Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 11, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan is at ₹18.7533 as of 10 Sep 2026, with an AUM of ₹524 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.27%, 6.46% and 5.78%, and the risk category is Balanced Risk.
Our view is that this is a fairly steady debt option for investors who want a short-duration holding with moderate return consistency rather than sharp upside. The portfolio is built around treasury bills, certificates of deposit, commercial paper and cash-like positions, which supports a measured return profile.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹18.7533 as of 10 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹524 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.29% |
| Launch Date | 06 Sep 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Balanced Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load after holding period |
| Fund Managers | Rakesh Shetty |
The fund is managed by Rakesh Shetty.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.54% | -4.06% |
| 3M | 1.77% | 1.37% |
| 1Y | 6.27% | -7.31% |
| 3Y | 6.46% | 6.07% |
| 5Y | 5.78% | 5.91% |
The short-term pattern has been stable rather than dramatic. The 1-month and 3-month readings show modest positive movement, while the longer 1-year trail points to a cleaner upward trend. That matters because ultra-short-term debt funds are usually judged more on consistency than on bursts of performance.
Compared with the benchmark, the fund is ahead over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years, but slightly behind over 5 years. That tells us the fund has held up better in the more recent window, while the longer horizon is more mixed.
The 5-year return of 5.78% is close to the benchmark’s 5.91%, so the gap is narrow. We read this as a fund that has broadly tracked its reference line over time, with recent periods looking a little stronger than the full five-year run.
The return path also suggests controlled volatility. The movement is not flat, but it does not show the kind of sharp swings that would usually be associated with higher-risk credit positioning. For a debt investor, that is a useful sign of discipline.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term?
A fund’s past returns alone don’t tell you whether you should buy it today or continue holding it.
The right decision depends on factors such as your current allocation, purchase price, risk profile, investment horizon and the role this fund plays in your overall portfolio.
Already holding Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.27% | 6.46% | 5.78% |
| Nippon India Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.11% | 7.61% | 6.98% |
| Axis Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.9% | 7.47% | 6.77% |
| Invesco India Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.87% | 7.37% | 6.61% |
| ICICI Pru Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.84% | 7.44% | 6.76% |
| DSP Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.83% | 7.45% | 6.65% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On the most recent return window, the fund trails the five peer funds listed here, which makes the recent comparison look softer than the broader debt universe snapshot we have in hand. The picture changes a little at longer horizons: the fund still sits below each of the peer 3-year and 5-year figures shown, but the gap is moderate rather than extreme. That means the short-term and longer-term peer comparisons tell a similar story of steadier but slightly lighter return delivery.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 04/02/2027) | Treasury Bills | 9.31% |
| TRP_010926 | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 7.23% |
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 10/09/2026) | Treasury Bills | 4.76% |
| HDFC Bank Limited 2026 (MD 11/09/2026)** # | Certificate of Deposit | 4.76% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited 2026 (MD 06/11/2026)** | Commercial Paper | 4.71% |
| 182 Days Tbill (MD 04/02/2027) | Treasury Bills | 4.66% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited 2027 (MD 08/01/2027)# | Certificate of Deposit | 4.66% |
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 11/02/2027) | Treasury Bills | 4.65% |
| Bank of Baroda 2027 (MD 11/01/2027)** # | Certificate of Deposit | 4.65% |
| Canara Bank 2027 (MD 22/01/2027)** # | Certificate of Deposit | 4.65% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 54.04% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding is 364 Days Tbill (MD 04/02/2027) at 9.31%, which is sizeable for a single line item in a short-duration debt portfolio. After that, the weights step down into a fairly tight band around the 4.6% to 4.8% area, which suggests the portfolio does not rely on one or two dominant positions alone.
That spread matters because the tenth holding is only modestly smaller than the middle of the list, so the allocation curve is not especially steep after the first position. We read this as a structure where the biggest line can influence results, but the rest of the visible holdings may also contribute in a meaningful way.
With the top 10 holdings accounting for 54.04% across 20 disclosed holdings, the portfolio appears reasonably diversified within its disclosed slice, while still retaining a meaningful cash-and-sovereign-heavy core. That mix may help keep the fund’s return path measured rather than aggressive.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who are comfortable with debt-fund risk and want a relatively steady return profile rather than a high-growth story. The Balanced Risk label and the return pattern suggest it is better suited to someone who values consistency over sharp upside.
The shorter and longer return windows both show a controlled profile, while the benchmark comparison says the fund has mostly held its ground with only a small longer-term gap. A medium to longer holding period makes more sense than a very short parking window, because the return pattern is smoother when viewed across years rather than weeks.
The main trade-off is that a portfolio built around treasury bills, CDs, commercial paper and cash-like assets may help stability, but it may also limit the chance of standout returns. Investors need to accept that steadier behaviour can come with moderate, not spectacular, upside.
Tax and exit load
| Holding period | Tax rate | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Units held less than 1 year | 20% | Short-term capital gains tax |
| Units held more than 1 year | 12.5% | Long-term capital gains tax |
No exit load after holding period.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹18.7533 as of 10 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 6.27% over 1 year, 6.46% over 3 years and 5.78% over 5 years.
How has the fund performed versus the benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year and 3 years, but slightly behind over 5 years. The benchmark’s 5-year return is 5.91% versus the fund’s 5.78%.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are below the five peer funds shown in this review, although the gap is smaller at longer horizons than it is in the recent window.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
The fund allows SIPs, but this review does not list a minimum SIP amount.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Rakesh Shetty. No exit load applies after the holding period.
Bottom line
Motilal Oswal Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan looks like a measured debt option with a steady return profile rather than a standout growth profile. Its recent numbers are broadly stable, while the longer-term picture is a little softer than the peer set shown here and slightly below the benchmark over five years. The portfolio’s treasury-bill and deposit-heavy mix may support that stability. It suits investors who want moderate risk, controlled swings and a debt allocation that is more about consistency than aggressiveness.
Published on 11 September 2026 at 11:14 AM IST
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RIA disclosure
Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks. Read all scheme-related documents carefully before investing. This review is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. (earlier known as Uniapps Global Research Pvt. Ltd.) under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639 for general informational purposes and is not personalized investment advice.