HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund vs Kotak Pioneer Fund
Direct Plan, Growth option · Data as on 30-10-2026
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund is a Thematic fund and Kotak Pioneer Fund is a Thematic fund. In the 3 years to 30-10-2026, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) returned 30.5% a year and Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) returned 20.0% a year. HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund charges 1.05% a year and Kotak Pioneer Fund 0.63% (Direct plans). Their portfolios overlap 7.8%: they hold 4 of the same securities.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund
Thematic
- 3 year return
- 30.5%
- Expense ratio
- 1.05%
- NAV
- ₹21.95
Which is better, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare or Kotak Pioneer? Key differences
It depends on what you want from the fund. These are the differences in numbers, from the data on this page.
- HDFC Pharma and Healthcare returned more over 3 years: 30.5% a year against 20.0%.
- HDFC Pharma and Healthcare returned more over 1 year: 23.1% against 4.0%.
- Kotak Pioneer costs less: 0.63% a year against 1.05% (Direct plans).
- Kotak Pioneer swung less over 3 years: a standard deviation of 12.9% a year against 14.1%.
- HDFC Pharma and Healthcare fell less in its worst fall since 04-10-2023: −14.9% against −19.3%.
- Kotak Pioneer holds 16.3% of the fund in foreign stocks; HDFC Pharma and Healthcare 0.0%.
- Kotak Pioneer is the larger fund: ₹4,295 Cr against ₹3,501 Cr.
- Their portfolios overlap 7.8%: 4 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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund | Kotak Pioneer Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Fund house | HDFC Mutual Fund | Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund |
| Category | Thematic | Thematic |
| AUM | ₹3,501 Cr (30-09-2026) | ₹4,295 Cr (30-09-2026) |
| NAV | ₹21.95 (Direct) | ₹37.63 (Direct) |
| Expense ratio (Direct) | 1.05% | 0.63% |
| Expense ratio (Regular) | 2.13% | 1.90% |
| Riskometer | Very High | Very High |
| Benchmark | BSE Healthcare TRI | 85% Nifty 500 TRI + 15% MSCI ACWI Information Technology Index TRI |
| Launch date | 04-10-2023 | 31-10-2019 |
| Minimum investment | ₹100 | ₹100 |
| Lock in | None | None |
| Fund managers | Nikhil Mathur, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar | Harish Bihani |
| 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 30 days from the date of allotment. No Exit Load is payable if units are redeemed / switched out after 30 days from the date of allotment. | 0.5% for redemption within 90 Days |
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: 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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | +0.04% | +0.83% | +16.68% | +23.12% | +30.53% | -- | -- |
| Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) | −3.23% | −1.53% | +6.34% | +4.04% | +19.97% | +13.89% | -- |
| 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.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: Year-wise Returns
| Year | HDFC Pharma and HealthcareHDFC Pharma and Healthcare | Kotak PioneerKotak Pioneer |
|---|---|---|
| 2026to date | +23.99% | +6.63% |
| 2025 | +2.42% | +7.70% |
| 2024 | +52.22% | +30.41% |
| 2023 | -- | +38.70% |
| 2022 | -- | −6.89% |
| 2021 | -- | +38.48% |
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: Rolling Returns
Every holding period of both funds, against BSE Healthcare TRI, the benchmark of HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund
Rolling returns
Every 1-year holding period, 510 of them, one for each trading day from 04-10-2024 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.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct)
BSE Healthcare TRI
to
Dec 2024Apr 2024
to
Apr 2025Aug 2024
to
Aug 2025Dec 2024
to
Dec 2025May 2025
to
May 2026Aug 2025
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | 0.0 | 4.3 | 15.7 | 9.2 | 10.0 | 17.6 | 43.1 | 24.6% | 22.7% | 1.7% | 67.3% | 100% |
| Kotak Pioneer | 0.0 | 5.1 | 33.1 | 36.8 | 8.2 | 2.9 | 13.9 | 14.7% | 11.2% | 0.1% | 51.0% | 42% |
| BSE Healthcare TRI | 7.8 | 15.9 | 14.3 | 20.8 | 17.1 | 8.0 | 16.1 | 16.1% | 12.7% | −3.7% | 61.9% | -- |
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 BSE Healthcare 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 04-10-2023. Past returns do not promise future returns.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: 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 04-10-2023 to 30-10-2026: 37 instalments, ₹3,70,000 in all.
