Aditya Birla SL Large Cap Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Aditya Birla SL Large Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan has a current NAV of ₹585.31 as of 28 Aug 2026 and an AUM of ₹29,944 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.12%, 11.62% and 10.78%, and the scheme sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that it fits investors who can accept equity volatility in exchange for long-term participation in large-cap-led growth, but the recent 1-year pattern has been softer than the multi-year record.

The fund’s long-term profile is steadier than its latest 1-year outcome, and the portfolio is heavily tilted toward large caps with a strong bank exposure. That mix can support relative stability versus more mid- and small-cap-heavy funds, but it also means returns may be shaped by a few large sector bets.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Harish Krishnan.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Performance

The recent picture is better than the benchmark in all five periods, but the scale of outperformance varies. The 1-month result was only mildly positive, while the 3-month and 1-year numbers show a clearer cushion versus the Nifty 50. That tells us the fund has handled a mixed market backdrop better than the index over the recent cycle.

The 1-year path also looks uneven, with a notable dip before recovery, which suggests the fund was not moving in a straight line through the period. Even so, the closing position is positive, while the benchmark remained negative over 1 year. That contrast matters because it shows the fund was able to recover more effectively than the index during a volatile stretch.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has compounded at 11.62% and 10.78%, versus 6.40% and 7.13% for the benchmark. In our view, that is the more important part of the record: the longer horizon shows a persistent edge rather than a one-off short burst. The trade-off is that the risk category is High Risk, so the path to those returns has still involved equity-style drawdowns and periods of stagnation.

Overall, the return pattern says the fund has been stronger than the benchmark over both shorter and longer horizons, with the more convincing evidence coming from the 3-year and 5-year numbers rather than the latest 1-year stretch alone.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Peer comparison

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.

On the latest 1-year numbers, the fund trails all four peers with available data, even though it remains above the benchmark. That makes the recent stretch look more modest than the peer set’s stronger short-term results. The longer view is more balanced: its 3-year return is below the better peer figures but still sits close enough to show a credible multi-year record, while its 5-year return is available and shows a steady compound outcome.

The peer set also tells a mixed story because one fund does not have a usable 5-year figure and another lacks both 3-year and 5-year figures. Against the peers with full longer-term numbers, this fund’s 5-year return is competitive but not the highest, which suggests its appeal rests more on consistency across market cycles than on the fastest growth in the table.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The market-cap mix is clearly tilted to large caps, which account for 79.42% of the portfolio. Mid caps at 10.69% and small caps at 7.52% add some growth potential, but they do not change the fact that this remains a large-cap-led fund.

Among sectors, bank exposure is materially larger than the rest at 38.32%. Retailing at 8.91% and automobile & ancillary at 6.66% are far smaller, so banks are likely to have greater influence on portfolio behaviour than any other sector. Within that bank bucket, Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited carries a particularly large 18.09% weight, which can make the portfolio more sensitive to movements in that stock.

In practical terms, the allocation looks concentrated enough to matter, but not so broad-based that any single smaller sector dominates the outcome. Our view is that the large-cap bias may reduce some volatility relative to more mid- and small-cap-heavy funds, while the strong bank tilt can still make near-term performance dependent on financials.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who can accept High Risk and are comfortable with equity-style drawdowns in pursuit of long-term growth. The 1-year outcome has been modest, but the 3-year and 5-year records are stronger and have held up better than the benchmark, which makes the fund more suitable for patient investors than for short-horizon users.

The main trade-off is that the portfolio is heavily tilted to large caps and especially banks, so returns may be influenced by a narrow set of sectors even though the large-cap base offers some stability. Investors with a 3- to 5-year horizon and a tolerance for uneven short-term moves may find the profile easier to understand than those who need smoother month-to-month outcomes.

Tax and exit load

Exit load

• 1% if units are sold on or before 90 days.
• Nil after 90 days.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL Large Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹585.31 as of 28 Aug 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its 1-year return is 2.12%, its 3-year return is 11.62%, and its 5-year return is 10.78%.

How does the fund compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced the Nifty 50 across 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The gap is especially clear over the 3-year and 5-year periods.

How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its 1-year return is below the better peer figures in this set, while its 3-year and 5-year records remain competitive. The shorter-term comparison looks weaker than the longer-term one.

What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Harish Krishnan. The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 90 days, and nil after 90 days.

Bottom line

Aditya Birla SL Large Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a clearer long-term case than a short-term one. The latest 1-year return is modest, but the 3-year and 5-year records are stronger and sit ahead of the benchmark, which suggests the fund has rewarded patient holding periods more reliably than recent market noise. Its High Risk profile and bank-heavy large-cap mix mean investors should expect equity swings, but the portfolio also leans toward established businesses rather than broad small-cap exposure. That makes it more suitable for long-horizon investors who can accept concentrated sector influence.

Published on 31 August 2026 at 12:50 PM IST