Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
Direct Plan where a fund has one, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund is an Index fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF is an ETF fund. In the year to 30-10-2026, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) returned 5.1% and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF returned −3.6%. Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund charges 0.45% a year and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF 0.58%. Their portfolios overlap 37.2%: they hold 49 of the same securities.
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund
Index
- 1 year return
- 5.1%
- Expense ratio
- 0.45%
- NAV
- ₹19.84
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
ETF
- 1 year return
- −3.6%
- Expense ratio
- 0.58%
- NAV
- ₹16.84
Which is better, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index returned more over 1 year: 5.1% against −3.6%.
- Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index costs less: 0.45% a year against 0.58%.
- Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index fell less in its worst fall since 21-03-2024: −24.9% against −26.1%.
- Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index is the larger fund: ₹778 Cr against ₹250 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 37.2%: 49 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund |
| Category | Index | ETF |
| AUM | ₹778 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹250 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹19.84 (Direct) | ₹16.84 |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.45% | Not available |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 1.22% | Not available |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | NIFTY Smallcap 50 TRI | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI |
| Launch date | 10-03-2022 | 15-03-2024 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | On the Exchange: As the Scheme would be listed on the exchange, the investor can buy units on an ongoing basis on NSE at the traded prices which may be close to the actual NAV of the Scheme. The units are purchased in round lots of 1 unit. Directly with t |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Nandik Malik, Rohit Gautam | Swapnil Mayekar, Rakesh Shetty |
| Exit load | Nil | Nil |
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | −2.99% | −2.80% | +6.31% | +5.13% | +16.77% | -- | -- |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF | −5.81% | −6.08% | +0.30% | −3.63% | -- | -- | -- |
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Year-wise Returns
| Year | Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 IndexAxis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETFMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +8.50% | +0.54% |
| 2025 | −3.78% | −5.74% |
| 2024 | +25.22% | -- |
| 2023 | +63.22% | -- |
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI, the benchmark of Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund
Rolling returns
Every 1-year holding period, 402 of them, one for each trading day from 21-03-2025 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI
to
May 2025Aug 2024
to
Aug 2025Nov 2024
to
Nov 2025Mar 2025
to
Mar 2026Jun 2025
to
Jun 2026Sept 2025
to
Sept 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 Smallcap 50 Index | 29.6 | 25.1 | 23.6 | 13.4 | 7.7 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 4.2% | 4.3% | −11.7% | 20.9% | 0% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF | 40.3 | 32.7 | 20.7 | 5.8 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1.2% | 1.2% | −12.1% | 15.5% | 0% |
| Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI | 27.1 | 22.9 | 24.4 | 15.9 | 9.0 | 0.7 | 0.0 | 4.9% | 5.0% | −11.1% | 21.5% | -- |
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 Smallcap 50 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 21-03-2024. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: 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 01-03-2024 to 30-10-2026: 32 instalments, ₹3,20,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 IndexAxis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | ₹3,20,000 | ₹3,51,701 | ₹31,701 | 7.0% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETFMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF | ₹3,20,000 | ₹3,24,450 | ₹4,450 | 1.0% |
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 IndexAxis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETFMotilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
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 Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +5.13% | −3.63% |
| Standard deviation | 19.25% | 18.12% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.01 | -0.49 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.01 | -0.66 |
| Maximum drawdown | −17.1% (23-03-2026) | −18.3% (23-03-2026) |
| Beta | 1.00 | 1.00 |
| Alpha | −0.93% | −0.47% |
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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +16.09% | +7.17% |
| Standard deviation | 19.36% | 19.15% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.52 | 0.07 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.70 | 0.09 |
| Maximum drawdown | −27.7% (20-06-2022) | −26.1% (03-03-2025) |
| Beta | 0.99 | 1.00 |
| Alpha | −1.06% | −0.50% |
From daily NAVs, 15-03-2022 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | −24.9% | 11-12-2024 | 28-02-2025 | 06-07-2026 | 16 months | −7.4% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF | −26.1% | 23-09-2024 | 03-03-2025 | Not yet | -- | −9.7% |
| Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI | −25.0% | 11-12-2024 | 28-02-2025 | 02-07-2026 | 16 months | −6.9% |
From daily values since 21-03-2024, 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct)
Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI
Against Nifty Smallcap 50 TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund (Direct) | 98% | 101% | 0.44% |
| Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF | 89% | 106% | 3.88% |
From month-end values since 21-03-2024. 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 Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund, September 2026; Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 37.2%
- Held by both
- 49
- Only in Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index
- 0
- Only in Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
- 200
| Security | % of Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index | % of Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Sona BLW Precision Forgings Limited | 4.39% | 1.67% |
| Welspun Corp Limited | 4.18% | 1.60% |
| Karur Vysya Bank Limited | 3.61% | 1.38% |
| Navin Fluorine International Limited | 3.57% | 1.36% |
| Ather Energy Limited | 3.18% | 1.21% |
| RBL Bank Limited | 2.93% | 1.12% |
| Delhivery Limited | 2.90% | 1.11% |
| Redington Limited | 2.84% | 1.08% |
| Gland Pharma Limited | 2.72% | 1.04% |
| Central Depository Services (India) Limited | 2.65% | 1.01% |
| City Union Bank Limited | 2.56% | 0.98% |
| PNB Housing Finance Limited | 2.48% | 0.95% |
| Sai Life Sciences Limited | 2.48% | 0.95% |
| Anand Rathi Wealth Limited | 2.28% | 0.87% |
| Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited | 2.26% | 0.86% |
| Neuland Laboratories Limited | 2.16% | 0.83% |
| TD Power Systems Limited | 2.11% | 0.80% |
| Angel One Limited | 2.10% | 0.80% |
| Bandhan Bank Limited | 2.06% | 0.79% |
| Wockhardt Limited | 2.05% | 0.78% |
| Aegis Logistics Limited | 2.04% | 0.78% |
| Manappuram Finance Limited | 2.04% | 0.78% |
| Acutaas Chemicals Limited | 2.00% | 0.76% |
| MTAR Technologies Limited | 2.00% | 0.76% |
| Computer Age Management Services Limited | 1.90% | 0.72% |
| Himadri Speciality Chemical Limited | 1.88% | 0.72% |
| Poonawalla Fincorp Limited | 1.86% | 0.71% |
| Dr. Lal Path Labs Limited | 1.82% | 0.70% |
| The Great Eastern Shipping Company Limited | 1.82% | 0.69% |
| Amber Enterprises India Limited | 1.71% | 0.65% |
| IIFL Finance Limited | 1.65% | 0.63% |
| Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals Limited | 1.58% | 0.60% |
| Apollo Tyres Limited | 1.54% | 0.59% |
| Piramal Pharma Limited | 1.51% | 0.58% |
| Tata Technologies Limited | 1.43% | 0.55% |
| Onesource Specialty Pharma Limited | 1.41% | 0.54% |
| KFin Technologies Limited | 1.32% | 0.50% |
| Kaynes Technology India Limited | 1.29% | 0.49% |
| Tata Elxsi Limited | 1.25% | 0.48% |
| Indraprastha Gas Limited | 1.20% | 0.46% |
| Affle 3i Limited | 1.13% | 0.43% |
| Tata Chemicals Limited | 1.12% | 0.43% |
| Amara Raja Energy & Mobility Ltd | 1.09% | 0.41% |
| KPIT Technologies Limited | 0.98% | 0.37% |
| NBCC (India) Limited | 0.96% | 0.36% |
| PG Electroplast Limited | 0.94% | 0.36% |
| Natco Pharma Limited | 0.87% | 0.33% |
| Syngene International Limited | 0.82% | 0.31% |
| Inox Wind Limited | 0.79% | 0.30% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 37.2% means 37.2% 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 Smallcap 50 Index Fund
Every holding of this fund is also held by the other.
Largest holdings only in Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| HFCL Limited | 1.04% |
| Sterlite Technologies Limited | 0.97% |
| Cupid Limited | 0.94% |
| Sansera Engineering Limited | 0.90% |
| Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Limited | 0.89% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 97.5% | 98.7% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 2.5% | 1.3% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Mid Cap | 6.3% | 2.7% |
| Small Cap | 89.1% | 95.0% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 2.1% | 1.0% |
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 Smallcap 50 Index | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 15.2% | 7.8% |
| Banks | 11.2% | 5.1% |
| Capital Markets | 10.3% | 5.4% |
| Industrial Products | 6.4% | 8.7% |
| Auto Components | 7.0% | 8.4% |
| Finance | 8.0% | 7.6% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 6.6% | 5.7% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund | Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.45% | Not available |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.23% | 0.00% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 1.22% | Not available |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 0.90% | 0.27% |
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.
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund vs Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund is an Index fund, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF is an ETF fund, run by Axis Mutual Fund and Motilal Oswal Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 37.2%. Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund charges 0.45% a year and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF 0.58%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
Over 1 year: Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund +5.13%, Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF −3.63%. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund charges less: 0.45% a year against 0.58%. These are the total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF overlap?
37.2%. They hold 49 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being SONACOMS, WELCORP, KARURVYSYA. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund or Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund is rated Very High and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF Very High. Over 1 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 19.25% and 18.12% a year.
Can I invest in both Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
Yes. 37.2% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so some of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund and Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF?
Axis NIFTY Smallcap 50 Index Fund: Nandik Malik, Rohit Gautam. Motilal Oswal Nifty Smallcap 250 ETF: Swapnil Mayekar, Rakesh Shetty.
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.