UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan is at ₹20.0969 as of 15 September 2026, with scheme AUM of ₹816 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 3.74%, 8.12% and 8.76%, and the fund sits in the Medium Risk bucket.
Our view is that this is a steadier hybrid allocation for investors who want some equity participation without taking a pure-equity path. The return pattern is modest in the recent year but more stable over 3 and 5 years, while the portfolio also includes government securities, bank equities and a cash buffer.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹20.0969 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹816 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.64% |
| Launch Date | 30 Aug 2018 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Hybrid |
| Exit Load | 1% on or before 30D, Nil after 30D |
| Fund Managers | V. Srivatsa, Anurag Mittal |
The fund is managed by V. Srivatsa and Anurag Mittal.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.56% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -0.26% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 3.74% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 8.12% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 8.76% | 5.58% |
The recent picture is softer than the longer one. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund is still negative, but the declines are smaller than the benchmark’s fall in the same windows. That tells us the fund has held up better than the benchmark in the latest short-term stretch, even though absolute performance has not been strong.
The 1-year number is more reassuring. The fund has posted a positive 3.74% return while the benchmark is still negative at -8.27%, which points to better resilience over a full year. From an investor’s point of view, that kind of gap matters more than a single weak month because this category is meant to smooth the ride rather than chase sharp spikes.
Longer-term, the 3-year and 5-year returns stay in a narrow, mid-single-digit to high-single-digit band and remain ahead of the benchmark’s 3-year and 5-year returns. That consistency is useful, but it also shows the fund has not delivered equity-like growth. The overall pattern is one of moderate compounding with limited drawdown, not a high-growth profile.
The time pattern also matters. The fund’s path has had periods of gradual recovery and mild setbacks rather than large swings, which fits a medium-risk hybrid strategy. Our reading is that the fund has behaved more defensively than a benchmark-heavy equity stance, but without enough upside burst to make recent performance stand out on absolute terms.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD UTI Equity Savings?
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 UTI Equity Savings? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.74% | 8.12% | 8.76% |
| Edelweiss Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.26% | 11.32% | 9.71% |
| HSBC Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.06% | 12.74% | 11.06% |
| WOC Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.32% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Mahindra Manulife Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.62% | 9.21% | 8.86% |
| Mirae Asset Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.43% | 9.7% | 9.06% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On 1-year performance, this fund trails the stronger peer figures available in the set, where several peers are well above 5% and two are above 8%. On 3-year and 5-year numbers, it remains below the better long-term peer returns shown here, though it still stays comfortably positive and above some of the more modest peer outcomes.
The short-term and long-term views are not identical. The recent 1-year result looks weaker than the better peer numbers, but the 3-year and 5-year history is still orderly enough to suggest a more defensive return profile. For investors, that means the fund looks more about consistency than standout upside.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 07.32% Gsec Mat -13/11/2030 | Government Securities | 8.19% |
| 7.04% Gsec Mat- 03/06/2029 | Government Securities | 5.81% |
| Eq – Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 5.52% |
| 6.01% Gsec Mat – 21/07/2030 | Government Securities | 4.82% |
| Eq – HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 4.58% |
| Eq – Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 4.17% |
| Net Current Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 4.02% |
| Eq – Grasim Industries Ltd. | Diversified | 3.72% |
| Eq – Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. | Bank | 3.62% |
| Eq – State Bank of India | Bank | 3.56% |
The largest holding is the 07.32% Gsec Mat -13/11/2030 at 8.19%, which is meaningful but not extreme for a hybrid fund. The weight then steps down in a fairly controlled way, with the tenth holding still at 3.56%, so the portfolio does not depend on one dominant position.
The mix of government securities, banks, one automobile name and a cash-like line suggests a diversified structure that may help the fund smooth equity swings. Because the top 10 holdings add up to 48.01% of the portfolio, the disclosed book appears moderately concentrated at the top but still leaves room for a longer tail across the remaining 40 holdings.
That balance can be useful for investors who want a blend of stability and participation. The bond positions may dampen volatility, while the equity positions could add growth potential, but the more important point is that no single holding appears likely to drive the full outcome on its own.
To see all holdings, visit the UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who are comfortable with medium risk and want a hybrid allocation rather than a pure equity exposure. The 1-year result is weaker than the 3-year and 5-year pattern, but it has still been ahead of the benchmark over those same horizons, which points to a steadier return profile.
The portfolio mix supports a moderate horizon view because it combines government securities, bank equities and cash-like assets. The main trade-off is straightforward: the structure may reduce volatility compared with a more equity-heavy fund, but it also limits the chance of very fast 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 |
Exit load: 1% if units are sold on or before 30 days. There is no exit load after 30 days.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹20.0969 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its 1-year return is 3.74%, the 3-year return is 8.12% and the 5-year return is 8.76%.
How has it performed against the benchmark?
It has outperformed the Nifty 50 over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The benchmark’s 1-year return is -8.27%, while the fund is positive at 3.74%.
How does it compare with the listed peer funds?
Its 1-year return is below several peers in the list, and its 3-year and 5-year returns also sit below the stronger peer figures shown there. It still remains positive over the longer horizons.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by V. Srivatsa and Anurag Mittal. The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 30 days, and nil after 30 days.
Bottom line
UTI Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan has a softer recent year than its longer-term history, but its 3-year and 5-year returns remain steady and ahead of the benchmark. In peer terms, the return profile is less forceful than the stronger figures in the comparison set, so the fund reads more as a stabiliser than a standout performer.
The Medium Risk label, balanced hybrid structure and meaningful government-securities exposure make it more suitable for investors who want measured participation and some downside control. The trade-off is lower upside potential than a more equity-led option, but that may be acceptable for a steadier allocation within a broader portfolio.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 8:22 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.