MA

Company Research Report: Matthews Asia



Company Overview



  • Name: Matthews Asia

  • Mission: To focus on Asia and provide compelling investment solutions for clients by distinguishing themselves among investment managers with insights backed by proprietary research, a collaborative culture, and three decades of experience.

  • Founded: 1991

  • Key People:

  • Cooper Abbott, CFA, CAIA: Chief Executive Officer

  • Sean Taylor: Chief Investment Officer and Portfolio Manager

  • Theresa Noriega-Lum: Chief Financial Officer

  • Doug Byrkit: Head of Distribution and Global Client Services

  • Deepa Damre Smith: General Counsel

  • Headquarters: San Francisco, California, United States

  • Number of Employees: Information not available.

  • Revenue: Information not available.

  • Known For: Specializing in investing in emerging Asian markets, conducting in-depth fundamental research to identify investment opportunities, and providing high active share portfolios.


Products



  • Active ETFs and Mutual Funds:

  • Comprehensive range of actively managed exchange-traded funds (ETFs).

  • Diverse mutual funds focusing on Asian and emerging markets with a high degree of active management.

  • Key Features:

  • Offer diverse exposure across sectors, themes, and market capitalizations.

  • Designed to outperform benchmarks through active management and fundamental research.


Recent Developments



  • New Products:

  • Launch of Discovery Active ETFs aimed at smaller companies with innovative business models (January 11, 2024).

  • Introduction of multiple new Active ETFs to offer more customization in emerging markets (September 22, 2023).

  • New Features:

  • Active engagement and integration of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations into investment processes.

  • Partnerships: No information is available on new partnerships.

  • Significant Appointments:

  • Sean Taylor appointed as Chief Investment Officer in October 2023.

  • Michael Barrer hired as Head of ETF Capital Markets in July 2022.


Recent Insights and Market Context



  • U.S. Election 2024 Implications: Matthews Asia's Chief Investment Officer, Sean Taylor, shared insights on how a second Trump administration could affect emerging markets, detailing potential headwinds and opportunities (November 18, 2024).

  • China’s Stimulus Measures: Analysis of China's stimulus package and its potential impact on the economy and equity market (September 25, 2024).

  • Macroeconomic Developments in Japan: Commentary on Japan’s long-term equity prospects amidst global market volatility (September 16, 2024).


Commitment to Sustainable and Responsible Investment



  • UNPRI Signatory: Committed to incorporating environmental, social, and governance considerations into investment processes.

  • Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives: Supports local communities through charitable programs and sustainable business practices, including carbon offset initiatives for business travel.

  • Philanthropy: Established the Matthews Asia Charitable Giving Program to support communities in Asia and match employee charitable contributions.


Risk Management and Investment Philosophy



  • Long-term Focus: Matthews Asia emphasizes a long-term investment perspective, underpinned by extensive on-the-ground fundamental research.

  • Active Management: Invests with a focus on creating portfolios that differ significantly from benchmarks to capture market opportunities.

  • Risk Management: Employs a dedicated, independent risk management function to oversee enterprise and investment risks.


Conclusion



Matthews Asia maintains a strategic focus on Asia, providing investment solutions that capitalize on the growth potential of emerging markets. Through active management and a steadfast commitment to sustainable and responsible investment practices, Matthews Asia aims to deliver investment excellence to its clients while keeping a keen eye on risk management and long-term growth opportunities.