It is a human tendency to emulate success stories. We often follow top investors in India who have found incredible success in stock markets and try to invest in the stories that they have invested in. The top 10 Indian Share Market investors have incredible investing lessons to offer. While it may not be prudent to match their portfolios, as we have our constraints and different investment ideologies, we can take a leaf or two from their investing and life lessons, which will help us chalk out our unique successful journey in investing. Let us look at the equity net worth of those who are best in investing.
Here is a list of 10 top investors in India
1. Radhakishan Damani
Portfolio Net worth: Rs. 207 crores in 2024, as per Forbes.
Radhakishan Damani is a self-made billionaire with a unique story. Despite dropping out of college, he honed his business acumen through years of experience in the ball-bearing industry.
His journey into the stock market started with taking the reins after his father’s demise. The 1990s proved to be a turning point, as Damani capitalized on the Harshad Mehta scam by short-selling overvalued stocks. This move laid the foundation for his future successes.
A keen observer of consumer behaviour, Damani founded DMart, a highly profitable retail chain. With a deep understanding of Indian consumers’ needs, Dmart has expanded to over 284 stores across the country.
Damani’s investment philosophy centres around thorough fundamental analysis and ethical considerations. He believes that businesses that align with consumer preferences are poised for long-term growth. As of 2024, he ranks 107th on the Forbes Global Billionaires List, a testament to his exceptional investment acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.
2. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Portfolio Net worth: Rs. 72,814 crores as per The Financial Express as of September 2024.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, often called India’s Warren Buffett, was a legendary investor. He started with a small investment of just 5,000 rupees and turned it into a massive fortune.
After working as a chartered accountant, he dedicated himself to the stock market. He was known for his sharp investment skills and understanding of companies. He founded Rare Enterprises, an investment firm that focused on various sectors.
At the time of his death, he held investments worth $4 billion in the stock market across companies. His portfolio included the highest stock holding in Tata Group’s Titan. At the time of his death, his wife, Rekha Jhunjhunwala inherited his portfolio, with her net worth standing at over Rs. 49,000 crores.
3. Ramesh Damani
Portfolio Net Worth- Rs. 317.4 Crores as of June 30, 2024
Ramesh Damani, a renowned Indian investor, started his investment journey in the early 1990s when the Sensex was at a modest 600 points. Known for his patient, long-term approach, Damani focuses on investing in companies with strong leadership and well-defined business strategies.
Unlike many investors who chase short-term gains, Damani is a staunch believer in value investing. He seeks out companies that are undervalued by the market but possess solid fundamentals. He advises investors to prioritize understanding a company’s business model over short-lived market trends.
Damani’s diverse investment portfolio showcases his ability to identify opportunities across various sectors.
4. Raamdeo Agrawal
Portfolio Net Worth- Rs. 14,856 crores as of 2024
Raamdeo Agrawal, a prominent figure in Indian investing, is recognized as one of the top 10 investors in the country. With a net worth of $1 billion, Agrawal’s strategic investments have generated substantial wealth. His journey began as a sub-broker at the Bombay Stock Exchange, and in 1987, he co-founded Motilal Financial Services.
Agrawal is particularly renowned for his successful investment in Hero MotoCorp (formerly Hero Honda) in 1995. His investment philosophy centers around long-term investing, emphasizing patience and faith as key ingredients for success.
Agrawal’s portfolio includes notable investments such as Hero Honda, Infosys, and Eicher Motors, which have contributed significantly to his impressive track record.
5. Vijay Kedia
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 1,747 crores as per Finology as of Sept 2024
Hailing from Kolkata, Vijay Kedia is a legendary investor whose journey in the stock market began at the young age of 19. He is popular for founding three stocks in 2004-05- Atul Auto, Aegis Logistics, and Cera Sanitaryware. These investments soared over the next decade, multiplying in value by a staggering 100 times.
His investment philosophy is guided by the acronym SMILE (Small in size, Medium in experience, Large in aspiration, and Extra-large in market potential), which emphasizes the importance of identifying businesses with strong management and promising growth prospects.
Kedia’s investment approach is characterized by patience, discipline, and a long-term perspective. He believes that while luck plays a role, knowledge, fortitude, and patience are the true pillars of successful investing. His unwavering commitment to these principles has led to the remarkable success of Kedia Securities.
