Matthews International Funds
12/15/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/15/2025 14:44
Summary Prospectus by Investment Company (Form 497K)
Matthews China Small Companies Fund
Summary Prospectus
April 30, 2025,
as revised December 15, 2025
as revised December 15, 2025
TICKER: MCSMX (INVESTOR CLASS), MICHX (INSTITUTIONAL CLASS)
Before you invest, you may want to review the Fund's Prospectus, which contains more information about the Fund and its risks. You can find the Fund's Prospectus and other information about the Fund online at matthewsasia.com/prospectus. You may also obtain this information at no additional cost by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742) or by sending an e-mail request to [email protected]. The Fund's Prospectus and Statement of Additional Information, both dated April 30, 2025, are incorporated by reference into this Summary Prospectus.
Investment Objective
Long-term capital appreciation.
Fees and Expenses of the Fund
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of this Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.
This table describes the fees and expenses that you may pay if you buy, hold and sell shares of this Fund. You may pay other fees, such as brokerage commissions and other fees to financial intermediaries, which are not reflected in the table and example below.
SHAREHOLDER FEES
(fees paid directly from your investment)
|
Investor Class
|
Institutional Class
|
|
|
Maximum Account Fee on Redemptions
(for wire redemptions only)
|
$9
|
$9
|
ANNUAL OPERATING EXPENSES
(expenses that you pay each year as a percentage of the value of your investment)
|
Management Fees
|
0.85%
|
0.85%
|
|
Distribution (12b-1) Fees
|
0.00%
|
0.00%
|
|
Other Expenses
|
0.76%
|
0.65%
|
|
Administration and Shareholder Servicing Fees
|
0.20%
|
0.20%
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses
|
1.61%
|
1.50%
|
|
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursement1
|
(0.21%)
|
(0.30%)
|
|
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee
Waiver and Expense Reimbursement
|
1.40%
|
1.20%
|
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 1.20%, first by waiving class specific expenses (e.g., shareholder service fees specific to a particular class) of the Institutional Class and then, to the extent necessary, by waiving non-class specific expenses (e.g., custody fees) 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 1.20% 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 1.20%. If the operating expenses fall below the expense limitation 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, 2026 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.
Example of Fund Expenses
This example is intended to help you compare the cost of investing in the Fund with the cost of investing in other mutual funds. The example assumes that you invest $10,000 in the Fund for the time periods indicated and then sell all of your shares at the end of those
PS-MCSMX/MICHX-1225
periods. The example also assumes that your investment has a 5% return each year and that the Fund's operating expenses remain the same. The example reflects the fee waiver for the one year period only. Although your actual costs may be higher or lower, based on these assumptions your costs would be:
|
One year
|
Three year
|
Five year
|
Ten year
|
|
|
Investor Class
|
$143
|
$488
|
$856
|
$1,893
|
|
Institutional
Class
|
$122
|
$445
|
$790
|
$1,765
|
Portfolio Turnover
The Fund pays transaction costs, such as commissions, when it buys and sells securities (or "turns over" its portfolio). A higher portfolio turnover may indicate higher transaction costs and may result in higher taxes when Fund shares are held in a taxable account. These costs, which are not reflected in annual fund operating expenses or in the example of fund expenses, affect the Fund's performance. During the most recent fiscal year, the Fund's portfolio turnover rate was 54% of the average value of its portfolio.
Principal Investment Strategy
Under normal circumstances, the Matthews China Small Companies Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing at least 80% of its net assets, which include borrowings for investment purposes, in the common and preferred stocks of Small Companies (defined below) located in China. China includes its administrative and other districts, such as Hong Kong.
A company or other issuer is considered to be "located" in China, and a security or instrument is deemed to be a Chinese security or instrument, if it has substantial ties to China. Matthews currently makes that determination based primarily on one or more of the following criteria: (A) with respect to a company or issuer, whether (i) it is organized under the laws of China; (ii) it derives at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed, or has at least 50% of its assets located, within China; (iii) it has the primary trading markets for its securities in China; (iv) it has its principal place of business in or is otherwise headquartered in China; or (v) it is a governmental entity or an agency, instrumentality or a political subdivision in China; and (B) with respect to an instrument or issue, whether (i) its issuer is headquartered or organized in China; (ii) it is issued to finance a project that has at least 50% of its assets or operations in China; (iii) it is at least 50% secured or backed by assets located in China; (iv) it is a component of or its issuer is included in the MSCI China Small Cap Index; or (v) it is denominated in the currency of China and addresses at least one of the other above criteria. The term "located" and the associated criteria listed above have been defined in such a way that Matthews has latitude in determining whether an issuer should be included within a region or country. Matthews may rely on only one criterion to determine location even if other criteria point to a different location. The Fund may also invest in depositary receipts, including American, European and Global Depositary Receipts.
