Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund vs Axis Flexi Cap Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund is an ELSS fund and Axis Flexi Cap Fund is a Flexi Cap fund. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) returned 10.7% a year and Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) returned 13.4% a year. Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund charges 1.05% a year and Axis Flexi Cap Fund 0.85% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 48.7%: they hold 33 of the same securities.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund
ELSS
- 3 year return
- 10.7%
- Expense ratio
- 1.05%
- NAV
- ₹106.82
Which is better, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver or Axis Flexi Cap? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- Axis Flexi Cap returned more over 5 years: 7.8% a year against 5.3%.
- Axis Flexi Cap returned more over 3 years: 13.4% a year against 10.7%.
- Axis Flexi Cap costs less: 0.85% a year against 1.05% (Direct plans).
- Axis ELSS- Tax Saver swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 13.3% a year against 14.2%.
- Axis Flexi Cap fell less in its worst fall since 24-11-2017: −29.9% against −33.5%.
- Axis ELSS- Tax Saver holds more in large companies: 68.0% of the fund in large caps against 52.0%.
- Axis ELSS- Tax Saver is the larger fund: ₹30,269 Cr against ₹13,242 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 48.7%: 33 of the same holdings.
Past returns do not promise future returns. This page is information, not investment advice.
Key facts
From each fund's scheme summary document and AMFI
| Fact | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund | Axis Flexi Cap Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | Axis Mutual Fund |
| Category | ELSS | Flexi Cap |
| AUM | ₹30,269 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹13,242 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹106.82 (Direct) | ₹30.08 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 1.05% | 0.85% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 1.76% | 1.84% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | Nifty 500 TRI | Nifty 500 TRI |
| Launch date | 29-12-2009 | 20-11-2017 |
| Minimum investment | ₹500 | ₹100 |
| Lock in | 3 years | None |
| Fund managers | Shreyash Devalkar Mr. Ashish Naik | Sachin Relekar, Krishnaa N |
| Exit load | Nil | Nil |
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Returns Comparison
Returns as on 30-10-2026. Up to one year they are absolute returns. Longer periods are a rate per year.
| Fund | 1M | 3M | 6M | 1Y | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | +1.20% | −3.48% | +1.46% | −4.51% | +10.74% | +5.27% | +11.72% |
| Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) | −1.41% | −2.21% | +4.88% | −0.95% | +13.45% | +7.75% | -- |
| ELSS average | −2.34% | −5.61% | −1.63% | −5.75% | +10.92% | +10.29% | +13.05% |
| Flexi Cap average | −1.62% | −4.17% | +1.00% | −3.58% | +12.37% | +10.04% | -- |
Category average: the average of the 50 ELSS funds and the 46 Flexi Cap funds, same plan type.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Year-wise Returns
| Year | ELSS- Tax SaverAxis ELSS- Tax Saver | Flexi CapAxis Flexi Cap | Nifty 500 TRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | −3.10% | +2.14% | −7.51% |
| 2025 | +5.15% | +2.40% | +7.76% |
| 2024 | +18.30% | +23.54% | +16.24% |
| 2023 | +22.89% | +21.44% | +26.91% |
| 2022 | −11.23% | −7.61% | +4.25% |
| 2021 | +25.60% | +29.93% | +31.60% |
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against Nifty 500 TRI, the benchmark of both
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 1,469 of them, one for each trading day from 24-11-2020 to 30-10-2026: the yearly return (CAGR) of each, plotted on the day it ended. One lucky or unlucky start day cannot flatter or hide a fund.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty 500 TRI
to
May 2021May 2019
to
May 2022May 2020
to
May 2023May 2021
to
May 2024May 2022
to
May 2025May 2023
to
May 2026
How the periods spread
| Fund | Below 0% | 0-5% | 5-10% | 10-15% | 15-20% | 20-25% | Above 25% | Mean | Median | Lowest | Highest | Beat benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS- Tax Saver | 0.0 | 0.0 | 15.2 | 45.9 | 31.4 | 6.1 | 1.4 | 14.1% | 13.5% | 6.0% | 26.8% | 26% |
| Axis Flexi Cap | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.5 | 41.7 | 44.9 | 8.4 | 2.5 | 15.9% | 15.4% | 8.2% | 28.0% | 32% |
| Nifty 500 TRI | 0.0 | 0.0 | 4.6 | 25.1 | 47.1 | 18.0 | 5.2 | 17.3% | 17.0% | 5.8% | 33.5% | -- |
The table shows the % of periods in each return band; a darker cell holds more of them. Lumpsum: the yearly rate (CAGR) from a period's first NAV to its last. SIP: the XIRR of the monthly instalments. The benchmark is Nifty 500 TRI, over the same periods. "Beat benchmark" counts the periods in which the fund did better. Every fund is measured over the days all of them have, from 24-11-2017. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: SIP and Lumpsum Returns
What the same monthly or one-time investment would be worth in each fund today, from their own NAV history
Growth of an investment
₹10,000 on the first trading day of every month, from 01-11-2017 to 30-10-2026: 108 instalments, ₹10,80,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS- Tax SaverAxis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | ₹10,80,000 | ₹17,29,612 | ₹6,49,612 | 10.2% |
| Axis Flexi CapAxis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) | ₹10,80,000 | ₹19,28,938 | ₹8,48,938 | 12.5% |
Axis ELSS- Tax SaverAxis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi CapAxis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Amount invested
