Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- September 11, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹18.2402 as of 10 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹771 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 3.01%, 6.82% and 6.8%, and the scheme is in the Medium Risk bucket.
Our view is that this is a steady hybrid-style option rather than a fast-growing one. The return pattern, along with a benchmark-beating longer-term track record and a portfolio built around large financials, automotives and government securities, may suit conservative investors who want moderate equity participation without leaning too far into volatility.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹18.2402 as of 10 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹771 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.74% |
| Launch Date | 30 May 2015 |
| Min SIP | ₹100 |
| Risk Category | Medium Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Hybrid |
| Exit Load | Nil upto 10% of units and for remaining units 1% on or before 15D and Nil after 15D |
| Fund Managers | Sushil Budhia, Dhrumil Shah, Herin Visaria |
The fund is managed by Sushil Budhia, Dhrumil Shah and Herin Visaria.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -0.95% | -4.06% |
| 3M | 1.32% | 1.37% |
| 1Y | 3.01% | -7.31% |
| 3Y | 6.82% | 6.07% |
| 5Y | 6.8% | 5.91% |
The recent pattern is mixed rather than smooth. Over one month, the fund was slightly weaker in its own movement than the 3-month trend suggests, but it still held up better than the benchmark in that same window. That matters because the benchmark’s recent slide has been sharper, which shows the fund has cushioned some downside even when short-term sentiment turned weaker.
The 1-year return is especially notable because the fund stayed positive while the benchmark was negative. That tells us the portfolio has been able to absorb a difficult market backdrop better than the index over the medium term. The trade-off is that the recent 3-month figure is only marginally below the benchmark, so the edge is not coming from strong short-term momentum.
Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has kept a modest but consistent lead over the benchmark. The 3-year and 5-year figures are close together, which suggests the longer compounding path has been fairly stable rather than driven by a single strong year. Our view is that this is the kind of return profile investors look at when they want balance first and upside second.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD Nippon India Equity Savings?
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 Equity Savings? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 3.01% | 6.82% | 6.8% |
| Edelweiss Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.49% | 11.44% | 9.76% |
| HSBC Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 8.33% | 12.82% | 11.09% |
| WOC Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.61% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Mahindra Manulife Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan | 7.05% | 9.37% | 8.93% |
| Capitalmind Flexi Cap Fund Direct Growth Plan | 6.1% | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
The short-term peer picture is weaker for Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan because several peers have materially higher 1-year returns. That gap narrows a little when we move to the longer horizon, where the fund’s 3-year and 5-year numbers are still below the stronger peer figures but remain positive and steady.
What stands out is that the fund’s longer-term profile is more measured than the higher-return peers, especially HSBC and Edelweiss, yet it has still stayed ahead of the benchmark on the available periods. So the comparison tells two different stories: it trails the stronger peers on return magnitude, but its benchmark-relative consistency is more balanced over time.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Limited | Bank | 9.09% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 8.59% |
| HDFC Bank Limited | Bank | 7.07% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | Bank | 4.99% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | Telecom | 4.75% |
| Reliance Industries Limited | Crude Oil | 4.75% |
| 7.32% Government of India | Government Securities | 4.67% |
| 7.26% Government of India | Government Securities | 4% |
| Ashok Leyland Limited | Automobile & Ancillaries | 3.7% |
| Grasim Industries Limited | Diversified | 3.49% |
The largest holding, ICICI Bank Limited, is a 9.09% position, so it is meaningful but not dominant on its own. The gap between the first and tenth holding is not extreme, because the list tapers from 9.09% to 3.49% rather than falling sharply after the top few names.
That said, the top holdings are still important. The top 10 positions account for 55.1% of the portfolio, which means a little over half of the disclosed portfolio is tied to a relatively compact set of names. With 45 holdings disclosed in total, the fund still has a longer tail beyond the visible top 10, so concentration is noticeable but not narrow in the extreme.
In practical terms, the mix may give the portfolio a balanced character. Banks, automotives, telecom and government securities all appear in the top layer, so performance may be influenced by a handful of large positions while the rest of the book provides breadth.
To see all holdings, visit the Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who want a moderated equity-oriented hybrid exposure and are comfortable with Medium Risk rather than chasing aggressive growth. Its return pattern suggests steadier compounding over 3 to 5 years, with weaker short-term momentum than several peers but better resilience versus the benchmark in difficult stretches.
The cleaner fit is a medium- to longer-term horizon, because the 1-year result is modest while the 3-year and 5-year numbers show a more dependable pattern. The main trade-off is accepting that returns may lag the stronger peer funds in exchange for a profile that has been more even relative to the benchmark.
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: Nil up to 10% of units and for the remaining units 1% on or before 15 days; no exit load after the holding period.
Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹18.2402 as of 10 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s returns are 3.01% over 1 year, 6.82% over 3 years and 6.8% over 5 years.
How does it compare with the benchmark?
It has stayed ahead of the benchmark over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The benchmark numbers for those periods are -7.31%, 6.07% and 5.91% respectively.
How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Several peers have higher 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns, including HSBC Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan and Edelweiss Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan. The fund is more measured than those peers, though it remains positive across the main horizons.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹100.
What risk category and portfolio style does it have?
The scheme is in the Medium Risk category. Its top holdings are led by ICICI Bank Limited, Mahindra & Mahindra Limited and HDFC Bank Limited, while government securities also appear among the larger positions.
Bottom line
Nippon India Equity Savings Fund Direct Growth Plan looks more consistent over longer periods than exciting in the short run. Its recent return profile is softer than several peers, but its 3-year and 5-year numbers remain positive and it has stayed ahead of the benchmark across the available periods. The portfolio is anchored by a few large financial and industrial positions, with government securities adding balance. That mix may appeal to investors who want medium-risk exposure and can stay invested long enough for the smoother compounding pattern to matter.
Published on 11 September 2026 at 5:39 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.