The Fund seeks to invest in smaller companies capable of sustainable growth based on the fundamental characteristics of those companies, including balance sheet information; number of employees; size and stability of cash flow; management's depth, adaptability and integrity; product lines; marketing strategies; corporate governance; and financial health. Matthews generally determines whether a company should be considered to be a small company based on its market capitalization (the number of the
company's shares outstanding times the market price per share for such securities). Under normal circumstances, the Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in any company that has a market capitalization no higher than the greater of $5 billion or the market capitalization of the largest company included in the MSCI China Small Cap Index (each, a "Small Company" and together, "Small Companies"). The largest company in the MSCI China Small Cap Index had a market capitalization of $4.4 on December 31, 2024. Companies in which the Fund invests typically operate in growth industries and possess the potential to expand their scope of business over time. A company may grow to a market capitalization that is higher than the greater of $5 billion or the market capitalization of the largest company included in the Fund's secondary benchmark after the Fund has purchased its securities; nevertheless, the existing holdings of securities of such a company will continue to be considered a Small Company. If additional purchases of a security are made, all holdings (including prior purchases) of that security will be re-classified with respect to its market capitalization at the time of the last purchase. The implementation of the principal investment strategies of the Fund may result in a significant portion of the Fund's assets being invested from time to time in one or more sectors, but the Fund may invest in companies in any sector.
The Fund may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated ETFs for cash equitization purposes, which allows the Fund to invest in a manner consistent with its investment strategy while managing daily cash flows, including purchases and redemptions by investors.
Principal Risks of Investment
There is no guarantee that your investment in the Fund will increase in value. The value of your investment in the Fund could go down, meaning you could lose money. The principal risks of investing in the Fund are:
Political, Social and Economic Risks of Investing in Asia: The value of the Fund's assets may be adversely affected by political, economic, social and religious instability; inadequate investor protection; changes in laws or regulations of countries within the Asian region (including countries in which the Fund invests, as well as the broader region); international relations with other nations; natural disasters; corruption and military activity. The economies of many Asian countries differ from the economies of more developed countries in many respects, such as rate of growth, inflation, capital reinvestment, resource self-sufficiency, financial system stability, the national balance of payments position and sensitivity to changes in global trade.
Geopolitical Events Risk: The interconnectivity between global economies and financial markets increases the likelihood that events or conditions in one region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. Securities in the Fund's portfolio may underperform due to inflation (or expectations for inflation), interest rates, global demand for particular products or resources, trade disputes, supply chain disruptions, natural disasters, climate change and climate-related events, pandemics, epidemics, terrorism, international conflicts, cybersecurity events, regulatory events and governmental or quasi-governmental actions. The occurrence of global events similar to those in recent years may result in market volatility and may have long term effects on the global financial markets.
Currency Risk: When the Fund conducts securities transactions in a foreign currency, there is the risk of the value of the foreign currency increasing or decreasing against the value of the
2 Matthews China Small Companies Fund
U.S. dollar. The value of an investment denominated in a foreign currency will decline in U.S. dollar terms if that currency weakens against the U.S. dollar. While the Fund is permitted to hedge currency risks, Matthews does not anticipate doing so at this time. Additionally, China may utilize formal or informal currency-exchange controls or "capital controls." Capital controls may impose restrictions on the Fund's ability to repatriate investments or income. Such controls may also affect the value of the Fund's holdings.
Risks Associated with Emerging Markets: Many Asian countries are considered emerging markets. Such markets are often less stable politically and economically than developed markets such as the U.S., and investing in these markets involves different and greater risks due to, among other factors, different accounting standards; variable quality and reliability of financial information and related audits of companies; higher brokerage costs and thinner trading markets as compared to those in developed countries; the possibility of currency transfer restrictions; and the risk of expropriation, nationalization or other adverse political, economic or social developments. There may be less publicly available information about companies in many emerging market countries, and the stock exchanges and brokerage industries in many emerging market countries typically do not have the level of government oversight as do those in the U.S. Securities markets of many emerging market countries are also substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than securities markets in the U.S. Additionally, investors may have substantial difficulties bringing legal actions to enforce or protect investors' rights, which can increase the risks of loss.
U.S. Trade Policy Risk: The Trump administration recently enacted and proposed to enact significant new tariffs on imports from certain countries. Additionally, President Trump has directed various federal agencies to further evaluate key aspects of U.S. trade policy and there has been ongoing discussion and commentary regarding potential significant changes to U.S. trade policies, treaties and tariffs. There continues to exist significant uncertainty about the future relationship between the U.S. and other countries with respect to such trade policies, treaties and tariffs. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the U.S. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict a portfolio company's access to suppliers or customers and have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or operations, which in turn could negatively impact the Fund.
