What Is Net Asset Value (NAV) in Mutual Fund

NAV, or Net Asset Value, represents a mutual fund scheme's performance. It is calculated by dividing the market value of the scheme's securities by the total number of units on a specific date.
Net Asset Value (NAV)
4 mins read
09-September-2024

The Mutual Fund's scheme performance is indicated by its Net Asset Value (NAV), representing the market value of its held securities. Funds invest investors' money in securities markets, and as the market value of securities fluctuates daily, so does the scheme's NAV. Calculated as the market value of securities divided by the total number of scheme units, the NAV per unit determines the value of each unit on any given date. In this article, you will learn about NAV meaning, NAV formula, NAV calculation and many more in detail.

What is NAV?

NAV full form is Net Asset Value. It is a fundamental metric used to assess the value of a mutual fund. It represents the per-unit value of the fund's assets after deducting any liabilities. Essentially, NAV indicates the price at which investors buy or redeem mutual fund units.

NAV is calculated daily, reflecting the closing prices of all securities in the fund’s portfolio. This daily computation ensures that the NAV accurately represents the fund's value at the end of each trading day. For a detailed view of NAV calculations, refer to the screenshot suggested in the document.

Determining the Applicable Asset Value (NAV)

The Net Asset Value (NAV) of a mutual fund is a critical measure used to determine the value of the fund's units. It reflects the fund's per-unit value by calculating the total value of the fund's assets and deducting any liabilities. Here's a detailed breakdown of how NAV is determined:

Step

Description

Calculate total assets

Add up the market value of all securities and cash held by the mutual fund. This includes stocks, bonds, and other investments.

Subtract liabilities

Deduct any outstanding liabilities from the total assets. Liabilities may include expenses, fees, and other obligations.

Determine net assets

Net Assets = Total Assets - Liabilities. This figure represents the value of the mutual fund's holdings after accounting for debts.

Count outstanding units

Determine the total number of units or shares issued by the mutual fund. This is the number of units held by all investors.

Compute NAV per unit

NAV per Unit = Net Assets / Total Outstanding Units. This calculation provides the price at which investors can buy or redeem units.


NAV is computed on a daily basis, typically at the end of the trading day, based on the closing prices of the fund's securities. This frequent updating ensures that investors have an accurate reflection of the fund's current value. For a comprehensive understanding, please refer to the screenshot suggested in the document.

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Frequently asked questions

What affects the NAV of a mutual fund?

NAV is affected by the fund's underlying asset values, expenses, income, and changes in the number of outstanding units. Market fluctuations and fund performance also play a role.

What does NAV mean?

NAV, or Net Asset Value, represents the per-unit value of a mutual fund, determined by dividing the total value of all its assets by the number of outstanding units.

What is the new rule on applicable NAV?

According to the recent regulation introduced on February 1, 2021, AMC will allocate mutual fund units on the same day if the payment is settled in the bank account within the specified cut-off time. This regulation is applicable to all mutual fund schemes, irrespective of the invested amount.

Is NAV calculated daily?

Yes, NAV is calculated daily at the end of each trading day, reflecting the current value of the mutual fund's assets and liabilities.

What is a good NAV for a mutual fund?

There's no single "good" NAV for a mutual fund. A high NAV simply reflects the total value of the fund's assets per unit. Focus on the fund's performance history, expense ratio, and alignment with your goals.

Is high NAV good or bad?

A high NAV doesn't necessarily indicate a better fund. A newer fund might have a lower NAV than an established one, but both could offer similar returns.

What is the NAV formula?

NAV = (Total Assets - Total Liabilities) / Number of Outstanding Units

How much NAV is good in mutual funds?

NAV is more about affordability than quality. A lower NAV might allow you to purchase more units initially, but investment decisions should prioritize factors like long-term growth potential.

What if NAV is low?

A low NAV doesn't inherently mean a bad investment. Consider the fund's overall strategy and track record. A low NAV could be an opportunity if the fund is on an upswing.

Is a higher NAV better in mutual funds?

A higher NAV is not inherently better in mutual funds. NAV simply reflects the per-unit price of the fund. The performance and growth potential of the fund are more important considerations than its current NAV when evaluating its investment value.

How do I choose a NAV for a mutual fund?

Choosing a NAV involves evaluating the fund's historical performance, management, expense ratio, and alignment with your investment goals. Rather than focusing on the NAV itself, consider the fund's overall potential for growth and risk tolerance to make an informed decision.

What is the difference between sale price and repurchase price in mutual funds?

The Sale Price is the NAV plus any entry load or charges when buying units. The Repurchase Price is the NAV minus any exit load or charges when selling units. The difference reflects transaction costs applied at purchase and redemption.

How does the cut-off time affect the NAV applicable to my transaction?

Cut-off times determine which day’s NAV applies to a transaction. If you invest before the cut-off time, you get the NAV of that day. Transactions made after the cut-off will use the NAV of the next business day.

Are NAVs of mutual fund schemes published daily?

Yes, NAVs of mutual fund schemes are published daily. They are updated at the end of each trading day based on the closing prices of the fund’s securities and are available on the fund house’s website and financial portals.

Why do NAVs of mutual funds vary from day to day?

NAVs vary daily due to fluctuations in the market value of the fund’s underlying assets. Changes in stock prices, interest rates, and other factors can affect the value of the investments held by the mutual fund.

What is the impact of exit load on the repurchase price?

The exit load is a fee deducted from the NAV when repurchasing units. It reduces the repurchase price and is applied to discourage early withdrawals. This fee impacts the amount an investor receives upon redeeming their mutual fund units.

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Bajaj Finance Limited (“BFL”) is an NBFC offering loans, deposits and third-party wealth management products.

The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute any financial advice. The content herein has been prepared by BFL on the basis of publicly available information, internal sources and other third-party sources believed to be reliable. However, BFL cannot guarantee the accuracy of such information, assure its completeness, or warrant such information will not be changed. 

This information should not be relied upon as the sole basis for any investment decisions. Hence, User is advised to independently exercise diligence by verifying complete information, including by consulting independent financial experts, if any, and the investor shall be the sole owner of the decision taken, if any, about suitability of the same.