ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan is at a NAV of ₹23.11 as of 15 Sep 2026, with scheme AUM of ₹168 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -2.57%, 10.38% and 10.05% respectively, and the scheme sits in the High Risk category.
Our view is that this fund suits investors who can stay invested through uneven stretches and still want exposure to an equity portfolio with a broad, bank-heavy core. The longer-term return profile is steadier than the recent 1-year reading, but the benchmark comparison still shows that performance has not been consistently ahead of the market.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹23.11 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹168 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 1.9% |
| Launch Date | 11 Dec 2020 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | 1% on or before 3M, Nil after 3M |
| Fund Managers | Roshan Chutkey |
The fund is managed by Roshan Chutkey.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.39% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -1.32% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | -2.57% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 10.38% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 10.05% | 5.58% |
The near-term pattern has been weak, with both the fund and benchmark under pressure over 1M and 3M. Even so, the fund has held up better than the benchmark over those shorter windows, which suggests it has not been falling as sharply as the market reference.
The 1-year figure is still negative, but it is materially less weak than the benchmark. That matters because it tells us the fund has been more resilient than Nifty 50 over a difficult year, even if the absolute outcome is still unsatisfactory for many equity investors.
Over 3 years and 5 years, the picture improves. The fund’s returns are above the benchmark in both windows, and the longer stretch shows a consistent positive compounding trend rather than a single sharp rebound. That makes the track record look more balanced across cycles than the recent one-year number alone.
The time pattern also points to intermittent drawdowns and recoveries rather than a smooth climb. For us, that is typical of a high-risk equity strategy that can lag for stretches before regaining momentum. The key point is that the longer-term trend has been better than the benchmark, but the recent phase has still been choppy.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD ICICI Pru Quant?
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 ICICI Pru Quant? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan | -2.57% | 10.38% | 10.05% |
| ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF Direct Growth Plan | 69.8% | 36.32% | 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 |
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.31% | Data not available | Data not available |
| PGIM India Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 23.52% | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On a 1-year basis, the fund trails several of the peer return figures shown here, which tells us the recent stretch has been softer than the stronger momentum seen in some of those funds. That does not change the fact that the fund’s own 1-year return is still ahead of the benchmark, but it does limit the case for calling the recent run strong.
On 3-year and 5-year numbers, the current fund looks more settled than most peers for whom longer-horizon figures are available. The comparison therefore tells two different stories: short-term returns have been muted, while medium-term compounding has been more competitive and clearly better than the benchmark.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Ltd. | Bank | 4.59% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 3.75% |
| Bajaj Finance Ltd. | Finance | 3.71% |
| TREPS | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 3.5% |
| DR. Reddy’S Laboratories Ltd. | Healthcare | 3.41% |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | Telecom | 3.36% |
| Infosys Ltd. | IT | 3.36% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. | Bank | 3.24% |
| Bharat Electronics Ltd. | Capital Goods | 3% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 2.95% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 34.87% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, HDFC Bank Ltd., is 4.59%, which is meaningful but not dominant on its own. The top names are all in a fairly narrow band, with the tenth holding still close to 3%, so the portfolio does not appear to rely on one oversized position.
That said, the top 10 together still make up 34.87% of the portfolio, and the fund discloses 54 holdings in total. Our reading is that this leaves room for a long tail of smaller positions, while the visible core could still influence returns through the heavier bank and finance exposure.
The mix may therefore behave like a diversified equity portfolio with a concentrated lead cluster rather than a very spread-out book. For investors, that usually means the larger holdings are likely to matter most for short-run movement, even though the broader set of holdings may help reduce single-stock dependence.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and who can stay invested long enough to ride through weak patches. The 1-year return is negative, so anyone needing steady near-term outcomes may find the ride uncomfortable.
The better 3-year and 5-year numbers suggest the fund has rewarded patience more than short holding periods. The main trade-off is that the portfolio has delivered stronger medium-term results than the benchmark, but the path has not been smooth and recent performance has still been uneven.
Because the portfolio is led by bank and finance names, the fund may suit investors who are comfortable with a core that can move with financial-sector conditions. In our view, a longer horizon is more relevant here than a short one.
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 3 months; nil after 3 months.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹23.11 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is -2.57%, the 3-year return is 10.38%, and the 5-year return is 10.05%.
How has it done versus the benchmark?
It has been ahead of Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, and it also held up better than the benchmark over 1 year. The benchmark still remains a useful yardstick because recent performance has been uneven.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here on 1-year return?
Several peer funds have stronger 1-year figures, while this fund’s 1-year return is still negative. That means the recent phase has lagged many of those peers even though it has been better than the benchmark.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
The fund does not list a minimum SIP amount in the details shown here, so we are not stating one.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
Roshan Chutkey manages the fund. The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 3 months, and nil after 3 months.
Bottom line
ICICI Pru Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan has a mixed short-term record but a more credible medium-term track record, with 3-year and 5-year returns that are better than the benchmark. The 1-year figure is still negative, so the recent run has not matched the longer-term story. The portfolio’s bank and finance tilt suggests that a core cluster of holdings can matter meaningfully, while the wider set of positions may add balance. This is a High Risk equity fund better suited to investors who can tolerate uneven periods and wait for compounding to play out.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 5:11 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.