ICICI Pru Aggressive Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

ICICI Pru Aggressive Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan is priced at ₹452.29 as of 04 Sep 2026, with an AUM of ₹52,432 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 3.15%, 14.01% and 15.42%, and the fund sits in the High Risk bucket.

Our view is that this is a fund for investors who can tolerate equity-led swings but still want hybrid diversification. The long-term return pattern is stronger than the recent 1-year figure, and the portfolio is led by large financials and other quality businesses rather than one narrow theme.

Quick facts

The fund is managed by Sankaran Naren, Mittul Kalawadia, Manish Banthia and Akhil Kakkar.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Performance

The recent pattern is mixed rather than smooth. The fund slipped over the last month, but that was less severe than the benchmark’s decline, which suggests it held up comparatively better in a weak stretch. Over three months, it recovered more clearly than the benchmark, so the near-term behaviour has improved after a softer start.

The 1-year number is modest at 3.15%, yet it still stands well ahead of the benchmark’s -4.43%. That tells us the fund has protected capital better than the index over the last year, even if the absolute return has not been strong. For investors, that distinction matters because the benchmark was in negative territory while the fund stayed positive.

The longer view is much stronger. The 3-year return of 14.01% and 5-year return of 15.42% show a healthier compounding profile than the benchmark’s 5.88% and 6.29%. Our read is that the fund has done considerably better over full-cycle periods than in the most recent year, so short-term results should not be treated as a complete picture of its return profile.

This also fits the time pattern in the fund’s own movement: the journey has included reversals and pauses, but the wider trend has stayed constructive. In other words, the fund has not been a straight-line performer, yet its multi-year compounding has remained meaningfully ahead of the benchmark.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Peer comparison

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

On one-year performance, this fund trails the peer set that has available data, because the others have all posted materially higher recent returns. That gap is visible even before we look at the longer periods.

At three years, the fund’s 14.01% is broadly in the middle of the available peer readings, ahead of some names and behind others. At five years, its 15.42% remains competitive and is close to the stronger peer numbers, which tells us the longer-term picture is better than the short-term one. The peer table therefore points to a fund that has been less impressive recently but still holds up reasonably well over fuller cycles.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The largest disclosed holding is HDFC Bank Ltd. at 6.39%, which is sizeable but not dominant. The fall from the first holding to the tenth is gradual rather than abrupt, moving from 6.39% down to 2.36%, so the portfolio does not look heavily dependent on a single name.

The displayed top 10 holdings together account for about 37.22% of the portfolio, and there are 47 disclosed holdings in total. That combination suggests a fairly extended tail beyond the biggest positions, with the leading names likely to matter more for short-term portfolio moves while still leaving room for broader diversification.

Sector labels also show that the largest positions are spread across banks, energy, healthcare, power, autos, aviation and retailing. That spread may help reduce dependence on a single business cycle, although banks still carry the heaviest visible weight among the listed holdings.

To see all holdings, visit the ICICI Pru Aggressive Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who can accept High Risk and want exposure that has delivered better multi-year compounding than the benchmark, even though the most recent year has been relatively subdued. The 1-year return is much lower than the 3-year and 5-year figures, so the fund appears better suited to investors with a medium-to-long horizon rather than those focused on a single year.

Its mixed short-term record against stronger longer-term results also means investors need to be comfortable with uneven phases. The portfolio’s visible large-bank and diversified sector mix may appeal to those who want growth potential with some diversification, but the trade-off is that returns can lag peers in shorter windows even when the longer-term track remains competitive.

Tax and exit load

Exit load

Nil upto 30% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 1Y, Nil after 1Y.

Source data date: as of 04 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of ICICI Pru Aggressive Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹452.29 as of 04 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?

The fund’s 1-year return is 3.15%, its 3-year return is 14.01% and its 5-year return is 15.42%.

How does it compare with the benchmark?

It is ahead of the NIFTY 50 over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The benchmark return figures are -4.43%, 5.88% and 6.29% for those periods.

How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?

Its 1-year return is weaker than the peer funds listed here, while its 3-year and 5-year results remain competitive. The longer-term numbers are closer to the stronger peer readings than the 1-year figure suggests.

Is there a minimum SIP amount?

Yes, the minimum SIP amount is ₹100.

What are the fund’s risk, holdings and exit load details?

The fund is in the High Risk category and its visible holdings are led by HDFC Bank Ltd. at 6.39% and ICICI Bank Ltd. at 5.14%. The exit load is nil upto 30% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 1Y, and nil after 1Y.

Bottom line

ICICI Pru Aggressive Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan has a softer recent year than its longer-term record, but the 3-year and 5-year figures remain comfortably ahead of the benchmark. Against peers, its short-term return looks weaker, while its multi-year performance stays reasonably competitive. The fund carries High Risk and is backed by a portfolio where banks and other large businesses have meaningful influence. That makes it more suitable for investors who can stay invested through uneven stretches and focus on a longer horizon.

Published on 5 September 2026 at 3:40 PM IST