and be involved in rapidly growing or
changing industries or technologies with intense competition. These companies often have
limited operating histories resulting in less predictable operating results.
Growth Stock Risk: Growth stocks may be more volatile than other stocks because they are more sensitive to investor
perceptions of the issuing company’s growth potential. Growth stocks may go in and
out of favor over time and may perform differently than the market as a whole.
Equity Securities Risk: Equity securities may include common stock, preferred stock or other securities representing an
ownership interest or the right to acquire an ownership interest in an issuer. Equity
risk is the risk that stocks and other equity securities generally fluctuate in value more than bonds and may decline in value over short or extended periods. The value of stocks and other equity securities may
be affected by changes in an issuer’s financial condition, factors that affect a particular industry or industries, or as a result of changes in overall market, economic and political conditions
that are not specifically related to a company or industry.
Preferred Stock Risk: Preferred stock normally pays dividends at a specified rate and has precedence over common stock in
the event the issuer is liquidated or declares bankruptcy. However, in the event a
company is liquidated or declares bankruptcy, the claims of owners of bonds take precedence over the claims of those who own preferred and common stock. If interest rates rise, the dividend on preferred stocks may be less
attractive, causing the price of such stocks to decline.
Depositary Receipts Risk:
Although depositary receipts have risks similar to the securities that they represent,
they may also involve higher expenses and may trade at a discount (or premium) to the
underlying security. In addition, depositary receipts may not pass through voting and
other shareholder rights, and may be less liquid than the underlying securities listed on an exchange.
Volatility Risk: The smaller size and lower levels of liquidity in emerging markets, as well as other factors, may result in changes in the prices of emerging market
securities that are more volatile than those of companies in more developed regions. This
volatility can cause the price of the Fund’s shares to go up or down dramatically.
Because of this volatility, this Fund is better suited for long-term investors. If the value of the Fund’s investments declines, the net asset value of the Fund will decline and investors may lose some or all
of the value of their investments.
Risks Associated with Medium-Size Companies: Medium-size companies may be subject to a number of risks not associated with larger, more established companies, potentially making their stock prices more volatile and
increasing the risk of loss.
Country
Concentration Risk: The Fund may invest a significant portion of its assets in the securities of issuers located in a single country. An investment in the
Fund therefore may entail greater risk than an investment in a fund that does not concentrate its investments in a single or small number of countries because these securities may be more sensitive to
adverse social, political, economic or regulatory developments affecting that country or
countries. As a result, events affecting a single or small number of countries may have a
significant and potentially adverse impact on the Fund’s investments, and the Fund’s performance may be more volatile than that of funds that invest globally. The Fund has concentrated or may concentrate
its investments in China and India
Risks Associated with China: The Chinese government exercises significant control over China’s economy through its industrial policies, monetary policy,
management of currency exchange rates, and management of the payment of foreign currency-denominated obligations. Changes in these policies could adversely impact affected industries or companies in
China. As its consumer class continues to grow, China’s domestically oriented
industries may be especially sensitive to changes in government policy and investment
cycles. The Chinese government has been accused of state-sponsored cyberattacks against foreign governments and companies, and responses to such activity, including sanctions, tariffs or
cyberattacks on the Chinese government or Chinese companies, may negatively affect China’s
economy and Chinese securities issuers. In addition, the current political climate has intensified concerns about trade tariffs or trade disputes with China’s
major trading partners, including a potential trade war between the U.S. and China. These consequences may trigger a significant reduction in international trade, shortages or oversupply of certain
manufactured goods, substantial price increases or decreases of goods, inflationary
pressures, and possible failure of individual companies and/or large segments of the
foreign export industry in China with a potentially negative impact on the Fund’s investments.
Risks Associated with India: Government actions, bureaucratic obstacles and inconsistent economic reform within the Indian government have had a significant effect
on the Indian economy and could adversely affect market conditions, economic growth and
the profitability of private enterprises in India. Global factors and foreign actions may inhibit the flow of foreign capital on which India is dependent to sustain its growth. Large portions of many Indian companies remain in the
hands of their founders (including members of their families). Corporate governance
standards of family-controlled companies may be weaker and less transparent, which
increases the potential for loss and unequal treatment of investors. India experiences many of the risks associated with developing economies, including relatively low levels of liquidity, which may result
in extreme volatility in the prices of Indian securities.
Religious, cultural and military disputes persist in India and
between India and Pakistan (as well as sectarian groups within each country). Both India
and Pakistan have tested nuclear arms, and the threat of deployment of such weapons could hinder development of the Indian economy, and escalating tensions could impact the broader region, including
China.
Indian securities may be subject to a short-term
capital gains tax in India on gains realized upon disposition of securities lots held less
than one year. The Fund accrues for this potential expense, which reduces its net asset
values. For further information regarding this tax, please see page 106.
Active Management Risk: The Fund is actively managed by Matthews. There is the risk that Matthews may select securities
that underperform the relevant stock market(s), the Fund’s benchmark index or other
funds with similar investment objectives and investment strategies.
Sector Concentration Risk:
To the extent that the Fund emphasizes, from time to time, investments in a particular
sector, the Fund will be subject to a greater degree to the risks particular to that
sector, including the sector(s) described below. Market conditions, interest rates, and economic, regulatory, or financial developments could significantly affect a single sector. By focusing its investments in a particular
sector, the Fund may face more risks than if it were diversified broadly over numerous
sectors.
—Information Technology Sector Risk: As of December 31, 2024, 21% of the Fund’s assets were invested in the information technology sector. Information
technology companies may be significantly affected by aggressive pricing as a result of
intense competition and by rapid product obsolescence due