
Mutual fund returns tell 2 very different stories over the past year. While domestic equity funds struggled to move beyond the ~10–30% range, international mutual funds delivered substantial gains, with some even crossing the 100% mark.
Data from Value Research shows that global funds such as Nippon India Taiwan Equity and DSP World Gold Mining FoF led the charts. In contrast, the best-performing domestic options, largely PSU bank ETFs, delivered returns of around 29%, while broader categories like mid-cap and flexi-cap funds remained in low double digits.
Here are some options for you to consider while you plan on investing in international mutual funds.
| Fund Name | AUM (Cr) | CAGR (3Y) | Expense Ratio |
| Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund | ₹519.50 | 49.55% | 1.04% |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund | ₹2,800.89 | 28.24% | 0.51% |
| Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund | ₹4,055.83 | 22.87% | 0.65% |
| Edelweiss MSCI India Domestic & World Healthcare 45 Index Fund | ₹174.93 | 19.56% | 0.52% |
| Nippon India Japan Equity Fund | ₹311.26 | 18.52% | 1.24% |
| Nippon India US Equity Opp Fund | ₹703.22 | 17.66% | 1.25% |
| Aditya Birla SL Intl. Equity Fund | ₹303.58 | 16.31% | 2.06% |
| ICICI Pru US Bluechip Equity Fund | ₹3,693.00 | 14.59% | 1.14% |
| Franklin Asian Equity Fund | ₹426.90 | 13.24% | 1.60% |
| Fund Name | Absolute Returns (1Y) | Exit Load | Tracking Error |
| Nippon India Taiwan Equity Fund | 161.80% | 1.00% | 20.95 |
| ICICI Pru NASDAQ 100 Index Fund | 51.55% | 0.00% | 5.28 |
| Motilal Oswal S&P 500 Index Fund | 42.28% | 1.00% | 0 |
| Nippon India Japan Equity Fund | 37.39% | 1.00% | 0 |
| Aditya Birla SL Intl. Equity Fund | 36.20% | 1.00% | 0 |
| ICICI Pru US Bluechip Equity Fund | 33.56% | 1.00% | 11.49 |
| Franklin Asian Equity Fund | 30.87% | 1.00% | 0 |
| Nippon India US Equity Opp Fund | 19.32% | 1.00% | 0 |
| Edelweiss MSCI India Domestic & World Healthcare 45 Index Fund | 10.43% | 0.00% | 0 |
International mutual funds have clearly outpaced domestic peers in the past year, driven by strong global sectoral rallies and exposure to high-growth markets like the US and Taiwan. However, the return gap also highlights an uncomfortable truth: higher returns often come with higher concentration risk and volatility, as seen in funds with elevated tracking errors.
For investors, the takeaway is less about chasing triple-digit returns and more about building a balanced portfolio. Low-cost index funds tracking global benchmarks like the NASDAQ 100 and S&P 500 offer cost efficiency and diversification, while selective active funds can provide exposure to niche themes such as mining, energy, and healthcare.
Ultimately, international mutual funds should not replace domestic allocations but complement them. A well-diversified portfolio across geographies can help reduce risk concentration and improve long-term return potential, especially in an increasingly interconnected global market.
Disclaimer: This blog has been written exclusively for educational purposes. The securities mentioned are only examples and not recommendations. This does not constitute a personal recommendation/investment advice. It does not aim to influence any individual or entity to make investment decisions. Recipients should conduct their own research and assessments to form an independent opinion about investment decisions.
Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing.
Published on: Apr 7, 2026, 4:20 PM IST

We're Live on WhatsApp! Join our channel for market insights & updates
