Matthews Asia to Re-open Two Funds

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 20, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Matthews International Capital Management, LLC ("Matthews"),  today announced plans to re-open the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund and the Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund to new investors on January 4, 2012.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20111206/PH17441LOGO )

The Matthews Asian Growth and Income and Matthews Asia Small Companies Funds were closed to most new investors on January 7, 2011 and November 12, 2010, respectively, in response to rapid increases in inflows.

"We believe the Funds now have the capacity to accept new assets while maintaining the integrity of their investment process," said Robert Horrocks, PhD, Matthews' Chief Investment Officer and Lead Manager of the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund. "We feel confident that the portfolios can be managed efficiently, even should the pace of flows increase."

Launched in 1994, the Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund seeks to offer investors a relatively stable means to participate in Asia's growth, while attempting to provide some downside protection.

Launched in 2008, the Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund seeks long-term capital appreciation by investing in small companies (generally under $3 billion) in Asia ex-Japan that we believe are capable of delivering strong secular growth.

As of November 30, 2011, both the Matthews Asian Growth and Income (Investor Class) and Matthews Asia Small Companies (Investor Class) Funds received 5-Star Overall Morningstar Ratings based on their risk-adjusted performance. The Funds were rated among 57 funds in the Pacific/Asia ex-Japan stock category.

"With the re-opening of the Funds, we are pleased to offer investors access to our full range of investment strategies," said William Hackett, Chief Executive Officer of Matthews. "In addition, we believe that restoring the balance between purchases and redemptions is in the best interest of shareholders."

Morningstar Ratings

As of 11/30/11, The Matthews Asian Growth and Income Fund (Investor Class) received a 3-Star Morningstar Rating for the three-year period out of 57 funds; a 5-Star Morningstar Rating for the five-year period out of 41 funds; and a 5-Star Morningstar Rating for the 10-year period out of 35 funds in the Pacific/Asia ex-Japan stock category.

As of 11/30/11, The Matthews Asia Small Companies Fund (Investor Class) received a 5-Star Morningstar Rating for the three-year period out of 57 funds in the Pacific/Asia ex-Japan stock category. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

About Matthews

Matthews is an independent, privately owned investment management firm and the largest dedicated Asia investment specialist in the United States. Founded in 1991, Matthews believes in the long-term growth of Asia and has focused its efforts and expertise within the region, investing through a variety of market environments. Its investment offerings provide a broad range of choices for building a global portfolio that includes exposure to Asia. With $15.7 billion in assets under management as of November 30, 2011, Matthews employs a bottom-up, fundamental investment philosophy, with a focus on long-term investment performance. For more information about Matthews, please visit matthewsasia.com.

You should consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the Matthews Asia Funds carefully before making an investment decision. A prospectus with this information and other information about the Funds may be obtained by calling 1-800-789-ASIA or by visiting matthewsasia.com. Please read the prospectus carefully before investing as it explains the risks associated with investing in international markets.

Investing in international 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 inflations risks. In addition, single-country and sector strategies may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than diversified strategies because of concentration in a specific industry, sector or geographic location. Investing in small- and mid-size companies is more risky and volatile than investing in large companies as they may be more volatile and less liquid than larger companies.

The Overall Morningstar® Rating for a fund is derived from a weighted-average of the performance figures associated with its three-, five- and (if applicable) ten-year ratings. Past performance is no guarantee of future results. For each fund with at least a three-year history, Morningstar® calculates a Morningstar® Rating based on a Morningstar® Risk-Adjusted Return measure that accounts for variation in a fund's monthly performance (including the effects of sales charges, loads, and redemption fees), placing more emphasis on downward variations and rewarding consistent performance. The top 10% of funds in each category receive 5 stars, the next 22.5% receive 4 stars, the next 35% receive 3 stars, the next 22.5% receive 2 stars and the bottom 10% receive 1 star. (Each share class is counted as a fraction of one fund within this scale and rated separately, which may cause slight variations in the distribution percentages.)

Matthews Asia Funds are distributed in the United States by BNY Mellon Distributors Inc.

Matthews Asia Funds are distributed in Latin America by HMC Partners.

 

SOURCE Matthews International Capital Management, LLC