Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan closed at ₹19.3771 as of 11 Sep 2026. The scheme AUM stands at ₹7,768 Cr, and its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 5.72%, 7.73% and 6.77% respectively. The fund sits in the Medium Risk category, so our view is that it suits investors looking for a debt fund with a measured return profile rather than a quick return story.

Its recent movement has been stable enough to keep the long-term picture intact, and the portfolio looks spread across sovereign, corporate and cash-like exposures. That mix, along with no exit load, may appeal to conservative investors who want credit-selection discipline and a relatively steady compounding path, while still accepting that debt funds can move around in the short run.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹19.3771 as of 11 Sep 2026
AUM	₹7,768 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.36%
Launch Date	13 Jul 2017
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	Medium Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Debt
Exit Load	No exit load
Fund Managers	Devang Shah, Hardik Shah

The fund is managed by Devang Shah and Hardik Shah.

Source data date: as of 11 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-0.11%	-3.66%
3M	1.27%	-1.91%
1Y	5.72%	-7.62%
3Y	7.73%	6.22%
5Y	6.77%	5.84%

The short-term numbers have been resilient. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed in positive territory while the benchmark remained negative, which tells us the fund has recently offered a steadier ride than the index used for comparison.

The 1-year outcome is even clearer. The fund’s 5.72% return is positive, while the benchmark’s -7.62% reading shows a very different year for the reference index. That gap matters because it suggests the fund’s debt-style positioning has not depended on broad market direction in the way an equity benchmark would.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the pattern remains constructive. The fund’s 7.73% and 6.77% returns are both ahead of the benchmark’s 6.22% and 5.84%, so the longer-term compounding record is still intact. The time pattern also suggests occasional bumps rather than a straight line, which is normal for a bond fund that carries active credit and duration decisions. Our view is that the recent profile is less about sharp upside and more about preserving a steadier compounding path over time.

Source data date: as of 11 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD Axis Corp Bond?

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 Axis Corp Bond? Thinking of investing now?

Get your portfolio analysed for FREE by SEBI-registered Investment Adviser (RIA) through Univest MF Premium

Peer comparison

Fund	1Y return	3Y return	5Y return
Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.72%	7.73%	6.77%
Franklin India Corporate Bond Fund-A Direct Growth Plan	6.43%	8.06%	6.74%
Baroda BNP Paribas Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.2%	7.82%	6.24%
DSP Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.14%	7.41%	6.03%
ICICI Pru Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.07%	7.5%	6.78%
Bandhan Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.89%	7.33%	6.1%

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

On the recent 1-year measure, the fund trails Franklin India Corporate Bond Fund-A Direct Growth Plan, Baroda BNP Paribas Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan and DSP Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan, but it still stays close to the better part of the peer set. The longer-term picture is more balanced: its 3-year return is ahead of several peers listed here, while its 5-year return is also competitive and sits near the stronger end of the group.

That split matters. The short-term picture is not the strongest in the set, but the 3-year and 5-year numbers show that the fund has still been able to hold its ground over longer holding periods. For an investor comparing bond funds on return consistency, the gap between the 1-year and multi-year numbers suggests a fund that has not been the quickest mover recently, yet remains credible on longer compounding.

Source data date: as of 11 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
Clearing Corporation of India Ltd	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	8.54%
Net Receivables / (Payables)	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	4.6%
6.85% National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (19/01/2029) **	Corporate Debt	3.48%
6.94% Government of India (11/05/2036)	Government Securities	3.15%
7.66% Bajaj Housing Finance Limited (20/03/2028) **	Corporate Debt	2.57%
Tata Capital Limited (21/02/2029) (FRN) **	Floating Rate Instruments	2.56%
Siddhivinayak Securitisation Trust (28/09/2030) **	PTC & Securitized Debt	2.44%
7.4% Bharti Telecom Limited (01/02/2029) **	Corporate Debt	2.4%
7.7% Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (21/03/2038) **	Corporate Debt	2.39%
7.83% Small Industries Dev Bank of India (24/11/2028) **	Corporate Debt	2.39%

The largest disclosed position, Clearing Corporation of India Ltd, accounts for 8.54%, which is meaningful but not extreme for a debt fund. The fall from the first holding to the tenth is gradual rather than sharp, moving from 8.54% to 2.39%, which suggests the disclosed book is not built around a single dominant line item.

The top 10 holdings add up to 34.52% of the portfolio, while the disclosed holding list contains 58 positions. That combination points to a portfolio where a handful of positions may influence returns more visibly, but the broader set of holdings could still help reduce dependence on any one security. Because the displayed list does not cover every holding, we would treat the structure as moderately spread rather than tightly concentrated.

Cash-like exposure is also visible at the top through Clearing Corporation of India Ltd and net receivables / payables, so the fund is likely to carry some liquidity buffer alongside credit positions in corporate debt, government securities, floating-rate instruments and securitised debt. That mix may support stability, but it can also mean returns are shaped by credit selection and rate positioning rather than a pure government-bond profile.

To see all holdings, visit the Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 11 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund fits investors who are comfortable with Medium Risk and want a debt-oriented allocation that has delivered positive 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns. The longer horizon matters here: the 3-year and 5-year numbers are more informative than a single recent period, because the fund’s path has included some short-term variation. Investors who want a steadier return profile than equity benchmarks, but still accept that bond funds can move around, may find the fund relevant.

The main trade-off is that this is not a low-volatility cash substitute, even though the portfolio has a visible liquidity and credit mix. It may suit investors with a medium- to long-term horizon who are comparing bond funds on consistency rather than chasing the highest short-term number. Relative to the benchmark and several peers, the fund’s profile is more about balanced compounding than standout short-term outperformance.

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 11 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan?
The current NAV is ₹19.3771 as of 11 Sep 2026.

What are the fund’s 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns?
The 1-year return is 5.72%, the 3-year return is 7.73%, and the 5-year return is 6.77%.

How has the fund performed against its benchmark?
It has been ahead of the benchmark across 1 month, 3 months, 1 year, 3 years and 5 years. The gap is especially visible at the 1-year level.

How does it compare with peers on returns?
Its 1-year return is below some peers in the comparison set, while its 3-year and 5-year figures remain competitive. The short-term and longer-term views are therefore a little different.

Is there an exit load?
No exit load applies.

Who manages the fund?
The fund is managed by Devang Shah and Hardik Shah.

Bottom line

Axis Corp Bond Fund Direct Growth Plan has a steadier long-term return record than its benchmark, with the 3-year and 5-year numbers remaining constructive even though the latest 1-year reading is not the strongest among peers. The portfolio shows a mix of cash-like exposure, corporate debt, government securities and securitised debt, which may support balance rather than aggressive upside. For investors who want a Medium Risk debt fund with a longer holding period in mind, the fund looks more like a measured compounding option than a short-term standout.

Published on 15 September 2026 at 3:23 PM IST

Explore mutual funds with Univest

Review mutual fund data, compare performance and explore fund insights on Univest.

Explore Univest

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.