HDFC Defence Fund vs HDFC Innovation Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
HDFC Defence Fund is a Thematic fund and HDFC Innovation Fund is a Thematic fund. In the year to 30-10-2026, HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) returned 13.8% and HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) returned 10.0%. HDFC Defence Fund charges 0.90% a year and HDFC Innovation Fund 1.02% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 8.8%: they hold 7 of the same securities.
Which is better, HDFC Defence or HDFC Innovation? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- HDFC Defence returned more over 1 year: 13.8% against 10.0%.
- HDFC Defence costs less: 0.90% a year against 1.02% (Direct plans).
- HDFC Innovation fell less in its worst fall since 17-07-2025: −12.3% against −14.3%.
- HDFC Defence is the larger fund: ₹11,493 Cr against ₹3,152 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 8.8%: 7 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 | HDFC Defence Fund | HDFC Innovation Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | HDFC Mutual Fund | HDFC Mutual Fund |
| Category | Thematic | Thematic |
| AUM | ₹11,493 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹3,152 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹28.86 (Direct) | ₹11.52 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 0.90% | 1.02% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 1.80% | 2.09% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | Nifty India Defence TRI | Nifty 500 TRI |
| Launch date | 02-06-2023 | 17-07-2025 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | ₹100 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Rahul Baijal, Priya Ranjan, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar | Amit Sinha, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar |
| Exit load | In respect of each purchase/switch-in of units, an Exit load of 1% is payable if units are redeemed/switched-out within 1 yearfrom the date of allotment. No Exit Load is payable if units are redeemed / switched-out after 1 year from the date of allotment. In respect of Systematic Transactions such as SIP, Flex SIP,STP, Flex STP, Swing STP, Exit Load, if any, prevailing on the date of registration / enrolment shall be levied. | • In respect of each purchase / switch-in of Units, an Exit Load of 1.00% is payable if Units are redeemed/ switched-out within 1 month from the date of allotment. • No Exit Load is payable if Units are redeemed / switched-out after 1 month from the date of allotment. |
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | −6.07% | −3.22% | +4.84% | +13.79% | +34.76% | -- | -- |
| HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) | −1.16% | +0.14% | +11.94% | +9.99% | -- | -- | -- |
| Thematic average | −2.09% | −4.52% | +0.86% | −1.22% | -- | -- | -- |
Category average: the average of the 235 Thematic funds, same plan type.
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: Year-wise Returns
| Year | DefenceHDFC Defence | InnovationHDFC Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +19.90% | +12.17% |
| 2025 | +10.75% | -- |
| 2024 | +41.88% | -- |
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against Nifty India Defence TRI, the benchmark of HDFC Defence Fund
Rolling returns
Every 1-year holding period, 71 of them, one for each trading day from 17-07-2026 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.
HDFC Defence Fund (Direct)
HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct)
Nifty India Defence TRI
to
Jul 2026Aug 2025
to
Aug 2026Aug 2025
to
Aug 2026Sept 2025
to
Sept 2026Oct 2025
to
Oct 2026Oct 2025
to
Oct 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Defence | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.0 | 14.1 | 28.2 | 50.7 | 25.9% | 25.3% | 11.4% | 37.1% | 100% |
| HDFC Innovation | 0.0 | 0.0 | 9.9 | 33.8 | 38.0 | 18.3 | 0.0 | 15.8% | 16.2% | 5.6% | 22.8% | 20% |
| Nifty India Defence TRI | 0.0 | 0.0 | 7.0 | 22.5 | 28.2 | 5.6 | 36.6 | 19.9% | 18.0% | 5.4% | 33.3% | -- |
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 India Defence 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 17-07-2025. Past returns do not promise future returns.
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: 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 01-07-2025 to 30-10-2026: 16 instalments, ₹1,60,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC DefenceHDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | ₹1,60,000 | ₹1,76,158 | ₹16,158 | 14.5% |
| HDFC InnovationHDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) | ₹1,60,000 | ₹1,76,732 | ₹16,732 | 15.0% |
HDFC DefenceHDFC Defence Fund (Direct)
HDFC InnovationHDFC Innovation 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.
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +13.79% | +9.99% |
| Standard deviation | 22.90% | 15.01% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.37 | 0.32 |
| Sortino ratio | 0.52 | 0.44 |
| Maximum drawdown | −14.3% (31-03-2026) | −12.3% (31-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.92 | 0.95 |
| Alpha | +5.40% | +16.66% |
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 | HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +36.39% | +11.54% |
| Standard deviation | 24.68% | 14.15% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.23 | 0.44 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.69 | 0.61 |
| Maximum drawdown | −34.5% (28-02-2025) | −12.3% (31-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.81 | 0.96 |
| Alpha | −1.99% | +15.30% |
From daily NAVs, 02-06-2023 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.
