Axis Short Term Fund vs DSP Short Term Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis Short Term Fund and DSP Short Term Fund are both Short Duration funds. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis Short Term Fund (Direct) returned 7.6% a year and DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) returned 7.0% a year. Axis Short Term Fund charges 0.40% a year and DSP Short Term Fund 0.37% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 8.7%: they hold 9 of the same securities.
Axis Short Term Fund
Short Duration
- 3 year return
- 7.6%
- Expense ratio
- 0.40%
- NAV
- ₹36.27
DSP Short Term Fund
Short Duration
- 3 year return
- 7.0%
- Expense ratio
- 0.37%
- NAV
- ₹53.88
Which is better, Axis Short Term or DSP Short Term? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- Axis Short Term returned more over 5 years: 6.7% a year against 6.2%.
- Axis Short Term returned more over 3 years: 7.6% a year against 7.0%.
- DSP Short Term costs less: 0.37% a year against 0.40% (Direct plans).
- Axis Short Term swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 1.0% a year against 1.0%.
- Axis Short Term fell less in its worst fall since 02-01-2013: −2.6% against −2.8%.
- Axis Short Term is the larger fund: ₹7,425 Cr against ₹3,416 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 8.7%: 9 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 Short Term Fund | DSP Short Term Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | DSP Mutual Fund |
| Category | Short Duration | Short Duration |
| AUM | ₹7,425 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹3,416 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹36.27 (Direct) | ₹53.88 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.40% | 0.37% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 0.92% | 0.96% |
| Riskometer | Moderate | Moderate |
| Benchmark | NIFTY Short Duration Debt Index A-II | CRISIL Short Duration Debt A-II Index |
| Launch date | 22-01-2010 | 09-09-2002 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | ₹100 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria | Karan Mundhra, Shantanu Godambe |
| Exit load | Nil | Nil |
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: 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 Short Term Fund (Direct) | −0.10% | +0.38% | +2.62% | +4.82% | +7.58% | +6.72% | +7.38% |
| DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) | −0.18% | +0.06% | +2.41% | +4.10% | +7.00% | +6.19% | +6.82% |
| Short Duration average | −0.14% | +0.30% | +2.50% | +4.11% | +6.88% | +6.62% | +6.89% |
Category average: the average of the 25 Short Duration funds, same plan type.
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: Year-wise Returns
| Year | AxisAxis Short Term | DSPDSP Short Term |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +3.96% | +3.34% |
| 2025 | +8.62% | +7.88% |
| 2024 | +8.56% | +8.29% |
| 2023 | +7.46% | +7.31% |
| 2022 | +4.39% | +3.64% |
| 2021 | +4.19% | +3.47% |
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 2,626 of them, one for each trading day from 04-01-2016 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 Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short Term 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 Short Term | 0.0 | 0.0 | 94.1 | 5.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 8.0% | 8.2% | 5.2% | 10.8% |
| DSP Short Term | 0.0 | 4.4 | 90.6 | 5.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.6% | 7.7% | 4.6% | 10.6% |
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 02-01-2013. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: 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 02-01-2013 to 30-10-2026: 166 instalments, ₹16,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Short TermAxis Short Term Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹28,66,038 | ₹12,06,038 | 7.5% |
| DSP Short TermDSP Short Term Fund (Direct) | ₹16,60,000 | ₹27,57,815 | ₹10,97,815 | 7.0% |
Axis Short TermAxis Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short TermDSP Short Term 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 Short Term vs DSP Short Term: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis Short Term Fund (Direct) | DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +4.82% | +4.10% |
| Standard deviation | 1.18% | 1.30% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.36 | -0.88 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.51 | -1.23 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.5% (21-05-2026) | −0.7% (02-04-2026) |
| 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 Short Term Fund (Direct) | DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +7.58% | +7.00% |
| Standard deviation | 0.96% | 1.00% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.63 | 0.98 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.53 | 1.46 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.5% (21-05-2026) | −0.7% (02-04-2026) |
| 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 Short Term Fund (Direct) | DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +6.72% | +6.19% |
| Standard deviation | 0.92% | 0.95% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.99 | 0.41 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.44 | 0.58 |
| Maximum drawdown | −0.8% (06-05-2022) | −0.9% (06-05-2022) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
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 Short Term Fund (Direct) | DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +7.99% | +7.60% |
