HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹17.9829 as of 16 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹1,808 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -1.11%, 10.22% and 10.7% respectively. The fund sits in the High Risk bucket, so our view is that it suits investors who can accept short-term swings in exchange for a more balanced equal-weight approach to large-cap exposure.
The fund has stayed ahead of its benchmark over 3 years and 5 years, but the recent 1-year return has turned negative. That split tells us the strategy has worked better over longer holding periods than in the latest stretch, and the portfolio’s equal-weight structure may lead to more movement than a plain market-cap-heavy index fund.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹17.9829 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,808 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.4% |
| Launch Date | 20 Aug 2021 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Arun Agarwal, Nandita Menezes |
The fund is managed by Arun Agarwal and Nandita Menezes.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.63% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -2.58% | -3.6% |
| 1Y | -1.11% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 10.22% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | 10.7% | 5.67% |
The recent path is weaker than the longer-term record. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund declined, though it still held up better than the benchmark over 3 months and much better over 1 year. That suggests the equal-weight structure has not been immune to market pressure, but it has absorbed some of the downside more effectively than the benchmark over the past year.
Over 3 years and 5 years, the picture improves clearly. The fund has outpaced the benchmark by a wide margin in both periods, which supports the case that the strategy has delivered better compounding over a full market cycle. In our view, that is the more meaningful signal for a passive fund of this type, because short-term weakness can be a feature of broader index moves rather than a permanent break in the approach.
The time pattern also points to more uneven near-term behaviour. There were softer patches in the recent series, but the medium-term trend has still been constructive. For investors, that means the fund may look disappointing in a short snapshot while still remaining useful as a longer-horizon large-cap allocation.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight 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 HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -1.11% | 10.22% | 10.7% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 29.31% | 30.01% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.45% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.13% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.68% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 17.57% | 18.84% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The current fund’s 1-year return is weaker than the peer set shown here, while its 3-year and 5-year numbers are more respectable than what several peers disclose or achieve. The comparison is mixed because the short-term lag is clear, but the longer-term record is better aligned with funds that have delivered steadier compounding. That makes the recent stretch look more like a temporary soft patch than a full reversal of the longer trend.
Across the available peer figures, the fund does not stand out on the 1-year measure, but its 3-year and 5-year returns compare more favourably against the peer examples that provide those periods. The main takeaway is that the story changes with the time horizon: recent weakness is real, but the medium-term picture is better than the near-term one.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Want to know more? Log in to Univest for more mutual fund insights.
Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Eternal Limited | Retailing | 2.53% |
| Bajaj Auto Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.46% |
| HCL Technologies Ltd. | IT | 2.33% |
| Titan Company Ltd. | Diamond & Jewellery | 2.33% |
| Tata Consultancy Services Ltd. | IT | 2.25% |
| Bajaj Finserv Ltd. | Finance | 2.24% |
| Tech Mahindra Ltd. | IT | 2.2% |
| Shriram Finance Ltd. | Finance | 2.15% |
| Nestle India Ltd. | FMCG | 2.14% |
| Grasim Industries Ltd. | Diversified | 2.13% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 22.76% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest holding, Eternal Limited, is 2.53%, so no single name dominates the disclosed basket. The gap from the first holding to the tenth is small, from 2.53% down to 2.13%, which shows a fairly even spread across the leading positions rather than a steep drop-off.
That pattern matters because the visible holdings are spread across retailing, automobile, IT, diamond & jewellery, finance, FMCG and diversified businesses. With 22.76% in the top 10 and 50 holdings disclosed in total, the portfolio may be less dependent on one or two names and more influenced by a broader set of large-cap constituents.
In our view, that kind of spread can reduce single-stock dependence, although it does not remove market risk. The equal-weight approach still leaves each major position with similar influence, so movements across the full basket may matter more than one or two standout names.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who can tolerate High Risk and want large-cap exposure with an equal-weight tilt. The 3-year and 5-year records are stronger than the benchmark, but the 1-year return is negative, so the fund is better viewed through a longer horizon than a short one.
The main trade-off is that equal-weight exposure can improve diversification across the largest names, yet it may also bring more uneven short-term movement than a conventional market-cap-heavy index fund. Investors who are comfortable holding through weaker patches and prefer a broad large-cap portfolio over concentrated bets may find the structure more fitting.
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 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of HDFC NIFTY50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹17.9829 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The returns are -1.11% over 1 year, 10.22% over 3 years and 10.7% over 5 years.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has done better than NIFTY 50 over 3 years and 5 years, while the 1-year figure is much less weak than the benchmark’s own decline. The short-term record is softer, but the longer-term record is stronger.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is lower than the peer examples shown here, but its 3-year and 5-year numbers compare more favourably with peers that report those periods. The picture changes with the horizon.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The fund allows SIP investing, but the minimum SIP amount is not included here.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Arun Agarwal and Nandita Menezes. The exit load is no exit load.
Bottom line
This fund’s recent performance is softer than its longer-term record, but the 3-year and 5-year returns are still ahead of the benchmark. The peer comparison tells a similar story: the 1-year number is weaker, while the medium-term figures are more credible. With a High Risk profile and an equal-weight large-cap structure, it may suit investors who value broader large-cap balance and can stay invested through uneven stretches.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 11:20 AM IST
Explore mutual funds with Univest
Review mutual fund data, compare performance and explore fund insights on Univest.
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.