Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 16, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹14.9589 as of 15 September 2026 and an AUM of ₹1,014 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.12%, 6.56% and 5.97%, and the scheme sits in the Balanced Risk category. Our view is that it suits investors who want a liquid strategy with steady short- to medium-term outcomes, but without expecting equity-like upside.
The fund’s return profile has stayed close to its benchmark at longer horizons, while the portfolio is built around short-dated money-market and debt instruments. That combination points to relatively controlled movement and a focus on capital preservation over aggressive growth.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹14.9589 as of 15 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹1,014 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.19% |
| Launch Date | 19 Dec 2018 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | Balanced Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Liquid |
| Exit Load | 0.007% for Day 1, 0.0065% on Day 2, 0.0060% on Day 3, 0.0055% on Day 4, 0.0050% on Day 5, 0.0045% on Day 6, NIL on or after 7D |
| Fund Managers | Rakesh Shetty |
The fund is managed by Rakesh Shetty.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.47% | -4.81% |
| 3M | 1.49% | -3.63% |
| 1Y | 6.12% | -8.27% |
| 3Y | 6.56% | 5.59% |
| 5Y | 5.97% | 5.58% |
The recent picture is stronger than the benchmark. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed in positive territory while the benchmark was negative, which shows the scheme has been more stable through the latest stretch.
At the 1-year horizon, the fund’s 6.12% return is materially ahead of the benchmark’s -8.27%. That gap matters because it shows the fund has protected capital far better in a difficult backdrop for the benchmark.
The 3-year and 5-year figures tell a calmer story. The fund’s 6.56% and 5.97% returns are close to the benchmark’s 5.59% and 5.58%, so the longer-run edge is present but not dramatic. In our view, this is the profile of a liquid strategy that has been consistent rather than flashy.
The path across the time periods is also relatively steady, without a sharp break in trend. That supports the idea of a fund designed to dampen volatility, even though the benchmark comparison varies sharply in the short term.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Motilal Oswal Liquid?
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 Motilal Oswal Liquid? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.12% | 6.56% | 5.97% |
| Axis Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.6% | 7.02% | 6.4% |
| Sundaram Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.6% | 7.01% | 6.38% |
| Aditya Birla SL Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.59% | 7.02% | 6.41% |
| JioBlackRock Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.58% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Edelweiss Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.57% | 7.02% | 6.39% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
Compared with the peer set, the fund’s 1-year return is below the group leaders shown here, but the gap is not large. The more useful distinction comes at the 3-year and 5-year horizons, where the fund remains competitive but slightly behind the stronger names on the page.
That creates a mixed picture: short-term outcomes are respectable, yet several peers have delivered a little more over both medium and longer horizons. For investors who care most about stability and liquid-fund behaviour, the difference is modest; for those focused on squeezing out the last bit of return, the peer numbers show that other schemes have been marginally stronger.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| TRP_010926 | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 11.55% |
| 182 Days Tbill (MD 10/09/2026) | Treasury Bills | 9.84% |
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 08/10/2026) | Treasury Bills | 9.8% |
| Punjab National Bank 2026 (MD 01/09/2026)# | Certificate of Deposit | 4.93% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India 2026 (MD 03/09/2026) | Commercial Paper | 4.92% |
| 364 Days Tbill (MD 06/11/2026) | Treasury Bills | 4.88% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited 2026 (MD 19/10/2026)** | Commercial Paper | 4.88% |
| Poonawalla Fincorp Limited 2026 (MD 19/10/2026)** | Commercial Paper | 4.88% |
| Bank of Baroda 2026 (MD 06/11/2026)** # | Certificate of Deposit | 4.87% |
| Export Import Bank of India 2026 (MD 11/11/2026)** # | Certificate of Deposit | 4.87% |
The largest holding is TRP_010926 at 11.55%, which is a meaningful single position in a liquid strategy. After that, the weights step down fairly quickly into a cluster of treasury bills, certificates of deposit and commercial paper positions around the 4.87% to 9.84% range.
The drop from the first holding to the tenth is noticeable, but not extreme, which suggests a portfolio built around a few larger cash and short-dated debt exposures rather than one dominant position. The top 10 holdings together account for approximately 65.42% of the portfolio, so a substantial part of the scheme is visible in these positions while the rest is spread across another 10 holdings.
That balance may help the fund keep short-term liquidity while still drawing returns from a diversified set of short-duration instruments. Because the disclosed holdings are spread across 20 names, the portfolio does not look overly dependent on just one or two securities, even though the top positions still carry the most influence.
To see all holdings, visit the Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who want liquid exposure with a restrained risk profile and are comfortable with returns that are steady rather than high. The Balanced Risk label fits the portfolio mix, which is concentrated in cash equivalents, treasury bills, CDs and commercial paper, so the scheme is built more for stability than for aggressive growth.
The return pattern supports a short- to medium-term holding horizon. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year numbers are close to or a bit better than the benchmark, but several peer funds have been slightly ahead at the same horizons. The main trade-off is accepting modest return differences in exchange for a portfolio that is oriented toward liquidity and shorter-duration instruments.
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: 0.007% for Day 1, 0.0065% on Day 2, 0.0060% on Day 3, 0.0055% on Day 4, 0.0050% on Day 5, 0.0045% on Day 6, and NIL on or after 7D.
Source data date: as of 15 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹14.9589 as of 15 September 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 6.12%, the 3-year return is 6.56%, and the 5-year return is 5.97%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has outpaced the benchmark over 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The widest gap is at the 1-year horizon, where the fund is positive and the benchmark is negative.
How does it compare with peer liquid funds on returns?
Its 1-year return is slightly below several peer liquid funds shown here, and its 3-year and 5-year returns are also a little lower than the stronger peer figures available. The differences are modest, but they are visible.
What is the minimum SIP for this fund?
The minimum SIP is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Rakesh Shetty. The exit load falls from 0.007% on Day 1 to 0.0045% on Day 6, and there is no exit load on or after 7 days.
Bottom line
Motilal Oswal Liquid Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier recent run than its benchmark, while its 3-year and 5-year returns remain close to the benchmark and broadly in line with a liquid-fund objective. Compared with the peer funds shown here, it is competitive but not the strongest on the available return numbers. The portfolio leans on cash, treasury bills, CDs and commercial paper, which supports a controlled risk profile and a liquidity-first approach for investors who want stability over aggressive upside.
Published on 16 September 2026 at 9:47 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.