PRASX vs. MASGX

Last updated Jun 4, 2026

PRASX (T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund) and MASGX (Matthews Asia ESG Fund) are both Asia Pacific Equities funds. Over the past 10 years, PRASX returned 10.08%/yr vs 12.96%/yr for MASGX. Their correlation of 0.84 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PRASX charges 0.99%/yr vs 1.24%/yr for MASGX.

Performance

PRASX vs. MASGX - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) and Matthews Asia ESG Fund (MASGX). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PRASX achieves a 31.43% return, which is significantly lower than MASGX's 47.58% return. Over the past 10 years, PRASX has underperformed MASGX with an annualized return of 10.08%, while MASGX has yielded a comparatively higher 12.96% annualized return.

PRASX

• 1D: 1.54%
• 1M: 13.16%
• YTD: 31.43%
• 6M: 34.83%
• 1Y: 57.91%
• 3Y*: 20.60%
• 5Y*: 4.57%
• 10Y*: 10.08%

MASGX

• 1D: 2.20%
• 1M: 9.83%
• YTD: 47.58%
• 6M: 49.46%
• 1Y: 72.60%
• 3Y*: 21.72%
• 5Y*: 9.27%
• 10Y*: 12.96%

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

PRASX vs. MASGX - Yearly Performance Comparison

	2026 (YTD)	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017
PRASX T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund	31.43%	26.60%	6.97%	0.83%	-22.60%	-4.33%	29.56%	26.75%	-15.13%	40.64%
MASGX Matthews Asia ESG Fund	47.58%	22.83%	-2.51%	7.99%	-14.37%	5.33%	42.90%	12.56%	-9.70%	33.75%

Correlation

The correlation between PRASX and MASGX 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	0.85
Correlation (3Y) Calculated over the trailing 3-year period	0.84
Correlation (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.85
Correlation (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.84
Correlation (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history since Jan 5, 2016	0.84

The correlation between PRASX and MASGX has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.84 to 0.85 - a consistent structural relationship.

Return for Risk

PRASX vs. MASGX — Risk / Return Rank

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

PRASX

PRASX Risk / Return Rank: 85
PRASX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 90
PRASX Sortino Ratio Rank: 80
PRASX Omega Ratio Rank: 84
PRASX Calmar Ratio Rank: 85
PRASX Martin Ratio Rank: 83

MASGX

MASGX Risk / Return Rank: 91
MASGX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 96
MASGX Sortino Ratio Rank: 88
MASGX Omega Ratio Rank: 87
MASGX Calmar Ratio Rank: 94
MASGX Martin Ratio Rank: 92

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.

PRASX vs. MASGX - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) and Matthews Asia ESG Fund (MASGX). 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.

	PRASX	MASGX	Difference
Sharpe ratio Return per unit of total volatility	3.01	3.46	-0.44
Sortino ratio Return per unit of downside risk	3.80	4.22	-0.42
Omega ratio Gain probability vs. loss probability	1.56	1.61	-0.04
Calmar ratio Return relative to maximum drawdown	4.03	5.34	-1.31
Martin ratio Return relative to average drawdown	15.67	19.58	-3.91
Data is calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. The trend shows the change in the indicator over the past month.

PRASX vs. MASGX - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PRASX Sharpe Ratio is 3.01, which is comparable to the MASGX Sharpe Ratio of 3.46. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PRASX and MASGX, 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

	PRASX	MASGX	Difference
Sharpe Ratio (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	3.01	3.46	-0.44
Sharpe Ratio (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period	0.24	0.45	-0.21
Sharpe Ratio (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period	0.55	0.70	-0.15
Sharpe Ratio (All Time) Calculated using the full available price history	0.46	0.68	-0.21

Drawdowns

PRASX vs. MASGX - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PRASX drawdown since its inception was -70.53%, which is greater than MASGX's maximum drawdown of -36.34%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PRASX and MASGX.

Drawdown Indicators

	PRASX	MASGX	Difference
Max Drawdown Largest peak-to-trough decline	-70.53%	-36.34%	-34.19%
Max Drawdown (1Y) Largest decline over 1 year	-14.39%	-14.20%	-0.19%
Max Drawdown (3Y) Largest decline over 3 years	-18.34%	-24.94%	+6.60%
Max Drawdown (5Y) Largest decline over 5 years	-41.93%	-36.34%	-5.59%
Max Drawdown (10Y) Largest decline over 10 years	-45.07%	-36.34%	-8.73%
Current Drawdown Current decline from peak	0.00%	0.00%	0.00%
Average Drawdown Average peak-to-trough decline	-18.53%	-11.23%	-7.30%
Ulcer Index Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks	3.69%	3.81%	-0.12%

Volatility

PRASX vs. MASGX - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund (PRASX) is 8.24%, while Matthews Asia ESG Fund (MASGX) has a volatility of 9.70%. This indicates that PRASX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than MASGX based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

Volatility by Period

	PRASX	MASGX	Difference
Volatility (1M) Calculated over the trailing 1-month period	8.24%	9.70%	-1.46%
Volatility (6M) Calculated over the trailing 6-month period	16.39%	18.92%	-2.53%
Volatility (1Y) Calculated over the trailing 1-year period	19.26%	21.97%	-2.71%
Volatility (5Y) Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized	19.05%	20.86%	-1.81%
Volatility (10Y) Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized	18.30%	18.68%	-0.38%

PRASX vs. MASGX - Expense Ratio Comparison

PRASX has a 0.99% expense ratio, which is lower than MASGX's 1.24% expense ratio.

Dividends

PRASX vs. MASGX - Dividend Comparison

PRASX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 0.47%, less than MASGX's 3.78% yield.

Position	TTM	2025	2024	2023	2022	2021	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015
MASGX Matthews Asia ESG Fund	3.78%	5.58%	2.58%	7.52%	5.39%	2.60%	5.66%	1.36%	4.52%	3.70%	1.47%	0.00%
PRASX T. Rowe Price New Asia Fund	0.47%	0.62%	1.05%	1.77%	1.96%	14.22%	0.46%	0.77%	7.23%	9.15%	0.46%	1.31%

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I hold both PRASX and MASGX in my portfolio?

PRASX and MASGX 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, PRASX or MASGX?

MASGX has higher volatility (9.70%) compared to PRASX (8.24%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PRASX dropped -70.53% vs MASGX's -36.34%.

Which has better risk-adjusted returns?

MASGX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (3.46 vs 3.01), 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.