MAPTX vs. IASMX

Last updated Jun 24, 2026

MAPTX (Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund) and IASMX (Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MAPTX returned 7.36%/yr vs 9.32%/yr for IASMX. Their correlation of 0.81 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MAPTX charges 1.09%/yr vs 1.98%/yr for IASMX.

Performance

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MAPTX achieves a 38.53% return, which is significantly higher than IASMX's 18.07% return. Over the past 10 years, MAPTX has underperformed IASMX with an annualized return of 7.36%, while IASMX has yielded a comparatively higher 9.32% annualized return.

MAPTX

• 1D: 0.84%
• 1M: 9.12%
• YTD: 38.53%
• 6M: 40.60%
• 1Y: 68.37%
• 3Y*: 21.81%
• 5Y*: 2.00%
• 10Y*: 7.36%

IASMX

• 1D: -0.68%
• 1M: 3.36%
• YTD: 18.07%
• 6M: 19.23%
• 1Y: 37.47%
• 3Y*: 17.59%
• 5Y*: 2.30%
• 10Y*: 9.32%

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

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MAPTX Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund	38.53%	30.07%	3.25%	-4.82%	-20.69%	-17.92%	28.88%	10.75%	-11.05%	39.94%
IASMX Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund	18.07%	29.64%	4.38%	5.95%	-28.04%	-6.46%	26.02%	29.32%	-17.58%	47.12%

Correlation

The correlation between MAPTX and IASMX is 0.78, which is moderate. They share some common price drivers but move independently often enough to provide real diversification benefit when combined.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.78
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.82
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.86
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.85
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Apr 29, 1996	0.81

The correlation between MAPTX and IASMX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.78 to 0.86 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MAPTX vs. IASMX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MAPTX

MAPTX Risk / Return Rank: 92
MAPTX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
MAPTX Sortino Ratio Rank: 86
MAPTX Omega Ratio Rank: 91
MAPTX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
MAPTX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

IASMX

IASMX Risk / Return Rank: 63
IASMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 61
IASMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 54
IASMX Omega Ratio Rank: 54
IASMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 84
IASMX Martin Ratio Rank: 62

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.

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund (MAPTX) and Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX). 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.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

	MAPTX	IASMX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	3.22	2.12	+1.10
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	2.85	+0.95
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.63	1.37	+0.25
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	5.12	3.80	+1.32
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	18.58	11.51	+7.07

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MAPTX Sharpe Ratio is 3.22, which is higher than the IASMX Sharpe Ratio of 2.12. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MAPTX and IASMX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Drawdowns

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MAPTX drawdown since its inception was -69.79%, smaller than the maximum IASMX drawdown of -76.53%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MAPTX and IASMX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MAPTX	IASMX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-69.79%	-76.53%	+6.74%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.03%	-10.00%	-4.03%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.23%	-19.62%	-2.61%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-48.55%	-46.57%	-1.98%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.31%	-52.51%	+0.20%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	-2.08%	+2.08%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-17.42%	-33.16%	+15.74%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.81%	3.29%	+0.52%

Volatility

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund (MAPTX) has a higher volatility of 12.64% compared to Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund (IASMX) at 7.59%. This indicates that MAPTX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than IASMX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MAPTX	IASMX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	12.64%	7.59%	+5.05%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	20.22%	14.45%	+5.77%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	22.31%	17.96%	+4.35%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	20.59%	21.54%	-0.95%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.53%	20.83%	-2.30%

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MAPTX has a 1.09% expense ratio, which is lower than IASMX's 1.98% expense ratio.

Dividends

MAPTX vs. IASMX - Dividend Comparison

MAPTX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.68%, less than IASMX's 5.86% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
IASMX Guinness Atkinson Asia Focus Fund	5.86%	6.92%	1.51%	1.16%	3.40%	9.14%	5.78%	6.61%	12.82%	0.90%	1.44%	1.18%
MAPTX Matthews Pacific Tiger Fund	1.68%	2.33%	8.93%	2.93%	8.52%	4.85%	5.74%	3.44%	4.78%	1.25%	2.61%	11.18%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MAPTX and IASMX in my portfolio?

MAPTX and IASMX have a correlation of 0.78, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MAPTX or IASMX?

MAPTX has higher volatility (12.64%) compared to IASMX (7.59%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MAPTX dropped -69.79% vs IASMX's -76.53%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MAPTX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.22 vs 2.12), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.