MCHFX vs. BGCBX

Last updated Jun 5, 2026

MCHFX (Matthews China Fund) and BGCBX (Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund) are both China Equities funds. Over the past 3 years, MCHFX returned 12.28%/yr vs 10.42%/yr for BGCBX. Their correlation of 0.93 suggests significant overlap in exposure. MCHFX charges 1.12%/yr vs 0.96%/yr for BGCBX.

Performance

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews China Fund (MCHFX) and Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MCHFX achieves a 1.74% return, which is significantly higher than BGCBX's -0.87% return.

MCHFX

• 1D: -1.24%
• 1M: 3.30%
• YTD: 1.74%
• 6M: 1.26%
• 1Y: 22.17%
• 3Y*: 12.28%
• 5Y*: -6.40%
• 10Y*: 7.43%

BGCBX

• 1D: -1.58%
• 1M: -0.29%
• YTD: -0.87%
• 6M: -1.13%
• 1Y: 17.97%
• 3Y*: 10.42%
• 5Y*: —
• 10Y*: —

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

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021
MCHFX Matthews China Fund	1.74%	29.82%	17.84%	-19.21%	-24.38%	-21.73%
BGCBX Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund	-0.87%	36.51%	9.74%	-18.00%	-28.56%	-17.30%

Correlation

The correlation between MCHFX and BGCBX is 0.91, 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	0.91
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.93
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 8, 2021	0.93

The correlation between MCHFX and BGCBX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.91 to 0.93 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MCHFX vs. BGCBX — Risk / Return Rank

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

MCHFX

MCHFX Risk / Return Rank: 19
MCHFX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 20
MCHFX Sortino Ratio Rank: 21
MCHFX Omega Ratio Rank: 19
MCHFX Calmar Ratio Rank: 20
MCHFX Martin Ratio Rank: 16

BGCBX

BGCBX Risk / Return Rank: 16
BGCBX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 16
BGCBX Sortino Ratio Rank: 16
BGCBX Omega Ratio Rank: 15
BGCBX Calmar Ratio Rank: 18
BGCBX Martin Ratio Rank: 14

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.

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews China Fund (MCHFX) and Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX). 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.

	MCHFX	BGCBX	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.28	1.10	+0.18
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	1.92	1.61	+0.31
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.23	1.20	+0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	1.65	1.48	+0.17
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	4.39	3.68	+0.71
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MCHFX Sharpe Ratio is 1.28, which is comparable to the BGCBX Sharpe Ratio of 1.10. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MCHFX and BGCBX, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

Sharpe Ratios by Period

	MCHFX	BGCBX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.28	1.10	+0.18
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	-0.22	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.28	—	—
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.32	-0.24	+0.56

Drawdowns

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MCHFX drawdown since its inception was -67.02%, which is greater than BGCBX's maximum drawdown of -59.07%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MCHFX and BGCBX.

Drawdown Indicators

	MCHFX	BGCBX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-67.02%	-59.07%	-7.95%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-15.58%	-13.48%	-2.10%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-27.77%	-28.54%	+0.77%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-59.96%	—	—
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-64.75%	—	—
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-37.25%	-29.04%	-8.21%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-22.11%	-38.28%	+16.17%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	5.76%	5.39%	+0.37%

Volatility

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Volatility Comparison

Matthews China Fund (MCHFX) has a higher volatility of 7.67% compared to Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund (BGCBX) at 5.84%. This indicates that MCHFX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than BGCBX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MCHFX	BGCBX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.67%	5.84%	+1.83%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.20%	12.59%	+2.61%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	20.05%	18.18%	+1.87%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	29.97%	27.04%	+2.93%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	26.64%	27.04%	-0.40%

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Expense Ratio Comparison

MCHFX has a 1.12% expense ratio, which is higher than BGCBX's 0.96% expense ratio.

Dividends

MCHFX vs. BGCBX - Dividend Comparison

MCHFX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.33%, more than BGCBX's 0.92% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
BGCBX Baillie Gifford China Equities Fund	0.92%	0.91%	2.03%	1.50%	0.66%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
MCHFX Matthews China Fund	1.33%	1.36%	1.91%	0.78%	7.53%	6.54%	1.25%	1.12%	22.28%	10.31%	13.66%	19.24%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MCHFX and BGCBX in my portfolio?

With a correlation of 0.91, MCHFX and BGCBX move almost identically. Holding both adds very little diversification - you're essentially doubling your position in the same market segment. Choosing one is usually more capital-efficient.

Which is riskier, MCHFX or BGCBX?

MCHFX has higher volatility (7.67%) compared to BGCBX (5.84%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MCHFX dropped -67.02% vs BGCBX's -59.07%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MCHFX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.28 vs 1.10), 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.