From each plan's published NAV (Growth option), over the same days. Return a year: XIRR for a SIP, CAGR for a lumpsum, shown for a year or more. It does not include exit load, stamp duty or tax. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | −4.51% | −0.95% |
| Standard deviation | 14.43% | 14.79% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.68 | -0.42 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.91 | -0.56 |
| Maximum drawdown | −14.1% (31-03-2026) | −14.2% (30-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.99 | 0.98 |
| Alpha | +2.66% | +6.15% |
From daily NAVs, 30-10-2025 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +10.74% | +13.45% |
| Standard deviation | 13.35% | 14.20% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.35 | 0.52 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.49 | 0.71 |
| Maximum drawdown | −16.5% (28-02-2025) | −18.8% (28-02-2025) |
| Beta | 0.90 | 0.95 |
| Alpha | +0.96% | +3.44% |
From daily NAVs, 30-10-2023 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +5.27% | +7.75% |
| Standard deviation | 14.16% | 14.06% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.04 | 0.14 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.05 | 0.19 |
| Maximum drawdown | −26.5% (17-06-2022) | −22.5% (17-06-2022) |
| Beta | 0.93 | 0.94 |
| Alpha | −3.32% | −0.87% |
From daily NAVs, 29-10-2021 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
| Measure | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +15.25% | +13.11% |
| Standard deviation | 15.06% | 15.23% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.61 | 0.51 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.84 | 0.70 |
| Maximum drawdown | −33.5% (23-03-2020) | −29.9% (23-03-2020) |
| Beta | 0.89 | 0.88 |
| Alpha | +3.18% | +2.53% |
From daily NAVs, 02-01-2013 to 30-10-2026. Standard deviation: how much the daily value swings, scaled to a year. Sharpe: return above the risk-free rate (NSE's overnight rate index) per unit of swing. Sortino: the same, counting only the falls. Beta and alpha compare each fund with its own benchmark's TRI.
Drawdowns
How far below its previous high each one was on every day: the falls an investor had to sit through. 0% means it was at a new high.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty 500 TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | −33.5% | 12-02-2020 | 23-03-2020 | 11-11-2020 | 8 months | −6.0% |
| Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) | −29.9% | 12-02-2020 | 23-03-2020 | 09-11-2020 | 8 months | −6.6% |
| Nifty 500 TRI | −38.1% | 17-01-2020 | 23-03-2020 | 06-11-2020 | 7 months | −8.8% |
From daily values since 24-11-2017, the first day every fund has.
Rolling standard deviation
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 1-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty 500 TRI
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 3-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty 500 TRI
Whether the swings have grown or calmed over time: the standard deviation of daily changes over every 5-year window, scaled to a year, plotted on the window's last day. Higher means a bumpier ride.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct)
Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty 500 TRI
Against Nifty 500 TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (Direct) | 96% | 96% | 6.38% |
| Axis Flexi Cap Fund (Direct) | 95% | 84% | 6.52% |
From month-end values since 24-11-2017. Up capture: a fund's average month when the benchmark rose, as % of the benchmark's; above 100% it gained more. Down capture: the same for months the benchmark fell; below 100% it fell less. Tracking error: how far the monthly returns strayed from the benchmark's, a year; an index fund aims near 0.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund, September 2026; Axis Flexi Cap Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 48.7%
- Held by both
- 33
- Only in Axis ELSS- Tax Saver
- 38
- Only in Axis Flexi Cap
- 34
| Security | % of Axis ELSS- Tax Saver | % of Axis Flexi Cap |
|---|---|---|
| ICICI Bank Limited | 6.89% | 7.52% |
| Eternal Limited | 3.35% | 4.56% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited | 3.35% | 4.08% |
| Axis Bank Limited | 2.73% | 3.07% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Limited | 2.42% | 2.42% |
| State Bank of India | 2.32% | 3.04% |
| HDFC Bank Limited | 6.09% | 2.23% |
| Bharti Airtel Limited | 4.45% | 2.14% |
| Cholamandalam Investment and Finance Company Ltd | 2.25% | 1.98% |
| The Indian Hotels Company Limited | 1.69% | 1.57% |
| Titan Company Limited | 1.88% | 1.56% |
| Infosys Limited | 1.65% | 1.54% |
| CG Power and Industrial Solutions Limited | 1.63% | 1.54% |
| InterGlobe Aviation Limited | 1.46% | 2.39% |
| Apar Industries Limited | 1.33% | 4.19% |
| Solar Industries India Limited | 1.26% | 1.41% |
| PB Fintech Limited | 1.22% | 1.34% |
| Navin Fluorine International Limited | 1.13% | 1.56% |
| One 97 Communications Limited | 1.11% | 1.82% |
| Cummins India Limited | 1.07% | 1.23% |
| TVS Motor Company Limited | 1.03% | 2.38% |
| Anthem Biosciences Limited | 0.83% | 0.78% |
| GE Vernova T&D India Limited | 0.76% | 1.55% |
| The Federal Bank Limited | 1.06% | 0.75% |
| Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Limited | 0.70% | 3.05% |
| Billionbrains Garage Ventures Ltd | 0.54% | 0.47% |
| Tata Motors Ltd | 1.26% | 0.44% |
| Torrent Power Limited | 0.39% | 1.24% |
| Doms Industries Limited | 0.48% | 0.34% |
| Rubicon Research Limited | 0.48% | 0.31% |
| UltraTech Cement Limited | 2.36% | 0.30% |
| Dhoot Transmission Ltd | 0.33% | 0.12% |
| Indo-MIM Limited | 0.85% | 0.10% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 48.7% means 48.7% of each fund's money sits in positions the other also holds. Matched by ISIN. Cash and hedged positions are left out.
