Axis Small Cap Fund vs Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
Axis Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund are both Small Cap funds. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, Axis Small Cap Fund (Direct) returned 13.2% a year and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) returned 9.9% a year. Axis Small Cap Fund charges 0.69% a year and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund 0.74% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 29.0%: they hold 38 of the same securities.
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund
Small Cap
- 3 year return
- 9.9%
- Expense ratio
- 0.74%
- NAV
- ₹41.73
Which is better, Axis Small Cap or Canara Robeco Small 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 Small Cap returned more over 5 years: 14.4% a year against 12.5%.
- Axis Small Cap returned more over 3 years: 13.2% a year against 9.9%.
- Axis Small Cap costs less: 0.69% a year against 0.74% (Direct plans).
- Axis Small Cap swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 15.0% a year against 16.4%.
- Axis Small Cap fell less in its worst fall since 19-02-2019: −34.6% against −36.2%.
- Axis Small Cap is the larger fund: ₹30,678 Cr against ₹13,972 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 29.0%: 38 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 Small Cap Fund | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | Axis Mutual Fund | Canara Robeco Mutual Fund |
| Category | Small Cap | Small Cap |
| AUM | ₹30,678 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹13,972 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹126.97 (Direct) | ₹41.73 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.69% | 0.74% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 1.68% | 1.89% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI |
| Launch date | 29-11-2013 | 15-02-2019 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | ₹5,000 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Tejas Sheth, Mayank Hyanki, Krishnaa N | Pranav Gokhale / Mr. Shridatta Bhandwaldar |
| Exit load | Exit load of 1% for investments beyond 10% if redeemed within 12 months | In respect of each purchase / switch-in of units,1% - if Units are redeemed / switched-out within 1 year from the date of allotment. Nil – if redeemed / switched out after 1 year from the date of allotment. |
Axis Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −5.18% | −4.11% | +3.40% | +1.02% | +13.23% | +14.44% | +18.24% |
| Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −6.18% | −7.60% | −1.81% | −4.75% | +9.93% | +12.47% | -- |
| Small Cap average | −5.86% | −3.28% | +5.03% | +3.00% | +14.03% | +14.51% | -- |
Category average: the average of the 36 Small Cap funds, same plan type.
Axis Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small Cap: Year-wise Returns
| Year | AxisAxis Small Cap | Canara RobecoCanara Robeco Small Cap | Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +4.39% | −2.25% | +1.00% |
| 2025 | −0.95% | −3.35% | −5.48% |
| 2024 | +26.40% | +24.77% | +27.21% |
| 2023 | +35.57% | +34.09% | +49.09% |
| 2022 | +4.11% | +8.64% | −2.64% |
| 2021 | +60.71% | +73.82% | +63.34% |
Axis Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small Cap: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI, the benchmark of both
Rolling returns
Every 3-year holding period, 1,162 of them, one for each trading day from 21-02-2022 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI
to
Jul 2022Apr 2020
to
Apr 2023Feb 2021
to
Feb 2024Nov 2021
to
Nov 2024Sept 2022
to
Sept 2025Jun 2023
to
Jun 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 Small Cap | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.1 | 26.6 | 20.3 | 51.0 | 25.5% | 25.1% | 12.8% | 41.3% | 32% |
| Canara Robeco Small Cap | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.3 | 9.1 | 24.5 | 10.1 | 56.0 | 28.2% | 28.7% | 9.2% | 52.5% | 54% |
| Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2.8 | 18.8 | 31.2 | 47.2 | 25.7% | 24.3% | 11.4% | 44.7% | -- |
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 250 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 19-02-2019. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Axis Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small 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 01-02-2019 to 30-10-2026: 93 instalments, ₹9,30,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Small CapAxis Small Cap Fund (Direct) | ₹9,30,000 | ₹19,92,579 | ₹10,62,579 | 19.2% |
| Canara Robeco Small CapCanara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) | ₹9,30,000 | ₹19,57,353 | ₹10,27,353 | 18.7% |
