Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹21.97 as of 15 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹1,073 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -1.84%, 8.71% and 5.72% respectively, and it sits in the High Risk bucket. Our view is that the fund may suit investors who can handle sharp swings and want an equity strategy that has taken a more stable long view than its weaker recent stretch suggests.
The portfolio is led by financials, consumer names and a meaningful cash-like position, so the mix may cushion some volatility, but it can also dilute upside when markets are moving strongly. Compared with the benchmark, the fund has been more resilient over 3 years and 5 years, but the last year has been softer.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹21.97 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,073 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 1.33% |
| Launch Date | 12 Feb 2020 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | Nil for 10% of investment and 1% for remaining investment on or before 12M, Nil after 12M |
| Fund Managers | Vishal Agarwal, Krishnaa N |
The fund is managed by Vishal Agarwal and Krishnaa N.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -4.48% | -4.81% |
| 3M | -1.79% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | -1.84% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 8.71% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 5.72% | 5.58% |
The shorter-term path has been mixed, with both 1-month and 3-month returns still negative. Even so, the fund held up better than the benchmark in those periods, which tells us the recent slide has been shallower than the market’s broader move. That is a useful sign, but it does not erase the fact that the latest year remains negative.
Over 3 years, the fund has compounded at 8.71%, ahead of the benchmark’s 5.59%. That gap suggests the strategy has done a better job of converting recovery periods into longer-term gains. The 5-year picture is closer, with 5.72% for the fund versus 5.58% for the benchmark, so the longer horizon is more about consistency than standout excess return.
The pattern through the rolling periods shows a fund that has been through a weak patch, then recovered, and then softened again in the most recent stretch. Our reading is that this is not a smooth compounder, but it has shown enough longer-term resilience to stay relevant for investors who are comfortable with equity volatility and do not need a strong short-term momentum profile.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis ESG Integration Strategy?
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 ESG Integration Strategy? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Plan | -1.84% | 8.71% | 5.72% |
| ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF Direct Growth Plan | 69.16% | 37.12% | Data not available |
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.47% | Data not available | Data not available |
| SBI Automotive Opportunities Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.05% | Data not available | 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 |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. The fund’s recent 1-year return is well below the strongest peer figures shown here, but its 3-year and 5-year numbers are steadier than those shorter-horizon comparisons might suggest. That creates a split picture: the recent stretch looks weak, while the longer view remains more durable. The available peer data also shows that several peers have much stronger one-year outcomes, so this fund’s current appeal rests more on its longer-term behaviour than on recent momentum.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| CLEARING CORPORATION OF INDIA LTD | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 10.71% |
| ICICI BANK LIMITED | Bank | 6.33% |
| BAJAJ FINANCE LIMITED | Finance | 5.77% |
| TITAN COMPANY LIMITED | Diamond & Jewellery | 5.23% |
| SHRIRAM FINANCE LIMITED | Finance | 4.48% |
| AXIS BANK LIMITED | Bank | 3.63% |
| RELIANCE INDUSTRIES LIMITED | Crude Oil | 3.46% |
| PIRAMAL FINANCE LIMITED | Finance | 3.17% |
| PIDILITE INDUSTRIES LIMITED | Chemicals | 3.15% |
| MARUTI SUZUKI INDIA LIMITED | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.9% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 48.83% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Plan page
The largest disclosed holding is Clearing Corporation of India Ltd at 10.71%, and the next few positions are smaller in a measured way rather than clustered at similar sizes. That kind of step-down can matter because the first few names may influence day-to-day behaviour more than the rest of the visible list.
The move from 10.71% to 2.90% by the tenth holding suggests the portfolio is not dominated by a single position, even though the top three names still carry meaningful weight. With 48.83% of assets in the ten shown holdings and 41 disclosed holdings in total, the visible book appears moderately concentrated at the top while still leaving room for a longer tail of smaller positions.
That balance may help reduce dependence on any one stock, but the cash-equivalent holding and the tilt toward financials also mean the portfolio can behave differently from a broad market index. For investors, that may be attractive if they want an ESG-oriented equity fund with a clearer top-weight structure rather than a fully dispersed portfolio.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is better suited to investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and can hold through uneven stretches. The 1-year return is negative, while the 3-year and 5-year returns are positive, so the fund has rewarded patience more than short-term timing. Compared with the benchmark, it has been stronger over the 3-year and 5-year horizons, but recent behaviour has been softer.
The main trade-off is that investors may accept weaker near-term consistency in exchange for a more resilient longer-term profile. The portfolio’s mix of banks, financials, consumer names and cash-like assets may also make returns feel different from a plain index approach. We think the fund is most relevant for a medium-to-long horizon and for investors who can tolerate volatility without expecting a smooth path.
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 remaining investment on or before 12 months; no exit load after the holding period.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹21.97 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are -1.84% over 1 year, 8.71% over 3 years and 5.72% over 5 years.
How does the fund compare with the benchmark?
It has outpaced the Nifty 50 over 3 years and 5 years, while the 1-year return has been less favorable than the longer horizon. The recent one-year figure is negative, but still better than the benchmark’s -8.27%.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its 1-year return is below the peer figures shown, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers are steadier than the short-term picture suggests. The peer set also includes some very strong one-year outcomes, so the comparison looks mixed.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
Minimum SIP is ₹100.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Vishal Agarwal and Krishnaa N. Exit load is nil for 10% of investment and 1% for the remaining investment on or before 12 months, and there is no exit load after the holding period.
Bottom line
Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a clear split between its recent and longer-term behaviour. The latest year has been weak, but the 3-year and 5-year returns are positive and compare better with the benchmark than the short-term figures do. The portfolio also has a noticeable top-weight structure, led by a cash-equivalent position and several financials. In our view, this makes the fund more suitable for investors who can tolerate High Risk equity swings and prefer a longer holding period.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 2:37 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.