Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 11, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹209.3127 as of 10 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹9,917 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 4.18%, 10.64% and 9.84% respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.
Our view is that this is a fund for investors who are comfortable with meaningful ups and downs but still want a hybrid allocation framework. The longer-term returns are steadier than the latest 1-year result, while the portfolio remains anchored by large financials, which may matter more than a narrow near-term move when judging suitability.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹209.3127 as of 10 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹9,917 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.57% |
| Launch Date | 01 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Hybrid |
| Exit Load | Nil for 10% of units on or before 12M, In excess of limit 1% on or before 12M and Nil after 12M |
| Fund Managers | Sushil Budhia, Bhavik Dave |
The fund is managed by Sushil Budhia and Bhavik Dave.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.87% | -4.06% |
| 3M | 4.13% | 1.37% |
| 1Y | 4.18% | -7.31% |
| 3Y | 10.64% | 6.07% |
| 5Y | 9.84% | 5.91% |
The latest 1-month period was weak for the fund, but it still held up better than the benchmark, which fell more sharply. That pattern matters because it suggests the fund has not been insulated from short-term volatility, yet it has managed downside better than the index in the latest month.
The 3-month result turned positive and was clearly ahead of the benchmark. Over 1 year, the fund stayed in positive territory while the benchmark was negative, which points to a better recent run than the market reference.
The longer horizon is also constructive. Both 3-year and 5-year returns are higher than the benchmark, so the fund has done more than simply protect capital in a difficult patch; it has also compounded at a stronger pace over a fuller cycle.
The time pattern is not perfectly smooth. The shorter-term swings in the return path show intermittent pullbacks and recoveries, so investors should expect movement around the trend rather than a straight line. Even so, the longer-term shape remains firmer than the benchmark’s trajectory.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Nippon India Balanced Advantage?
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 Nippon India Balanced Advantage? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.18% | 10.64% | 9.84% |
| Nippon India Dynamic Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.72% | 7.46% | 6.27% |
| Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.18% | 10.64% | 9.84% |
| ICICI Pru Balanced Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The fund’s 1-year return trails the stronger short-term figure in the peer set, but its 3-year and 5-year returns are better than the available peer figures shown here. That split tells a useful story: near-term momentum is not the fund’s main edge, while its longer-term compounding has been more competitive.
Compared with the peer group, the fund looks more balanced in the way it stacks up across horizons. A peer may lead over 1 year, but the current fund’s 3-year and 5-year numbers are stronger than the peer returns available for comparison, so the longer horizon remains the more convincing part of the case.
We would read this as a fund where the latest year alone does not define the picture. The short-term comparison is mixed, but the medium- and long-term figures point to a steadier overall outcome.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Limited | Bank | 6% |
| HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 5.69% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 2.68% |
| Axis Bank Limited | Bank | 2.63% |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Crude Oil | 2.58% |
| Infosys Limited | IT | 2.52% |
| Triparty Repo | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.4% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | Telecom | 2.3% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.17% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | Bank | 2.04% |
The largest holding, ICICI Bank Limited, carries a 6% weight, which makes it the single most influential position in the displayed basket. The next few positions are also fairly close in size, especially HDFC Bank at 5.69%, so the portfolio does not rely on one outsized bet at the top.
Weight falls quite steadily from the first holding to the tenth, from 6% to 2.04%. That is a meaningful drop, but not a cliff, which suggests the top slice is spread across several sizeable positions rather than concentrated in just one or two names.
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 31.01% of the portfolio, while the full disclosed holding count stands at 71. That combination points to a portfolio with a visible core and a longer tail beyond the largest positions, so the named holdings may matter most but do not explain the whole scheme.
To see all holdings, visit the Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who can tolerate High Risk positioning and are comfortable with fluctuations over shorter stretches. The 1-year result is lower than the 3-year and 5-year outcomes, so the cleaner story here is one of patience rather than quick outcomes.
Our view is that the better fit is a medium- to long-term horizon, where the fund’s stronger 3-year and 5-year numbers can matter more than a soft month or quarter. The main trade-off is that investors accept equity-linked volatility in return for a hybrid structure that has still needed time to show its full effect.
The large-bank tilt in the portfolio may also appeal to investors who prefer a core anchored in established financial names, while still accepting that this is not a low-volatility choice. That mix can work better for investors who want growth potential with some balancing features, not for those seeking calm, short-term stability.
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 |
Exit load
Nil for 10% of units on or before 12 months, and 1% on the units sold in excess of that limit on or before 12 months. No exit load applies after 12 months.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Nippon India Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹209.3127 as of 10 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 4.18%, 10.64% and 9.84%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has outpaced the benchmark across the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year horizons shown here. The benchmark’s 1-year return is negative, while the fund remains positive over the same period.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its 1-year return is below the strongest short-term peer figure shown, but its 3-year and 5-year returns are stronger than the available peer figures listed here. That makes the longer horizon more favourable for the fund.
What is the exit load?
Nil for 10% of units on or before 12 months, and 1% on the units sold in excess of that limit on or before 12 months. No exit load applies after 12 months.
Who manages the fund?
The fund is managed by Sushil Budhia and Bhavik Dave.
Bottom line
This fund’s latest year is softer than its 3-year and 5-year track, so the better reading comes from the fuller cycle rather than the most recent stretch. Against the benchmark, it has held up better across the listed horizons, and its longer-term returns are also stronger than the peer figures shown here where available.
Its High Risk profile and bank-heavy core make it more suitable for investors who can accept volatility in exchange for a steadier longer-run compounding pattern. The main point to note is that the portfolio is led by a few large financial positions, while the broader holding list extends well beyond the top names.
Published on 11 September 2026 at 12:46 PM 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.