+91-22-489139097 Best Arbitrage Mutual Funds 2026
Generally, people willing to invest in arbitrage funds look for the best arbitrage funds. But what are Arbitrage funds?
An arbitrage fund is a popular short-term financial investment in India. Arbitrage funds are Mutual Funds that leverage the differential price between the cash market and derivative market to generate mutual fund returns.
The returns generated by arbitrage funds are dependent on the Volatility of the stock market. Arbitrage mutual funds are hybrid in nature and in times of high or persistent volatility, these funds offer relatively risk-free returns to investors. Before Investing in these funds it is important to understand arbitrage funds taxation and know the best arbitrage funds.
Why Invest in Arbitrage Funds?
Here are some of the benefits of investing in arbitrage funds:
1. Negligible Risk
Arbitrage funds are not 100% risk-free but they do carry negligible risk. They Bank on the mispricing happening in the markets. This gives the investor a safer option compared to other short-term funds since these funds offer better returns during market volatility.
2. Returns
These funds generally give a return of about 7-9% of the amount invested. This is higher compared to Liquid Funds or short-term debt funds in low rate enviornment (When RBI is reducing rate).
Thus, making arbitrage funds a lucrative investment option.
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3. Favourable Taxation
One of the biggest benefits of investing in these funds is the tax treatment. Equity Funds attract long term Capital Gains. If the gains are made up to INR 1 lakh then it counts under tax-free. Tax at 10% applies to gains above INR 1 lakh.
Arbitrage Funds Taxation
As mentioned above, these funds are taxed favourably. They are said to be a combination of good Debt fund returns and the tax treatment of equity mutual funds. Arbitrage schemes are taxed similar to equity funds making it an attractive investment for people in higher tax brackets. For example, if you belong to a 30% tax bracket, investing in equity arbitrage funds can lower your tax rates to 10% for LTCG and 15% for STCG.
Fund Selection Methodology used to find 7 funds
Top 7 Arbitrage Mutual Funds 2026 - 2027
Fund NAV Net Assets (Cr) 3 MO (%) 6 MO (%) 1 YR (%) 3 YR (%) 5 YR (%) 2025 (%) Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹40.0777
↓ -0.05 ₹74,399 1.6 2.8 5.8 6.9 6.2 6.4 Invesco India Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹34.1262
↓ -0.04 ₹29,629 1.6 2.8 5.8 6.8 6.3 6.5 ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹36.6728
↓ -0.05 ₹34,180 1.6 2.8 5.8 6.7 6.1 6.5 UTI Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹37.4559
↓ -0.05 ₹11,152 1.6 2.7 5.8 6.8 6.1 6.5 HDFC Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹32.736
↓ -0.05 ₹25,001 1.5 2.7 5.7 6.7 6 6.3 Nippon India Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹28.3444
↓ -0.03 ₹16,916 1.6 2.7 5.7 6.6 6 6.2 Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund Growth ₹20.7028
↓ -0.03 ₹15,139 1.6 2.8 5.7 6.7 6.1 6.3 Note: Returns up to 1 year are on absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Research Highlights & Commentary of 7 Funds showcased
Commentary Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund Invesco India Arbitrage Fund ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund UTI Arbitrage Fund HDFC Arbitrage Fund Nippon India Arbitrage Fund Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund Point 1 Highest AUM (₹74,399 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹29,629 Cr). Upper mid AUM (₹34,180 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹11,152 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹25,001 Cr). Lower mid AUM (₹16,916 Cr). Bottom quartile AUM (₹15,139 Cr). Point 2 Oldest track record among peers (20 yrs). Established history (19+ yrs). Established history (19+ yrs). Established history (20+ yrs). Established history (18+ yrs). Established history (15+ yrs). Established history (12+ yrs). Point 3 Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 3★ (lower mid). Rating: 4★ (upper mid). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 3★ (bottom quartile). Rating: 4★ (lower mid). Top rated. Point 4 Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderate. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Risk profile: Moderately Low. Point 5 5Y return: 6.25% (upper mid). 5Y return: 6.27% (top quartile). 5Y return: 6.07% (lower mid). 5Y return: 6.06% (lower mid). 5Y return: 6.03% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 5.97% (bottom quartile). 5Y return: 6.10% (upper mid). Point 6 3Y return: 6.87% (top quartile). 3Y return: 6.77% (upper mid). 3Y return: 6.74% (lower mid). 3Y return: 6.80% (upper mid). 3Y return: 6.74% (lower mid). 3Y return: 6.60% (bottom quartile). 3Y return: 6.72% (bottom quartile). Point 7 1Y return: 5.83% (top quartile). 1Y return: 5.82% (upper mid). 1Y return: 5.78% (upper mid). 1Y return: 5.77% (lower mid). 1Y return: 5.74% (lower mid). 1Y return: 5.73% (bottom quartile). 1Y return: 5.72% (bottom quartile). Point 8 1M return: 0.09% (top quartile). 1M return: 0.06% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.03% (lower mid). 1M return: 0.01% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.01% (bottom quartile). 1M return: 0.07% (upper mid). 1M return: 0.05% (lower mid). Point 9 Alpha: 0.00 (top quartile). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (upper mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (lower mid). Alpha: 0.00 (bottom quartile). Alpha: -1.05 (bottom quartile). Point 10 Sharpe: 0.50 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.60 (top quartile). Sharpe: 0.49 (upper mid). Sharpe: 0.48 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.48 (lower mid). Sharpe: 0.40 (bottom quartile). Sharpe: 0.39 (bottom quartile). Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund
