- The Filter Was Stricter Than You Think
- Funds That Cleared 15% Across All Three Horizons
- Things to Keep in Mind
- The Bottom Line
We filtered equity mutual funds that have completed at least 10 years and delivered a CAGR above 15% across the 3-, 5-, and 10-year periods. Only a small fraction of funds cleared all three bars.
This blog breaks down who made the list, which fund houses dominated, and what you should keep in mind before drawing any conclusions.
The Filter Was Stricter Than You Think
Most "best funds" lists pick toppers from a single time period. This one is different. A fund had to achieve a 15% CAGR across all four horizons simultaneously: 3 years, 5 years, and 10 years. Miss even one, and you are out.
Sectoral and thematic funds were excluded. The analysis covered regular and growth options across all equity fund categories. Many funds cleared 15% in one or two periods but could not hold that consistency across all three.
Funds That Cleared 15% Across All Three Horizons
| Fund Name | 3Y | 5Y | 10Y |
| Axis Small Cap Fund | 16.71% | 18.22% | 17.43% |
| Bandhan Large & Mid Cap Fund | 20.70% | 17.46% | 15.84% |
| Baroda BNP Paribas Mid Cap Fund | 18.63% | 15.41% | 15.26% |
| DSP Small Cap Fund | 18.05% | 18.14% | 16.12% |
| Edelweiss Mid Cap Fund | 22.71% | 19.23% | 17.98% |
| HDFC Flexi Cap Fund | 18.33% | 18.68% | 16.42% |
| HDFC Mid Cap Fund | 22.22% | 20.26% | 17.76% |
| HDFC Small Cap Fund | 15.3% | 18.11% | 17.19% |
| HSBC Midcap Fund | 22.56% | 16.61% | 16.37% |
Things to Keep in Mind
- Past returns do not guarantee future performance. A fund that delivered 18% over 10 years may not repeat that in the next 10. Markets and fund management both change.
- Consistency is not the same as safety. Several funds on this list, especially small and mid-cap ones, went through sharp short-term drops to deliver these long-term numbers.
- Your goal matters more than the list. A fund perfect for a 35-year-old with a 15-year horizon may be completely wrong for someone saving for a goal 3 years away.
- Check more than just returns. Expense ratio, fund manager tenure, and how the fund behaved during downturns (like 2020 or 2022) are equally important.
The Bottom Line
Getting into it required beating 15% CAGR not once, but across three different time periods. That is a meaningful filter.
But a list like this is best used to narrow your research, not to finalise your investment. Match any fund you shortlist against your own risk comfort, timeline, and financial goals before making a decision.
Disclaimer: The content is meant for education and general information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future returns. Mutual Funds are non-exchange traded products, and INDstocks is merely acting as a mutual fund distributor. All disputes with respect to distribution activity, would not have access to the exchange investor redressal forum or arbitration mechanism. Mutual Fund investments are subject to market risks, read all scheme related documents carefully before investing. INDstocks Private Limited (formerly known as INDmoney Private Limited) 616, Level 6, Suncity Success Tower, Sector 65, Gurugram, 122005, SEBI Stock Broking Registration No: INZ000305337, Trading and Clearing Member of NSE (90267, M70042) and BSE, BSE StarMF (6779), AMFI Registration No: ARN-254564, SEBI Depository Participant Reg. No. IN-DP-690-2022, Depository Participant ID: CDSL 12095500, Research Analyst Registration No. INH000018948 BSE RA Enlistment No. 6428.