IASMX vs. MATFX

Last updated Apr 1, 2026

Compare and contrast key facts about Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX) and Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX).

IASMX is managed by Guinness Atkinson. It was launched on Apr 28, 1996. MATFX is managed by Matthews. It was launched on Dec 26, 1999.

Performance

IASMX vs. MATFX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX) and Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

IASMX vs. MATFX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
IASMX Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund	-1.19%	29.64%	4.38%	5.95%	-28.04%	-6.46%	26.02%	29.32%	-17.58%	47.12%
MATFX Matthews Asia Innovators Fund	6.71%	30.22%	16.47%	-1.77%	-24.66%	-5.90%	86.75%	29.60%	-18.59%	52.78%

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, IASMX achieves a -1.19% return, which is significantly lower than MATFX's 6.71% return. Over the past 10 years, IASMX has underperformed MATFX with an annualized return of 7.59%, while MATFX has yielded a comparatively higher 11.50% annualized return.

IASMX

• 1D: -0.27%
• 1M: -8.38%
• YTD: -1.19%
• 6M: -2.18%
• 1Y: 26.03%
• 3Y*: 9.95%
• 5Y*: -1.62%
• 10Y*: 7.59%

MATFX

• 1D: -1.05%
• 1M: -9.74%
• YTD: 6.71%
• 6M: 3.63%
• 1Y: 36.32%
• 3Y*: 15.76%
• 5Y*: 2.57%
• 10Y*: 11.50%

*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

IASMX vs. MATFX - Expense Ratio Comparison

IASMX has a 1.98% expense ratio, which is higher than MATFX's 1.18% expense ratio.

IASMX

Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund

MATFX

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund

Return for Risk

IASMX vs. MATFX — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.

IASMX

IASMX Risk / Return Rank: 68
IASMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 71
IASMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 72
IASMX Omega Ratio Rank: 66
IASMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 64
IASMX Martin Ratio Rank: 67

MATFX

MATFX Risk / Return Rank: 81
MATFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 87
MATFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
MATFX Omega Ratio Rank: 82
MATFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 80
MATFX Martin Ratio Rank: 70

The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

IASMX vs. MATFX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX) and Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

	IASMX	MATFX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	1.26	1.72	-0.45
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	1.80	2.28	-0.48
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.25	1.32	-0.07
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.49	1.92	-0.43
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	6.38	6.58	-0.20
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

IASMX vs. MATFX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current IASMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.26, which is comparable to the MATFX Sharpe Ratio of 1.72. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of IASMX and MATFX, offering insights into how both investments have performed under varying market conditions. These values are calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	IASMX	MATFX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.26	1.72	-0.45
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.08	0.11	-0.19
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.37	0.52	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.16	0.25	-0.10

Correlation

The correlation between IASMX and MATFX is 0.77, which is considered to be high. That indicates a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Having highly-correlated positions in a portfolio may signal a lack of diversification, potentially leading to increased risk during market downturns.

Dividends

IASMX vs. MATFX - Dividend Comparison

IASMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 7.01%, while MATFX has not paid dividends to shareholders.

	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IASMX Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund	7.01%	6.92%	1.51%	1.16%	3.40%	9.14%	5.78%	6.61%	12.82%	0.90%	1.44%	1.18%
MATFX Matthews Asia Innovators Fund	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	26.54%	31.07%	1.67%	0.29%	2.63%	8.44%	0.00%	15.24%

Drawdowns

IASMX vs. MATFX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum IASMX drawdown since its inception was -76.53%, roughly equal to the maximum MATFX drawdown of -76.88%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for IASMX and MATFX.

Drawdown Indicators

	IASMX	MATFX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.53%	-76.88%	+0.35%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.27%	-13.52%	-1.75%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-49.08%	-45.33%	-3.75%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.51%	-52.42%	-0.09%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-18.06%	-10.64%	-7.42%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-33.36%	-28.35%	-5.01%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.57%	4.75%	-1.18%

Volatility

IASMX vs. MATFX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX) is 6.81%, while Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX) has a volatility of 9.83%. This indicates that IASMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MATFX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	IASMX	MATFX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	6.81%	9.83%	-3.02%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	12.32%	15.52%	-3.20%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.10%	21.52%	-1.42%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	21.22%	23.97%	-2.75%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	20.61%	22.22%	-1.61%