Invesco India Arbitrage Fund
ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund
UTI Arbitrage Fund
HDFC Arbitrage Fund
Nippon India Arbitrage Fund
Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund
*Below is the list of Arbitrage funds sorted on last 1 year return and having AUM > 100 Crore.
The investment objective of the scheme is to generate capital appreciation and income by predominantly investing in arbitrage opportunities in the cash and derivatives segment of the equity market, and by investing the balance in debt and money market instruments. However, there is no assurance that the objective of the scheme will be realized Below is the key information for Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The primary investment objective of the scheme is to generate income through arbitrage opportunities emerging out of mis-pricing between the cash market and the derivatives market and through deployment of surplus cash in fixed income instruments. Research Highlights for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The investment objective of Income Optimiser Plan under the scheme is to seek to generate low volatility returns by using arbitrage and other derivative strategies in equity markets and investments in short-term debt portfolio. Research Highlights for ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile UTI SPREAD Fund) The investment objective of the scheme is to provide capital appreciation and dividend distribution through arbitrage opportunities arising out of price differences between the cash and derivative market by investing predominantly in equity and equity-related securities, derivatives and the balance portion in debt securities. However, there can be no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be realised. Research Highlights for UTI Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for UTI Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on "To generate income through arbitrage opportunities between cash and derivative market and arbitrage opportunities within the derivative segment and by deployment of surplus cash in debt securities and money market instruments." Research Highlights for HDFC Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for HDFC Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on (Erstwhile Reliance Arbitrage Advantage Fund) The investment objective of the scheme is to generate income by taking advantage of the arbitrage opportunities that potentially exists between cash and derivative market and within the derivative segment along with investments in debt securities & money market instruments. Research Highlights for Nippon India Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for Nippon India Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on The investment objective of the Scheme is to generate income by predominantly investing in arbitrage opportunities in the cash and the derivative segments of the equity markets and the arbitrage opportunities available within the derivative segment and by investing the balance in debt and money market instruments. However, there is no assurance that the investment objective of the scheme will be realized. Research Highlights for Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund Below is the key information for Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund Returns up to 1 year are on 1. Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund
Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 29 Sep 05 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹40.0777 ↓ -0.05 (-0.13 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹74,399 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC Kotak Mahindra Asset Management Co Ltd Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.97 Sharpe Ratio 0.5 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-30 Days (0.25%),30 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 5.8% 3 Year 6.9% 5 Year 6.2% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.9% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.4% 2024 7.8% 2023 7.4% 2022 4.5% 2021 4% 2020 4.3% 2019 6.1% 2018 6.3% 2017 5.8% 2016 6.7% Fund Manager information for Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 2. Invesco India Arbitrage Fund
