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

Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹158.8068 as of 28 Aug 2026 and a scheme AUM of ₹6,738 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 18.89%, 16.89% and 16.07% respectively, and the fund sits in the High Risk category.

Our view is that this is a growth-oriented equity fund with a long enough track record to judge across different market phases. The return pattern is strong over medium and long periods, while the portfolio mix across large-cap, mid-cap and small-cap stocks suggests meaningful equity participation rather than a defensive stance.

Quick facts

Metric	Details
NAV	₹158.8068
AUM	₹6,738 Cr
Expense Ratio	1.0%
Launch Date	01 Jan 2013
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Equity
Exit Load	1% if units are sold on or before 90 days; nil after 90 days.
Fund Managers	Kunal Sangoi

The fund is managed by Kunal Sangoi.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	3.14%	-0.85%
3M	7.17%	3.39%
1Y	18.89%	-2.29%
3Y	16.89%	6.4%
5Y	16.07%	7.13%

The recent numbers are constructive. The fund has stayed positive across 1M, 3M and 1Y, while the benchmark has been weaker over the 1Y window and only mildly positive over 3M and 1M. That gap suggests the scheme has handled the latest market backdrop better than the benchmark.

Over longer periods, the picture remains steady rather than erratic. The 3Y and 5Y returns are closely aligned in the mid-teens, which points to a consistent compounding profile instead of a one-off spike. The 1Y return is a little higher than the 3Y and 5Y figures, so the recent stretch has been somewhat stronger than the longer-term average.

Against the benchmark, the fund is ahead in every period shown. The margin is widest in 1Y, and it remains clear over 3Y and 5Y as well. For investors, that combination matters because it shows both relative resilience in the near term and a long-run return profile that has stayed comfortably above the index path used here.

The return pattern also suggests that the fund has not relied on a single short burst of outperformance. The 3M and 1M series indicate some short-term movement, but not the kind of sharp reversal that would break the longer trend. That makes the history easier to read for investors who want a fund with a clearer medium-term record.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Aditya Birla SL Value?

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 Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	18.8892%	16.8932%	16.0671%
LIC MF Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	25.4824%	18.4626%	15.0521%
Quant Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	25.179%	23.2931%	Data not available
Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	18.8892%	16.8932%	16.0671%
Mahindra Manulife Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	18.6078%	Data not available	Data not available
Axis Value Fund Direct Growth Plan	14.8847%	19.9964%	Data not available

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

The fund’s 1-year return is below the stronger 1-year numbers in the peer set, especially where another value fund has delivered more than 25% over the same horizon. Still, its 3-year and 5-year returns remain firmly positive and better than the longer-period figure of the LIC MF peer, which helps support the case for steadier compounding.

The short-term comparison tells a different story from the longer-term one. In the near term, the fund trails the fastest-moving peers, but over 3 years and 5 years it keeps a respectable pace and does not rely on a single surge. That makes it more of a steady performer than a recent momentum leader.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

The portfolio is split across 48.61% large-cap, 16.93% mid-cap, 30% small-cap and 4.46% other holdings. That mix is tilted toward equity breadth rather than pure large-cap stability, with a sizable small-cap share that can increase movement in changing market conditions.

Sector	Weight	Top holdings
BANK	19.2%	CITY UNION BANK LTD. (6.07%), AXIS BANK LIMITED (2%)
FINANCE	14.82%	MULTI COMMODITY EXCHANGE OF INDIA LIMITED (7.24%), SHRIRAM FINANCE LTD (2.31%)
AUTOMOBILE & ANCILLARIES	14.39%	WABCO INDIA LTD. (4.78%), MINDA CORPORATION LIMITED (1.79%)
IT	8.15%	INFOSYS LIMITED (2.37%), TECH MAHINDRA LIMITED (1.99%)
INFRASTRUCTURE	4.98%	IRB INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPERS LIMITED (1.26%), KALPATARU PROJECTS INTERNATIONAL LTD. (1.2%)

The biggest sector is BANK at 19.2%, which is clearly larger than any other named sector, though it is not overwhelmingly dominant on its own. Finance and Automobile & Ancillaries are the next two large blocks, so sector influence is spread across several business areas rather than concentrated in one theme.

From a behaviour standpoint, the 30% small-cap allocation is the most important detail for volatility. Large-cap exposure is still the single biggest bucket, but the portfolio also carries enough mid-cap and small-cap weight to make returns more sensitive to market sentiment. That could support upside when risk appetite is strong, but it may also widen swings compared with a more defensive mix.

BANK is likely to have greater influence on the portfolio because it is the largest sector at 19.2%, and its top holding carries a meaningful weight by itself. Finance and Automobile & Ancillaries may also matter a great deal because their weights are close behind. Overall, the portfolio looks diversified across sectors, but not evenly spread across market-cap bands.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with High Risk equity exposure and can stay invested through uneven periods. The 1-year result is strong, but the longer-term returns matter more here because they show whether the fund can keep compounding beyond a single good year.

The fund is better suited to a medium-to-long horizon rather than a short holding period. Its return history has stayed positive across 1Y, 3Y and 5Y, yet the benchmark comparison and the 30% small-cap allocation both suggest that shorter-term swings are part of the experience.

The main trade-off is straightforward: investors get a fund that has beaten its benchmark across the periods shown, but they have to accept higher movement in exchange for that return profile. It is more appropriate for someone who wants equity growth potential and can tolerate a portfolio that is not heavily tilted toward defensive large-cap exposure.

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% if units are sold on or before 90 days; nil after 90 days.

Source data date: as of 28 Aug 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹158.8068 as of 28 Aug 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?

The fund’s returns are 18.89% for 1 year, 16.89% for 3 years and 16.07% for 5 years.

How has the fund performed versus Nifty 50?

It has stayed ahead of Nifty 50 across the periods shown. The benchmark’s 1-year return is -2.29%, compared with the fund’s 18.89%.

How does it compare with other value funds on available return data?

Some peers have shown higher short-term and medium-term returns, especially over 1 year and 3 years. Even so, this fund has maintained positive longer-term returns and has not depended on a single brief surge.

What is the minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP is ₹100.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?

The fund is managed by Kunal Sangoi. The exit load is 1% if units are sold on or before 90 days, and nil after 90 days.

Bottom line

Aditya Birla SL Value Fund Direct Growth Plan has a stronger recent return than its benchmark and a stable mid- to long-term record, which makes the overall pattern easier to read than a one-year snapshot alone. Compared with peers, the fund looks steady rather than the most aggressive short-term performer. The High Risk tag and the 30% small-cap allocation mean investors should be comfortable with volatility, but the diversified sector spread and consistent 3-year and 5-year results support a genuine equity-growth profile.

Published on 31 August 2026 at 1:49 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.