Axis Liquid Fund vs HDFC Liquid Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis Liquid Fund and HDFC Liquid Fund are both Liquid funds. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis Liquid Fund (Direct) returned 7.0% a year and HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) returned 6.9% a year. Axis Liquid Fund charges 0.13% a year and HDFC Liquid Fund 0.20% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 17.4%: they hold 30 of the same securities.
Which is better, Axis Liquid or HDFC Liquid? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- Axis Liquid returned more over 5 years: 6.5% a year against 6.4%.
- Axis Liquid returned more over 3 years: 7.0% a year against 6.9%.
- Axis Liquid costs less: 0.13% a year against 0.20% (Direct plans).
- Axis Liquid swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 0.1% a year against 0.2%.
- HDFC Liquid fell less in its worst fall since 01-01-2013: −0.2% against −0.2%.
- HDFC Liquid is the larger fund: ₹66,295 Cr against ₹53,470 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 17.4%: 30 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 Liquid Fund | HDFC Liquid Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | HDFC Mutual Fund |
| Category | Liquid | Liquid |
| AUM | ₹53,470 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹66,295 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹3,184.74 (Direct) | ₹5,618.35 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.13% | 0.20% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 0.23% | 0.30% |
| Riskometer | Low to Moderate | Low to Moderate |
| Benchmark | NIFTY Liquid Index A-I | CRISIL Liquid Debt A-I Index |
| Launch date | 09-10-2009 | 17-10-2000 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | Growth Option- Rs.100 Weekly and Monthly IDCW Option - Rs. 5000 Daily IDCW Option- Rs. 10,000 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria, Sachin Jain | Rohan Pillai, Swapnil Jangam, Gopal Agrawal |
| Exit load | Exit load of 0.0070% if redeemed within 1 day, 0.0065% if redeemed within 2 days, 0.0060% if redeemed within 3 days, 0.0055% if redeemed within 4 days, 0.0050% if redeemed within 5 days, 0.0045% if redeemed within 6 days. | Exit load of 0.0070% if redeemed within 1 day, 0.0065% if redeemed within 2 days, 0.0060% if redeemed within 3 days, 0.0055% if redeemed within 4 days, 0.0050% if redeemed within 5 days, 0.0045% if redeemed within 6 days. |
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: 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 Liquid Fund (Direct) | +0.46% | +1.52% | +3.22% | +6.54% | +6.96% | +6.46% | +6.15% |
| HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) | +0.45% | +1.51% | +3.16% | +6.45% | +6.88% | +6.39% | +6.06% |
| Liquid average | +0.44% | +1.46% | +3.06% | +6.23% | +6.66% | +6.18% | +5.85% |
Category average: the average of the 44 Liquid funds, same plan type.
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: Year-wise Returns
| Year | AxisAxis Liquid | HDFCHDFC Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +5.47% | +5.38% |
| 2025 | +6.66% | +6.59% |
| 2024 | +7.47% | +7.40% |
| 2023 | +7.13% | +7.06% |
| 2022 | +4.95% | +4.87% |
| 2021 | +3.36% | +3.32% |
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 3,951 of them, one for each trading day from 01-01-2016 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 Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct)
to
Nov 2016Sept 2015
to
Sept 2018Jul 2017
to
Jul 2020May 2019
to
May 2022Mar 2021
to
Mar 2024Dec 2022
to
Dec 2025
How the periods spread
| Fund | Below 0% | 0-5% | 5-10% | 10-15% | 15-20% | 20-25% | Above 25% | Mean | Median | Lowest | Highest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Liquid | 0.0 | 19.1 | 80.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.6% | 7.0% | 4.1% | 9.0% |
| HDFC Liquid | 0.0 | 21.3 | 78.7 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 6.4% | 6.8% | 4.0% | 9.0% |
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. Every fund is measured over the days all of them have, from 01-01-2013. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: 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 01-01-2013 to 30-10-2026: 166 instalments, ₹16,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis LiquidAxis Liquid Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹26,28,034 | ₹9,68,034 | 6.4% |
| HDFC LiquidHDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹26,11,876 | ₹9,51,876 | 6.3% |
Axis LiquidAxis Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC LiquidHDFC Liquid 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 Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis Liquid Fund (Direct) | HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.54% | +6.45% |
| Standard deviation | 0.19% | 0.20% |
| Sharpe ratio | 6.73 | 6.01 |
| Sortino ratio | 21.30 | 18.44 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.0% (22-10-2026) | −0.0% (07-07-2026) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
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 Liquid Fund (Direct) | HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.96% | +6.88% |
| Standard deviation | 0.15% | 0.15% |
| Sharpe ratio | 6.39 | 5.57 |
| Sortino ratio | 19.90 | 17.07 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.0% (22-10-2026) | −0.0% (07-07-2026) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
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 Liquid Fund (Direct) | HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.46% | +6.39% |
| Standard deviation | 0.14% | 0.14% |
| Sharpe ratio | 4.84 | 4.09 |
| Sortino ratio | 11.11 | 9.12 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.0% (05-05-2022) | −0.0% (05-05-2022) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 30-10-2021 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 Liquid Fund (Direct) | HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.86% | +6.79% |
| Standard deviation | 0.16% | 0.22% |
| Sharpe ratio | 4.91 | 3.31 |
| Sortino ratio | 8.61 | 7.19 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.2% (16-07-2013) | −0.2% (24-03-2020) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
From daily NAVs, 01-01-2013 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 Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct)
