Axis Small Cap Fund
This is the Direct plan of Axis Small Cap Fund — bought from the fund house, with no distributor commission in its expense ratio. Income is retained in the fund, so it shows up as NAV rather than as a payout.
Performance
Scorecard
★★★★☆4/5 vs 24 of 35 Small Cap Fund peers- Performance 60%
- Risk 15%
- Cost 10%
- Downside 15%
How this is computed
Each verdict is computed from this fund's own metrics against its sub-category — the number behind it is shown, not a black-box rating. The stars weight the same ground 60/15/10/15 (performance/risk/cost/downside) across every fund in the peer group. Ranked within Small Cap Fund (same plan and option). 24 of the 35 Small Cap Funds in this cohort carry the full record the stars need, so they are the ones ranked against.
3Y CAGR +14.52% · ranks 13 of 24 Small Cap Funds
Volatility 15.0% vs 16.9% category avg
0.7% expense vs 1.0% category avg
99% of rolling 3Y windows were positive
Strengths & concerns
Generated from this fund's own numbers against its sub-category — each point names the figure behind it.
Strengths
- Less volatile than its Small Cap Fund peers (15.0% vs 16.9%)
- Low expense ratio (0.72%) vs the Small Cap Fund average of 0.96%
- Consistent — positive in 99% of rolling 3-year windows
Concerns
- Trails the Small Cap Fund average on 1M/3M/6M/1Y — 1Y by 2.80pp
- 3-year return (+14.52%) trails the Small Cap Fund average (+15.49%)
- 5-year return (+14.93%) trails the Small Cap Fund average (+15.45%)
Key Metrics
Scheme Info
DefinitionsPeriod returns (<1Y, absolute — not annualized)
DefinitionsAnnualized returns (≥1Y — CAGR)
DefinitionsAdvanced metrics — risk and benchmark ratios
Fund vs category average (Small Cap Fund)
| Period | Fund | Category avg. | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1M abs | -3.70% | -3.10% | -0.60% |
| 3M abs | +0.72% | +1.85% | -1.13% |
| 6M abs | +19.92% | +24.66% | -4.74% |
| 1Y CAGR | +8.44% | +11.24% | -2.80% |
| 3Y CAGR | +14.52% | +15.49% | -0.97% |
| 5Y CAGR | +14.93% | +15.45% | -0.52% |
Category average across peers in Small Cap Fund (up to 35 funds with data), same plan and option, excluding this fund. Under-1-year figures are absolute; 1Y and beyond are annualised (CAGR).
Not sure what a figure means? The glossary explains every metric, and the methodology shows the formulas.
Category rank
Vs 35 peers in Small Cap Fund
Backtest this fund
What a SIP or one-time investment would have grown to over this fund’s real NAV history.
60 monthly installments of ₹10,000 into Axis Small Cap Fund, valued at the latest NAV. XIRR annualizes for each installment’s timing.
Calendar-year returns
What the fund actually returned in each year, not the smoothed average.
| Year | Fund | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI | Diff | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026part | +8.99% | +6.37% | +2.62% | |
| 2025 | -0.95% | -5.29% | +4.34% | |
| 2024 | +26.40% | +27.52% | -1.12% | |
| 2023 | +35.57% | +49.76% | -14.19% | |
| 2022 | +4.11% | -2.65% | +6.76% | |
| 2021 | +60.71% | +63.41% | -2.70% | |
| 2020 | +24.58% | +27.11% | -2.53% | |
| 2019 | +20.84% | -7.26% | +28.10% | |
| 2018 | -7.93% | -26.33% | +18.40% | |
| 2017 | +39.82% | +58.25% | -18.43% |
January–December, from this fund's NAV history. Absolute return, not annualised. “part” marks a year the fund didn't run end to end — its first year, the current year so far, or one it stopped reporting in; those years show no benchmark comparison.