| Investment | Invested | Value now | Gain | Return a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Pharma and HealthcareHDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | ₹3,70,000 | ₹5,26,145 | ₹1,56,145 | 23.6% |
| Kotak PioneerKotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) | ₹3,70,000 | ₹4,44,877 | ₹74,877 | 12.1% |
HDFC Pharma and HealthcareHDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Kotak PioneerKotak Pioneer 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 Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: Risk and Drawdowns
How much each fund swings, and the worst fall over the same days
Risk and return
| Measure | HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +23.12% | +4.04% |
| Standard deviation | 13.67% | 13.48% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.31 | -0.09 |
| Sortino ratio | 1.93 | -0.12 |
| Maximum drawdown | −9.8% (23-10-2026) | −13.1% (30-03-2026) |
| Beta | 0.95 | -- |
| Alpha | +11.09% | -- |
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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +30.53% | +19.97% |
| Standard deviation | 14.09% | 12.91% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.74 | 1.08 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.49 | 1.53 |
| Maximum drawdown | −14.9% (28-02-2025) | −19.3% (07-04-2025) |
| Beta | 0.96 | -- |
| Alpha | +8.23% | -- |
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 | HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) |
|---|---|---|
| Return (CAGR) | +29.32% | +20.88% |
| Standard deviation | 13.98% | 15.66% |
| Sharpe ratio | 1.66 | 1.01 |
| Sortino ratio | 2.38 | 1.38 |
| Maximum drawdown | −14.9% (28-02-2025) | −35.7% (23-03-2020) |
| Beta | 0.95 | -- |
| Alpha | +8.51% | -- |
From daily NAVs, 04-10-2023 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.
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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct)
BSE Healthcare TRI
| Fund | Worst fall | High before it | Bottom | Back at the high | Time to climb back | Below its high today |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | −14.9% | 02-01-2025 | 28-02-2025 | 04-07-2025 | 4 months | −4.1% |
| Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) | −19.3% | 27-09-2024 | 07-04-2025 | 30-06-2025 | 3 months | −6.5% |
| BSE Healthcare TRI | −16.2% | 02-01-2025 | 28-02-2025 | 29-07-2025 | 5 months | −3.8% |
From daily values since 04-10-2023, 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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct)
BSE Healthcare 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.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct)
Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct)
BSE Healthcare TRI
Against BSE Healthcare TRI
| Fund | Up capture | Down capture | Tracking error |
|---|---|---|---|
| HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (Direct) | 109% | 80% | 3.45% |
| Kotak Pioneer Fund (Direct) | 80% | 66% | 11.27% |
From month-end values since 04-10-2023. 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 Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: Portfolio Overlap
From each fund's latest monthly portfolio: HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund, September 2026; Kotak Pioneer Fund, September 2026
Holdings in common
- Overlap
- 7.8%
- Held by both
- 4
- Only in HDFC Pharma and Healthcare
- 34
- Only in Kotak Pioneer
- 49
| Security | % of HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | % of Kotak Pioneer |
|---|---|---|
| Aster DM Quality Care Limited | 3.56% | 2.94% |
| Vijaya Diagnostic Centre Limited | 2.00% | 1.98% |
| Krishna Institute Of Medical Sciences Limited | 2.10% | 1.89% |
| Anthem Biosciences Limited | 3.17% | 0.99% |
Overlap: for each holding both funds own, the smaller of its two weights, added up. 7.8% means 7.8% 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 Pharma and Healthcare Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| Divis Laboratories Ltd. | 9.39% |
| Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. | 8.28% |
| Alkem Laboratories Ltd. | 4.64% |
| Cipla Ltd. | 4.15% |
| Apollo Hospitals Enterprise Ltd. | 3.69% |
Largest holdings only in Kotak Pioneer Fund
| Security | % of fund |
|---|---|
