MATFX vs. FSEAX

Last updated Jun 23, 2026

MATFX (Matthews Asia Innovators Fund) and FSEAX (Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, MATFX returned 16.89%/yr vs 16.18%/yr for FSEAX. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MATFX charges 1.18%/yr vs 1.02%/yr for FSEAX.

Performance

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Performance Comparison

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

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MATFX achieves a 69.73% return, which is significantly higher than FSEAX's 40.01% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with MATFX having a 16.89% annualized return and FSEAX not far behind at 16.18%.

MATFX

• 1D: 5.11%
• 1M: 10.25%
• YTD: 69.73%
• 6M: 72.29%
• 1Y: 103.56%
• 3Y*: 35.64%
• 5Y*: 11.85%
• 10Y*: 16.89%

FSEAX

• 1D: 3.61%
• 1M: 8.30%
• YTD: 40.01%
• 6M: 42.44%
• 1Y: 71.14%
• 3Y*: 33.40%
• 5Y*: 8.63%
• 10Y*: 16.18%

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

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MATFX Matthews Asia Innovators Fund	69.73%	30.22%	16.47%	-1.77%	-24.66%	-5.90%	86.75%	29.60%	-18.59%	52.78%
FSEAX Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund	40.01%	36.43%	21.80%	13.58%	-31.26%	-14.91%	73.43%	30.97%	-15.08%	45.13%

Correlation

The correlation between MATFX and FSEAX is 0.84, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

	Correlation
Correlation (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	0.84
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.89
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.91
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.91
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Dec 27, 1999	0.86

The correlation between MATFX and FSEAX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.91 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MATFX vs. FSEAX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MATFX

MATFX Risk / Return Rank: 97
MATFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 99
MATFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 95
MATFX Omega Ratio Rank: 94
MATFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 99
MATFX Martin Ratio Rank: 97

FSEAX

FSEAX Risk / Return Rank: 91
FSEAX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
FSEAX Sortino Ratio Rank: 85
FSEAX Omega Ratio Rank: 88
FSEAX Calmar Ratio Rank: 95
FSEAX Martin Ratio Rank: 93

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.

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX) and Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund (FSEAX). 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.

	MATFX	FSEAX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	4.15	3.18	+0.97
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	4.64	3.71	+0.93
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.72	1.58	+0.14
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	9.54	5.31	+4.23
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	25.35	18.28	+7.06

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MATFX Sharpe Ratio is 4.15, which is higher than the FSEAX Sharpe Ratio of 3.18. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MATFX and FSEAX, 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

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MATFX drawdown since its inception was -76.88%, which is greater than FSEAX's maximum drawdown of -65.59%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MATFX and FSEAX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MATFX	FSEAX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-76.88%	-65.59%	-11.29%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-11.33%	-13.42%	+2.09%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.19%	-17.54%	-0.65%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-45.33%	-53.64%	+8.31%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-52.42%	-58.07%	+5.65%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-28.13%	-24.65%	-3.48%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	4.20%	3.89%	+0.31%

Volatility

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Asia Innovators Fund (MATFX) has a higher volatility of 14.80% compared to Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund (FSEAX) at 12.67%. This indicates that MATFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than FSEAX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MATFX	FSEAX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	14.80%	12.67%	+2.13%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	23.28%	19.86%	+3.42%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	26.03%	22.40%	+3.63%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	25.16%	23.38%	+1.78%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	23.00%	21.29%	+1.71%

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MATFX has a 1.18% expense ratio, which is higher than FSEAX's 1.02% expense ratio.

Dividends

MATFX vs. FSEAX - Dividend Comparison

MATFX has not paid dividends to shareholders, while FSEAX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.15%.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
FSEAX Fidelity Emerging Asia Fund	0.15%	0.22%	0.00%	0.08%	0.00%	14.14%	14.10%	6.15%	3.44%	0.05%	1.26%	0.44%
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%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MATFX and FSEAX in my portfolio?

MATFX and FSEAX have a correlation of 0.84, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MATFX or FSEAX?

MATFX has higher volatility (14.80%) compared to FSEAX (12.67%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MATFX dropped -76.88% vs FSEAX's -65.59%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MATFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (4.15 vs 3.18), 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.