Taxation
Taxed as equityThis is an equity-oriented fund (≥65% in Indian equities), so gains get the concessional capital-gains rates below — they do not add to your income-tax slab.
Flat, on the whole gain
On gains above ₹1.25 L per financial year
Applies to capital gains on redemption. Excludes IDCW/dividend tax, STT, surcharge and cess, and pre-2018 equity grandfathering. For research only — consult a tax advisor before filing.
Asset allocation
As on 31 Aug 2026 · AMC disclosure- Equity91.55%
- Cash & Equivalents8.01%
- Debt0.47%
Fund size over time
Quarterly average AUM · AMFIAt or near its largest, ₹27,535Cr in April - June 2026. Size matters most where the mandate is narrow — a large small-cap or a very large flexi-cap book is harder to move without moving the price.
Net flow is an estimate: AMFI publishes a quarterly average AUM, not a closing balance, and it covers every plan and option of this scheme together, so it is a read on direction and rough size rather than a cash-flow statement.
AMC Profile
Axis Mutual Fund is run by Axis Asset Management, majority-owned by Axis Bank with the UK's Schroders holding the minority stake. It launched its first scheme in 2009 and grew quickly on a growth-oriented, quality-biased equity style.
Fund Managers
KNKrishnaa NarayanStart date not disclosed
Fund Manager – Foreign Securities
Chartered Accountant and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts & Finance)
6 years • Axis Asset Managem ent Company Ltd. [Fund Manager - (For Foreign Securities)] - March 01, 2024 till date • Axis Asset Managem ent Company Ltd. (Junior Research Analyst – Equity) – May 12, 2021 – February 29, 2024 • Price Waterhous e & Co LLP - April 22, 2019 – May 07, 2021 of the Fund Manager
- Axis Aggressive Hybrid Fund
- Axis Children's Fund
- Axis Consumption Fund
- Axis ESG Integration Strategy Fund
- Axis Flexi Cap Fund
- Axis Focused Fund
- Axis Global Equity Alpha Fund of Fund
- Axis Global Innovation Fund of Fund
- Axis Greater China Equity Fund of Fund
- Axis Innovation Fund
- Axis Large & Mid Cap Fund
- Axis Large Cap Fund
- Axis Midcap Fund
- Axis Multi Asset Allocation Fund
- Axis Value Fund
- Axis Equity Savings Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option
- Axis Quant Fund - Direct Plan - Growth Option
- Axis Retirement Fund - Aggressive Plan - Direct Plan - Growth Option
- Axis Retirement Fund - Conservative Plan - Direct Plan - Growth Option
- Axis Retirement Fund - Dynamic Plan - Direct Plan - Growth Option
MHMayank HyankiStart date not disclosed
Fund Manger
Bachelor of Technology, Post Graduate Diploma in Management
17 years, his last 10 years’ experience are as follows: • Axis Asset Management Company Ltd. (Dec. 2015 to till date) • Reliance Industries Ltd. (Apr. 2015 to Nov. -2015) • Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company 26 Ltd. (Mar. 2010 to Apr. 2015) • ING Investments (India) Pvt. Ltd. ( May 2008 to Mar. 2010)
TSTejas ShethStart date not disclosed
Fund Manager – Equity
PGDM (Finance)
Axis Asset From May 06, 2024 Management till date Company Limited Nippon Life India From February 09, Asset 2015 to April 30, Management 2024 Limited Emkay Global January 20, 2011 to Financial Services February 06, 2015 Limited
Fund manager, benchmark and dealing terms from this scheme's SEBI-filed Scheme Information Document on AMFI. Each manager's qualifications and role are reconciled across every filing this fund house makes for them, including its Statement of Additional Information. Total AUM via AMFI.
Explore from here
Axis in the news
Headlines about the fund house, not this scheme in particular — highlights only; tap through to read the full story at the source.
