Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 10, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan has a NAV of ₹48.1107 as of 09 Sep 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹9,051 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.73%, 7.65% and 6.82%, and the fund sits in the Medium Risk category.
Our view is that this is a conservative debt option for investors who want corporate-bond exposure with a steadier return profile than equities. The portfolio leans toward debt and cash-like instruments, and the longer-term return pattern has been more stable than the weaker short-term benchmark move.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹48.1107 as of 09 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹9,051 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.36% |
| Launch Date | 10 Jan 2013 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Debt |
| Exit Load | No exit load |
| Fund Managers | Vivek Sharma, Kinjal Desai |
The fund is managed by Vivek Sharma and Kinjal Desai.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | 0.06% | -4.69% |
| 3M | 1.70% | 0.93% |
| 1Y | 5.73% | -7.16% |
| 3Y | 7.65% | 6.00% |
| 5Y | 6.82% | 5.87% |
The recent pattern is mixed, but it remains more resilient than the benchmark in the short run. Over 1 month, the fund was flat to slightly positive while the benchmark was negative, which points to better stability in a weak patch for the reference index.
The 3-month return is also ahead of the benchmark, though the gap is not wide. That suggests the fund has been able to preserve a modestly positive drift even when the broader benchmark has not been fully supportive.
The longer record is more important here. The 3-year and 5-year returns both remain comfortably positive, and the 5-year figure is close to the 3-year level, which supports the view that compounding has been reasonably steady rather than sharply cyclical. Relative to the benchmark, the fund is ahead over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years.
The time pattern also matters. We see a few soft patches, but not the kind of deep drawdown profile that usually comes with more volatile asset classes. For a debt scheme, that kind of behaviour can suit investors who value consistency and can hold through shorter periods of muted movement.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan?
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 Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 5.73% | 7.65% | 6.82% |
| Franklin India Corporate Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.52% | 8.09% | 6.77% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.42% | 7.85% | 6.28% |
| ICICI Pru Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.25% | 7.56% | 6.83% |
| DSP Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.21% | 7.42% | 6.04% |
| Bandhan Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.03% | 7.37% | 6.12% |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On the most recent 1-year number, this fund trails Franklin India Corporate Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan, Baroda BNP Paribas Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan, ICICI Pru Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan, DSP Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan and Bandhan Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan. The 3-year and 5-year figures are also competitive, but Franklin India Corporate Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan is ahead on both of those horizons in this set, while ICICI Pru Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan is slightly ahead over 5 years.
The short-term picture is therefore a little softer than the best peer results, while the longer-term picture remains solid and close to the better numbers in the group. That split matters: the fund is not the strongest across every horizon in this comparison, but its return profile is still in the same broad range as the stronger corporate-bond peers.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Triparty Repo | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 7.24% |
| 7.48% National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development | Corporate Debt | 4.96% |
| Net Current Assets | Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets | 2.93% |
| 8.45% Indian Railway Finance Corporation Limited** | Corporate Debt | 2.43% |
| 7.79% Bajaj Finance Limited** | Corporate Debt | 2.16% |
| Siddhivinayak Securitisation Trust** | PTC & Securitized Debt | 2.16% |
| Shivshakti Securitisation Trust** | PTC & Securitized Debt | 2.15% |
| 6.6% REC Limited** | Corporate Debt | 1.92% |
| 7.49% Small Industries Dev Bank of India** | Corporate Debt | 1.92% |
| 7.54% Knowledge Realty Trust** | Corporate Debt | 1.76% |
The top 10 holdings account for approximately 29.63% of the portfolio.
To see all holdings, visit the Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan page
The largest disclosed position is Triparty Repo at 7.24%, which is a meaningful cash-like allocation and can help keep the portfolio liquid. After that, the weights step down fairly quickly into the 4% to 2% range, and the tenth holding is only 1.76%, so the visible book does not appear dominated by a single bond.
At the same time, the displayed holdings together make up only 29.63% of the portfolio, while the fund discloses 73 holding rows in total. That combination suggests a fairly long tail beyond the top names, so individual positions may matter, but the overall exposure is likely to be spread across many smaller lines rather than concentrated in just a few holdings.
This structure can suit investors who are comfortable with debt portfolios that still carry issuer and instrument selection risk, even when the overall category is meant to be steadier than equity funds.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund fits investors with a moderate risk tolerance who want a debt-oriented allocation and can stay invested for at least a medium-to-long horizon. The return record is steady enough to appeal to conservative investors, but it does not behave like a guaranteed-income product.
Its 1-year return is softer than the better peer numbers in this comparison, while the 3-year and 5-year figures remain constructive. That means the main trade-off is accepting some short-term variability in exchange for a history of reasonably stable compounding over longer periods.
The benchmark comparison also matters: the fund has held up better than the reference index across the observed periods, which supports its role as a more defensive debt option. Investors who need very low volatility and immediate certainty may still find the medium-risk label important, but those who can hold through uneven stretches may find the profile appropriate.
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 09 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan?
The current NAV is ₹48.1107 as of 09 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 5.73%, the 3-year return is 7.65%, and the 5-year return is 6.82%.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has outperformed the benchmark across 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years in the figures reviewed here.
How does it compare with the peer funds listed here?
Its short-term return is below some of the peer funds shown, while its 3-year and 5-year numbers remain close to the stronger outcomes in the comparison set.
Does this fund allow SIP investing?
Yes, SIP investing is allowed.
What are the tax, exit load and manager details?
Units held for less than 1 year attract 20% short-term capital gains tax, while units held for more than 1 year attract 12.5% long-term capital gains tax. There is no exit load, and the fund is managed by Vivek Sharma and Kinjal Desai.
Bottom line
Nippon India Corp Bond Fund(B)-Direct Plan has shown a steadier long-term return pattern than its shorter-term patch, and it has held up better than the benchmark across the periods reviewed. Against the peer set, the latest 1-year number is softer, but the 3-year and 5-year figures remain broadly competitive. The medium-risk profile, a corporate-debt-led portfolio and a long tail of holdings make it more suitable for investors who want debt exposure with patience for uneven stretches rather than a very low-volatility cash substitute.
Published on 10 September 2026 at 3:37 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.