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MEM ETF: What Is It? A Complete Guide to Returns, Fees, Holdings, and Alternative ETFs

Updated August 16, 2026 · First published August 16, 2026

The Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF, known as the MEM ETF, selects companies across emerging markets. Review its active management approach, country exposure, and annual distribution structure to help assess the outlook and strategy for emerging market stocks.

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What Is the Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF?

The MEM ETF is an active ETF that, rather than replicating a specific index, selects stocks by reviewing the growth potential of emerging market companies and the market environment. It aims for long-term capital growth and offers access to the emerging market equity universe as a whole.

It suits investors who want exposure to the long-term growth potential of emerging market stocks but prefer company selection over index tracking.

It is an ETF managed actively by Matthews International Capital Management.

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How Does the Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Invest?

ItemDetails
Tracked IndexNot applicable, actively managed selection
Management StyleActive company selection
Rebalancing FrequencyAdjusted at the manager's discretion
Distribution FrequencyAnnual distribution
Expense Ratio0.79%
ManagerMatthews International Capital Management

Matthews International Capital Management builds the portfolio by reviewing the fundamental strength and long-term growth conditions of companies based in emerging markets. The MEM ETF pursues long-term capital growth through a company-selection approach that considers market conditions, relative valuation, and country-level changes together.

  • Management that emphasizes company selection over index replication
  • Access to a diverse range of countries and sectors across emerging markets
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Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Size and Costs (AUM and Management Fee)

Assets under management (AUM) stand at $52.0M, and the expense ratio is 0.79% per year.

Depending on the manager's judgment, an active ETF may show a stock mix and country weights that differ from an index. Before trading, it is therefore worth checking the management approach, the actual holdings, and the gap between market price and net asset value.

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Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Performance and Trends

1-Year Price Performance
Dividend & Yield
Dividend Yield 1.75%
Annual Dividend (TTM) $0.69
1Y Return +9.4%
Next Ex-Dividend Date 12/17/2025
52-Week Price Range
$40
Low $34 High $48
vs. low +15.39% vs. high -16.55%

Emerging market equities can move differently depending on global growth expectations, commodity demand, currency conditions, and policy changes in major economies. Because the performance of the MEM ETF reflects both the results of company selection and country-level market moves, it is more important to review its investment scope and volatility characteristics than short-term fluctuations.

Demand for emerging market investments can be highly sensitive to global risk appetite, dollar trends, and capital inflow conditions in each country. When market uncertainty rises, price swings in less liquid markets can widen, so it is necessary to check the trading conditions and currency exposure of the MEM ETF together.

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Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Pros and Cons

Its strength is access to emerging markets through company selection, but volatility tied to countries, currencies, and the manager's judgment is a key area to examine.

💪 Key Strengths

Company-Selection Management
It does not rely solely on index inclusion, and instead reviews each company's growth conditions and relative valuation.
Diversified Emerging Market Access
It offers broad access to growth opportunities across multiple emerging markets and sectors.
Long-Term Growth Goal
Its objective is clear: seeking long-term capital growth opportunities rather than short-term gains.

⚠️ Points to Watch

Country and Currency Risk
Asset values can vary significantly depending on country-level policies, exchange rates, and geopolitical variables.
Active Judgment Risk
The manager's stock and country choices can lead to results that differ from the benchmark index.
Distribution Uncertainty
A history of annual distributions does not guarantee future distributions or their amounts.
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Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Alternative ETFs and Related Products

In the automated comparison table, the DFEM ETF serves as a benchmark for those who value broad emerging market equity coverage and a core character. The DEM ETF reflects a high-dividend orientation, while the DGS ETF shows a direction that combines emerging market small caps with a dividend orientation. The EDIV ETF and the DVYE ETF are similar options that emphasize distributions, so it is necessary to check how the company-selection management of the MEM ETF differs from their distribution objectives. No additional alternatives are included because the candidate list provided was empty.

Peer Comparison ETFs
TickerNamePriceChangeAUMTotal Expense RatioDividend Yield1Y
DFEMDFEMDimensional Emerging Markets Core Equity 2 ETF$37.22+0.2%$9.0B0.39%2.09%+13.3%
DEMDEMWisdomTree Emerging Markets High Dividend Fund$53.88+0.0%$4.1B0.63%4.1%+17.1%
DGSDGSWisdomTree Emerging Markets SmallCap Dividend Fund$61.10-0.0%$1.7B0.58%3.89%+7.1%
DVYEDVYEiShares Emerging Markets Dividend ETF$34.98+0.6%$1.2B0.50%4.98%+15.7%
EDIVEDIVState Street SPDR S&P Emerging Markets Dividend ETF$40.36-0.2%$1.2B0.49%4.33%+3.7%
Top Holdings
TickerNameWeightPriceChangeMarket CapP/EDividend Yield
TSMTaiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing ADR0.28%$418.51+1.5%$2.17T26.90.99%
SKHYSK Hynix Inc ADR0.04%$137.02+4.0%$998.7B8.90.38%
BABAAlibaba Group Holding Ltd ADR0.05%$99.64-2.1%$247.9B23.51.12%
ITUBItau Unibanco Holding SA ADR0.04%$9.67+1.9%$52.3B12.66.06%
HDBHDFC Bank Ltd ADR0.02%$22.09-1.6%$113.5B13.21.94%
UMCUnited Micro Electronics ADR0.01%$18.89+1.9%$47.4B18.13.07%
PBR-APetroleo Brasileiro SA Petrobras ADR0.01%$23.53+2.8%$64.1B6.06.31%
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Matthews Emerging Markets Equity Active ETF Investor Checkpoints

When considering the MEM ETF, rather than looking only at growth expectations for emerging markets as a whole, you should also check the characteristics of active management, country exposure, currency fluctuations, and distribution policy. The gap between market price and net asset value, along with trading conditions, are also items to review before buying.

CheckpointWhat to CheckCurrent Status
Expense RatioCheck how the expense ratio affects cumulative returns over a long holding periodNeeds review
Management StyleConfirm it uses company selection rather than index trackingActive management
Country and Currency ExposureReview the impact of country-level policies and exchange rate swingsCheck volatility
Distribution PolicyReview the annual distribution and the possibility of changes in payoutsNeeds review

In emerging market investing, market liquidity, exchange rates, country-level policy changes, and geopolitical variables can all act at the same time. Active management can produce a different performance path from index-tracking products, so investors should first consider whether it fits their tolerance for volatility and investment horizon.

The MEM ETF is a product worth considering for those who want exposure to emerging market stocks while drawing on the manager's company-selection judgment. Because its management style and distribution orientation may differ from index-tracking products, it is advisable to check the similar ETFs in the comparison table, along with cost structure, investment scope, and trading conditions.

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Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. All investment responsibility lies with the investor.

This article reflects information as of August 16, 2026.

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