Invesco India Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 30 Apr 07 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹34.1262 ↓ -0.04 (-0.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹29,629 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC Invesco Asset Management (India) Private Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 1.06 Sharpe Ratio 0.6 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-15 Days (0.5%),15 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 5.8% 3 Year 6.8% 5 Year 6.3% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.5% 2024 7.6% 2023 7.4% 2022 5.1% 2021 3.5% 2020 4.3% 2019 5.9% 2018 5.9% 2017 5.5% 2016 6.5% Fund Manager information for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Invesco India Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 3. ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund
ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 30 Dec 06 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹36.6728 ↓ -0.05 (-0.13 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹34,180 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC ICICI Prudential Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderate Expense Ratio 0.9 Sharpe Ratio 0.49 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 1,000 Exit Load 0-1 Months (0.25%),1 Months and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 5.8% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.5% 2024 7.6% 2023 7.1% 2022 4.2% 2021 3.9% 2020 4.3% 2019 5.9% 2018 6.2% 2017 5.5% 2016 6.8% Fund Manager information for ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for ICICI Prudential Equity Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 4. UTI Arbitrage Fund
UTI Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 22 Jun 06 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹37.4559 ↓ -0.05 (-0.14 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹11,152 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC UTI Asset Management Company Ltd Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.78 Sharpe Ratio 0.48 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-30 Days (0.5%),30 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for UTI Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.7% 1 Year 5.8% 3 Year 6.8% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.5% 2024 7.7% 2023 7.2% 2022 4% 2021 3.9% 2020 4.4% 2019 6.2% 2018 6.2% 2017 5.7% 2016 6.5% Fund Manager information for UTI Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for UTI Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 5. HDFC Arbitrage Fund
HDFC Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 23 Oct 07 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹32.736 ↓ -0.05 (-0.16 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹25,001 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC HDFC Asset Management Company Limited Rating ☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 0.97 Sharpe Ratio 0.48 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 100,000 Min SIP Investment 300 Exit Load 0-1 Months (0.25%),1 Months and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for HDFC Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0% 3 Month 1.5% 6 Month 2.7% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.5% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.3% 2024 7.7% 2023 7.2% 2022 4.2% 2021 3.6% 2020 3.7% 2019 6% 2018 5.7% 2017 5.3% 2016 6.6% Fund Manager information for HDFC Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for HDFC Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 6. Nippon India Arbitrage Fund
Nippon India Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 14 Oct 10 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹28.3444 ↓ -0.03 (-0.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹16,916 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC Nippon Life Asset Management Ltd. Rating ☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 1.07 Sharpe Ratio 0.4 Information Ratio 0 Alpha Ratio 0 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 100 Exit Load 0-1 Months (0.25%),1 Months and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for Nippon India Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.7% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 6.6% 5 Year 6% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.8% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.2% 2024 7.5% 2023 7% 2022 4.2% 2021 3.8% 2020 4.3% 2019 6.2% 2018 6.8% 2017 5.5% 2016 6.6% Fund Manager information for Nippon India Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Nippon India Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity 7. Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund
Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund
Growth Launch Date 27 Jun 14 NAV (04 Sep 26) ₹20.7028 ↓ -0.03 (-0.12 %) Net Assets (Cr) ₹15,139 on 31 Jul 26 Category Hybrid - Arbitrage AMC Edelweiss Asset Management Limited Rating ☆☆☆☆☆ Risk Moderately Low Expense Ratio 1.07 Sharpe Ratio 0.39 Information Ratio -1.73 Alpha Ratio -1.05 Min Investment 5,000 Min SIP Investment 500 Exit Load 0-30 Days (0.25%),30 Days and above(NIL) Growth of 10,000 investment over the years.