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.
HDFC Defence Fund (Direct)
HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct)
Nifty India Defence TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | −14.3% | 06-03-2026 | 31-03-2026 | 15-04-2026 | 15 days | −11.4% |
| HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) | −12.3% | 17-11-2025 | 31-03-2026 | 06-05-2026 | 36 days | −5.5% |
| Nifty India Defence TRI | −15.4% | 06-03-2026 | 30-03-2026 | 15-04-2026 | 16 days | −12.9% |
From daily values since 17-07-2025, 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.
HDFC Defence Fund (Direct)
HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct)
Nifty India Defence TRI
Against Nifty India Defence TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Defence Fund (Direct) | 103% | 82% | 6.11% |
| HDFC Innovation Fund (Direct) | 48% | 25% | 18.64% |
From month-end values since 17-07-2025. 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.
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: HDFC Defence Fund, September 2026; HDFC Innovation Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 8.8%
- Held by both
- 7
- Only in HDFC Defence
- 17
- Only in HDFC Innovation
- 71
| Security | % of HDFC Defence | % of HDFC Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Bharat Electronics Ltd. | 14.87% | 3.12% |
| Hindustan Aeronautics Limited | 12.61% | 2.72% |
| Sedemac Mechatronics Limited | 1.21% | 0.93% |
| Bharat Forge Ltd. | 12.91% | 0.85% |
| IDEAFORGE TECHNOLOGY LIMITED | 0.77% | 0.69% |
| INDO-MIM Limited | 0.36% | 0.95% |
| AEQUS LIMITED | 0.12% | 0.63% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 8.8% means 8.8% 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 HDFC Defence Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Solar Industries India Ltd. | 10.28% |
| Astra Microwave Products Ltd. | 6.44% |
| BEML Limited | 5.11% |
| MTAR Technologies Limited | 5.09% |
| Eicher Motors Ltd. | 4.67% |
Largest holdings only in HDFC Innovation Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Eternal Limited | 9.19% |
| Bajaj Finance Ltd. | 4.02% |
| Divis Laboratories Ltd. | 3.32% |
| Rubicon Research Limited | 3.21% |
| Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. | 3.10% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | HDFC Defence | HDFC Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 98.3% | 93.2% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 1.7% | 6.8% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | HDFC Defence | HDFC Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 43.5% | 44.3% |
| Mid Cap | 23.7% | 21.0% |
| Small Cap | 30.7% | 22.6% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 0.4% | 5.3% |
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 | HDFC Defence | HDFC Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | 46.1% | 7.2% |
| Auto Components | 18.2% | 5.4% |
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 0.0% | 16.5% |
| Retailing | 0.0% | 14.8% |
| Chemicals & Petrochemicals | 13.1% | 4.1% |
| Electrical Equipment | 5.1% | 8.3% |
| Agricultural, Commercial & Construction Vehicles | 6.2% | 0.0% |
| Finance | 0.0% | 5.4% |
| Automobiles | 4.7% | 4.4% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
HDFC Defence vs HDFC Innovation: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | HDFC Defence Fund | HDFC Innovation Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 0.90% | 1.02% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.72% | 0.76% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 1.80% | 2.09% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 1.49% | 1.67% |
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 HDFC Defence with
HDFC Defence Fund vs HDFC Innovation Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HDFC Defence Fund and HDFC Innovation Fund?
HDFC Defence Fund is a Thematic fund, HDFC Innovation Fund is a Thematic fund, run by HDFC Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 8.8%. HDFC Defence Fund charges 0.90% a year and HDFC Innovation Fund 1.02%.
Which has given higher returns, HDFC Defence Fund or HDFC Innovation Fund?
Over 1 year: HDFC Defence Fund +13.79%, HDFC Innovation Fund +9.99%. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, HDFC Defence Fund or HDFC Innovation Fund?
HDFC Defence Fund charges less: 0.90% a year against 1.02%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do HDFC Defence Fund and HDFC Innovation Fund overlap?
8.8%. They hold 7 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being BEL, HAL, SEDEMAC. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, HDFC Defence Fund or HDFC Innovation Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, HDFC Defence Fund is rated Very High and HDFC Innovation Fund Very High. Over 1 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 22.90% and 15.01% a year.
Can I invest in both HDFC Defence Fund and HDFC Innovation Fund?
Yes. 8.8% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so the two hold mostly different investments.
Who manages HDFC Defence Fund and HDFC Innovation Fund?
HDFC Defence Fund: Rahul Baijal, Priya Ranjan, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar. HDFC Innovation Fund: Amit Sinha, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar.
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.