Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, fondly remembered as the “Big Bull” of Dalal Street and often called India’s Warren Buffett, continues to inspire millions of investors on his death anniversary. From starting his investment journey as a college student in the 1980s with limited capital to building a fortune worth over Rs 30,000 crore, Jhunjhunwala’s rise remains one of the most remarkable success stories in Indian financial history.
Unlike many celebrated investors, his market wisdom was not acquired in elite business schools but through decades of experience, conviction, perseverance and learning from both successes and failures. A Chartered Accountant by qualification, Jhunjhunwala combined financial acumen with an extraordinary ability to identify long-term wealth creators, making iconic bets on companies such as Titan and Aptech.
While he was widely known for his long-term investment philosophy, Jhunjhunwala was equally adept at spotting short-term opportunities across listed and unlisted companies. His investment approach was rooted in strong fundamentals, with positive cash flow remaining a key criterion in stock selection. Over the years, his portfolio became a benchmark for countless investors who closely tracked his investment decisions and market views.
Renowned for his candid opinions and unwavering convictions, Jhunjhunwala never hesitated to voice his views on markets, businesses or public policy. He firmly believed in investing only in sectors he understood well, often emphasizing that successful investing was not about being present everywhere but about being right where it mattered.
On his death anniversary, Rakesh Jhunjhunwala is remembered not just for the wealth he created, but for the enduring lessons he left behind on patience, conviction, discipline and the power of long-term investing.
Winning bets of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala
Here’s a look at five investments that delivered handsome returns for Rakesh Jhunjhunwala.
Perhaps Rakesh Jhunjhunwala’s most iconic investment, Titan exemplifies the power of long-term wealth creation. The ace investor began accumulating Titan shares at prices ranging between Rs 30 and Rs 35 per share in the early years of his investment journey, according to media reports. As of now, Titan shares trade at around Rs 5,073.65 apiece, translating into a staggering gain of approximately 14,400 per cent to 16,800 per cent over the years. The investment not only became one of the biggest wealth creators in Jhunjhunwala’s portfolio but also cemented his reputation as one of India’s most successful long-term investors.
Star Health and Allied Insurance
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala invested in Star Health and Allied Insurance at an average acquisition cost of Rs 155.28 per share, reflecting his conviction in India’s growing health insurance sector, as per media reports. The stock currently trades at around Rs 589.45 per share, representing a gain of approximately 279.6 per cent from his purchase price. The investment underscores Jhunjhunwala’s ability to identify long-term opportunities in emerging segments of the financial services industry.
Rakesh Jhunjhunwala began accumulating shares of rating and analytics firm CRISIL in 2003 through open market purchases at average prices ranging between Rs 400 and Rs 500 per share, according to media reports. His long-term conviction in the company’s strong business model and leadership in the ratings space paid off handsomely. With CRISIL shares currently trading at around Rs 4,441 apiece, the investment has delivered an impressive return of approximately 788 per cent to 1,010 per cent over the years, making it one of the standout performers in Jhunjhunwala’s portfolio.
Fortis Healthcare: Rakesh Jhunjhunwala built his position in Fortis Healthcare through multiple open-market transactions, notably acquiring shares at an average price of Rs 119.35 per share in February 2015 and Rs 134.65 per share in August 2017, as per reports. The stock currently trades at around Rs 918.40 per share, translating into a gain of approximately 669 per cent from his 2017 purchase price and about 670 per cent from his 2015 acquisition price. The investment highlights Jhunjhunwala’s conviction in India’s long-term healthcare growth story and his ability to identify value in sectors poised for sustained expansion.
(Disclaimer: The above article is meant for informational purposes only and should not be considered as any investment advice. ET NOW DIGITAL suggests its readers/audience to consult their financial advisors before making any money-related decisions.)
