerging Markets Asia Index |
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(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 5.27% | 4.43% |
1 | After-tax returns are calculated using the highest historical individual federal marginal income tax rates and do not reflect the impact of state and local taxes. Actual after-tax returns depend on an investors tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts. |
Investment Advisor
Matthews International Capital Management, LLC (Matthews)
Portfolio Managers
Lead Manager: Taizo Ishida has been a Portfolio Manager of the Emerging Asia Fund since its inception in 2013.
Co-Manager: Robert Harvey, CFA, has been a Portfolio Manager of the Emerging Asia Fund since its inception in 2013.
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Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase and sell Fund shares directly through the Funds transfer agent by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742) or online at matthewsasia.com. Fund shares may also be purchased and sold through various securities brokers and benefit plan administrators or their sub-agents. You may purchase and redeem Fund shares by electronic bank transfer, check, or wire. The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for various types of accounts offered by the Fund are shown below.
Type of Account | Minimum Initial Investment | Subsequent Investments | ||
Non-retirement | $2,500 | $100 | ||
Retirement and Coverdell | $500 | $50 |
Tax Information
The Funds distributions are taxable, and will be taxed as ordinary income or capital gains, unless you are investing through a tax-deferred arrangement, such as a 401(k) plan or an individual retirement account. Tax-deferred arrangements may be taxed later upon withdrawal from those accounts.
Payments to Broker-Dealers and Other Financial Intermediaries
If you purchase Fund shares through a broker-dealer or other financial intermediary (such as a bank), Matthews may pay the intermediary for the sale of Fund shares and related services. Shareholders who purchase or hold Fund shares through an intermediary may inquire about such payments from that intermediary. These payments may create a conflict of interest by influencing the broker-dealer or other intermediary and your salesperson to recommend the Fund over another investment. Ask your salesperson or visit your financial intermediarys website for more information.
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