HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 28, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹14.5115 as of 16 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹473 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -5.31%, 7.12% and 0%, and the scheme sits in the High Risk category. Our view is that this is a straightforward index option for investors who want broad large-cap exposure and can accept a period of uneven near-term returns.
The fund’s recent performance has been weaker than its longer 3-year track, while the portfolio is anchored by banks, telecom, infrastructure and IT among the top holdings. That mix can suit investors with a longer horizon who are comfortable with market-linked swings and want the discipline of index-style investing rather than an active call on stock selection.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹14.5115 as of 16 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹473 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.3% |
| Launch Date | 23 Feb 2022 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Index Funds |
| 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 | -4.60% | -4.41% |
| 3M | -2.97% | -3.60% |
| 1Y | -5.31% | -7.76% |
| 3Y | 7.12% | 5.74% |
| 5Y | Data not available | Data not available |
The recent pattern has been soft, with both 1-month and 3-month returns negative. Even so, the fund stayed slightly ahead of the benchmark in both windows, which tells us that the portfolio has not fully escaped broad market pressure but has handled the drawdown a little better than the reference index over these shorter periods.
The 1-year number is still negative at -5.31%, but it is materially better than the benchmark’s -7.76%. That gap matters because it shows the fund was less harshly affected over the latest 12 months even though the overall direction was still down. For an index fund, that kind of relative resilience can be useful, but it does not remove the fact that the near-term experience has been disappointing in absolute terms.
Over 3 years, the picture improves. The fund’s 7.12% return is above the benchmark’s 5.74%, which suggests that the longer compounding trend has been healthier than the recent one-year stretch. The multi-period pattern also shows a more constructive middle phase followed by a weaker finish, so our read is that the fund has not followed a smooth path even though the longer horizon remains positive.
The 5-year column is not available because this scheme has not been live long enough for a meaningful five-year track. For investors, that means the main decision point is not long legacy performance but whether the fund’s large-cap index exposure and relatively modest cost structure fit a patient, market-linked allocation.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC NIFTY 100 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 100 Index? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | -5.31% | 7.12% | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 29.31% | 30.01% | Data not available |
| Tata Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.45% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Capital Market Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 21.13% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty MidSmall Financial Services Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 20.68% | Data not available | Data not available |
| ICICI Pru Nifty Pharma Index Fund Direct Growth Plan | 17.57% | 18.84% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On the latest 1-year figure, this fund trails the strongest peer returns in the table quite sharply, even though it still compares favourably with its own benchmark. The shorter-term comparison tells us that other thematic index funds have shown much stronger one-year numbers, while this scheme has been in a negative patch.
The 3-year comparison is more balanced. Its 7.12% return is below the better long-horizon peer figures available here, but it still stands above the benchmark and ahead of the funds in this table that do not yet have a 3-year figure. The short-term and longer-term pictures therefore differ: the recent stretch looks weak, while the 3-year result remains positive and more constructive.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| HDFC Bank Ltd.£ | Bank | 8.00% |
| ICICI Bank Ltd. | Bank | 7.68% |
| Reliance Industries Ltd. | Crude Oil | 6.36% |
| Bharti Airtel Ltd. | Telecom | 4.06% |
| Larsen and Toubro Ltd. | Infrastructure | 3.49% |
| State Bank of India | Bank | 3.23% |
| Infosys Limited | IT | 2.93% |
| Axis Bank Ltd. | Bank | 2.75% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | Bank | 2.28% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | Automobile & Ancillaries | 2.16% |
The largest holding, HDFC Bank Ltd.£, accounts for 8.00% of the portfolio, so it is meaningful but not overwhelmingly dominant. The gap between the first and tenth holdings is fairly wide: the top weight is more than three times the tenth holding’s 2.16%, which shows that the fund has a clear tilt toward its biggest names without becoming a one-stock story.
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 42.94% of the portfolio, which indicates that a substantial share of assets is carried by a relatively small set of positions while the rest is spread across a longer tail of holdings. Because the fund discloses 55 holdings in total, the remaining positions are likely to matter in aggregate even if each individual weight is smaller.
That structure may help the fund reflect the behaviour of a broad large-cap index rather than depend too heavily on a handful of names. At the same time, the heavy presence of banks among the largest positions means sector moves in financials could still have a noticeable influence on short-term returns.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who are comfortable with High Risk exposure and want a simple large-cap index allocation rather than an actively managed stock-picking approach. The return pattern suggests that the ride can be uneven over shorter periods, so a medium-to-long horizon is more appropriate than a short holding period.
The main trade-off is that investors get broad market participation and benchmark-style investing, but they also accept negative phases like the recent 1-year stretch. Compared with the benchmark, the fund has shown better relative resilience in the latest year and a healthier 3-year trend, which can appeal to investors who value consistency more than aggressive upside.
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 | 12.50% | Long-term capital gains tax |
Exit load: No exit load.
Source data date: as of 16 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹14.5115 as of 16 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is -5.31%, the 3-year return is 7.12%, and the 5-year return is Data not available.
How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has been slightly better than the benchmark in the latest 1-month, 3-month and 1-year periods, and also ahead over 3 years. The benchmark comparison still shows a weak recent stretch, but the fund has done somewhat better than the reference index across the periods where both are available.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its latest 1-year return is weaker than the peer funds shown here with strong positive one-year numbers, but its 3-year return remains positive and above the benchmark. The shorter-term and longer-term peer comparisons therefore point in different directions.
Is there a minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
What are the risk profile, portfolio concentration and exit load?
The fund is in the High Risk category, the top 10 holdings account for 42.94% of the portfolio, and the exit load is nil. The fund is managed by Arun Agarwal and Nandita Menezes.
Bottom line
HDFC NIFTY 100 Index Fund Direct Growth Plan has had a weak recent run, but its 3-year result is still positive and better than the benchmark. The peer table also shows that its latest 1-year return is much softer than several other funds shown here, while the longer view is more balanced. With a High Risk profile and a portfolio led by banks, it is better suited to investors who want broad large-cap exposure and can stay invested through short-term volatility.
Published on 17 September 2026 at 2:17 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.