6. Nemish Shah
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 2,311.03 crores as per Finology as of Sept 2024
Nemish Shah, a prominent figure in the Indian investment landscape, is renowned as the co-founder and director of Enam Holdings. This esteemed firm currently holds a diversified portfolio of over 34 stocks valued at more than Rs 9 crore.
Shah’s strategic approach to investing has earned him a place among India’s top 10 investors. He focuses on identifying well-positioned businesses with sustainable future earnings. His portfolio includes significant holdings in companies like Lakshmi Machine Works Ltd and Elgi Equipments Ltd, valued at approximately Rs 119.4 crore and Rs 954.4 crore, respectively.
Co-founded by Shah in 1984, Enam has evolved from a brokerage firm into one of India’s most respected investment firms. Shah’s early career in investment banking saw rapid success as he quickly climbed the ranks to top the IPO market league tables.
7. Porinju Veliyath
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 267.10 Crores as per Finology as of Sept 2024
Porinju Veliyath, named the “small-cap czar” by The Economic Times, is a renowned investor and fund manager. With a net worth exceeding 146 crores and a portfolio of 17 stocks, he has solidified his position among India’s top 10 investors.
Veliyath’s journey began as a floor trader at Kotak Securities in 1990. He subsequently launched his own venture in 2002, focusing on identifying and investing in multi-bagger stocks at opportune moments.
Veliyath’s investment prowess lies in his ability to discover underappreciated small and mid-cap companies with strong fundamentals and growth potential. His firm, Equity Intelligence, a SEBI-registered investment advisory firm, has consistently delivered impressive returns to its clients by adopting a wise investment approach.
8. Dolly Khanna
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 451.25 crores as per Finology as of Sept 2024
Dolly Khanna began her investment journey in 1996. Today, her portfolio comprises over 33 stocks, including holdings in companies like Indo Tech Transformers Ltd and Talbros Automotive Components Ltd.
Khanna has made a name for herself due to her patient and research-oriented approach to investment and excellent portfolio holdings on behalf of her husband, Rajiv Khanna. Her portfolio, valued at over ₹600 crore in November 2017, has significantly outperformed the market.
Some of her most notable investments include Rain Industries Ltd, NOCIL Ltd (171% return), and PPAP Automotive (342% return).
9. Ashish Kacholia
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 2,867.48 crores as per Finology as of Sept 2024
Ashish Kacholia, known as the “Big Whale” of the Indian stock market, is a prominent figure in the investment world renowned for his expertise in identifying and investing in small-cap and mid-cap stocks.
Kacholia’s impressive portfolio includes multi-bagger stocks like Man Industries (India) Ltd and Brand Concepts Ltd. He also holds shares in Fineotex Chemical Ltd.
In addition to his successful investment career, Kacholia co-founded Hungama Digital Media Entertainment Private Limited alongside the legendary investor Rakesh Jhunjhunwala. He also established Lucky Securities in 2003, which has grown into a leading brokerage firm in the Philippines, offering portfolio management and training services.
10. Chandrakant Sampat
Portfolio Net Worth: Rs. 317.4 crores
Chandrakant Sampat was a legendary investor known for his astute investment choices and long-term investment approach. He was a firm believer in value investing, concentrating on businesses that have solid fundamentals and skilled management.
He is also one of the earliest investors in the stock market who advocates for a disciplined and patient approach to reap great benefits. Sampat is known for his unique ability to identify undervalued companies with strong growth potential. He remains one of the most respected and knowledgeable financial experts in the country.
Conclusion
We are sure you now know more about the 10 top investors in India. While it is okay to find inspiration in their stories, it does not make sense to emulate their portfolios or styles. It is essential that you align your portfolio based on your priorities and financial goals.
You will also have to accommodate your risk appetite and budget constraints to optimise your returns at appropriate risk levels. Reach out to our experts at Tata Capital Wealth, who can help you design a portfolio best aligned with your needs.
FAQs
Radhakishan Damani, the founder of DMart, is considered one of the richest Indian investors, with significant wealth from stock market investments and business ventures.
The late Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, often called the "Big Bull," remains a legendary figure for his strategic investments and immense success in the Indian stock market.
Top investors include Radhakishan Damani, Vijay Kedia, Nimesh Shah, and Dolly Khanna, who are known for their significant holdings in Indian equities.
Indian investors favour value investing, long-term equity holdings, and diversification across sectors to mitigate risks and maximise returns.
19 December 2024
8 mins read
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