Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 21, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹16.96 as of 18 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹827 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 1.25%, 8.62% and 9.02% respectively, and the scheme is tagged as High Risk. Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can tolerate sharp swings and want a strategy that has improved over longer periods more than it has in the recent stretch.
The benchmark is NIFTY 50, and the fund has stayed ahead of it over 3 years and 5 years, even though the last 12 months have been much softer. That mix suggests a differentiated return path rather than a smooth index-like experience, so it may fit investors who are comfortable with an uneven ride and a longer holding period.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹16.96 as of 18 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹827 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% |
| Launch Date | 01 Jul 2021 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | Nil for 10% of investment and 1% for remaining investments on or before 3M, Nil after 3M |
| Fund Managers | Nandik Mallik, Krishnaa N |
The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Krishnaa N.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -3.91% | -3.73% |
| 3M | -2.36% | -3.14% |
| 1Y | 1.25% | -5.31% |
| 3Y | 8.62% | 6.3% |
| 5Y | 9.02% | 5.79% |
The near-term picture has been uneven. Over 1 month, the fund fell a little more than the benchmark, while over 3 months it held up better than the index despite still being negative. That tells us the latest stretch has been choppy rather than decisive.
The 1-year return is modest at 1.25%, but it still stands above the benchmark’s negative 1-year return. The gap matters because it shows the fund has preserved relative resilience even when absolute returns have been weak.
The longer view is more constructive. Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has stayed ahead of the benchmark, and the longer series shows a pattern of gains and pullbacks rather than a steady climb. Our reading is that the strategy has worked better over full market cycles than in shorter windows.
This pattern is important for investors because it suggests the fund may require patience. It has not delivered smooth month-to-month progress, but the longer horizon has been stronger than the benchmark, which supports a longer holding period if the risk profile is acceptable.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis 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 Axis Quant? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan | 1.25% | 8.62% | 9.02% |
| ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF Direct Growth Plan | 65.43% | 35.11% | Data not available |
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.29% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Kotak Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.27% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Active Momentum Fund Direct Growth Plan | 25.8% | Data not available | Data not available |
| PGIM India Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 24.4% | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
Against the peer set, the fund’s 1-year return is much lower than the strongest recent performers, which have posted far higher short-term gains. That does not change the fact that its 1-year figure is positive while the benchmark is negative, but it does show that the fund has not matched the recent momentum seen in several peers.
Over 3 years and 5 years, the picture looks steadier. The fund’s available longer-term returns are stronger than the benchmark, while most peers in this comparison do not have 3-year or 5-year figures available. Where longer history is available, the fund’s 3-year and 5-year numbers suggest a more balanced case than the weak 1-year reading alone would imply.
The short-term and longer-term comparisons tell different stories: peers have dominated the recent window, but the fund’s longer horizon remains more established than its recent pace suggests.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Net Receivables / (Payables) | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 21.02% |
| Adani Enterprises Limited | Trading | 4.6% |
| Lodha Developers Limited | Realty | 4.32% |
| Eternal Limited | Retailing | 4.26% |
| Eicher Motors Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 4.25% |
| DLF Limited | Realty | 3.87% |
| Trent Limited | Retailing | 3.83% |
| Bajaj Holdings & Investment Limited | Finance | 3.8% |
| Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd | Finance | 3.77% |
| GAIL (India) Limited | Gas Transmission | 3.76% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 57.48% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest disclosed position is Net Receivables / (Payables) at 21.02%, which is materially larger than any single equity holding listed here. After that, the weights fall into a fairly tight band between 4.6% and 3.76%, so the portfolio’s visible equity exposure appears spread across several mid-sized positions rather than relying on one dominant stock.
The drop from the largest item to the tenth holding is steep, and that matters because it shows the headline weight is driven by the cash and net-assets line rather than by one equity bet. At the same time, the combined weight of the top 10 holdings at 57.48% suggests that a meaningful share of the portfolio is still carried by a limited set of positions.
With 33 disclosed holdings in total, the fund may still have a longer tail beyond the top 10, but the visible slice is not broadly dispersed. Our reading is that this structure could make the fund’s path more dependent on a relatively compact set of positions, even though the stock-level weights themselves are not heavily skewed after the largest line item.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk and can stay invested for several years. The 1-year return is modest and below the stronger recent peer numbers, but the 3-year and 5-year figures are ahead of the benchmark, which makes the long-term case more relevant than the short-term one.
The main trade-off is between patience and consistency. The fund has shown uneven shorter-term movement, while the longer horizon is more encouraging. Investors who can handle that kind of variability and who do not need steady month-to-month outcomes may find the risk profile easier to live with.
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: Nil for 10% of investment and 1% for the remaining investment if units are sold within 3 months; no exit load after 3 months.
Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹16.96 as of 18 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 1.25% for 1 year, 8.62% for 3 years and 9.02% for 5 years.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced NIFTY 50 over 3 years and 5 years, while the 1-year return is also better than the benchmark’s negative 1-year figure.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is well below the strongest recent peer numbers, but its available 3-year and 5-year figures are stronger than the benchmark and help offset the weaker short-term showing.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
No minimum SIP amount is stated in the facts available here, so we are not showing one.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Nandik Mallik and Krishnaa N. The exit load is nil for 10% of investment and 1% for the remaining investment if units are sold within 3 months, and there is no exit load after 3 months.
Bottom line
Axis Quant Fund Direct Growth Plan has a weak recent stretch but a better longer-term record, with 3-year and 5-year returns ahead of the benchmark. Against the peer names shown here, its short-term return looks subdued, yet the longer view is more credible than the latest 12-month number alone. The fund carries High Risk, and its portfolio is influenced by a large net receivables line plus a compact set of holdings. It may suit investors who can accept uneven short-term results in exchange for a longer horizon.
Published on 21 September 2026 at 9:35 AM 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.