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) on smaller companies may be greater than on 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 smaller 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. Some smaller companies may have aggressive capital structures, including high debt levels, and be involved in rapidly growing or changing industries or technologies with intense competition. These companies often have limited operating histories resulting in less predictable operating results.
Risks Associated with Medium-Size Companies: Medium-size companies may be subject to a number of risks not associated with larger, more established companies, potentially making their stock prices more volatile and increasing the risk of loss.
Risks Associated with China and Hong Kong: The Chinese government exercises significant control over China's economy through its industrial policies (e.g., allocation of resources and other preferential treatment), monetary policy, management of currency exchange rates, and management of the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations. Changes in these policies could adversely impact affected industries or companies in China. As its consumer class continues to grow, China's domestically oriented industries may be especially sensitive to changes in government policy and investment cycles. The Chinese government has been accused of state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign governments and companies, and responses to such activity, including sanctions, tariffs or cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may negatively
affect China's economy and Chinese securities issuers. In addition, the current political climate has intensified concerns about trade tariffs or trade disputes with China's major trading partners, including a potential trade war between the U.S. and China. These consequences may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, shortages or oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price increases or decreases of goods, inflationary pressures, and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of the foreign export industry in China with a potentially negative impact on the
Fund's investments. As demonstrated by Hong Kong protests in recent years over political, economic, and legal freedoms, and the Chinese government's response to them, considerable political uncertainty continues to exist within Hong Kong. Due to the interconnected nature of the Hong Kong and Chinese economies, this instability in Hong Kong may cause uncertainty in the Hong Kong and Chinese markets. If China were to exert its authority so as to alter the economic, political or legal structures or the existing social policy of Hong Kong, investor and business confidence in Hong Kong could be negatively affected and have an adverse effect on the Fund's investments.
Growth Stock Risk: Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor perceptions of the issuing company's growth potential. Growth stocks may go in and out of favor over time and may perform differently than the market as a whole.
Equity Securities Risk: Equity securities may include common stock, preferred stock or other securities representing an ownership interest or the right to acquire an ownership interest in
3
an issuer. Equity risk is the risk that stocks and other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and may decline in value over short or extended periods. The value of stocks and other equity securities may be affected by changes in an issuer's financial condition, factors that affect a particular industry or industries, or as a result of changes in overall market, economic and political conditions that are not specifically related to a company or industry.
Preferred Stock Risk: Preferred stock normally pays dividends at a specified rate and has precedence over common stock in the event the issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy. However, in the event a company is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. If interest rates rise, the dividend on preferred stocks may be less attractive, causing the price of such stocks to decline.
Depositary Receipts Risk: Although depositary receipts have risks similar to the securities that they represent, they may also involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the underlying security. In addition, depositary receipts may not pass through voting and other shareholder rights, and may be less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange.
Volatility Risk: The smaller size and lower levels of liquidity in emerging markets, as well as other factors, may result in changes in the prices of Asian securities that are more volatile than those of companies in more developed regions. This volatility can cause the price of the Fund's shares to go up or down dramatically. Because of this volatility, this Fund is better suited for long-term investors. If the value of the Fund's investments declines, the net asset value of the Fund will decline and investors may lose some or all of the value of their investments.
Active Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed by Matthews. There is the risk that Matthews may select securities that underperform the relevant stock market(s), the Fund's benchmark index or other funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Sector Concentration Risk: To the extent that the Fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a particular sector, the Fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to that sector, including the sector(s) described below. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial
developments could significantly affect a single sector. By focusing its investments in a particular sector, the Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous sectors.
-Industrials Sector Risk: As of December 31, 2024, 22% of the Fund's assets were invested in the industrial sector. Industrial companies are affected by supply and demand both for their specific product or service and for industrial sector products in general. Government regulation, world events, exchange rates and economic conditions, technological developments and liabilities for environmental damage and general civil liabilities will likewise affect the performance of these companies.
-Consumer Discretionary Sector Risk: As of December 31, 2024, 20% of the Fund's assets were invested in the consumer discretionary sector. The success of consumer product manufacturers and retailers is tied closely to the performance of the overall local and international economies, interest rates, competition and consumer confidence. Success of companies in the consumer discretionary sector depends heavily on disposable household income and consumer spending. Changes in demographics and consumer tastes can also affect the demand for, and success of, consumer products and services in the marketplace.