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Liquid Fund (Direct) | −0.2% | 15-07-2013 | 16-07-2013 | 22-07-2013 | 6 days | 0.0% |
| HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct) | −0.2% | 17-03-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 27-03-2020 | 3 days | 0.0% |
From daily values since 01-01-2013, 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 Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct)
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 Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct)
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 Liquid Fund (Direct)
HDFC Liquid Fund (Direct)
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis Liquid Fund, September 2026; HDFC Liquid Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 17.4%
- Held by both
- 30
- Only in Axis Liquid
- 102
- Only in HDFC Liquid
- 110
| Security | % of Axis Liquid | % of HDFC Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (02/12/2026) | 3.05% | 2.69% |
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 15/10/2026) | 2.75% | 2.41% |
| National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (30/11/2026) | 2.78% | 1.49% |
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 22/10/2026) | 0.93% | 1.50% |
| Bank of Baroda (11/11/2026) | 0.93% | 1.35% |
| ICICI Securities Limited (05/11/2026) | 0.93% | 1.16% |
| Bank of India (04/12/2026) | 0.92% | 1.49% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (17/12/2026) | 0.92% | 1.64% |
| Canara Bank (25/11/2026) | 1.85% | 0.75% |
| Reliance Retail Ventures Limited (06/11/2026) | 1.81% | 0.75% |
| National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (02/12/2026) | 0.93% | 0.48% |
| National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (23/11/2026) | 0.46% | 1.87% |
| LIC Housing Finance Limited (26/11/2026) | 1.39% | 0.41% |
| Bajaj Finance Limited (18/11/2026) | 0.65% | 0.37% |
| Kotak Securities Limited (03/12/2026) | 0.37% | 0.89% |
| Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (11/12/2026) | 0.37% | 0.37% |
| Bank of India (15/12/2026) | 0.37% | 0.60% |
| ICICI Securities Limited (15/12/2026) | 0.92% | 0.30% |
| Sikka Ports and Terminals Limited (04/12/2026) | 0.55% | 0.30% |
| SBI - Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) - Class A2 | 0.24% | 0.30% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (13/10/2026) | 1.07% | 0.15% |
| JIO Credit Limited (09/11/2026) | 0.93% | 0.15% |
| 182 Days Tbill (MD 19/11/2026) | 0.14% | 1.08% |
| Canara Bank (18/12/2026) | 0.14% | 0.39% |
| Canara Bank (18/11/2026) | 1.48% | 0.11% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (16/12/2026) | 0.09% | 0.67% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (27/10/2026) | 0.33% | 0.08% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (04/12/2026) | 0.26% | 0.07% |
| Small Industries Dev Bank of India (28/10/2026) | 0.84% | 0.04% |
| Indian Bank (04/12/2026) | 0.18% | 0.04% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 17.4% means 17.4% 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 Liquid Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 31/12/2026) | 4.15% |
| HDFC Bank Limited (16/10/2026) | 3.73% |
| LIC Housing Finance Limited (11/11/2026) | 2.18% |
| HDFC Bank Limited (14/12/2026) | 2.17% |
| 91 Days Tbill (MD 19/11/2026) | 1.87% |
Largest holdings only in HDFC Liquid Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| 91 Days TBILL MAT 171226 | 4.25% |
| Union Bank of India | 3.75% |
| 91 Days TBILL MAT 031226 | 3.73% |
| Union Bank of India | 2.99% |
| Reliance Retail ventures Ltd. | 2.98% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis Liquid | HDFC Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Debt | 96.6% | 106.5% |
| Cash and others | 3.4% | -6.5% |
Axis Liquid vs HDFC Liquid: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis Liquid Fund | HDFC Liquid Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.13% | 0.20% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.11% | 0.17% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 0.23% | 0.30% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 0.20% | 0.25% |
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 Liquid with
Axis Liquid Fund vs HDFC Liquid Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis Liquid Fund and HDFC Liquid Fund?
Both are Liquid funds, run by Axis Mutual Fund and HDFC Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 17.4%. Axis Liquid Fund charges 0.13% a year and HDFC Liquid Fund 0.20%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis Liquid Fund or HDFC Liquid Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis Liquid Fund +6.54%, HDFC Liquid Fund +6.45%. Over 3 years: Axis Liquid Fund +6.96% a year, HDFC Liquid Fund +6.88% a year. Over 5 years: Axis Liquid Fund +6.46% a year, HDFC Liquid Fund +6.39% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis Liquid Fund or HDFC Liquid Fund?
Axis Liquid Fund charges less: 0.13% a year against 0.20%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis Liquid Fund and HDFC Liquid Fund overlap?
17.4%. They hold 30 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being Small Industries Dev Bank of India (02/12/2026), 91 Days Tbill (MD 15/10/2026), National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (30/11/2026). From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis Liquid Fund or HDFC Liquid Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis Liquid Fund is rated Low to Moderate and HDFC Liquid Fund Low to Moderate. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 0.15% and 0.15% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis Liquid Fund or HDFC Liquid Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹7,25,816 in Axis Liquid Fund (XIRR 6.8% a year) and ₹7,24,338 in HDFC Liquid Fund (XIRR 6.7% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis Liquid Fund and HDFC Liquid Fund?
Yes. 17.4% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so some of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis Liquid Fund and HDFC Liquid Fund?
Axis Liquid Fund: Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria, Sachin Jain. HDFC Liquid Fund: Rohan Pillai, Swapnil Jangam, Gopal Agrawal.
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.