MSMLX vs. HEFA

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

MSMLX (Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund) and HEFA (iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF) are both funds - MSMLX is a Emerging Markets Diversified fund managed by Matthews, while HEFA is a Foreign Large Cap Equities fund tracking the MSCI EAFE 100% Hedged to USD Index. Over the past 10 years, MSMLX returned 11.73%/yr vs 12.60%/yr for HEFA. A 0.54 correlation means they provide meaningful diversification when combined. MSMLX charges 1.37%/yr vs 0.35%/yr for HEFA.

Performance

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, MSMLX achieves a 25.47% return, which is significantly higher than HEFA's 10.24% return. Over the past 10 years, MSMLX has underperformed HEFA with an annualized return of 11.73%, while HEFA has yielded a comparatively higher 12.60% annualized return.

MSMLX

• 1D: 0.87%
• 1M: 2.24%
• YTD: 25.47%
• 6M: 24.22%
• 1Y: 34.43%
• 3Y*: 13.33%
• 5Y*: 8.65%
• 10Y*: 11.73%

HEFA

• 1D: -0.45%
• 1M: 4.65%
• YTD: 10.24%
• 6M: 12.49%
• 1Y: 25.95%
• 3Y*: 18.32%
• 5Y*: 13.52%
• 10Y*: 12.60%

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

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
MSMLX Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund	25.47%	13.50%	-6.10%	20.04%	-16.78%	26.40%	43.69%	17.38%	-17.80%	30.43%
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	10.24%	24.58%	13.71%	20.33%	-4.86%	19.59%	2.09%	27.63%	-9.33%	16.67%

Correlation

The correlation between MSMLX and HEFA is 0.52, 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	0.52
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.51
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.56
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Feb 18, 2014	0.54

The correlation between MSMLX and HEFA has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.51 to 0.56 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

MSMLX vs. HEFA — Risk / Return Rank

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

MSMLX

MSMLX Risk / Return Rank: 46
MSMLX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 45
MSMLX Sortino Ratio Rank: 42
MSMLX Omega Ratio Rank: 43
MSMLX Calmar Ratio Rank: 56
MSMLX Martin Ratio Rank: 45

HEFA

HEFA Risk / Return Rank: 60
HEFA Sharpe Ratio Rank: 60
HEFA Sortino Ratio Rank: 60
HEFA Omega Ratio Rank: 62
HEFA Calmar Ratio Rank: 54
HEFA 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.

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) and iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA). 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.

	MSMLX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe ratio: Return per unit of total volatility	1.96	2.07	-0.11
Sortino ratio: Return per unit of downside risk	2.70	2.90	-0.20
Omega ratio: Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.35	1.38	-0.03
Calmar ratio: Return relative to maximum drawdown	2.85	2.74	+0.12
Martin ratio: Return relative to average drawdown	9.39	11.43	-2.05
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current MSMLX Sharpe Ratio is 1.96, which is comparable to the HEFA Sharpe Ratio of 2.07. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of MSMLX and HEFA, 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

	MSMLX	HEFA	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	1.96	2.07	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.49	0.99	-0.50
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.69	0.80	-0.11
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.65	0.66	-0.01

Drawdowns

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum MSMLX drawdown since its inception was -36.40%, which is greater than HEFA's maximum drawdown of -32.39%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for MSMLX and HEFA.

Drawdown Indicators

	MSMLX	HEFA	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-36.40%	-32.39%	-4.01%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-12.89%	-9.52%	-3.37%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-22.62%	-14.28%	-8.34%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-28.00%	-14.79%	-13.21%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-34.33%	-32.39%	-1.94%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	-1.49%	-0.45%	-1.04%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-9.24%	-4.17%	-5.07%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.86%	2.28%	+1.58%

Volatility

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Volatility Comparison

Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund (MSMLX) has a higher volatility of 7.17% compared to iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF (HEFA) at 4.05%. This indicates that MSMLX's price experiences larger fluctuations and is considered to be riskier than HEFA based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	MSMLX	HEFA	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	7.17%	4.05%	+3.12%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	15.84%	10.13%	+5.71%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	18.81%	12.59%	+6.22%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	17.74%	13.76%	+3.98%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	17.18%	15.86%	+1.32%

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Expense Ratio Comparison

MSMLX has a 1.37% expense ratio, which is higher than HEFA's 0.35% expense ratio.

Dividends

MSMLX vs. HEFA - Dividend Comparison

MSMLX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 1.19%, less than HEFA's 3.99% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
HEFA iShares Currency Hedged MSCI EAFE ETF	3.99%	4.40%	3.09%	3.02%	25.14%	3.06%	2.10%	7.56%	4.58%	2.55%	3.17%	3.54%
MSMLX Matthews Emerging Markets Small Companies Fund	1.19%	1.50%	3.95%	8.36%	8.04%	9.18%	0.28%	0.51%	21.31%	8.12%	0.43%	0.13%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both MSMLX and HEFA in my portfolio?

MSMLX and HEFA have a correlation of 0.52, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

Which is riskier, MSMLX or HEFA?

MSMLX has higher volatility (7.17%) compared to HEFA (4.05%). In terms of maximum drawdown, MSMLX dropped -36.40% vs HEFA's -32.39%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

HEFA currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (2.07 vs 1.96), 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.