Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹40.5956 as of 15 Sep 2026, and its scheme AUM stood at ₹4,150 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 3.67%, 14.11% and 15.09% respectively, and the fund is tagged as High Risk. Our view is that this is a midcap index option for investors who can tolerate meaningful swings and want a simple, rules-based exposure rather than a defensive income profile.
The return pattern has been uneven in the short run, but the longer record is more constructive. That makes it more suitable for investors with a longer horizon who can stay invested through stretches of volatility, especially because the portfolio is built around financials, healthcare, IT and other midcap names that can move sharply in both directions.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹40.5956 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹4,150 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.26% |
| Launch Date | 06 Sep 2019 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | 1% on or before 15D, Nil after 15D |
| Fund Managers | Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta, Rakesh Shetty |
The fund is managed by Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta and Rakesh Shetty.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.64% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -1.19% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 3.67% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 14.11% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 15.09% | 5.58% |
The recent picture is softer than the medium-term one. The fund was negative over 1 month and 3 months, although it still held up a little better than the benchmark in both windows. That tells us the latest phase has been choppy, but not unusually weak relative to the broader reference point used here.
The 1-year return is positive at 3.67%, while the benchmark remains negative at -8.27%. That is an important gap, because it shows the fund has recovered materially better over the past year than the benchmark level used for comparison. For investors, the message is that recent compounding has improved, even if the path has not been smooth.
Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund’s returns of 14.11% and 15.09% are well ahead of the benchmark’s 5.59% and 5.58%. The longer pattern suggests that the fund has delivered stronger compounding than the benchmark over full cycles, but the daily and monthly path has still shown clear drawdowns and rebounds. That combination is typical of an equity strategy with midcap exposure and means short holding periods can look very different from longer holding periods.
The longer-term trend therefore matters more than the latest month-to-month movement. We would read the short-term softness as part of the normal variability of the strategy rather than a break from the broader record, but it does reinforce the need for patience.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index?
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 Nifty Midcap 150 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.67% | 14.11% | 15.09% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 32.61% | 29.92% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.91% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.71% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.15% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 18.11% | 18.92% | Data not available |
On the available 1-year figures, this fund trails the strongest peer returns by a wide margin, which shows that other sector- or theme-led index funds have had a much stronger recent run. Even so, the comparison is not one-sided, because this fund’s 1-year number is still positive while the benchmark used in the performance section is negative over the same horizon.
At 3 years, the fund’s 14.11% is below the available 3-year peer figures of 29.92% and 18.92% for the funds that report that period. That means the longer record is constructive, but not as strong as the better peer outcomes shown here. On 5 years, this fund’s 15.09% is lower than the only available long-horizon peer result in the table that reports a 5-year figure.
The short-term and longer-term peer stories are therefore different. The fund does not stand out on recent 1-year momentum when compared with the strongest peers, but it does show a steadier longer track against its benchmark and a meaningful multi-year compounding pattern. For investors, that makes the comparison less about chasing the highest recent number and more about whether they want broad midcap index exposure with a moderate long-run record.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| BSE Limited | Finance | 3.14% |
| The Federal Bank Limited | Bank | 2.05% |
| Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited | Finance | 2.03% |
| Laurus Labs Limited | Healthcare | 1.74% |
| One 97 Communications Limited | IT | 1.69% |
| Hero Motocorp Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 1.66% |
| Coforge Limited | IT | 1.62% |
| Indusind Bank Limited | Bank | 1.57% |
| PB Fintech Limited | IT | 1.52% |
| Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited | Capital Goods | 1.51% |
The largest holding is BSE Limited at 3.14%, so no single stock dominates the visible list. The fall from the largest weight to the tenth holding is gradual rather than abrupt, which suggests the fund is not leaning on one or two oversized names to drive the visible portfolio slice.
The top 10 holdings together account for 18.53% of the portfolio, while the fund has 83 disclosed holdings in total. That combination points to a broad spread across many positions rather than a highly concentrated book, even though the largest names can still matter on a day-to-day basis. Because the displayed holdings only cover a part of the portfolio, the remaining tail may also contribute meaningfully to outcomes.
In our view, this structure may reduce dependence on any single holding, but it also means the portfolio’s return pattern can be shaped by many mid-sized positions at once. For a midcap index fund, that is a useful reminder that diversification does not remove volatility; it mainly changes where the volatility comes from.
To see all holdings, visit the Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk exposure and can hold through uneven midcap cycles. The 1-year record is modest, but the 3-year and 5-year figures are much stronger, which argues for a patient horizon rather than a short trading mindset.
The main trade-off is clear: you get broad midcap market participation with a long-run compounding record that has beaten the benchmark used here, but you must accept sharp swings in shorter periods. Investors who want steadier, lower-volatility outcomes may find that trade-off uncomfortable. Those who can stay invested for several years and can live with cyclical drawdowns are a better match for this style of fund.
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 applies at 1% if units are sold on or before 15 days, and there is no exit load after 15 days of holding.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Motilal Oswal Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹40.5956 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 3.67%, the 3-year return is 14.11%, and the 5-year return is 15.09%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has beaten the benchmark used here over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The gap is especially wide over the 3-year and 5-year periods.
How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its recent and medium-term returns are lower than the strongest peer figures shown here, especially on the 1-year measure. The longer record still shows meaningful compounding, but not the same pace as the better peer results available for comparison.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
What is the risk profile and who manages the fund?
The fund is classified as High Risk, and it is managed by Swapnil P Mayekar, Dishant Mehta and Rakesh Shetty. The portfolio also shows 83 disclosed holdings, with the top 10 accounting for 18.53% of assets.
Bottom line
This fund’s short-term performance has been uneven, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers point to a stronger longer-run record than the benchmark used here. Compared with the peer figures available for review, it is not the strongest recent performer, yet it still shows meaningful compounding over time. The risk label is High Risk, and the portfolio is spread across many holdings rather than leaning heavily on one stock. That makes it more appropriate for patient investors who want midcap index exposure and can tolerate volatility.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 1:37 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.