Investors should avoid thinking of debt as a risk-free asset class: Devang Shah of Axis Mutual Fund explains why
Livemint · 9h ago
Moneycontrol Hosts Mutual Fund Summit In Delhi
Passionate In Marketing · 10h ago
Axis Pension Fund launches NPS Swasthya scheme for healthcare expenses
Fortune India · 4d ago
Axis Nifty Capital Markets Index Fund - Regular Plan Portfolio
The Economic Times · 4d ago
Axis MF's Shreyash Devalkar backs financials, says IT remains a trade despite correction
CNBC TV18 · 5d ago
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund - Regular IDCW Payout
Alice Blue · 6d ago
Debt mutual funds: Axis MF suggests where to invest as RBI may raise rates by 50-75 bps over next 6 months
Livemint · 6d ago
4 new players to join SIF race
Cafemutual · 7d ago
Returns and risk are computed from NAV history and may differ slightly from other portals due to methodology (rolling vs point-to-point, dividend treatment). For research only — not investment advice.
About Small Cap funds
Small cap funds invest in companies beyond the top 250 by size. They offer the highest growth potential of any equity category and also the sharpest falls, so they suit long horizons and strong stomachs.
From the blog
Small-cap funds: median up 12.4% while large caps fell
02 Oct 2026
In the year to 1 October 2026 the median small-cap fund gained 12.41%; only 2 of 31 lost money. The 1, 3, 5 and 10-year spread, best, worst and drawdowns.
Small-cap funds fell 19–31% from their peaks, then recovered
01 Oct 2026
Over three years to 30 September 2026, the median small-cap fund's worst fall was 24.13%, mostly between late 2024 and 3 March 2025. Next to their returns.
Small-cap funds in the March fall: 15% below their peaks
16 Mar 2026
On 13 March 2026 the median small-cap fund sat 14.93% below its all-time high and 13.14% below its 52-week high. Which funds held up and which fell furthest.
Frequently asked questions
What is the NAV of Axis Small Cap Fund?
As of 05 Oct 2026, the NAV of Axis Small Cap Fund is ₹132.57 per unit. NAV (net asset value) is the fund's per-unit price, published once each business day.
What returns has Axis Small Cap Fund delivered?
Axis Small Cap Fund has returned +8.44% over 1 year, +14.52% per year over 3 years, +14.93% per year over 5 years and +22.30% per year since inception. Figures beyond one year are annualised (CAGR) and are computed from AMFI NAV history, so they may differ slightly from other portals.
What is the expense ratio of Axis Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund charges an expense ratio of 0.72% per year. This annual fee is already deducted from the NAV, so the returns you see are net of it.
What are the top holdings of Axis Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund's largest holdings are Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Limited (2.4%), Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited (2.4%), CCL Products (India) Limited (2.3%), City Union Bank Limited (1.9%) and Sai Life Sciences Limited (1.8%). Holdings are disclosed monthly and change over time.
How risky is Axis Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund is rated very high on SEBI's risk-o-meter, its trailing-3Y volatility (annualised) is 15.0% and its worst peak-to-trough fall in our sample was -34.6%. Higher volatility means the NAV swings more; the drawdown shows how far it has fallen from a peak historically.
What does the Sharpe ratio of 0.54 mean?
The Sharpe ratio is return earned per unit of total risk, above a 6.5% risk-free rate. Axis Small Cap Fund's 0.54 means it has rewarded its volatility with excess return. Higher is better.
What is the benchmark of Axis Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund is benchmarked against the NIFTY Smallcap 250 TRI. Its alpha and beta on this page are measured against that index.
Who manages Axis Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund is managed by Krishnaa Narayan, Mayank Hyanki and Tejas Sheth at Axis.
How is Axis Small Cap Fund taxed?
Axis Small Cap Fund is an equity-oriented fund, so its capital gains get concessional rates: short-term gains (units held under 1 year) are taxed at 20%, and long-term gains (held 1 year or more) at 12.5% above a ₹1.25 lakh per-year exemption. These rates apply on redemption and don't add to your income-tax slab.