Largest holdings only in Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Divi's Laboratories Limited | 2.74% |
| Larsen & Toubro Limited | 2.70% |
| Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited | 2.47% |
| Pidilite Industries Limited | 2.42% |
| Tata Consultancy Services Limited | 1.78% |
Largest holdings only in Axis Flexi Cap Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Bharat Electronics Limited | 3.46% |
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 31/12/2026) | 2.91% |
| Sansera Engineering Limited | 2.73% |
| Samvardhana Motherson International Limited | 1.66% |
| Welspun Corp Limited | 1.43% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver | Axis Flexi Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 97.9% | 90.2% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 2.9% |
| Cash and others | 2.1% | 6.9% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver | Axis Flexi Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 68.0% | 52.0% |
| Mid Cap | 21.1% | 18.6% |
| Small Cap | 7.4% | 18.4% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 1.4% | 1.3% |
Share of the whole fund. Groups follow AMFI's latest list: Large Cap is the 100 largest companies, Mid Cap the next 150, Small Cap the rest.
Largest sectors
| Sector | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver | Axis Flexi Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | 22.2% | 17.5% |
| Electrical Equipment | 4.1% | 8.6% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 7.7% | 4.6% |
| Finance | 6.3% | 7.0% |
| Retailing | 5.1% | 6.5% |
| Auto Components | 3.5% | 5.8% |
| Automobiles | 5.7% | 4.8% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 4.8% | 4.9% |
| IT - Software | 4.9% | 1.5% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver vs Axis Flexi Cap: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund | Axis Flexi Cap Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 1.05% | 0.85% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.74% | 0.63% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 1.76% | 1.84% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 1.35% | 1.47% |
The expense ratio comes out of the fund's assets every day, so every return on this page is already after it. Base expense ratio: the fund house's own fee. The total adds brokerage, transaction costs, and levies with GST.
More comparisons
Each fund against the others of its category
Compare Axis ELSS- Tax Saver with
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund vs Axis Flexi Cap Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund and Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund is an ELSS fund, Axis Flexi Cap Fund is a Flexi Cap fund, run by Axis Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 48.7%. Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund charges 1.05% a year and Axis Flexi Cap Fund 0.85%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund or Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund −4.51%, Axis Flexi Cap Fund −0.95%. Over 3 years: Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund +10.74% a year, Axis Flexi Cap Fund +13.45% a year. Over 5 years: Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund +5.27% a year, Axis Flexi Cap Fund +7.75% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund or Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Axis Flexi Cap Fund charges less: 0.85% a year against 1.05%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund and Axis Flexi Cap Fund overlap?
48.7%. They hold 33 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being ICICIBANK, ETERNAL, BAJFINANCE. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund or Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund is rated Very High and Axis Flexi Cap Fund Very High. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 13.35% and 14.20% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund or Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹7,33,001 in Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund (XIRR 7.2% a year) and ₹7,79,719 in Axis Flexi Cap Fund (XIRR 9.6% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund and Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Yes. 48.7% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so a large part of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund and Axis Flexi Cap Fund?
Axis ELSS- Tax Saver Fund: Shreyash Devalkar Mr. Ashish Naik. Axis Flexi Cap Fund: Sachin Relekar, Krishnaa N.
Sources: NAV and expense ratio from AMFI. Holdings from each fund house's monthly portfolio statement. Fund facts from each scheme summary document.
This page is information, not investment advice. Mutual fund investments are subject to market risks; read all scheme related documents carefully. Past returns do not promise future returns. Figures come from AMFI, NSE, BSE and each fund house's own documents.