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Axis Small Cap Fund - Investment Objective, Fund Manager Details & FAQs

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Learn about Axis Small Cap Fund's investment approach, fund manager Ashish Naik, performance, and get answers to common FAQs. Invest through Allvest platform for easy SIP automation.

Investment Objective and Approach

The investment objective of this equity scheme is to generate long-term capital appreciation from a diversified portfolio of predominantly equity and equity-related instruments of small cap companies. Axis Small Cap Fund - Direct Plan is mandated to invest at least 65 per cent of its assets in small-cap stocks at all times.

The fund follows a disciplined investment philosophy with the following key elements:

- Stock Selection Strategy: The fund follows a bottom-up stock selection approach, focusing on scalable and asset-light business models, which are key to thriving in the small-cap space.

- Research Methodology: Axis Small Cap Fund follows a fair-value-based research approach, with a strong emphasis on identifying quality business models, sustainable competitive advantages, and long-term growth prospects.

- Target Universe: Small cap funds are equity funds that invest in companies with a market capitalization of Rs. 500 crores or less.

- Investment Horizon: The fund is designed for long-term wealth creation, making it suitable for investors with a minimum investment horizon of 7 years.

Fund Managers

Ashish Naik is the Current Fund Manager of Axis Small Cap Fund Direct Growth fund. He brings extensive experience and expertise to the role:

Educational Background:

- PGDBM in Finance and Marketing from XLRI, Jamshedpur. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Financial Risk Manager (FRM).

- Bachelor in Computer Engineering from the University of Mumbai.

Professional Journey:

- He joined Axis AMC as an Equity Research Analyst in 2009, and later in June 2016 he was elevated to the post of a Fund Manager.

- Prior to Axis, he worked as a Software Engineer at Hexaware Technologies and later joined Goldman Sachs as a Sell-side Equity Research Analyst, performing duties like creating financial models for Korean and Malaysian banks.

Current Role: Ashish Naik, Fund Manager at Axis Mutual Fund, manages 15 schemes with an AUM of ₹82,066 Cr

About the Fund House (AMC)

Axis Mutual Fund is the asset management arm of Axis Bank, one of India's leading private sector banks. The fund house has established itself as a prominent player in the mutual fund industry with a focus on delivering consistent long-term returns.

Key Highlights:

- Part of the Axis Bank Group, providing strong institutional backing

- Offers a comprehensive range of mutual fund schemes across equity, debt, and hybrid categories

- Known for its research-driven investment approach and disciplined fund management

- Focus on transparency and investor-centric product offerings

Investment Philosophy: Axis Mutual Fund follows a bottom-up research approach with emphasis on fundamental analysis, quality businesses, and long-term value creation. The AMC maintains strict risk management protocols while seeking to generate superior risk-adjusted returns for investors.

Should I Invest in Axis Small Cap Fund?

Suitable For:

- Aggressive investors who have very high-risk appetite and long time horizon to invest.

- Investors seeking high growth potential and willing to accept higher volatility

- Those with investment horizon of 7+ years

- Investors looking to diversify their portfolio with small-cap exposure

Performance Highlights (as of recent data):

- The fund has shown strong performance of CAGR since inception of 24.00% vs 19.91% (Benchmark – Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI).

- The Axis Small Cap Fund has given 20.18% annualized returns in the past three years and 27.3% in the last 5 years.

Fund Statistics (as of August 2025):

- AUM: ₹3,39,576 Cr as of 25 Aug 2025

- Expense Ratio: 0.57% (Direct Plan as on 31st July 2025)

- Investor Base: 16,52,448 Active Investors and 7,97,712 Active SIPs in July

Risk Considerations:

- All equity mutual funds, including the Axis Small Cap Fund, carry investment risk. Small-cap funds are considered riskier than large-cap funds because of market volatility and economic fluctuations.

- Do not invest in this, or any other small-cap fund, if you need to redeem your investment in less than seven years.

FAQs

What is today's NAV of Axis Small Cap Fund?

The NAV changes daily based on market performance. You can check the current NAV on the Axis Mutual Fund website or through your investment platform.

What is the AUM of Axis Small Cap Fund?

The fund currently has an Asset Under Management(AUM) of ₹3,39,576 Cr as of 25 Aug 2025.

What is the expense ratio of Axis Small Cap Fund?

It has a relatively lower expense ratio of 0.57% (Direct Plan as on 31st July 2025), making it cost-effective for long-term investors.

What are the returns of Axis Small Cap Fund since inception?

The fund has shown strong performance of CAGR since inception of 24.00%, significantly outperforming its benchmark.

What is the minimum SIP amount to invest in Axis Small Cap Fund?

Minimum SIP Investment is set to ₹100. This makes it accessible for retail investors to start their investment journey.

How do I invest in Axis Small Cap Fund?

You can invest through Allvest platform, which offers a user-friendly interface for mutual fund investments. Alternatively, you can invest directly through the Axis Mutual Fund website or other authorized platforms.

How to start a SIP in Axis Small Cap Fund?

Register on the Allvest platform, complete your KYC, select Axis Small Cap Fund, choose your SIP amount and frequency, and set up auto-debit instructions for seamless investing.

How do I automate an SIP in Axis Small Cap Fund?

Through Allvest, you can set up automatic SIP debits from your bank account. Simply provide your bank details and authorize auto-debit during the SIP setup process.

How can I withdraw/redeem my investment in Axis Small Cap Fund?

You can redeem your units through Allvest platform or the Axis Mutual Fund website. Note that Exit load of 1% for investments beyond 10% if redeemed within 12 months applies to discourage short-term trading.