Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund
Direct Plan where a fund has one, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF is an ETF fund and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund is a Thematic fund. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF returned 21.1% a year and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) returned 22.4% a year. Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF charges 0.45% a year and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund 1.31%. Their portfolios overlap 45.3%: they hold 12 of the same securities.
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ETF
- 3 year return
- 21.1%
- Expense ratio
- 0.45%
- NAV
- ₹167.35
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund
Thematic
- 3 year return
- 22.4%
- Expense ratio
- 1.31%
- NAV
- ₹45.82
Which is better, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF or ICICI Prudential Healthcare? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- ICICI Prudential Healthcare returned more over 5 years: 16.7% a year against 14.2%.
- ICICI Prudential Healthcare returned more over 3 years: 22.4% a year against 21.1%.
- Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF costs less: 0.45% a year against 1.31%.
- ICICI Prudential Healthcare swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 13.7% a year against 14.7%.
- ICICI Prudential Healthcare fell less in its worst fall since 21-05-2021: −18.1% against −20.7%.
- Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF holds more in large companies: 47.8% of the fund in large caps against 23.4%.
- ICICI Prudential Healthcare is the larger fund: ₹6,861 Cr against ₹23 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 45.3%: 12 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund |
| Category | ETF | Thematic |
| AUM | ₹23 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹6,861 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹167.35 | ₹45.82 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | Not available | 1.31% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | Not available | 2.07% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | NIFTY Healthcare TRI | BSE Healthcare TRI |
| Launch date | 17-05-2021 | 13-07-2018 |
| Minimum investment | 50000 (Units) | ₹5,000 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Nandik Malik, Rohit Gautam | Dharmesh Kakkad, Sharmila D'silva |
| Exit load | N/A | 1% of the applicable NAV - If units purchased or switched in from another scheme of the Fund are redeemed or switched out within 15 days from the date of allotment NIL - If units purchased or switched in from another scheme of the Fund are redeemed or switched out after 15 days from the date of allotment (w.e.f. 1st Jan 2019) |
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | +1.90% | −1.58% | +10.36% | +11.09% | +21.10% | +14.16% | -- |
| ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) | −0.63% | −3.54% | +5.70% | +5.09% | +22.38% | +16.69% | -- |
| Thematic average | −2.09% | −4.52% | +0.86% | −1.22% | +13.76% | +11.62% | -- |
Category average: the average of the 235 Thematic funds, same plan type.
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: Year-wise Returns
| Year | Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETFAxis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential HealthcareICICI Prudential Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +12.54% | +6.43% |
| 2025 | −1.84% | +0.05% |
| 2024 | +40.85% | +49.36% |
| 2023 | +33.48% | +42.55% |
| 2022 | −10.32% | −7.63% |
| 2021 | -- | +19.30% |
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against Nifty Healthcare Index TRI, the benchmark of Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 614 of them, one for each trading day from 21-05-2024 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Nifty Healthcare Index TRI
to
Jul 2024Dec 2021
to
Dec 2024May 2022
to
May 2025Oct 2022
to
Oct 2025Mar 2023
to
Mar 2026Aug 2023
to
Aug 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.5 | 34.5 | 53.9 | 4.1 | 20.3% | 20.8% | 11.9% | 26.9% | 0% |
| ICICI Prudential Healthcare | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.4 | 33.6 | 57.9 | 25.5% | 26.1% | 15.5% | 31.6% | 100% |
| Nifty Healthcare Index TRI | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.5 | 31.9 | 54.6 | 6.0 | 20.7% | 21.3% | 12.2% | 27.3% | -- |
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 Healthcare Index 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 21-05-2021. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: 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 21-05-2021 to 30-10-2026: 66 instalments, ₹6,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETFAxis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ₹6,60,000 | ₹10,31,364 | ₹3,71,364 | 16.2% |
| ICICI Prudential HealthcareICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) | ₹6,60,000 | ₹10,83,658 | ₹4,23,658 | 18.0% |
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETFAxis NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential HealthcareICICI Prudential Healthcare 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +11.09% | +5.09% |
| Standard deviation | 14.03% | 13.46% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.42 | -0.01 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.62 | -0.02 |
| Maximum drawdown | −9.2% (23-10-2026) | −10.6% (23-03-2026) |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.93 |
| Alpha | −0.41% | −6.75% |
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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +21.10% | +22.38% |
| Standard deviation | 14.70% | 13.68% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.03 | 1.20 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.48 | 1.72 |
| Maximum drawdown | −15.7% (28-02-2025) | −16.2% (28-02-2025) |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.92 |
| Alpha | −0.44% | +0.66% |
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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +14.16% | +16.69% |
| Standard deviation | 14.84% | 13.14% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.56 | 0.83 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.81 | 1.18 |
| Maximum drawdown | −18.4% (17-06-2022) | −16.2% (28-02-2025) |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.90 |
| Alpha | −0.37% | +2.09% |
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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +13.53% | +20.30% |
| Standard deviation | 14.80% | 14.88% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.54 | 1.01 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.77 | 1.47 |
| Maximum drawdown | −20.7% (17-06-2022) | −20.6% (23-03-2020) |
| Beta | 1.00 | 0.86 |
| Alpha | −0.37% | +4.21% |
From daily NAVs, 21-05-2021 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.
