HDFC Small Cap Fund
HDFC Mutual Fund · Small Cap · Direct plan, growth option
NAV (₹), 1 Oct 2026
155.0060
1-day change
-0.81%
1Y return
-2.9%
3Y CAGR
9.7%
5Y CAGR
13.9%
Max drawdown, 5Y
−22.6%
NAV history month-end NAV, ₹ · 30 Jun 2014 to 1 Oct 2026
Returns vs Small Cap median (35 schemes)
| Period | Scheme | Category median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | -3.7% | -3.6% |
| 3 months | -1.2% | 1.3% |
| 6 months | 11.2% | 23.9% |
| Year to date | -1.8% | 12.0% |
| 1 year | -2.9% | 11.6% |
| 3 years (CAGR) | 9.7% | 14.7% |
| 5 years (CAGR) | 13.9% | 15.4% |
| 7 years (CAGR) | 20.8% | 23.3% |
| 10 years (CAGR) | 17.2% | 17.1% |
| Since first NAV (CAGR) | 17.6% | – |
Rolling returns every business-day start date
| Measure | Scheme | Category median |
|---|---|---|
| 1Y rolling median | 12.6% | 16.5% |
| 3Y rolling median | 21.0% | 21.7% |
| 3Y rolling worst | -8.8% | 0.0% |
| 3Y periods positive | 94% | 100% |
| 3Y periods ahead of benchmark | 83% | 68% |
| 5Y rolling median | 18.7% | 21.5% |
| 5Y rolling worst | 0.4% | 4.8% |
| 5Y periods ahead of benchmark | 92% | 92% |
Benchmark: Nifty Smallcap 250 (proxy: Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund, price return).
Risk 36 months, monthly returns, Rf 6.5%
| Measure | Scheme | Category median |
|---|---|---|
| Standard deviation (ann.) | 17.6% | 19.9% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.23 | 0.49 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.34 | 0.77 |
| Beta | 0.78 | 0.86 |
| Alpha (ann.) | -1.6% | 2.9% |
| Upside capture | 71.03 | 87.14 |
| Downside capture | 80.80 | 82.75 |
Drawdowns peak-to-trough falls in NAV
| Measure | Scheme | Category median |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum drawdown, full history | −48.3% | −32.4% |
| Maximum drawdown, last 10Y | −48.3% | −47.5% |
| Maximum drawdown, last 5Y | −22.6% | −24.1% |
| Current drawdown | −6.6% | −4.3% |
| Recovery time of worst fall | 286 days | – |
Longer histories include more crises, so compare the 5Y and 10Y figures across schemes of different ages.
Market context from Integrato Market Intelligence
This scheme invests mainly in the market below, which is also close to how many of them are benchmarked. Where that market stands today:
17,589.05 −1.18%
NSE close, 1 Oct 2026
- P/E 34.1: higher than 92% of days since 2022 (median 28.8)
- 1Y +3.6% · 3Y +12.2% p.a. · 5Y +12.8% p.a. (index fund NAV, after costs)
- −5.1% from its 52-week high
Index levels and P/E: NSE daily index closing values; gold and silver: IBJA rates; returns: growth NAV of an index fund or ETF tracking the market (AMFI), so they are after that fund's costs. Context only: a market's level or valuation does not tell you how any scheme will perform. Explore all markets.
Direct or Regular for this scheme?
The Regular plan's expense ratio is 1.56% a year and the Direct plan's 0.79%, a gap of 0.77%; over the last 3 years the Direct plan returned 0.94 percentage points a year more. On a ₹25,000 monthly SIP for 20 years (illustration at 12% a year before costs) the gap adds up to about ₹18,38,750.
With the Regular plan, that cost pays a distributor to help you plan, choose and review funds, and stay invested when markets fall. Whether it is worth it depends on how much of that you will do yourself.
TER: AMFI TER disclosure. Returns: AMFI NAVs. Illustration, not a guaranteed saving or return.
Recent disclosure changes last 120 days, as disclosed via AMFI
- 28 Sep 2026: TER increased from 0.78% to 0.79% (AMFI TER disclosure)
- 18 Sep 2026: TER increased from 0.77% to 0.78% (AMFI TER disclosure)
- 15 Sep 2026: TER increased from 0.76% to 0.77% (AMFI TER disclosure)
- 12 Sep 2026: TER reduced from 0.77% to 0.76% (AMFI TER disclosure)
- 11 Sep 2026: TER increased from 0.76% to 0.77% (AMFI TER disclosure)
Fund managers and scheme facts Scheme Summary Document via AMFI
| Fund manager | Role | Managing since |
|---|---|---|
| Chirag Setalvad | Fund Manager of the scheme | 28 Jun 2014 |
| Gopal Agrawal | Fund Manager for Overseas Investments | 2 Sep 2001 |
| Bhagyesh Kagalkar | Fund Manager for investments in Gold/Silver instruments | 26 Aug 2026 |
Objective: To provide long-term capital appreciation /income by investing predominantly in Small-Cap companies. There is no assurance that the investment objective of the Scheme will be achieved.
