HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan had a NAV of ₹21.9388 as of 10 Sep 2026 and managed ₹3,288 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are 6.8%, 7.3% and 6.61%, and it sits in the Low Risk bucket. Our view is that this profile suits investors who want steadier arbitrage-style participation rather than equity-like upside, with the benchmark comparison and portfolio mix pointing to a controlled return pattern.

The fund has kept returns in a narrow band across the longer periods, which is consistent with its lower-volatility profile. That makes it more relevant for conservative investors who value smoother compounding and are comfortable with moderate, market-linked outcomes rather than aggressive growth.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹21.9388 as of 10 Sep 2026
AUM	₹3,288 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.28%
Launch Date	30 Jun 2014
Min SIP	₹500
Risk Category	Low Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Hybrid
Exit Load	0.25% on or before 1M, Nil after 1M
Fund Managers	Praveen Ayathan, Mahesh Chhabria, Mohd Asif Rizwi

The fund is managed by Praveen Ayathan, Mahesh Chhabria and Mohd Asif Rizwi.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	0.51%	-4.06%
3M	1.81%	1.37%
1Y	6.8%	-7.31%
3Y	7.3%	6.07%
5Y	6.61%	5.91%

The recent pattern is constructive. Over 1 month and 3 months, the fund stayed positive while the benchmark was weak over 1 month and only mildly positive over 3 months, which tells us the fund has been much steadier in the short run.

The 1-year picture is especially useful: 6.8% for the fund versus -7.31% for the benchmark. That gap reflects how differently an arbitrage structure can behave from a broad equity index in a choppy year, with the fund preserving a positive return stream while the benchmark struggled.

Over 3 years and 5 years, the fund has continued to compound at 7.3% and 6.61%, both above the benchmark’s 6.07% and 5.91%. The margin is not dramatic, but it shows that the strategy has not only cushioned short-term swings; it has also held its own over longer holding periods.

The trajectory across the time frames is fairly consistent. We do not see a sharp surge-and-fall pattern; instead, the return path appears measured, which fits a lower-volatility product where stability matters as much as headline return.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD HSBC Arbitrage?

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
HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	6.8%	7.3%	6.61%
Quant Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.82%	Data not available	Data not available
Franklin India Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.23%	Data not available	Data not available
Motilal Oswal Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.19%	Data not available	Data not available
WOC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.1%	Data not available	Data not available
Invesco India Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan	7.02%	7.54%	7.05%

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. On 1-year return, the fund trails the stronger peer readings available in this list, especially Quant Arbitrage Fund and Franklin India Arbitrage Fund. That said, the longer view is more balanced: the fund’s 3-year and 5-year returns are above the benchmark and close to the better longer-term peer disclosure available for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund. The short-term comparison therefore looks slightly softer, while the mid- to long-term picture remains serviceable.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
HSBC Money Market Fund – Direct Growth	Domestic Mutual Funds Units	15.76%
HDFC Bank Limited	Bank	4.95%
Steel Authority of India Limited	Iron & Steel	3.92%
ICICI Bank Limited	Bank	3.91%
Canara Bank	Bank	3.52%
Bandhan Bank Limited	Bank	2.78%
Adani Power Limited	Power	2.65%
Axis Bank Limited**	Certificate of Deposit	2.23%
Indian Bank**	Certificate of Deposit	2.23%
NABARD^	Certificate of Deposit	2.2%

The top 10 holdings account for approximately 44.15% of the portfolio.

To see all holdings, visit the HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan page

The largest holding is HSBC Money Market Fund – Direct Growth at 15.76%, which is substantial for a single line item in this portfolio. After that, the weights fall quickly into the 4% range, then gradually step down toward the low-2% area by the tenth holding.

That gap from the largest position to the rest suggests the fund may be using a core liquidity-oriented holding alongside a broader set of equity and money-market exposures. Since the top 10 disclosed holdings together make up 44.15% and the full disclosed list contains 49 holdings, the portfolio appears spread across many positions rather than concentrated in just a few bets.

This structure could help dampen the impact of any single position, although the first holding is still large enough to matter. For investors, the practical takeaway is that the fund may offer a mix of a dominant cash-like anchor and a long tail of smaller positions, which is typical of a strategy aiming for steadier outcomes.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund is more suitable for investors with a conservative to moderate risk tolerance who want a lower-volatility hybrid allocation rather than a pure equity return profile. The Low Risk label, the positive return pattern across 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, and the benchmark comparison all point to a steadier experience than a broad market index.

A longer horizon still helps, because the 3-year and 5-year figures are more informative than the short-term moves. The main trade-off is simple: investors may accept a relatively restrained upside in exchange for smoother behaviour and less dependence on equity market direction.

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 applies at 0.25% if units are sold on or before 1 month, and it is nil after 1 month.

Source data date: as of 10 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹21.9388 as of 10 Sep 2026.

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

The fund’s returns are 6.8% over 1 year, 7.3% over 3 years and 6.61% over 5 years.

How does it compare with the benchmark?

It has outpaced the benchmark across 1 year, 3 years and 5 years, and it was much steadier over the recent 1-month and 3-month periods as well.

How does it compare with peer arbitrage funds on recent returns?

Its 1-year return is below some peer readings in the comparison set, but its 3-year and 5-year returns remain competitive where longer-term numbers are available.

Is there a minimum SIP amount?

The minimum SIP is ₹500.

What are the risk profile, fund managers and exit load?

The fund is in the Low Risk category and is managed by Praveen Ayathan, Mahesh Chhabria and Mohd Asif Rizwi. Exit load is 0.25% if units are sold on or before 1 month, and nil after 1 month.

Bottom line

HSBC Arbitrage Fund Direct Growth Plan has shown a steadier pattern over recent and longer periods than the benchmark, with the 1-year number standing out against a weak index backdrop. Its peer comparison is more mixed on the latest year, but the 3-year and 5-year figures remain reasonable in the context of a low-volatility strategy. The portfolio is also fairly spread out across many holdings, with one large anchor position and a meaningful long tail. That combination makes the fund more relevant for conservative investors who prioritise stability and measured compounding.

Published on 11 September 2026 at 3:14 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.