NJ Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Review 2026: NAV, Returns, Portfolio & Should You Invest?

NJ Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan currently has a NAV of ₹14.37 as of 18 Sep 2026 and an AUM of ₹3,385 Cr. Its 1-year, 3-year and 5-year returns are -1.91%, 7.98% and 0% respectively, and the scheme is tagged as High Risk. Our view is that this looks like a fund for investors who can tolerate sharp swings and want a hybrid allocation style that has been steadier over the medium term than over the latest year.

The fund has not kept pace with its benchmark over the latest 1-year period, but its 3-year record is ahead of the benchmark. The portfolio is fairly diversified across 53 holdings, yet the largest positions still matter, so the path of returns may depend on how both equity and cash sleeves are managed through changing market conditions.

Quick facts

Particular	Details
NAV	₹14.37 as of 18 Sep 2026
AUM	₹3,385 Cr
Expense Ratio	0.58%
Launch Date	29 Oct 2021
Min SIP	₹100
Risk Category	High Risk
Benchmark	Nifty 50
Fund Category	Hybrid
Exit Load	Nil upto 5% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 30D, Nil after 30D
Fund Managers	Viral Shah, Dhaval Patel, Jaimin Ilavia

The fund is managed by Viral Shah, Dhaval Patel and Jaimin Ilavia.

Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026

Performance

Period	Fund return	Benchmark return
1M	-2.24%	-3.73%
3M	0.56%	-3.14%
1Y	-1.91%	-5.31%
3Y	7.98%	6.3%
5Y	Data not available	Data not available

The recent pattern is mixed but not weak across every window. Over 1 month, the fund fell less than the benchmark, which suggests some cushioning in a choppier stretch. Over 3 months, it turned positive while the benchmark stayed negative, so the fund has handled the short term better than the index.

The 1-year number is still negative, which tells us the latest stretch has not been smooth even though it has done better than Nifty 50 over the same period. That gap matters: the fund has lost less than the benchmark, but it still has not delivered positive absolute returns over 12 months.

The 3-year picture is more constructive. The fund’s 7.98% return is ahead of the benchmark’s 6.3%, which points to better medium-term compounding. The 5-year figure is not available as a usable history point, so we should avoid treating the current long-run view as settled. Overall, recent behaviour looks more resilient than the benchmark, while the medium-term record is the better guide to its underlying pattern.

Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026

Should you BUY or HOLD NJ Balanced Advantage?

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
NJ Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan	-1.91%	7.98%	Data not available
Unifi Dynamic Asset Allocation Fund Direct Growth Plan	8.68%	Data not available	Data not available
Aditya Birla SL Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan	5.65%	11.49%	10.21%
Baroda BNP Paribas Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.9%	11.59%	10.95%
360 ONE Balanced Hybrid Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.59%	Data not available	Data not available
Bandhan Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan	4.08%	9.79%	8.16%

This assessment is prepared by Uniapps Investment Adviser Pvt. Ltd. under SEBI Registered Investment Adviser registration INA000017639. The fund’s latest 1-year return is below the peer figures that are available here, while its 3-year return is better than Bandhan Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan but below Aditya Birla SL Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan and Baroda BNP Paribas Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan. The shorter-term picture is therefore softer than several peers, but the 3-year record is more competitive and helps balance the comparison.

Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026

Portfolio: where your money goes

Holding	Sector	Weight
HDFC Bank Limited	Bank	5.19%
Reliance Industries Limited	Crude Oil	4.77%
ICICI Bank Limited	Bank	4.25%
Bosch Limited	Automobile & Ancillaries	3.77%
Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited	Healthcare	3.73%
Marico Limited	FMCG	3.23%
DR. Lal Path Labs Limited	Healthcare	3.03%
Eicher Motors Limited	Automobile & Ancillaries	2.98%
Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited	Healthcare	2.82%
Clearing Corporation of India Ltd	Cash & Cash Equivalents and Net Assets	2.72%

The largest holding is HDFC Bank Limited at 5.19%, which is meaningful but not dominant on its own. The weight then steps down gradually into the 4% and 3% range, so there is no single position that overwhelms the top of the portfolio.

The combined weight of the top 10 holdings is about 36.49%, and the fund has 53 disclosed holdings in total. That combination suggests a reasonably spread structure with a visible core, rather than a highly concentrated book where just a few positions decide most of the outcome.

Because the top holdings include banks, healthcare, consumer names, automobiles and cash equivalents, the portfolio may move with both equity market sentiment and the fund’s own allocation choices. The presence of a cash-like holding among the larger positions may also help reduce abrupt swings, although it does not remove risk given the High Risk tag.

To see all holdings, visit the NJ Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan page

Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026

Who should invest

This fund suits investors who are comfortable with a High Risk profile and can stay invested long enough to let the allocation approach play out. The 1-year result is negative, so it is not a fit for someone who needs a smooth one-year outcome.

The 3-year return is more encouraging and is ahead of the benchmark, which makes a longer holding period more relevant than a short one. At the same time, the 5-year figure is not available in a usable way, so the main trade-off is that the better medium-term record still comes with uneven shorter-term behaviour. Investors who want a hybrid fund with some diversification across large equity names and cash-like exposure may find the structure easier to hold than a pure equity strategy.

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: Nil upto 5% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 30D, Nil after 30D.

Source data date: as of 18 Sep 2026

Frequently asked questions

What is the current NAV of NJ Balanced Advantage Fund Direct Growth Plan?

The current NAV is ₹14.37 as of 18 Sep 2026.

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

The fund’s returns are -1.91% over 1 year, 7.98% over 3 years and 0% over 5 years, with the 5-year figure not available in a usable way for this review.

How does it compare with Nifty 50?

It has lagged Nifty 50 over 1 year but stayed ahead over 3 years. Over 1 month and 3 months, it also held up better than the benchmark.

How does it compare with the listed peer funds on 1-year returns?

Its 1-year return is weaker than the peer returns that are available in this comparison set, while its 3-year return is more competitive than some peers but below others with stronger medium-term numbers.

What is the risk category and who manages the fund?

The fund is tagged High Risk and is managed by Viral Shah, Dhaval Patel and Jaimin Ilavia.

What is the exit load?

Nil upto 5% of units and 1% for remaining units on or before 30D, Nil after 30D.

Bottom line

The fund’s shorter-term record is uneven, but the 3-year return is more supportive and sits ahead of the benchmark. Against available peers, the 1-year number is softer, while the medium-term figure is more respectable. The portfolio has a visible core in financials, healthcare, consumer and auto names, yet the largest holding is not so large that one position dominates the picture. For investors who can accept a High Risk profile and allow time for the hybrid approach to work through market cycles, the fund offers a measured but still volatile way to participate in equity-linked returns.

Published on 21 September 2026 at 9:37 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.