Stated asset allocation: Equity and equity related instruments of Small Cap companies/entities** : 65%- 100% Equity and equity related instruments other than Small Cap companies: 0% - 35%; Money market instruments, Other liquid instruments and Units of Mutual Fund^^: 0% - 35%; Units issued by InvITs: 0% - 10%; Gold and Silver instruments: 0% - 35%. ** Investment universe of “Small Cap” will be as per clause 3.9. of SEBI Master Circular and as defined by SEBI from time to time. The list of stocks of Small Capcompanies/entities prepared by AMFI in this regard will be adopted.^^Units of Domestic Mutual Funds shall only include Overnight Funds, Liquid Funds and Money Market Mutual Funds. Further other liquid instrument…
Benchmark (tier 1): BSE 250 SmallCap (Total Returns Index)
Exit load: In respect of each purchase/ switch-in of units, an Exit Load of 1.00% is payable if Units are redeemed/switched-out within 1 year from the date of allotment. No Exit Load is payable if Units are redeemed/ switched-out after 1 year from the date of allotment.
Minimum application: Rs.100
Allotment date: 3 Apr 2008
Documents: Scheme Information Document · Scheme Summary Document. Read the scheme documents before investing.
Cost, size and riskometer as disclosed to AMFI
| Measure | Scheme | Category median |
|---|---|---|
| Expense ratio (TER), Direct plan | 0.79% | 0.90% |
| AUM, whole scheme (₹ crore) | 40,801 | 5,373 |
| Riskometer | Very High | – |
TER: AMFI, TER of MF Schemes. AUM and riskometer: AMFI, Fund Performance, 30 Sep 2026.
Official benchmark and category consistency
| Measure | Scheme | Benchmark / category |
|---|---|---|
| Return, 1 year (AMFI) | -1.8% | 5.2% TRI |
| Return, 3 years (AMFI) | 10.0% | 12.3% TRI |
| Return, 5 years (AMFI) | 14.1% | 13.7% TRI |
| Month-ends above category median (3Y CAGR) | 63% | 51% median |
| Month-ends in category top quartile (3Y) | 38% | 27% median |
| 7Y rolling CAGR, median (monthly windows) | 19.3% | 18.9% median |
Official benchmark: BSE 250 Smallcap TRI (total return index, as published by AMFI). Category consistency: last 10 years of month-ends, Small Cap Direct plans; how it is calculated.
Calendar-year returns NAV change from 31 Dec to 31 Dec
| Year | Scheme | Nifty Smallcap 250 proxy | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 YTD | -1.8% | 5.5% | −7.4% |
| 2025 | 0.3% | -5.6% | +5.9% |
| 2024 | 21.5% | 26.5% | −4.9% |
| 2023 | 46.2% | 48.3% | −2.2% |
| 2022 | 5.6% | -3.4% | +9.1% |
| 2021 | 66.5% | 61.2% | +5.2% |
| 2020 | 21.4% | 25.9% | −4.5% |
| 2019 | -8.5% | n/a | – |
| 2018 | -6.7% | n/a | – |
| 2017 | 62.6% | n/a | – |
Benchmark proxy: Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund (Direct plan NAV, price return), which carries its own costs. The first year starts from the first 31 December in the scheme's history.
Monthly SIP of ₹10,000 first business day of each month, ending 1 Oct 2026
| Period | Invested | Value | XIRR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | ₹1,20,000 | ₹1,19,599 | -0.6% |
| 3 years | ₹3,60,000 | ₹3,79,992 | 3.5% |
| 5 years | ₹6,00,000 | ₹8,11,690 | 12.0% |
| 10 years | ₹12,00,000 | ₹30,00,872 | 17.4% |
Uses this plan's NAVs; ignores stamp duty, exit loads and taxes. One historical path only — the interactive SIP analyzer shows outcomes across every start date.
Scheme facts
AMC: HDFC Mutual Fund
Category: Small Cap
Plan / option: Direct · Growth
AMFI scheme code: 130503
ISIN: INF179KA1RW5
First NAV in MFIC data: 30 Jun 2014
History: 12.3 years
Portfolio holdings: see the scheme's monthly portfolio disclosure on the fund house website
Schemes that behaved similarly correlation of monthly returns, last 5 years
| Scheme | Category | Correlation | 3Y CAGR |
|---|---|---|---|
| QUANTUM SMALL CAP FUND | Small Cap | 0.96 | n/a |
| DSP Multi Cap Fund | Multi Cap | 0.96 | n/a |
| Nippon India Small Cap Fund | Small Cap | 0.95 | 14.3% |
| Edelweiss Small Cap Fund | Small Cap | 0.95 | 14.3% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Small Cap Fund | Small Cap | 0.95 | n/a |
| ITI Large & Mid Cap Fund | Large & Mid Cap | 0.94 | n/a |
Questions about HDFC Small Cap Fund
- What is the latest NAV of HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- The NAV of the Direct plan (growth option) was ₹155.0060 on 1 Oct 2026, as published by AMFI.
