HDFC Flexi Cap Fund and Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund are frequently compared because both can occupy the diversified equity portion of an Indian investor portfolio. They should not be compared only by asking which fund has the higher latest return.
A more useful comparison asks how each fund behaved across matching periods, how much volatility and drawdown accompanied those returns, and how consistently it stayed ahead of its benchmark. The table below uses the same reviewed Genvest research snapshots as the individual fund pages.
Current evidence
Returns and risk side by side
The return rows are annualised where the required history is available. Higher return is not automatically better; read it with volatility, drawdown and risk-adjusted evidence.
| Metric | HDFC Flexi Cap Fund As of 21 Aug 2026 | Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund As of 21 Aug 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year annualised return | 4.2% | -1.6% |
| 3-year annualised return | 17.7% | 14.5% |
| 5-year annualised return | 19.5% | 13.4% |
| Annualised volatility | 17.0% | 12.7% |
| Maximum drawdown | -41.8% | -31.2% |
| Sharpe ratio | 0.58 | 0.83 |
| Benchmark consistency | 57.3% | 54.4% |
Source: reviewed Genvest fund metrics derived from historical scheme NAV and benchmark data. Dates can differ by fund when source snapshots refresh at different times.
Interpretation
How to use this comparison
Which fund has delivered the stronger historical return?
Compare the one-, three- and five-year rows together. A lead in one trailing window can be caused by the chosen start date, so no single period should decide the result.
Which fund has handled risk better?
Volatility describes how widely returns moved, while maximum drawdown shows the largest observed peak-to-trough fall. A higher return with materially higher risk is not automatically a better outcome.
Can both funds be held together?
That depends on the role assigned to each fund and the rest of the portfolio. This comparison does not calculate portfolio overlap. Investors should separately inspect current holdings, concentration and whether two flexi-cap allocations duplicate the same job.
Method
Do not let one metric make the decision
Trailing return answers what happened between one chosen start and end date. It is useful, but sensitive to timing.
Volatility describes the variability of historical returns. It does not tell you the size of the worst loss.
Maximum drawdown captures the largest observed peak-to-trough decline in the measured history.
Sharpe ratio compares excess historical return with volatility. It is one risk-adjusted lens, not a prediction.
Benchmark consistency asks how frequently a fund stayed ahead across the measured periods, rather than looking only at the endpoint.
Learn how rolling returns differ from CAGRFAQ
Common comparison questions
Which is better: HDFC Flexi Cap Fund or Parag Parikh Flexi Cap Fund?
There is no universal winner. The appropriate choice depends on portfolio role, time horizon, risk capacity and the current return and risk evidence. This comparison is educational and not a personalised recommendation.
Why should mutual funds be compared over matching periods?
Matching periods reduce the distortion caused by different start and end dates. Investors should still use multiple periods because one trailing window can favour a particular market cycle.
Are the numbers on this page current?
Each table column displays the as-of date of the reviewed Genvest research snapshot used for that fund. The page should not be read as real-time market data.