Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹167.2134 as of 03 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹8,016 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.34%, 13.88% and 11.08% respectively, and the scheme sits in the High Risk bucket. Our view is that this is a focused equity option for investors who can tolerate sharper swings in the short run in exchange for a steadier longer-term compounding profile.

The fund has held up better over 3 years and 5 years than over 1 year, while its recent pace has been mixed rather than smooth. That makes it more suitable for investors with a longer horizon who can stay invested through uneven stretches and who are comfortable with concentrated stock selection.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹167.2134 as of 03 Sep 2026
AUM	₹8,016 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.87%
Launch Date	01 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Equity
Exit Load	1% on or before 90D, Nil after 90D
Fund Managers	Kunal Sangoi

The fund is managed by Kunal Sangoi.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-2.35%	-3.01%
3M	5.50%	1.95%
1Y	6.34%	-4.40%
3Y	13.88%	5.74%
5Y	11.08%	6.27%

The recent picture is uneven. Over the last month, the fund fell less than the benchmark, which shows relative resilience in a weak patch. Over 3 months, it moved ahead of the benchmark by a clear margin, so the short-term trend has improved even though it is not a straight-line move.

The one-year number is more telling because it reverses the longer stretch of strength. The fund is positive over 1 year while the benchmark is negative, so it has protected capital better than the index over that period. That said, the 1-year return is far below the fund’s 3-year and 5-year pace, which tells us the recent run has been weaker than the medium-term track record.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has stayed ahead of NIFTY 50. The 3-year return of 13.88% versus 5.74% for the benchmark points to better compounding through a full market cycle. The 5-year return of 11.08% versus 6.27% also suggests that the fund’s approach has added value over time, even if recent volatility has made the path uneven.

From the longer series, our view is that this is not a defensive equity fund. It has shown periods of drawdown and recovery, which is consistent with a focused portfolio that can swing around more than a broad index. Investors should read the shorter-term softness as part of that pattern rather than as a break in the fund’s longer-term behaviour.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL Focused?

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.

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Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.34%	13.88%	11.08%
Motilal Oswal Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	27.26%	14.70%	10.54%
Old Bridge Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	19.19%	Data not available	Data not available
SBI Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	15.92%	16.63%	12.58%
ITI Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	12.49%	19.31%	Data not available
Quant Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan	11.96%	14.34%	13.66%

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

The fund’s 1-year return trails the stronger peer numbers available here, especially the very high short-term gains posted by some focused funds. Its 3-year and 5-year returns are still respectable, but they sit below the better medium-term figures shown by a few peers, which means the fund has been more consistent than outstanding on a comparative basis.

The comparison tells two stories at once. In the short run, the fund has lagged several peers, but over 3 and 5 years it remains competitive and ahead of some names with limited long-term histories. That suggests the fund’s longer-run record is steadier than its latest 1-year reading, though not the most powerful among the set on available return data.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
ICICI Bank Ltd.	Bank	5.81%
Reliance Industries Ltd.	Crude Oil	5.37%
Eternal Ltd.	Retailing	4.43%
Coforge Ltd.	IT	4.11%
Shriram Finance Ltd.	Finance	4.03%
Infosys Ltd.	IT	4.02%
Axis Bank Ltd.	Bank	3.81%
HDFC Bank Ltd.	Bank	3.74%
Tech Mahindra Ltd.	IT	3.74%
State Bank of India	Bank	3.65%

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 42.71% of the portfolio.

To see all holdings, visit the Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan page

The largest holding, ICICI Bank Ltd., is 5.81%, which is large enough to matter but not so large that it dominates the entire portfolio on its own. The next few positions are close behind, including Reliance Industries Ltd. at 5.37% and Eternal Ltd. at 4.43%, so the portfolio does not rely on a single oversized bet.

Weight then tapers gradually rather than collapsing sharply, with the tenth holding still at 3.65%. That kind of spread may help avoid excessive dependence on one or two names, while still leaving the portfolio meaningfully tilted toward the strongest ideas the fund manager wants to hold.

Because the top 10 holdings make up 42.71% of the portfolio and there are 32 disclosed holdings in total, the fund appears moderately concentrated. In our view, that can support focused active management, but it also means several individual positions may have greater influence on outcomes than in a more diversified broad-market fund.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund fits investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and who can stay invested for a long period. The 1-year result has been weaker than the 3-year and 5-year track record, so the fund suits people who can tolerate short-term inconsistency in pursuit of longer-run compounding.

The benchmark comparison shows that the fund has outpaced NIFTY 50 over 3 and 5 years, even though recent performance has been less smooth. The main trade-off is that a focused portfolio can produce better upside in some periods, but it may also swing more than a broad index and can lag for stretches.

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: 1% on or before 90D, Nil after 90D.

Source data date: as of 03 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL Focused Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The NAV is ₹167.2134 as of 03 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
Its returns are 6.34% over 1 year, 13.88% over 3 years and 11.08% over 5 years.

How has it done versus NIFTY 50?
The fund is ahead of NIFTY 50 over 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The gap is especially visible over 3 years and 5 years.

How does it compare with peer focused funds?
Its short-term return trails several peers that have posted stronger 1-year numbers. Over 3 and 5 years, it remains competitive, though some peers have higher medium-term returns where data is available.

What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP is ₹100.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
Kunal Sangoi manages the fund. The exit load is 1% on or before 90D and nil after 90D.

Bottom line

This fund’s recent performance has been softer than its 3-year and 5-year record, but the longer view still shows it ahead of NIFTY 50 over those horizons. Compared with peers, its short-term return is less forceful, while the medium-term numbers remain broadly respectable. The portfolio is moderately concentrated, with the top 10 holdings making up 42.71% and 32 holdings disclosed overall, so individual positions can matter. It is best read as a high-risk focused equity fund for investors who can accept uneven periods in return for long-term participation.

Published on 4 September 2026 at 1:25 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.