- Which category is HDFC Small Cap Fund in?
- It is classified as Small Cap in AMFI's daily NAV file; a Small Cap scheme invests at least 65% in small-cap stocks. MFIC compares it with 35 Small Cap schemes (Direct plans).
- What returns has HDFC Small Cap Fund delivered?
- Over one year the NAV changed by -2.9%. The 3-year CAGR is 9.7% (category median 14.7%) and the 5-year CAGR is 13.9% (category median 15.4%). Returns are after expenses and before tax. Past performance may or may not be sustained in future.
- How consistent have its 3-year returns been?
- Measuring a 3-year CAGR from every business day in its history, the median was 21.0%, the lowest was -8.8%, and 94% of 3-year periods ended with a gain. It was ahead of Nifty Smallcap 250 (index-fund proxy) in 83% of those periods.
- What was the largest fall in HDFC Small Cap Fund's NAV?
- The largest peak-to-trough fall in its available history was 48.3%; within the last five years it was 22.6% (category median 24.1%).
- How volatile is HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- Its annualised standard deviation of monthly returns over the last 36 months is 17.6%, which is below the Small Cap category median of 19.9%.
- What would a monthly SIP in HDFC Small Cap Fund have grown to?
- A SIP of ₹10,000 on the first business day of each month for the last 5 years (60 instalments, ₹6,00,000 invested) would have been worth about ₹8,11,690 on 1 Oct 2026, an annualised return (XIRR) of 12.0%. This uses the Direct plan's NAVs, ignores taxes and exit loads, and past performance may or may not be sustained in future.
- What is the expense ratio (TER) of HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- The total expense ratio of the Direct plan is 0.79% a year, as disclosed to AMFI (median of Small Cap Direct plans: 0.90%). It is already deducted from the NAV, so every return shown is after expenses.
- How large is HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- Assets under management of the whole scheme were ₹40,801 crore on 30 Sep 2026, as published by AMFI.
- What is the riskometer level of HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- AMFI lists the scheme's riskometer as “Very High”, and its benchmark's as “Very High”. The riskometer is a label of potential risk set under SEBI rules, not a forecast.
- What is the benchmark of HDFC Small Cap Fund and how has it compared?
- Its official benchmark is the BSE 250 Smallcap TRI. Over 3 years AMFI reports a return of 10.0% for this plan against 12.3% for the benchmark total return index; over 5 years 14.1% against 13.7%. Past performance does not indicate future results.
- How often has HDFC Small Cap Fund beaten its category?
- At 63% of the 112 month-ends compared over the last 10 years, its 3-year return was above the median of Small Cap schemes (Direct plans); it was in the top quarter at 38% of them. A typical scheme would show about 50%.
- Who manages HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- According to its Scheme Summary Document, HDFC Small Cap Fund is managed by Chirag Setalvad (since 28 Jun 2014), Gopal Agrawal (since 2 Sep 2001), Bhagyesh Kagalkar (since 26 Aug 2026).
- What is the exit load of HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- As stated in its scheme documents: In respect of each purchase/ switch-in of units, an Exit Load of 1.00% is payable if Units are redeemed/switched-out within 1 year from the date of allotment. No Exit Load is payable if Units are redeemed/ switched-out after 1 year from the date of allotment. Check the latest Scheme Information Document before investing, as loads can change.
- What is the minimum investment in HDFC Small Cap Fund?
- The minimum application amount is Rs.100. SIP details: For SIP DSIP, WSIP, MSIP - Rs. 100; QSIP - Rs. 1500; HSIP - Rs. 2500; YSIP - Rs. 5000. For SWAP Fixed SWAP - Rs. 100; Variable SWAP - Rs. 300. For STP Fixed STP (FSTP) Daily FSTP - Rs. 500; Weekly FSTP - Rs. 500; Monthly FSTP - Rs. 1000; Quarterly FSTP -Rs. 3000. Capital Appreciation STP (CASTP) Monthly CASTP - Rs. 300; Quarterly CASTP - Rs 1000..
- What is the difference between the Direct and Regular plans?
- Both plans hold the same portfolio; the Regular plan includes distribution costs in its expense ratio. Over one year the Direct plan's NAV changed by -2.9% and the Regular plan's by -3.7%. The Regular plan includes the services of a distributor.
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Data & disclosure. Source: AMFI daily NAV file and historical NAVs via mfapi.in; calculations by MFIC, as of 1 Oct 2026. Category medians use Direct plans in the same AMFI category. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks; read all scheme-related documents carefully. Past performance may or may not be sustained in future. This page is for research and education only and is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any scheme. Integrato Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. is an AMFI-registered Mutual Fund Distributor (ARN-173155). Methodology.