| ETERNAL LIMITED | 5.53% |
| INDO-MIM LTD | 4.92% |
| LENSKART SOLUTIONS LIMITED | 3.65% |
| ADITYA INFOTECH LIMITED | 2.90% |
| ICICI BANK LTD. | 2.66% |
Asset and sector split
Share of each fund, from its latest monthly portfolio
Asset allocation
| Asset | HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | Kotak Pioneer |
|---|---|---|
| Equity | 96.8% | 93.5% |
| Debt | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Cash and others | 3.2% | 6.5% |
Market cap of stocks
| Market cap | HDFC Pharma and Healthcare | Kotak Pioneer |
|---|---|---|
| Large Cap | 29.2% | 25.3% |
| Mid Cap | 30.1% | 26.6% |
| Small Cap | 32.5% | 19.6% |
| Foreign stocks | 0.0% | 16.3% |
| Not on AMFI's list | 5.0% | 5.7% |
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 Pharma and Healthcare | Kotak Pioneer |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals & Biotechnology | 71.3% | 0.0% |
| Healthcare Services | 22.1% | 6.8% |
| Overseas Mutual Fund | 0.0% | 16.3% |
| Retailing | 1.0% | 15.9% |
| Industrial Manufacturing | 0.0% | 7.8% |
| Automobiles | 0.0% | 4.5% |
| Auto Components | 0.0% | 4.5% |
| Healthcare Equipment & Supplies | 2.4% | 0.0% |
The six largest sectors of each fund's stocks, % of the fund.
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare vs Kotak Pioneer: Expense Ratio
What each plan charges a year, from AMFI's expense ratio file
| Charge | HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund | Kotak Pioneer Fund |
|---|---|---|
| Total expense ratio (Direct) | 1.05% | 0.63% |
| Base expense ratio (Direct) | 0.71% | 0.48% |
| Total expense ratio (Regular) | 2.13% | 1.90% |
| Base expense ratio (Regular) | 1.65% | 1.57% |
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 Pharma and Healthcare with
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund vs Kotak Pioneer Fund: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund and Kotak Pioneer Fund?
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund is a Thematic fund, Kotak Pioneer Fund is a Thematic fund, run by HDFC Mutual Fund and Kotak Mahindra Mutual Fund. Their portfolios overlap 7.8%. HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund charges 1.05% a year and Kotak Pioneer Fund 0.63%.
Which has given higher returns, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund or Kotak Pioneer Fund?
Over 1 year: HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund +23.12%, Kotak Pioneer Fund +4.04%. Over 3 years: HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund +30.53% a year, Kotak Pioneer Fund +19.97% a year. As on 30-10-2026. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Which has the lower expense ratio, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund or Kotak Pioneer Fund?
Kotak Pioneer Fund charges less: 0.63% a year against 1.05%. These are the Direct plans' total expense ratios reported to AMFI.
How much do HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund and Kotak Pioneer Fund overlap?
7.8%. They hold 4 of the same securities, the largest shared ones being ASTERDM, VIJAYA, KIMS. From each fund's latest monthly portfolio.
Which is riskier, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund or Kotak Pioneer Fund?
On SEBI's riskometer, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund is rated Very High and Kotak Pioneer Fund Very High. Over 3 years, the standard deviation of daily returns was 14.09% and 12.91% a year.
Which is better for SIP, HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund or Kotak Pioneer Fund?
Over the last 3 years, a monthly SIP of ₹10,000 from 04-10-2023 to 30-10-2026 grew to ₹5,26,145 in HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund (XIRR 23.6% a year) and ₹4,44,877 in Kotak Pioneer Fund (XIRR 12.1% a year). Both received 37 instalments. Past returns do not promise future returns.
Can I invest in both HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund and Kotak Pioneer Fund?
Yes. 7.8% of each fund's money sits in the same holdings, so the two hold mostly different investments.
Who manages HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund and Kotak Pioneer Fund?
HDFC Pharma and Healthcare Fund: Nikhil Mathur, Gopal Agrawal, Bhagyesh Kagalkar. Kotak Pioneer Fund: Harish Bihani.
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.