Axis Small CapAxis Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small CapCanara Robeco Small 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 Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small Cap: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | Axis Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +1.02% | −4.75% |
| Standard deviation | 15.51% | 16.45% |
| Sharpe ratio | -0.27 | -0.61 |
| Sortino ratio | -0.37 | -0.82 |
| Maximum drawdown | −14.7% (23-03-2026) | −15.9% (23-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.84 | 0.89 |
| Alpha | +2.83% | −2.53% |
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 Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +13.23% | +9.93% |
| Standard deviation | 15.00% | 16.37% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.48 | 0.24 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.65 | 0.32 |
| Maximum drawdown | −19.4% (03-03-2025) | −23.6% (03-03-2025) |
| Beta | 0.76 | 0.84 |
| Alpha | +2.41% | −1.39% |
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 Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +14.44% | +12.47% |
| Standard deviation | 14.23% | 15.79% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.61 | 0.42 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.81 | 0.56 |
| Maximum drawdown | −19.4% (03-03-2025) | −23.6% (03-03-2025) |
| Beta | 0.73 | 0.83 |
| Alpha | +3.27% | +0.63% |
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 Small Cap Fund (Direct) | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +21.76% | +20.39% |
| Standard deviation | 14.59% | 17.38% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.09 | 0.87 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.46 | 1.16 |
| Maximum drawdown | −34.6% (24-03-2020) | −36.2% (23-03-2020) |
| Beta | -- | 0.85 |
| Alpha | -- | +3.54% |
From daily NAVs, 05-12-2013 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −34.6% | 11-02-2020 | 24-03-2020 | 13-11-2020 | 8 months | −8.3% |
| Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) | −36.2% | 20-02-2020 | 23-03-2020 | 19-08-2020 | 5 months | −10.6% |
| Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI | −45.5% | 16-04-2019 | 24-03-2020 | 23-11-2020 | 8 months | −9.4% |
From daily values since 19-02-2019, 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty Smallcap 250 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty Smallcap 250 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 Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct)
Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI
Against Nifty Smallcap 250 TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| Axis Small Cap Fund (Direct) | 81% | 56% | 8.86% |
| Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (Direct) | 87% | 72% | 7.43% |
From month-end values since 19-02-2019. 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 Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small Cap: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: Axis Small Cap Fund, September 2026; Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 29.0%
- Held by both
- 38
- Only in Axis Small Cap
- 90
- Only in Canara Robeco Small Cap
- 56
| Security | % of Axis Small Cap | % of Canara Robeco Small Cap |
|---|---|---|
| City Union Bank Limited | 1.94% | 2.24% |
| Torrent Pharmaceuticals Limited | 2.32% | 1.51% |
| Navin Fluorine International Limited | 1.40% | 1.53% |
| Karur Vysya Bank Limited | 1.28% | 2.33% |
| PNB Housing Finance Limited | 1.24% | 2.10% |
| Gland Pharma Limited | 1.22% | 2.32% |
| Blue Star Limited | 1.20% | 1.17% |
| Multi Commodity Exchange of India Limited | 1.16% | 2.73% |
| TBO Tek Limited | 1.10% | 2.55% |
| Cholamandalam Financial Holdings Limited | 1.25% | 1.08% |
| RBL Bank Limited | 1.03% | 2.67% |
| Syrma SGS Technology Limited | 1.45% | 0.95% |
| Kirloskar Oil Engines Limited | 1.29% | 0.95% |
| Ujjivan Small Finance Bank Limited | 0.85% | 1.36% |
| Radico Khaitan Limited | 0.79% | 1.58% |
| Sai Life Sciences Limited | 1.84% | 0.72% |
| Sagility Limited | 0.72% | 1.57% |
| Data Patterns (India) Limited | 0.78% | 0.71% |
| CreditAccess Grameen Limited | 0.71% | 1.03% |
| JK Lakshmi Cement Limited | 0.69% | 0.68% |
| Mrs. Bectors Food Specialities Limited | 0.68% | 0.71% |
| Affle 3i Limited | 0.63% | 1.95% |
| Equitas Small Finance Bank Limited | 0.60% | 1.16% |
| Apar Industries Limited | 0.58% | 1.03% |
| Timken India Limited | 0.63% | 0.55% |
| Amber Enterprises India Limited | 0.54% | 1.74% |
| Rolex Rings Limited | 0.54% | 0.52% |
| Doms Industries Limited | 0.81% | 0.48% |
| Aditya Vision Ltd | 0.47% | 0.86% |
| RHI Magnesita India Limited | 0.55% | 0.46% |
| Delhivery Limited | 0.43% | 1.16% |
| Tech Mahindra Limited | 0.46% | 0.41% |
