Mutual fund 1, 3, 5 years returns battle 2026: Which large, mid, small-cap schemes delivered consistent money gains?
Equity mutual funds are classified into different categories based on their investments across market capitalisations, primarily large-cap, mid-cap, and small-cap funds.
Large-cap funds invest in well-established companies that tend to be relatively less volatile, while mid-cap funds focus on medium-sized companies. Small-cap funds, on the other hand, invest in smaller companies, which carry higher risks but also offer greater growth potential.
As per SEBI‘s categorisation norms, large-cap funds must invest at least 80% of their assets in large-cap stocks. Mid-cap and small-cap funds must invest at least 65% of their assets in their respective categories.
Over the last one year, the large-cap fund category declined by an average of 5.80%, while mid-cap funds fell by 1.06%. Small-cap funds, however, gained 3.13%.
Against this backdrop, here is a look at the schemes across these three categories that delivered positive returns over the 1-year period and also recorded positive returns over the 3-year and 5-year periods.
Which large-cap funds delivered positive returns over 1, 3 and 5 years?
The table below lists large-cap funds ranked by their 1-year returns. It includes only schemes that have delivered positive returns over the 3-year and 5-year periods as well. Only three large-cap schemes met these criteria.
| Large-cap funds | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return |
| Taurus Largecap Equity Fund | 5.55% | 14.73% | 10.47% |
| Quant Large Cap Fund | 1.90% | 13.83% | Not available |
| Invesco India Large Cap Fund | 0.30% | 14.52% | 10.52% |
*Source: Morningstar, Direct-Growth plans; CAGR as on 3 November 2026
Taurus Largecap Equity topped the list with a 1-year return of 5.55% and also recorded the highest 3-year return of 14.73% among the three schemes. However, Invesco India Large Cap delivered the highest 5-year return of 10.52%. Quant Large Cap does not have a 5-year return figure.
Which mid-cap funds delivered positive returns over 1, 3 and 5 years?
The following table lists mid-cap funds ranked by their 1-year returns. It includes only schemes that have also delivered positive returns over the 3-year and 5-year periods.
| Mid-cap funds | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return |
| HSBC Midcap Fund | 11.04% | 21.12% | 17.14% |
| Axis Midcap Fund | 3.32% | 16.52% | 12.01% |
| ICICI Prudential Midcap Fund | 3.31% | 19.71% | 14.98% |
| Union Midcap Fund | 2.86% | 16.11% | 13.82% |
| Invesco India Mid Cap Fund | 2.18% | 22.08% | 17.55% |
*Source: Morningstar, Direct-Growth plans; CAGR as on 3 November 2026
HSBC Midcap Fund topped the list with a 1-year return of 11.04%. However, Invesco India Mid Cap Fund recorded the highest returns over both the 3-year and 5-year periods, at 22.08% and 17.55%, respectively.
Which small-cap funds delivered positive returns over 1, 3 and 5 years?
| Small-cap funds | 1-year return | 3-year return | 5-year return |
| Bank of India Small Cap Fund | 17.69% | 18.64% | 18.26% |
| Union Small Cap Fund | 12.63% | 14.82% | 15.85% |
| ITI Small Cap Fund | 11.90% | 21.71% | 16.82% |
| DSP Small Cap Fund | 10.51% | 16.06% | 15.78% |
| LIC MF Small Cap Fund | 9.19% | 16.40% | 15.56% |
*Source: Morningstar, Direct-Growth plans; CAGR as on 3 November 2026
Bank of India Small Cap Fund topped the list with a 1-year return of 17.69%. However, ITI Small Cap Fund recorded the highest 3-year return of 21.71%, while Bank of India Small Cap Fund delivered the highest 5-year return of 18.26%.
Disclaimer: This is purely for educational/informational purposes and should not be taken as any sort of investment advice. Always consult a SEBI-registered advisor before making any investment decisions.
