Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 28, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹1259.1802 as of 17 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹167 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 2.32%, 5.67% and 0%, and the fund sits in the Medium Risk bucket. Our view is that the fund has shown steady but modest medium-term growth, while the latest 1-year outcome is more restrained than its 3-year figure. That makes it more suitable for investors who can accept a measured return profile rather than expect strong short-term momentum.
The fund is backed by a portfolio dominated by Government of India securities, which supports a more interest-rate-sensitive and comparatively conservative debt posture. In our view, that can appeal to investors looking for lower volatility in a debt allocation, but the recent return pattern also shows that the path has not been smooth.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹1,259.1802 as of 17 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹167 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.32% |
| Launch Date | 27 Dec 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹1,000 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Devang Shah, Hardik Shah |
The fund is managed by Devang Shah and Hardik Shah.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.6% | -3.66% |
| 3M | 0.36% | -3.71% |
| 1Y | 2.32% | -7.13% |
| 3Y | 5.67% | 5.82% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent pattern is better than the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months and 1 year, but the comparison changes over longer stretches. The fund’s 1-year return is positive while the benchmark remains negative, which tells us the scheme has held up better in the recent period.
Over 3 years, the fund and benchmark are close, with the benchmark slightly ahead. That suggests the fund has not created a large return gap on a longer horizon even though it has shown periods of relative resilience. The 5-year figure is not available for either series, so the clearest comparison remains the shorter and medium-term record.
The time pattern also matters. The fund’s 1-month return is negative, yet the 3-month and 1-year numbers are firmer. Our read is that the scheme has moved through short stretches of weakness but has still produced a modest upward trajectory over the medium term. That combination often suits investors who can tolerate uneven monthly outcomes in exchange for a steadier debt-style profile.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Long Term?
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 Long Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.32% | 5.67% | Data not available |
| Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 4.06% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.86% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.18% | 6.5% | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.5% | 6.38% | 5.25% |
| SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 2.43% | 6.04% | Data not available |
The 1-year comparison shows the fund trailing several peers on recent return strength, with Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan both above it, and Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan also ahead. ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan is only slightly better on 1-year performance, while SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan is close.
Over 3 years, the fund’s 5.67% return is below the available peer figures from Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. That tells us the fund has not matched the stronger medium-term compounding shown by those peers. The 5-year view is more limited because only ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has an available figure there, and it remains ahead on that horizon as well. The shorter-term and longer-term comparisons therefore both point to the same broad conclusion: the fund has been steady, but not the strongest performer in this group.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| 7.34% Government of India (22/04/2064) | Government Securities | 21.35% |
| 7.25% Government of India (12/06/2063) | Government Securities | 19.88% |
| 7.36% Government of India (12/09/2052) | Government Securities | 19.2% |
| 7.09% Government of India (05/08/2054) | Government Securities | 16.9% |
| Net Receivables / (Payables) | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 10.87% |
| 7.24% Government of India (18/08/2055) | Government Securities | 8.61% |
| Clearing Corporation of India Ltd | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 1.35% |
| SBI – Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) – Class A2 | Alternative Investment Fund | 0.96% |
| 7.3% Government of India (19/06/2053) | Government Securities | 0.87% |
The largest holding is 7.34% Government of India (22/04/2064) at 21.35%, so a single security has a meaningful influence on the portfolio. The next three government securities also sit near 20%, 19.2% and 16.9%, which shows that the fund’s weight is clustered in a few long-dated sovereign positions rather than spread evenly across many small bets.
After the top four holdings, the weights fall to 10.87%, then 8.61%, and then below 2% for the remaining positions. That drop is fairly steep and suggests the portfolio is shaped mainly by the first few lines in the holdings list. Because the disclosed holdings add up to 99.99% across just 9 positions, the portfolio looks highly concentrated in what is shown, with government securities forming the core and cash-like lines playing a smaller supporting role.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is best suited to investors who are comfortable with Medium Risk exposure and who can stay invested long enough to move through uneven monthly outcomes. The return pattern shows a positive 1-year and 3-year track record, but the 1-month figure is negative, so short-term stability is not perfect even though the broader trend is constructive.
The benchmark comparison also matters: the fund has held up better than the index in the recent 1-year period, yet the 3-year gap is small. That makes the fund more appropriate for investors who want a debt-oriented allocation with government security exposure and are willing to accept that returns may be steady rather than exciting. The main trade-off is that the portfolio may offer lower volatility than a more equity-heavy alternative, but it may also lag stronger peers over longer stretches.
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 |
There is no exit load.
Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹1259.1802 as of 17 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 2.32%, its 3-year return is 5.67%, and its 5-year return is 0% in the current record.
How does the fund compare with the benchmark?
It has done better than the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months and 1 year, while the 3-year return is slightly below the benchmark. That gives it a mixed but broadly resilient profile against the benchmark.
How does it compare with other long-term funds on recent returns?
Its 1-year return is below Franklin India Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, Bandhan Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan. On the available 3-year figures, it also trails Aditya Birla SL Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan, ICICI Pru Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan and SBI Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹1000.
What is the fund’s risk profile and exit load?
The fund is in the Medium Risk category, and it has no exit load. Its portfolio is dominated by Government of India securities, with the largest disclosed holding at 21.35%.
Bottom line
Axis Long Term Fund Direct Growth Plan shows a steadier recent profile than its benchmark, but the broader picture is more mixed because its 3-year return is only modest and the peer set has stronger available numbers on both 1-year and 3-year horizons. The fund’s Medium Risk tag and sovereign-heavy portfolio make it more conservative in style, yet the concentrated holding pattern means a few positions can matter a lot. Our view is that it fits investors seeking a debt-oriented allocation with patience for uneven short-term movement rather than those chasing the strongest return track record.
Published on 18 September 2026 at 9:46 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.