HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has an NAV of ₹16.7037 as of 15 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹17,464 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.53%, 7.25% and 6.54% respectively, and the scheme sits in the Medium Risk bucket.
Our view is that this is a conservative short-duration debt option that has delivered steady compounding with some short-term fluctuation. The portfolio is built around certificates of deposit, treasury bills, commercial paper and cash-like positions, which can suit investors looking for relatively restrained volatility rather than high upside.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹16.7037 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹17,464 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.37% |
| Launch Date | 24 Sep 2018 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Anil Bamboli, Praveen Jain |
The fund is managed by Anil Bamboli and Praveen Jain.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.49% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 1.77% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 6.53% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 7.25% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 6.54% | 5.58% |
In the near term, the fund has held up better than the benchmark. The 1-month and 3-month numbers are positive for the fund while the benchmark has been negative, which tells us the scheme has been much more stable through recent market moves.
The 1-year return is also clearly ahead of the benchmark, so the recent profile looks stronger than the index comparison suggests. That matters for investors who want short-duration exposure with a steadier path rather than sharp swings.
Looking at the longer window, the 3-year return is above the benchmark as well, and the 5-year figure is also ahead. The gap is not dramatic, but it does show that the fund has converted its relatively controlled approach into better compounding than the benchmark over time.
The time pattern is also useful. The fund’s 3-year and 5-year paths show some uneven movement, but the overall direction remains upward. Our reading is that this is not a smooth line, yet it has avoided the kind of deep setbacks visible in the benchmark’s shorter-term numbers.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD HDFC Ultra Short 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 HDFC Ultra Short Term? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.53% | 7.25% | 6.54% |
| Groww Multicap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 15.51% | Data not available | Data not available |
| TRUSTMF Multi Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 15.41% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Bank of India Multi Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 13.11% | 17.03% | Data not available |
| Mahindra Manulife Multi Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 11.6% | 16.58% | 15.65% |
| Axis Multicap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 11.43% | 19.42% | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On the 1-year frame, the fund trails the peer funds listed here that have much higher short-term returns. That is not surprising because those peers sit in a different style of equity-oriented category, but it does mean the fund is playing a steadier role rather than chasing the same return profile.
For 3-year and 5-year periods, the fund’s numbers are lower than the more growth-oriented peer funds where longer history is available. Even so, the comparison is still useful: it shows the fund is built for stability and income-oriented compounding, not for equity-style return bursts.
The short-term peer gap and the longer-term peer gap tell the same broad story. This scheme has a defensive return pattern, while the peer set here has a much more aggressive growth pattern. That difference makes the fund easier to place in a conservative allocation, but it also means the upside is more restrained.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development^ | Certificate of Deposit | 8.71% |
| Small Industries Development Bank^ | Certificate of Deposit | 8.13% |
| 182 Days Tbill Mat 311226^ | Treasury Bills | 4.5% |
| 182 Days Tbill Mat 140127^ | Treasury Bills | 3.37% |
| Yes Bank Ltd.^ | Certificate of Deposit | 3.05% |
| Tata Teleservices (Maharashtra) Ltd.^ | Commercial Paper | 2.82% |
| Indian Overseas Bank^ | Certificate of Deposit | 2.63% |
| TREPS – Tri-Party Repo | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.5% |
| Iifl Capital Services Limited^ | Commercial Paper | 2.1% |
| Punjab National Bank | Certificate of Deposit | 2.09% |
The largest holding is National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development at 8.71%, so no single position dominates the fund. The drop from the first holding to the tenth is fairly sharp, which suggests the portfolio relies on a few larger positions and then quickly moves into smaller exposures.
The top ten holdings account for approximately 39.9% of the portfolio, and the fund has 56 disclosed holdings in total. That combination points to a portfolio that is not narrowly concentrated overall, even though the leading positions carry more weight than the smaller names.
Our reading is that this structure may help keep day-to-day movement relatively contained, because much of the money sits in short-term debt instruments, repos and treasury bills. At the same time, the long tail of remaining holdings means the portfolio is not a simple one- or two-name bet.
To see all holdings, visit the HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund is better aligned with investors who want a conservative debt allocation and can live with medium risk rather than very low volatility. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year pattern shows a steady compounding profile, and the benchmark comparison suggests it has been more resilient than the benchmark over both short and longer windows.
It is more suitable for a medium-term horizon than a short trading-style approach, because the return pattern is designed for stability and gradual growth. The main trade-off is that the portfolio’s defensive posture may limit upside when compared with more aggressive return-seeking funds.
For investors who value steadier behaviour and a portfolio built around short-duration instruments, that trade-off may be acceptable. For investors who want faster growth, the return profile here is likely to feel too measured.
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: No exit load.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹16.7037 as of 15 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 6.53% for 1 year, 7.25% for 3 years and 6.54% for 5 years.
How has it performed versus the benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark across the 1-month, 3-month, 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods shown here. The benchmark has been weaker in the shorter windows, while the fund stayed positive.
How does it compare with the peer funds shown here?
Its return profile is much steadier and lower than the listed equity-oriented peer funds. That makes it better suited to a defensive debt allocation than to return chasing.
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 Anil Bamboli and Praveen Jain. There is no exit load.
Bottom line
HDFC Ultra Short Term Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier return pattern over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, and it has stayed ahead of the benchmark over the periods shown. Against the listed peers, the return profile is more restrained, which fits the fund’s defensive character rather than an aggressive growth style.
Its portfolio is spread across 56 holdings, with the largest positions concentrated in certificates of deposit, treasury bills, commercial paper and cash-like exposure. For investors who want a medium-risk, short-duration debt option with measured compounding, that mix is likely to be more relevant than high-return comparisons.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 8:43 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.