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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Nifty Healthcare Index TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | −20.7% | 03-09-2021 | 17-06-2022 | 20-07-2023 | 13 months | −3.0% |
| ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) | −18.1% | 15-09-2021 | 17-06-2022 | 26-06-2023 | 12 months | −4.8% |
| Nifty Healthcare Index TRI | −20.6% | 03-09-2021 | 17-06-2022 | 19-07-2023 | 13 months | −2.9% |
From daily values since 21-05-2021, 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Nifty Healthcare Index 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Nifty Healthcare Index 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Nifty Healthcare Index TRI
Against Nifty Healthcare Index TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | 99% | 101% | 0.06% |
| ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (Direct) | 92% | 76% | 5.64% |
From month-end values since 21-05-2021. 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF, September 2026; ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 45.3%
- Held by both
- 12
- Only in Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF
- 8
- Only in ICICI Prudential Healthcare
- 27
| Security | % of Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | % of ICICI Prudential Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Limited | 17.00% | 11.49% |
| Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Limited | 6.65% | 9.73% |
| Cipla Limited | 6.69% | 5.79% |
| Divi's Laboratories Limited | 10.44% | 3.78% |
| Alkem Laboratories Limited | 2.75% | 4.81% |
| Max Healthcare Institute Limited | 6.12% | 2.63% |
| Mankind Pharma Limited | 2.51% | 5.04% |
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Limited | 7.43% | 2.30% |
| Biocon Limited | 2.28% | 5.33% |
| Gland Pharma Limited | 2.04% | 1.97% |
| Lupin Limited | 4.36% | 1.88% |
| Abbott India Limited | 1.25% | 2.54% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 45.3% means 45.3% 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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Laurus Labs Limited | 6.82% |
| Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited | 6.24% |
| Aurobindo Pharma Limited | 4.08% |
| Fortis Healthcare Limited | 3.55% |
| Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Limited | 3.11% |
Largest holdings only in ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Medplus Health Services Ltd | 4.31% |
| Cohance Lifesciences Ltd. | 4.06% |
| Syngene International Ltd. | 3.50% |
| Dr Agarwal's Health Care Ltd | 2.66% |
| Alembic Pharmaceuticals Ltd. | 2.50% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 100.0% | 98.9% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 0.0% | 1.1% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 47.8% | 23.4% |
| Mid Cap | 48.4% | 32.0% |
| Small Cap | 3.8% | 42.7% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 0.0% | 0.9% |
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 NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 81.1% | 72.6% |
| Healthcare Services | 18.9% | 18.3% |
| Retailing | 0.0% | 5.0% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 0.0% | 1.2% |
| Insurance | 0.0% | 1.1% |
| Healthcare Equipment & Supplies | 0.0% | 0.7% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF | ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | Not available | 1.31% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.00% | 0.89% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | Not available | 2.07% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 0.33% | 1.55% |
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 ICICI Prudential Healthcare with
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF vs ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF is an ETF fund, ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund is a Thematic fund, run by Axis Mutual Fund and ICICI Prudential Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 45.3%. Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF charges 0.45% a year and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund 1.31%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF or ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF +11.09%, ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund +5.09%. Over 3 years: Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF +21.10% a year, ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund +22.38% a year. Over 5 years: Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF +14.16% a year, ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund +16.69% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF or ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF charges less: 0.45% a year against 1.31%. These are the total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund overlap?
45.3%. They hold 12 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being SUNPHARMA, DRREDDY, CIPLA. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF or ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF is rated Very High and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund Very High. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 14.70% and 13.68% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF or ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹9,35,802 in Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF (XIRR 16.9% a year) and ₹9,75,479 in ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund (XIRR 18.5% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Yes. 45.3% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so a large part of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF and ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund?
Axis NIFTY Healthcare ETF: Nandik Malik, Rohit Gautam. ICICI Prudential Healthcare Fund: Dharmesh Kakkad, Sharmila D'silva.
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.