ICICI Prudential Arbitrage Fund - Direct Plan - IDCW

ICICI Prudential Arbitrage Fund - Direct Plan - IDCW ranks among the stronger performers in the Conservative Hybrid category, backed by a 5-star rating. It has delivered steady, if unspectacular, returns over a full market cycle. TopFund's composite Health Score, which weighs rating, 3-year CAGR, expense ratio and fund size, puts it at 87/100.

Cost: At 0.07%, the expense ratio is meaningfully cheaper — about 92% below the Conservative Hybrid category average of 0.83% (based on 159 comparable funds). Lower costs compound in your favour over long holding periods.

Risk-adjusted performance: Over the trailing 1-year period, the fund shows a negative Sharpe ratio of -2.53 — over the past year, returns haven't kept pace with the volatility involved, even before accounting for the risk-free rate. Separately, annualised volatility of 1.43% is on the lower side, suggesting a comparatively smoother ride.

Who should invest: This fund is best suited to investors who want a single fund blending equity growth with debt-driven stability. The High risk rating means near-term volatility should be expected — this isn't a fund to check daily.