HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 17, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan is an auto-sector index fund with a NAV of ₹9.8597 as of 16 Sep 2026 and scheme AUM of ₹162 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 0%, 0% and 0%, and the fund is tagged High Risk. In our view, this is a concentrated thematic option that tracks a narrow segment of the market, so its appeal depends more on an investor’s sector view and risk tolerance than on any long performance record.
The fund has been in the market only since 07 Jul 2026, so the return history is still very limited. The current portfolio is heavily tilted toward automobile names, which can create sharp swings when the sector moves, even though the expense ratio is 0.0% and SIPs start from ₹100.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹9.8597 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹162 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.0% |
| Launch Date | 07 Jul 2026 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| 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 | -7.85% | -4.41% |
| 3M | Data not available | Data not available |
| 1Y | 0% | 0% |
| 3Y | 0% | 0% |
| 5Y | 0% | 0% |
The one-month picture has been weak, with the fund falling more than the benchmark over the same stretch. That tells us the auto basket has been under pressure recently, and the fund has not been able to cushion that move relative to the index.
The longer view is less about track record and more about construction. The fund was launched only in July 2026, so the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year figures are not yet mature enough to describe a full cycle. For now, the available history suggests a narrow thematic exposure rather than a diversified equity experience.
Against the benchmark, the fund has lagged in the recent monthly window. Because the index reference here is NIFTY 50, the comparison is also a reminder that a sector fund can behave very differently from the broad market it is measured against. That difference matters more than the headline numbers at this stage.
Recent behaviour also differs from any attempt to read a long-term pattern, because the scheme does not yet have that kind of history. Investors should therefore treat the current performance record as provisional and focus more on the fund’s theme, volatility and sector dependence than on trailing returns alone.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC Nifty Auto 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 Nifty Auto Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| HDFC CRISIL-IBX Financial Services 9-12 Months Debt Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
| Axis Nifty50 Equal Weight Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
| Axis Nifty Energy Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
| Groww Nifty Smallcap 250 Momentum Quality 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | Data not available | Data not available |
| SBI CRISIL-IBX 10:90 Gilt+SDL Index-Dec 2029 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | Data not available | 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 limited return history available here, the fund’s recent monthly performance is weaker than the broad comparison benchmark, and the peer table does not yet give us a mature multi-period track record for most funds in the set. That means the strongest read-through is still about structure, not standing: this is a concentrated auto theme, and that theme can move differently from broader equity funds.
In our view, the current fund is best judged on whether an investor wants narrow sector exposure rather than on trailing return comparisons alone. The short-term comparison is meaningful, but the longer windows are too early to treat as settled evidence.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 22.73% |
| Maruti Suzuki India Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 13.71% |
| Bajaj Auto Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 10.42% |
| Eicher Motors Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 8.5% |
| TVS Motor Company Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 7.91% |
| Samvardhana Motherson International Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.85% |
| Hero Motocorp Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.49% |
| Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 5.01% |
| Bharat Forge Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 4.36% |
| Ashok Leyland Ltd | Automobile & Ancillaries | 3.9% |
The largest holding, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd., carries a weight of 22.73%, so a single stock is likely to have a meaningful influence on how the fund behaves. The next few positions are also substantial, which means performance may be driven by a small cluster of large names rather than by a wide spread of equal-sized holdings.
The weight then steps down from 22.73% to 3.9% by the tenth holding, which shows a clear tapering pattern. Even so, the top 10 holdings together account for approximately 87.88% of the portfolio, and the scheme discloses 15 holdings in total, so the visible slice is still very concentrated.
That concentration is not surprising for a theme fund, but it does mean the portfolio could respond sharply when the auto pack moves. The fund page invites further review of all holdings, and the current structure suggests that the sector view matters more than stock-by-stock diversification.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors who can tolerate High Risk and are comfortable with a concentrated sector bet. It is more suitable for a longer horizon, because short-term moves can be sharp and the available performance record is still very new.
The main trade-off is simple: the fund gives focused exposure to the auto segment, but that focus can also make returns more uneven than a broad equity fund. Investors who want theme-led participation and can accept large swings may find the structure understandable, while those looking for steadier multi-sector diversification may prefer a wider equity allocation.
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 |
No exit load applies if units are sold anytime.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of HDFC Nifty Auto Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹9.8597 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 0%, 0% and 0%.
How has the fund performed against the benchmark?
The fund’s 1-month return is -7.85% versus -4.41% for the benchmark, so the recent move has been weaker than the comparison index. The longer windows are not yet meaningful because the scheme is very new.
How does the fund compare with the peer set on available return data?
Most peer return cells are not available, so the most useful comparison is limited. On the figures that are available, this fund’s recent record is still too early to judge against the wider set in a robust way.
Is there a minimum SIP for this fund?
Yes. The minimum SIP is ₹100.
What risk and portfolio style should an investor expect?
The fund is tagged High Risk and is built around automobile and ancillary stocks. Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is the largest holding at 22.73%, and the top 10 holdings together account for approximately 87.88% of the portfolio.
Bottom line
This is a very new, concentrated auto-sector index fund, so the short record matters more for signalling than for proving a long-term pattern. Recent performance has been weaker than the benchmark in the one-month window, while the longer return fields are not yet mature enough to carry much weight. Relative to peers, the available comparison data is thin, so the clearer read is on structure: High Risk, sector-focused, and heavily weighted toward a few large automobile names. It suits investors who want thematic exposure and can accept sharp swings.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 5:21 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.