Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Plan has a NAV of ₹10.406 as of 17 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹146 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 0.19%, 1.41% and 0%, and the fund is classified as Low Risk. Our view is that this is a conservative hybrid-style option with a short live track record, so the return profile and portfolio mix need to be read with that limited history in mind.

The benchmark is Nifty 50, and the fund has stayed closer to stability than to aggressive growth. That makes it more relevant for investors who want a lower-volatility allocation rather than a pure equity-style return engine, but the recent return pattern remains modest.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹10.406 as of 17 Sep 2026
AUM	₹146 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.0%
Launch Date	28 Jan 2026
Min SIP	₹10,000
Risk Category	Low Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Hybrid
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Kapil Kankonkar, Nilesh Saha, Brijesh Shah, Debraj Lahiri

The fund is managed by Kapil Kankonkar, Nilesh Saha, Brijesh Shah and Debraj Lahiri.

Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.19%	-3.66%
3M	1.41%	-3.71%
1Y	0.19%	-3.66%
3Y	1.41%	-3.71%
5Y	Data not available	Data not available

The recent pattern is quiet rather than dramatic. Over the 1M and 3M windows, the fund has posted small positive returns, which suggests steady movement instead of sharp swings. The benchmark, by contrast, has been negative over the same windows, so the fund has held up better in the very recent period.

The longer-looking figures tell a similar but still early story. The fund’s 1-year return is 0.19%, while the 3-year return is 1.41%; both are modest, but they remain above the benchmark figures shown for the same periods. That means the fund has not merely avoided decline, it has also preserved a small positive compounding edge in a weak benchmark environment.

We would still treat the trend cautiously because the scheme launched on 28 Jan 2026, so the observed record is short. The time pattern does not point to aggressive upside capture; instead, it points to controlled movement with limited drawdown so far. For investors who prioritise consistency over speed, that is a meaningful trait, but it is not the same as a strong long-term wealth-building record.

Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Arudha Hybrid Long-Short?

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
Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Plan	0.19%	1.41%	Data not available
Nippon India Conservative Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.75%	8.49%	8.2%
Baroda BNP Paribas Conservative Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.69%	8.28%	7.41%
Parag Parikh Conservative Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.64%	9.13%	9.31%
SBI Conservative Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.51%	8.12%	8.47%
Aditya Birla SL Conservative Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.33%	8.39%	7.92%

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

The fund’s 1-year return is far below the available peer figures, even though its benchmark comparison has been better than the index over the same recent window. That tells us the fund has protected capital better than the benchmark, but it has not converted that into peer-level return generation so far.

On the longer figures that are available, the gap versus peers is still clear. Peer 3-year returns are materially higher than the fund’s 1.41%, and the 5-year figures for peers are also stronger where available. Since this scheme is newly launched, that difference is partly a maturity issue, but the present return profile is still noticeably subdued versus the peer set.

So the short-term story and the peer comparison do not say the same thing. Relative to the benchmark, the fund has looked steadier; relative to peers with longer operating histories, it has not yet shown the same return depth.

Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
Clearing Corporation of India Ltd	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	9.21%
7.42% Sidbi 2029(SR- Vii) 12/03/2029 **	Corporate Debt	6.77%
7.44% Unsncd NABARD – 17/07/2029 **	Corporate Debt	6.76%
7.7% Bajaj Finance Ltd – 20/9/2029 **	Corporate Debt	6.73%
6.68% Gsec Bonds- 07/07/2040	Government Securities	5.26%
7.85% Bajaj Housing Finance (01/09/2028) **	Corporate Debt	3.4%
(3Mtbill+3.15%):Muthfin 53A I:Mat:4.9.29 **	Corporate Debt	3.38%
7.77% Bajaj Finance Ltd – 17/04/2029 **	Corporate Debt	3.38%
7.3763% Bajaj Fin (Option Ii )26/06/28	Corporate Debt	3.37%
07.99% Unsec NCD GSGL 2029 SR 2 26/3/29 **	Corporate Debt	3.36%

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 51.62% of the portfolio.

To see all holdings, visit the Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Plan page

The largest holding is Clearing Corporation of India Ltd at 9.21%, which is a meaningful cash-and-equivalents position. The next few positions are close in size, with several corporate debt holdings clustered in the 6.7% range, so there is not a single position dominating the visible book.

The step-down from the largest holding to the tenth holding is moderate rather than steep. That usually points to a portfolio that spreads weight across multiple fixed-income instruments while still keeping some individual positions large enough to matter.

With the top 10 holdings making up 51.62% of the portfolio and 50 holdings disclosed in total, the fund appears to use a relatively long tail beyond the largest positions. That mix may reduce dependence on any one security, although the displayed holdings still show a noticeable tilt toward debt and cash-like exposures.

Source data date: as of 17 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund fits investors who are comfortable with a low-risk label and who value steadier movement more than fast upside. The recent returns are small, and the benchmark comparison is better than the index over the same windows, so it may suit a defensive allocation mindset rather than a return-chasing one.

The main trade-off is that the same caution that may help limit swings can also leave returns looking modest when compared with other conservative hybrid funds with longer records. Investors with a medium- to longer-term horizon and a preference for portfolio stability may find the structure more relevant than those seeking stronger near-term growth.

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 17 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Plan?
Its NAV is ₹10.406 as of 17 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The fund’s 1-year return is 0.19%, its 3-year return is 1.41%, and its 5-year return is Data not available because the scheme is newly launched.

How does the fund compare with its benchmark?
It has held up better than Nifty 50 over the recent windows shown. The benchmark figures are negative for both 1M and 3M, while the fund is slightly positive.

How does it compare with peer funds on available return data?
Its recent and longer available returns are lower than the peer figures shown, especially on the 1-year and 3-year measures. The difference is also influenced by the fund’s short history.

What is the minimum SIP amount?
The minimum SIP amount is ₹10,000.

Who manages the fund and what is the exit load?
The fund is managed by Kapil Kankonkar, Nilesh Saha, Brijesh Shah and Debraj Lahiri. There is no exit load.

Bottom line

Arudha Hybrid Long-Short Fund Direct Growth Plan looks more like a stability-first hybrid fund than a high-octane return story. Its recent returns have been modest, but they have been steadier than the benchmark over the same windows, which gives the fund a defensive flavour. Against peers with longer histories, the return profile is still lighter. The portfolio also leans heavily toward debt and cash-like holdings, which supports the lower-risk profile and may appeal to investors who want restraint over aggression.

Published on 18 September 2026 at 8:49 AM 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.