| Standard deviation | 1.43% | 1.33% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.36 | 1.17 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.09 | 1.70 |
| Maximum drawdown | −2.6% (24-03-2020) | −2.8% (23-03-2020) |
| Beta | -- | -- |
| Alpha | -- | -- |
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 Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short Term Fund (Direct)
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Short Term Fund (Direct) | −2.6% | 06-03-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 31-03-2020 | 7 days | −0.2% |
| DSP Short Term Fund (Direct) | −2.8% | 06-03-2020 | 23-03-2020 | 17-04-2020 | 25 days | −0.4% |
From daily values since 02-01-2013, 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 Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short Term 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 Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short Term 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 Short Term Fund (Direct)
DSP Short Term Fund (Direct)
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis Short Term Fund, September 2026; DSP Short Term Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 8.7%
- Held by both
- 9
- Only in Axis Short Term
- 156
- Only in DSP Short Term
- 54
| Security | % of Axis Short Term | % of DSP Short Term |
|---|---|---|
| 6.94% Government of India (11/05/2036) | 4.45% | 13.31% |
| India Universal Trust (20/09/2030) | 1.44% | 3.81% |
| 6.61% Power Finance Corporation Limited (15/07/2028) | 2.65% | 0.74% |
| Muthoot Finance Limited (26/07/2029) (FRN) | 0.74% | 1.51% |
| 7.51% Small Industries Dev Bank of India (12/06/2028) | 0.67% | 0.77% |
| SBI - Corporate Debt Market Development Fund (CDMDF) - Class A2 | 0.49% | 0.33% |
| 4.7% Government of India (22/09/2033) | 0.16% | 4.59% |
| 7.7951% Bajaj Finance Limited (10/12/2027) | 0.07% | 1.55% |
| 7.4% Bharti Telecom Limited (01/02/2029) | 0.07% | 0.23% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 8.7% means 8.7% 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 Short Term Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| 7.7% Nuclear Power Corporation Of India Limited (21/03/2038) | 4.04% |
| Siddhivinayak Securitisation Trust (28/09/2030) | 2.74% |
| 7.22% Small Industries Dev Bank of India (10/04/2029) | 2.65% |
| HDFC Bank Limited (15/01/2027) | 2.64% |
| 7.62% National Bank For Agriculture and Rural Development (31/01/2028) | 2.41% |
Largest holdings only in DSP Short Term Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Bharti Telecom Limited | 4.04% |
| Small Industries Development Bank Of India | 2.93% |
| Knowledge Realty Trust | 2.90% |
| Canara Bank | 2.88% |
| Indian Bank | 2.79% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis Short Term | DSP Short Term |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Debt | 93.4% | 99.3% |
| Cash and others | 6.6% | 0.7% |
Axis Short Term vs DSP Short Term: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis Short Term Fund | DSP Short Term Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.40% | 0.37% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.32% | 0.30% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 0.92% | 0.96% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 0.77% | 0.80% |
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 Short Term with
Axis Short Term Fund vs DSP Short Term Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis Short Term Fund and DSP Short Term Fund?
Both are Short Duration funds, run by Axis Mutual Fund and DSP Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 8.7%. Axis Short Term Fund charges 0.40% a year and DSP Short Term Fund 0.37%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis Short Term Fund or DSP Short Term Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis Short Term Fund +4.82%, DSP Short Term Fund +4.10%. Over 3 years: Axis Short Term Fund +7.58% a year, DSP Short Term Fund +7.00% a year. Over 5 years: Axis Short Term Fund +6.72% a year, DSP Short Term Fund +6.19% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis Short Term Fund or DSP Short Term Fund?
DSP Short Term Fund charges less: 0.37% a year against 0.40%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis Short Term Fund and DSP Short Term Fund overlap?
8.7%. They hold 9 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being 6.94% Government of India (11/05/2036), India Universal Trust (20/09/2030), 6.61% Power Finance Corporation Limited (15/07/2028). From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis Short Term Fund or DSP Short Term Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis Short Term Fund is rated Moderate and DSP Short Term Fund Moderate. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 0.96% and 1.00% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis Short Term Fund or DSP Short Term Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹7,29,981 in Axis Short Term Fund (XIRR 7.0% a year) and ₹7,19,654 in DSP Short Term Fund (XIRR 6.5% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis Short Term Fund and DSP Short Term Fund?
Yes. 8.7% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so the two hold mostly different investments.
Who manages Axis Short Term Fund and DSP Short Term Fund?
Axis Short Term Fund: Devang Shah, Aditya Pagaria. DSP Short Term Fund: Karan Mundhra, Shantanu Godambe.
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.