SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?
- August 28, 2026
- Posted by: Chaitanya Auti
- Category: Mutual Funds
SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan is at ₹37.8203 as of 09 Sep 2026, with scheme AUM of ₹6,703 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 11.23%, 19.88% and 23.8%, respectively, and the fund is tagged High Risk.
Our view is that this is a sector-focused equity fund with a strong long-term return record, but one that can move unevenly over shorter periods. The portfolio is led by PSU and infrastructure-linked names, so it may suit investors who can hold through swings and want a strategy that has outpaced the benchmark over the medium and long term.
Quick facts
| Particular | Details |
|---|---|
| NAV | ₹37.8203 as of 09 Sep 2026 |
| AUM | ₹6,703 Cr |
| Expense Ratio | 0.85% |
| Launch Date | 02 Jan 2013 |
| Min SIP | ₹500 |
| Risk Category | High Risk |
| Benchmark | Nifty 50 |
| Fund Category | Equity |
| Exit Load | 0.50% on or before 30D, Nil after 30D |
| Fund Managers | Rohit Shimpi |
The fund is managed by Rohit Shimpi.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Performance
| Period | Fund return | Benchmark return |
|---|---|---|
| 1M | -1.38% | -4.69% |
| 3M | -0.81% | 0.93% |
| 1Y | 11.23% | -7.16% |
| 3Y | 19.88% | 6.00% |
| 5Y | 23.8% | 5.87% |
The recent picture is mixed but not weak. Over 1 month, the fund fell less than the benchmark, which suggests some relative resilience in a difficult stretch, while the 3-month number was slightly negative even as the benchmark stayed positive.
The longer pattern is much clearer. The 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are all comfortably above the benchmark, and the gap becomes especially wide at the 3-year and 5-year horizons. That tells us the fund has rewarded patient holding far more than short holding.
Volatility is still visible in the monthly and quarterly path. The fund did not move in a straight line, and the recent flat-to-negative short-term prints show that it can give back gains even after a strong run. Still, the 3-year and 5-year compounding pattern remains solid, which is important for a strategy built around cyclical PSU exposure.
For investors, the main point is that this is not a smooth defensive equity fund. The fund has beaten the benchmark over every stated horizon, but the recent softness versus the stronger multi-year track record means timing can matter in the short run.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Should you BUY or HOLD SBI PSU?
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 SBI PSU? Thinking of investing now?
Peer comparison
| Fund | 1Y return | 3Y return | 5Y return |
|---|---|---|---|
| SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan | 11.23% | 19.88% | 23.8% |
| ICICI Pru Strategic Metal and Energy Equity FoF Direct Growth Plan | 71.49% | 36.55% | Data not available |
| Motilal Oswal Active Momentum Fund Direct Growth Plan | 30.08% | Data not available | Data not available |
| Kotak Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 28.85% | Data not available | Data not available |
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 28.6% | Data not available | Data not available |
| PGIM India Healthcare Fund Direct Growth Plan | 27.47% | Data not available | Data not available |
This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639.
On recent numbers, this fund trails several peer schemes that have posted much stronger 1-year returns, especially the metal-and-energy theme fund. That said, the comparison looks more balanced on longer holding periods because the current fund has usable 3-year and 5-year figures, while most of the listed peers do not show comparable long-horizon data.
The practical takeaway is that the fund has a clearer long-term return record than many of the peers listed here, even though its latest 1-year return is more modest. So the short-term comparison does not tell the whole story: the fund is not the strongest recent performer in this peer set, but it does show steadier multi-year compounding than several of the shorter-history alternatives.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
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Portfolio: where your money goes
| Holding | Sector | Weight |
|---|---|---|
| State Bank of India | Bank | 16.39% |
| NTPC Ltd. | Power | 8.28% |
| Bharat Electronics Ltd. | Capital Goods | 7.97% |
| Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. | Power | 7.11% |
| GAIL (India) Ltd. | Gas Transmission | 6.78% |
| Bank of Baroda | Bank | 5.11% |
| Oil & Natural Gas Corporation Ltd. | Crude Oil | 5.07% |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd. | Crude Oil | 4.69% |
| Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. | Capital Goods | 4.29% |
| Container Corporation of India Ltd. | Logistics | 3.97% |
The largest holding, State Bank of India, accounts for 16.39% of the portfolio, which is a meaningful single-stock position. After that, the weights step down fairly quickly, with the 10th holding at 3.97%, so the fund is not built around one dominant position alone.
The top 10 holdings together make up about 69.66% of the portfolio, so the visible part of the book is still fairly concentrated. At the same time, there are 24 holdings in total, which suggests the fund has a broader tail beyond the largest names and may not rely on only a few stocks for every outcome.
Our view is that the holding mix can give the fund strong exposure to PSU-linked themes, but that same setup may also make returns more sensitive to sector moves. The portfolio therefore looks focused rather than widely diversified across the market, which fits the fund’s high-risk profile.
To see all holdings, visit the SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan page
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Who should invest
This fund may suit investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and who can stay invested for several years. The stronger 3-year and 5-year numbers suggest the strategy has worked better with patience than with short holding periods.
The benchmark comparison also points to a return profile that can outpace broad-market results over time, but the recent month and quarter show that the path can be uneven. The main trade-off is between the possibility of strong cyclical upside and the reality of sharper short-term swings, especially because the portfolio is concentrated in PSU and related industrial themes.
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: 0.50% on or before 30D, Nil after 30D.
Source data date: as of 09 Sep 2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the current NAV of SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its current NAV is ₹37.8203 as of 09 Sep 2026.
What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 11.23%, 19.88% and 23.8%.
How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has outpaced the benchmark across the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year periods listed here. The benchmark figures are -7.16%, 6.00% and 5.87% for those same horizons.
How does it compare with the listed peers on recent returns?
Its 1-year return is lower than several of the listed peers, including the metal-and-energy theme fund and the healthcare funds. The fund still has a stronger long-horizon record than many peers that do not show comparable 3-year or 5-year figures.
What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹500.
Who manages the fund and what is its exit load?
Rohit Shimpi manages the fund. The exit load is 0.50% on or before 30D, and nil after 30D.
Bottom line
SBI PSU Fund Direct Growth Plan has a clear split between short-term softness and stronger medium-to-long-term compounding. It has also stayed ahead of the benchmark on the stated 1-year, 3-year and 5-year figures, while several peers have stronger recent numbers but less comparable long-horizon data. The portfolio is concentrated in PSU-linked names, led by State Bank of India, so the fund fits investors who can handle high risk and want a focused thematic equity exposure rather than a broad-market holding.
Published on 10 September 2026 at 1:39 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.