Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan has a current NAV of ₹318.5687 as of 24 August 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹34,068 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 14.44%, 19.02% and 21.36% respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.

Our view is that this is a small-cap fund that has produced healthy longer-term compounding, but with clear swings along the way. The portfolio is heavily tilted to small caps, so it is better suited to investors who can stay invested through uneven stretches rather than those looking for a smoother ride.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Sandeep Tandon, Ankit Pande, Varun Pattani and Ayusha Kumbhat.

Source data date: as of 24 Aug 2026

Performance

The recent pattern is constructive. The fund has been ahead of the benchmark across every period shown, including the shorter 1-month and 3-month windows, which tells us the recent run has not been isolated to just one good year.

At the same time, the path has not been straight. The return pattern over the longer windows suggests a fund that has gone through meaningful drawdowns and recoveries before building its 3-year and 5-year record. That is consistent with a small-cap strategy that can move sharply in both directions.

On the longer horizon, the compounding story is stronger than the benchmark’s. The 5-year return of 21.36% versus 15.72% for the benchmark shows a clear edge, and the 3-year gap is also meaningful. Our read is that the fund has rewarded patience, but the recent smaller-window gains still come with the same underlying volatility profile.

For investors, the key point is that the fund is not relying only on momentum in the latest month or quarter. Its shorter-term and longer-term behaviour both point to a strategy that can participate well in small-cap rallies, while still reflecting the volatility that comes with this segment.

Source data date: as of 24 Aug 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the 1-year view, the fund trails several peers in the list, while its 3-year and 5-year returns are more competitive and closer to the middle of the group. That mix suggests the fund has not been the strongest short-term participant, but its longer-run record is still solid relative to the available comparison set.

The short-term and longer-term peer picture therefore tells two different stories. Recent performance is respectable, yet several peers have delivered a stronger 1-year figure. Over 3 years and 5 years, however, the fund’s numbers compare more favourably, which supports the view that its longer-horizon compounding is more relevant than any single recent period.

Source data date: as of 24 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The market-cap mix is tilted toward small caps at 68.75%, with 14.5% in large caps, 5.58% in mid caps and 11.52% in other categories. That makes the fund meaningfully small-cap heavy, even though it does keep a modest large-cap and mid-cap presence.

Healthcare and finance are the two largest sector blocks, and the gap between them is narrow. That means the portfolio is not dependent on a single sector, but it is still concentrated enough for sector-level moves to matter. Finance also has a large individual holding in Anand Rathi Wealth Limited, so that name may have a greater influence on behaviour within the finance sleeve.

Infrastructure is the next meaningful sleeve, and the combination of IRB Infrastructure Developers Limited and NCC Ltd gives it a clear presence. Chemicals and banks are smaller, but both remain relevant. Overall, the portfolio looks diversified across five visible sectors, yet the small-cap tilt and the sizeable sector weights mean stock-specific and sector-specific movements could still drive outcomes.

Source data date: as of 24 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund is better suited to investors who are comfortable with High Risk exposure and who can hold through sharp ups and downs. The 1-year return is positive but not exceptional versus peers, while the 3-year and 5-year records are much more convincing, which makes a longer horizon more important than timing.

The main trade-off is straightforward: the fund offers the potential for strong small-cap participation, but that comes with volatility and periods when shorter-term results can lag faster-moving peers. Investors who want a smoother outcome profile or who may need the money soon are unlikely to be a good fit. Those who can stay patient and accept uneven performance may find the long-term record more relevant.

Tax and exit load

Exit load: 1% if units are sold within 1 year; nil after 1 year.

Source data date: as of 24 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its current NAV is ₹318.5687 as of 24 August 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 14.44% over 1 year, 19.02% over 3 years and 21.36% over 5 years.

How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced the Nifty Small Cap benchmark across 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The 5-year gap is the clearest sign that the fund has compounded better than the benchmark over time.

What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1000.

What is the fund’s risk category?
It is in the High Risk category. The small-cap-heavy portfolio and the return pattern both point to a fund that can move sharply.

Who manages the fund?
The fund is managed by Sandeep Tandon, Ankit Pande, Varun Pattani and Ayusha Kumbhat.

Bottom line

Quant Small Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a clear split between its short-term and longer-term picture. Recent returns are healthy, but the more meaningful story is the stronger 3-year and 5-year compounding versus the benchmark. Against the peers listed here, its shorter-term figure is less striking, while its longer-run numbers remain competitive. The portfolio’s heavy small-cap tilt and sector concentration in healthcare and finance mean this is still a volatile fund, but one that may suit patient investors who can tolerate uneven moves.

Published on 25 August 2026 at 1:04 PM IST