HDFC Value Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

HDFC Value Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹894.846 as of 03 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹7,933 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 9.54%, 16.99% and 14.44% respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.

Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can tolerate sharp swings in a value-oriented equity portfolio and want a record that has stayed ahead of its benchmark over 3-year and 5-year periods. The recent 1-year return is softer than its longer-term pace, so the fund looks better suited to patient investors with a multi-year horizon than to those who want a smooth short-term path.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Anand Laddha.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Performance

The fund’s recent pattern is steadier than the benchmark over the latest month, and it also held up better over 1 year. The 1-month return was slightly negative, but it was still much less weak than the benchmark’s decline, which suggests the portfolio has not been as exposed to the latest market pressure as the index.

The broader picture is stronger. Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has compounded at 16.99% and 14.44%, both well above the benchmark’s 5.74% and 6.27%. That gap tells us the strategy has added value over full market cycles rather than only in a narrow rebound phase.

The 3-month return of 7.84% is also comfortably ahead of the benchmark’s 1.95%, so the recent quarter has not broken the longer trend. Even so, the 1-year figure is meaningfully lower than the 3-year pace, which shows that the fund’s return path can be uneven even when the multi-year record stays strong.

For investors, the key point is that the fund has beaten the benchmark across every period shown here, but the ride has not been linear. That fits a value-oriented equity fund with a High Risk profile: the compounding record is attractive, while shorter stretches can still be choppy.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.

In the 1-year view, the fund trails LIC MF Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, Quant Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan and Mahindra Manulife Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, while staying ahead of Axis Value Fund Direct Growth Plan. That makes the recent stretch look respectable, but not as strong as the more aggressive peers.

On the longer horizon, the picture is more balanced. The fund’s 3-year return is below Quant Value Fund Direct Growth Plan and Axis Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, but slightly above LIC MF Value Fund Direct Growth Plan and ahead of Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan. Its 5-year return is close to LIC MF Value Fund Direct Growth Plan and ahead of Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, which supports its case as a steady long-term compounder. The short-term and longer-term comparisons do not tell the same story, so our view is that this fund stands out more for consistency than for leading the peer set in every period.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 33.35% of the portfolio.

To see all holdings, visit the HDFC Value Fund Direct Growth Plan page

The largest position, ICICI Bank Ltd. at 6.78%, is meaningful but not dominating. The difference from the first holding to the tenth is not extreme, which suggests the portfolio does not rely on a single stock outcome to drive returns.

At the same time, the first five holdings together show a clear tilt toward banks and financials, with additional exposure spread across telecom, infrastructure, IT, healthcare and power. That mix may help the fund participate in different parts of the market, while still leaving banking as an important influence.

Because the top 10 holdings represent 33.35% of the portfolio and the disclosed list extends to 65 holdings, the structure appears moderately spread rather than narrowly concentrated. That could reduce dependence on any one name, although the largest positions are still likely to have greater influence on near-term results.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund is suited to investors who can handle High Risk equity exposure and stay invested long enough for the compounding record to matter. The 1-year return has been softer than the 3-year and 5-year record, so the fund may suit people who can accept uneven shorter-term paths in exchange for a stronger longer-term pattern.

It fits a multi-year horizon better than a short holding period, especially because the benchmark comparison has been positive across the observed periods but not in a straight line. The main trade-off is clear: investors may get access to a portfolio with a history of beating the benchmark, but they need to be comfortable with volatility and periodic underwhelming stretches.

Tax and exit load

Exit load: 1% on or before 1Y, Nil after 1Y.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of HDFC Value Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹894.846 as of 03 Sep 2026.

What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The returns are 9.54% for 1 year, 16.99% for 3 years and 14.44% for 5 years.

How has the fund done against its benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the Nifty 50 over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The 5-year return is 14.44% versus 6.27% for the benchmark.

How does it compare with peer value funds?
Its recent 1-year return trails some peers such as LIC MF Value Fund Direct Growth Plan and Quant Value Fund Direct Growth Plan, but its 3-year and 5-year record remains competitive. The comparison looks stronger over longer periods than over the latest year.

Is there a minimum SIP amount?
Yes, the minimum SIP amount is ₹100.

What are the exit load and fund manager details?
The exit load is 1% on or before 1 year and nil after 1 year. The fund is managed by Anand Laddha.

Bottom line

HDFC Value Fund Direct Growth Plan has a weaker 1-year showing than its 3-year and 5-year record, but the longer-term numbers still point to a fund that has compounded well and stayed ahead of the benchmark across the periods shown. In peer comparisons, it looks more balanced than dominant: some competitors have stronger recent returns, while this fund holds up better over longer stretches. The High Risk tag and the banking-heavy top holdings mean investors need comfort with volatility, but the 65-holding portfolio suggests the risk is not tied to just a few names.

Published on 4 September 2026 at 11:19 AM IST