LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹37.1885 as of 15 Sep 2026 and manages ₹103 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 14.45%, 21.47% and 12.05%, and the scheme is tagged as High Risk. In our view, the fund has shown a stronger multi-year return pattern than the benchmark, but the category still fits only investors who can handle sharp swings and a healthcare-focused portfolio.
The combination of a concentrated holding mix, a high-risk label and a history of uneven short-term movement makes it better suited to investors with a longer horizon than to those seeking a steady, low-volatility equity sleeve.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹37.1885 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹103 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 1.22% |
| Launch Date | 28 Feb 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹200 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | Nil upto 12% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 90D, Nil after 90D |
| Fund Managers | Sudhanshu Asthana, Dhaval Sangoi |
The fund is managed by Sudhanshu Asthana and Dhaval Sangoi.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -0.55% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 10.36% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 14.45% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 21.47% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 12.05% | 5.58% |
The recent picture is mixed but still constructive. Over 1 month, the fund was slightly negative, yet it held up much better than the benchmark, which stayed more negative. The 3-month return is more impressive, because the fund recovered strongly while the benchmark remained in the red. That tells us the portfolio has been able to bounce back faster than the index after short-term pressure.
The longer view is also positive. The 1-year return of 14.45% sits well above the benchmark’s negative reading, and the 3-year return of 21.47% shows much better compounding than the benchmark’s 5.59%. The 5-year return is 12.05%, again ahead of the benchmark’s 5.58%, so the multi-year edge is clear.
Even so, the path has not been smooth. The fund’s shorter periods show more ups and downs than the benchmark, which is consistent with a high-risk equity strategy that can swing around the trend. Our view is that the fund has rewarded patience over full cycles rather than smooth month-to-month gains.
For investors, that means the main question is not whether the fund can beat a broad index in every quarter, but whether they can tolerate the volatility needed to benefit from its longer-term pattern. The recent strength relative to the benchmark supports that case, but the negative 1-month finish is a reminder that short stretches can still be uncomfortable.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD LIC MF Healthcare?
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 LIC MF Healthcare? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 14.45% | 21.47% | 12.05% |
| ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF Direct Growth Plan | 69.16% | 37.12% | Data not available |
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.47% | Data not available | Data not available |
| SBI Automotive Opportunities Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.05% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Kotak Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 26.51% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Active Momentum Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.46% | 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 is below several peers in this set, though it is still positive and well ahead of the benchmark. The 3-year and 5-year figures remain solid, but the gap versus the stronger peer entries on 1-year performance is noticeable. That creates a split story: the fund is not the fastest recent mover in the group, yet its longer-run numbers still compare well against the benchmark and are meaningfully better than the shorter, benchmark-linked alternative.
What stands out is that the fund’s longer-term profile is steadier than the very high 1-year numbers seen in some peers, but its 3-year and 5-year readings remain competitive on a longer holding horizon. For an investor, the distinction matters: short-term comparison favours a few peers on momentum, while the longer-term comparison keeps LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan in the conversation for cycle-based investing.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. | Healthcare | 10.09% |
| Divi’S Laboratories Ltd. | Healthcare | 9.29% |
| Torrent Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | Healthcare | 6.45% |
| Neuland Laboratories Ltd. | Healthcare | 6.38% |
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | Healthcare | 6.23% |
| Navin Fluorine International Ltd. | Chemicals | 5.65% |
| Aurobindo Pharma Ltd. | Healthcare | 5.17% |
| Aster DM Quality Care Ltd. | Healthcare | 4.82% |
| Zydus Lifesciences Ltd. | Healthcare | 4.79% |
| Gland Pharma Ltd. | Healthcare | 3.93% |
The largest holding, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., carries a 10.09% weight, so it can meaningfully influence returns but does not dominate the scheme on its own. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is noticeable, with the list moving from just over 10% to 3.93%, which suggests a clear tilt toward a few larger positions rather than a flat spread across names.
The displayed top 10 holdings account for approximately 62.8% of the portfolio, and the scheme discloses 24 holdings in total. That combination suggests a moderately concentrated structure: the biggest positions matter most, but there is still a longer tail of additional holdings that may soften the impact of any single stock.
Sector labels reinforce the healthcare-led nature of the portfolio, with only one of the top 10 holdings outside healthcare. In our view, that focus may help if the healthcare theme stays in favour, but it can also mean the fund’s outcomes depend heavily on a narrower set of sector drivers than a broad-market equity fund.
To see all holdings, visit the LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can accept High Risk and are comfortable with a healthcare-focused equity allocation that may move sharply in the short term. The return pattern suggests that patience matters: the 3-year and 5-year numbers are stronger than the benchmark, while the 1-month outcome shows that drawdowns can still appear.
It fits better as a long-horizon allocation than as a core stability holding. The main trade-off is straightforward: you may get stronger multi-year upside than a broad index at times, but you must be willing to live with sector concentration and uneven shorter-term performance.
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 upto 12% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 90D, Nil after 90D.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹37.1885 as of 15 Sep 2026. The fund also manages ₹103 Cr.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 14.45%, the 3-year return is 21.47% and the 5-year return is 12.05%. The pattern shows stronger medium- and long-term compounding than the benchmark.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark across all listed periods. The gap is especially visible over 3 years and 5 years, where the benchmark’s returns are much lower.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its 1-year return trails several peer funds in this comparison set, but its 3-year and 5-year figures remain solid. The longer-term comparison is stronger than the short-term one.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
No minimum SIP amount is stated here. SIP is allowed, and the scheme details available for review do not include a minimum SIP figure.
Who manages the fund, and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Sudhanshu Asthana and Dhaval Sangoi. The exit load is nil upto 12% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 90D, and nil after 90D.
Bottom line
LIC MF Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan has a stronger multi-year record than the benchmark, but its short-term path is uneven and its high-risk profile is clear. The portfolio is anchored by a few large healthcare positions, which may amplify both upside and volatility. Against peers, the fund’s recent return is not the strongest in the group, yet its longer-term numbers remain relevant. That makes it a better fit for patient investors who want a healthcare theme and can tolerate concentration.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 12:05 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.