| Ahluwalia Contracts (India) Limited | 0.57% | 0.31% |
| Birlasoft Limited | 0.30% | 1.07% |
| Sansera Engineering Limited | 1.86% | 0.29% |
| CESC Limited | 0.26% | 0.83% |
| Firstsource Solutions Limited | 0.18% | 1.24% |
| Aditya Birla Real Estate Limited | 0.09% | 1.08% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 29.0% means 29.0% 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 Small Cap Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Limited | 2.46% |
| CCL Products (India) Limited | 2.24% |
| Brigade Enterprises Limited | 1.54% |
| Avalon Technologies Limited | 1.51% |
| Welspun Corp Limited | 1.51% |
Largest holdings only in Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Eternal Ltd | 2.44% |
| Ajanta Pharma Ltd | 1.94% |
| Ge Vernova T&D India Ltd | 1.83% |
| Global Health Ltd | 1.66% |
| Thangamayil Jewellery Ltd | 1.62% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | Axis Small Cap | Canara Robeco Small Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 90.3% | 96.0% |
| Debt | 0.5% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 9.2% | 4.0% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | Axis Small Cap | Canara Robeco Small Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 6.3% | 6.2% |
| Mid Cap | 9.4% | 14.3% |
| Small Cap | 74.1% | 74.4% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 0.5% | 1.2% |
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 Small Cap | Canara Robeco Small Cap |
|---|---|---|
| Banks | 7.7% | 9.8% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 7.6% | 8.6% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 8.5% | 1.8% |
| Consumer Durables | 3.7% | 8.3% |
| Industrial Products | 8.2% | 7.7% |
| Auto Components | 7.9% | 5.1% |
| Capital Markets | 2.8% | 6.7% |
| Finance | 6.0% | 6.4% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
Axis Small Cap vs Canara Robeco Small Cap: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | Axis Small Cap Fund | Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.69% | 0.74% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.51% | 0.49% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 1.68% | 1.89% |
| 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 Small Cap with
Axis Small Cap Fund vs Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Axis Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Both are Small Cap funds, run by Axis Mutual Fund and Canara Robeco Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 29.0%. Axis Small Cap Fund charges 0.69% a year and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund 0.74%.
Which has given higher returns, Axis Small Cap Fund or Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Over 1 year: Axis Small Cap Fund +1.02%, Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund −4.75%. Over 3 years: Axis Small Cap Fund +13.23% a year, Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund +9.93% a year. Over 5 years: Axis Small Cap Fund +14.44% a year, Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund +12.47% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, Axis Small Cap Fund or Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund charges less: 0.69% a year against 0.74%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do Axis Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund overlap?
29.0%. They hold 38 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being CUB, TORNTPHARM, NAVINFLUOR. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, Axis Small Cap Fund or Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, Axis Small Cap Fund is rated Very High and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund Very High. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 15.00% and 16.37% a year.
Which is better for SIP, Axis Small Cap Fund or Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Over the last 5 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 01-10-2021 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹8,44,565 in Axis Small Cap Fund (XIRR 12.8% a year) and ₹7,70,899 in Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund (XIRR 9.2% a year). Both received 61 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both Axis Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Yes. 29.0% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so some of the two investments would move together.
Who manages Axis Small Cap Fund and Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund?
Axis Small Cap Fund: Tejas Sheth, Mayank Hyanki, Krishnaa N. Canara Robeco Small Cap Fund: Pranav Gokhale / Mr. Shridatta Bhandwaldar.
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.