Underlying ETF Risk: Because the Fund may invest in affiliated and unaffiliated ETFs, it is subject to additional risks that do not apply to conventional mutual funds, including the risks that the market price of ETF shares held by the Fund may trade at a discount to its net asset value, an active secondary trading market may not develop or be maintained, or trading may be halted by the exchange in which an ETF trades, which may impact the Fund's ability to sell its shares of an ETF.
Cybersecurity Risk: With the increased use of technologies such as the internet to conduct business, the Fund is susceptible to operational, information security, and related risks. Cyber incidents affecting the Fund or its service providers may cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with the Fund's ability to calculate its NAV, impediments to trading, the inability of shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs.
4 matthewsasia.com | 800.789.ASIA
Past Performance
The bar chart below shows the Fund's performance for the past 10 years and how it has varied from year to year. Also shown are the best and worst quarters for this time period. The table below shows the Fund's performance over certain periods of time, along with performance its benchmark indices. The information presented below is past performance, before and after taxes, and is not a prediction of future results. Both the bar chart and performance table assume reinvestment of all dividends and distributions. For the Fund's most recent month-end performance, please visit matthewsasia.com or call 800.789.ASIA (2742).
Investor Class:
Annual Total Returns For years Ended 12/31
Annual Total Returns For years Ended 12/31
|
Best Quarter
|
|
Q2 2020
|
|
42.64%
|
|
Worst Quarter
|
|
Q3 2022
|
|
-22.26%
|
Average Annual Total Returns For Periods Ended December 31, 2024
|
1 year
|
5 years
|
10 years
|
Since Inception
|
|
|
Matthews China Small Companies Fund-Investor Class
|
05/31/2011
|
|||
|
Return before taxes
|
2.82%
|
0.52%
|
5.99%
|
4.14%
|
|
Return after taxes on distributions1
|
2.45%
|
-1.85%
|
4.10%
|
2.74%
|
|
Return after taxes on distributions and sale of Fund shares1
|
1.86%
|
0.37%
|
4.56%
|
3.13%
|
|
Matthews China Small Companies Fund-Institutional Class
|
11/30/2017
|
|||
|
Return before taxes
|
2.97%
|
0.72%
|
n.a.
|
2.99%2
|
|
MSCI China Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
19.68%
|
-3.29%
|
2.05%
|
2.08%3
|
|
MSCI China Small Cap Index4
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes)
|
6.82%
|
-6.35%
|
-2.84%
|
-2.50%3
|
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 investor's tax situation and may differ from those shown. After-tax returns shown are not relevant to investors who hold their Fund shares through tax-deferred arrangements, such as 401(k) plans or individual retirement accounts.
2
Because the inception date of the Institutional Class is later than that of the Index returns shown, the since-inception performance of the Institutional Class is not directly comparable to the performance of the Index.
3
Calculated from 5/31/11.
4
Secondary benchmark index that Matthews believes more closely reflects the market segments in which the Fund invests.
Investment Advisor
Matthews International Capital Management, LLC ("Matthews")
Portfolio Manager(s)
●
Tiffany Hsiao has been a Portfolio Manager of the Matthews China Small Companies Fund since 2025.
The Portfolio Manager is primarily responsible for the Fund's day-to-day investment management decisions. The Portfolio Manager is supported by and consults with other members of the investment team.
Matthews China Small Companies Fund 5
Purchase and Sale of Fund Shares
You may purchase and sell Fund shares directly through the Fund's transfer agent by calling 800.789.ASIA (2742) or online at matthewsasia.com. Fund shares may also be purchased and sold through various securities brokers and benefit plan administrators or their sub-agents. You may purchase and redeem Fund shares by electronic bank transfer, check, or wire. The minimum initial and subsequent investment amounts for various types of accounts offered by the Fund are shown below.
|
INVESTOR CLASS SHARES
|
||
|
Type of Account
|
Minimum Initial
Investment
|
Minimum Subsequent
Investments
|
|
Non-retirement
|
$2,500
|
$100
|
|
Retirement and Coverdell
|
$500
|
$50
|
|
INSTITUTIONAL CLASS SHARES
|
||
|
Type of Account
|
Minimum Initial
Investment
|
Minimum Subsequent
Investments
|
|
All accounts
|
$100,000
|
$100
|
Minimum amount for Institutional Class Shares may be lower for purchases through certain financial intermediaries and different minimums may apply for retirement plans and other arrangements subject to criteria set by Matthews. The minimum investment requirements for both the Investor and Institutional Classes do not apply to Trustees, officers and employees of the Funds and Matthews, and their immediate family members.
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 intermediary's website for more information.
matthewsasia.com | 800.789.ASIA
PS-MCSMX/MICHX-1225 6
Matthews International Funds published this content on December 15, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Edgar on December 15, 2025 at 20:44 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]