Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹1563.3631 as of 15 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹21,405 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.69%, 7.47% and 6.75%, and the scheme sits in the Medium Risk bucket.
Our view is that this is a steady, income-oriented fund with a long-running return profile that has stayed above its benchmark in the periods shown. The portfolio is built around short-dated treasury bills, CDs and commercial paper, so the return pattern is more about consistency than sharp upside. That makes it more suitable for conservative investors who want relatively contained volatility and can accept moderate yield-style returns.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹1,563.3631 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹21,405 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.17% |
| Launch Date | 06 Aug 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria, Sachin Jain |
The fund is managed by Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.50% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 1.87% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 6.69% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 7.47% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 6.75% | 5.58% |
The recent numbers are comfortable rather than exciting. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed positive while the benchmark was negative, which suggests a much more stable short-term path than the benchmark’s swing in the same windows.
The 1-year return also stands out because the fund remained positive while the benchmark was sharply negative. That does not mean the fund is aggressive; it means the return engine has been more defensive and more dependable than the benchmark over the last year.
Looking at longer periods, the 3-year and 5-year figures stay in a narrow band around the mid-6% to mid-7% range. The pattern is one of gradual compounding rather than rapid jumps. The wider time profile also suggests that the fund’s return path has been smoother than the benchmark’s, which has shown more pronounced weakness in the shorter windows.
Against the benchmark, the fund is ahead in every period shown. The gap is especially clear in the 1-year period, while the 3-year and 5-year gaps are smaller but still favourable. For an investor, that usually points to a strategy that has preserved steadier return delivery while avoiding the benchmark’s sharper drawdowns.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Money Market?
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 Axis Money Market? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.69% | 7.47% | 6.75% |
| 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. On the available figures, the fund’s 1-year return is far lower than the equity-style peer numbers listed here, but the comparison is not apples-to-apples because the peers are different strategies. Within the longer periods available, the fund’s 3-year and 5-year returns are steady, and they are much more relevant for judging this scheme’s own consistency than the short-term peer spikes. The short-term and longer-term peer stories are therefore very different: the fund looks like a stability-led product, while the peer set reflects much sharper return dispersion.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 182 Days Tbill (MD 17/12/2026) | Treasury Bills | 3.22% |
| HDFC Bank Limited (12/03/2027) | Certificate of Deposit | 3.16% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (16/12/2026) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 3.00% |
| Indian Bank (24/06/2027) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 2.43% |
| HDFC Bank Limited (15/02/2027) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 2.15% |
| National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (10/03/2027) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 2.14% |
| National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (28/01/2027) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 2.05% |
| The Federal Bank Limited (17/02/2027) ** | Certificate of Deposit | 2.04% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services Limited (25/02/2027) ** | Commercial Paper | 2.03% |
| Panatone Finvest Limited (11/01/2027) ** | Commercial Paper | 1.93% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 24.15% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding is 182 Days Tbill (MD 17/12/2026) at 3.22%, which is a modest single-position weight in absolute terms. The next few holdings are close behind rather than dramatically smaller, so the top end of the portfolio does not look lopsided.
The weight drops from 3.22% in the first holding to 1.93% in the tenth, so the visible book is fairly even across the leading names. That kind of pattern usually points to broad diversification within the liquid and short-duration universe rather than dependence on one or two positions.
Because the disclosed top 10 add up to 24.15% while the fund shows 72 holdings in total, the portfolio appears to have a long tail beyond the largest positions. That can reduce the influence of any single line item, although the fund’s returns will still be shaped by the quality and tenor of the short-term credit and treasury instruments it holds.
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 steadier return pattern rather than sharp upside. The 1-year result is positive and the 3-year and 5-year figures remain in a narrow band, which makes the scheme more appropriate for people who value consistency over excitement.
The main trade-off is that the portfolio structure is built for stability, so the return path is likely to look modest compared with equity-style alternatives. That means it can work better as part of a conservative allocation or for investors with a shorter-to-medium horizon who prefer a more controlled profile and can accept lower return variability.
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: No exit load.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹1563.3631 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 6.69% for 1 year, 7.47% for 3 years and 6.75% for 5 years.
How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the benchmark across the periods shown. The gap is especially clear over 1 month, 3 months and 1 year.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its own return profile is steadier than the short-term return spikes seen in the peer list. The comparison also reflects that these are different fund strategies, so the numbers are best read as a return check rather than a like-for-like contest.
Is there a minimum SIP for this fund?
Yes, the scheme allows SIPs, and the minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
Who manages the fund and what does the portfolio look like?
The fund is managed by Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria and Sachin Jain. The largest disclosed holding is 182 Days Tbill (MD 17/12/2026) at 3.22%, and the disclosed top 10 holdings together account for 24.15% of the portfolio.
Bottom line
Axis Money Market Fund Direct Growth Plan looks steadier over the longer run than its shorter-term benchmark comparison might suggest. Its recent and multi-year return pattern is consistent rather than explosive, while the portfolio is spread across many short-dated securities and only a small share sits in the top 10 disclosed holdings. That makes it a better fit for investors who prioritise stability, controlled volatility and moderate compounding over aggressive return chasing.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 1:28 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.