Date Value Returns for Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund
absolute basis & more than 1 year are on CAGR (Compound Annual Growth Rate) basis. as on 4 Sep 26 Duration Returns 1 Month 0.1% 3 Month 1.6% 6 Month 2.8% 1 Year 5.7% 3 Year 6.7% 5 Year 6.1% 10 Year 15 Year Since launch 6.2% Historical performance (Yearly) on absolute basis
Year Returns 2025 6.3% 2024 7.7% 2023 7.1% 2022 4.4% 2021 3.8% 2020 4.5% 2019 6.2% 2018 6.1% 2017 5.8% 2016 6.7% Fund Manager information for Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund
Name Since Tenure Data below for Edelweiss Arbitrage Fund as on 31 Jul 26
Asset Allocation
Asset Class Value Equity Sector Allocation
Sector Value Debt Sector Allocation
Sector Value Credit Quality
Rating Value Top Securities Holdings / Portfolio
Name Holding Value Quantity
Things to Consider as an Investor
1. Risk
As trades are carried out on the stock exchange, there’s no counter party risk involved in these funds. Even though the fund manager is buying and selling shares in cash and futures market, there is no risk exposure to equities as is the case with other diversified equity mutual funds. Though the ride looks smooth, do not get too comfortable with these funds. As more people start trading into arbitrage funds, there will be not many arbitrage opportunities available. The spread between cash and future market prices will erode, leaving little for the arbitrage focused investors.
2. Return
Arbitrage Funds may be a good opportunity to make reasonable returns for those who can understand it and then make the most of it. The fund manager tries to generate an Alpha using price differentials in markets. Historically, arbitrage funds have been found to give returns in the range of 7%-8% over a period of 5-10 years. If you are looking to earn moderate returns via a Portfolio which has a perfect blend of debt and equity in a volatile market, arbitrage funds may be your thing. However, you need to keep one thing in mind that there are no guaranteed returns in arbitrage funds.
3. Cost
Cost becomes an important consideration while evaluating arbitrage funds. These funds charge an annual fee called expense ratio which is expressed as a percentage of the fund’s assets. It includes fund manager’s fee and fund management charges. Due to frequent trading, arbitrage funds would incur huge transaction costs and has a high turnover ratio. Additionally, the fund may levy exit loads for a period of 30 to 60 days to discourage investors from exiting early. All these costs may lead to increase in the expense ratio of the fund. A high expense ratio puts a downward pressure on your take-home returns.
4. Investment Horizon
Arbitrage funds may be suitable for investors having a short to medium term horizon of 3 to 5 years. As these funds charge exit loads, you may consider them only when you are ready to stay invested for a period of at least 3-6 months. At the same time, you need to understand that fund returns are highly dependent on the existence of high volatility. So, choosing a lump sum investment would make sense over Systematic investment plan (SIPs). In absence of volatility, liquid funds may give better returns than arbitrage funds over the same investment horizon. Hence, you need to keep the overall market scenario in mind while choosing arbitrage funds.
5. Financial Goals
If you have short to medium term Financial goals, then arbitrage funds are your thing. Instead of a regular savings bank account, you may use these funds to park excess funds in order to create an emergency fund and earn higher returns on them. In case you were already invested in riskier havens equity funds, then you may begin a Systematic Transfer Plan (STP) from the equity funds to a less risky haven like arbitrage funds as you approach completion of the financial goal. This would reduce your portfolio’s overall risk profile but at the same time reduce the returns also. You cannot expect to earn double-digit returns in arbitrage funds.
How to Invest in Arbitrage Funds Online?
Open Free Investment Account for Lifetime at Fincash.com.
Complete your Registration and KYC Process
Upload Documents (PAN, Aadhaar, etc.). And, You are Ready to Invest!
All efforts have been made to ensure the information provided here is accurate. However, no guarantees are made regarding correctness of data. Please verify with scheme information document before making any investment.
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Research Highlights for Kotak Equity Arbitrage Fund