Gamechangers of the Money Markets: These 10 Investment Gurus Can Transform Your Portfolio

Dive into the extraordinary world of investment legends and their groundbreaking strategies that reshaped Wall Street.

PUBLISHED OCT 22, 2023

David Tepper, Carl Icahn and Stanley Druckenmiller | Getty Images

Meet the visionaries who redefined investment strategies

Beyond Wall Street wizards, investment gurus are the mavericks who have revolutionized the money game. From nifty hedge fund moves to mind-boggling returns, these legends have rewritten the rules.

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Let's take a look at the investment advice of 10 maestros who made the markets dance to their tune.

10. David Swensen

David Swensen, the mind behind Yale University's endowment fund, is like the rock star of investing. He's the genius who gave birth to 'The Yale Model,' alongside Dean Takahashi. This game-changer helped Yale's endowment clock in an incredible 11.8% annual return between 1999 and 2009, totally owning the market. It's so good that other institutions tried to copy it, but failed since the secret sauce was Swensen's knack for picking the right managers.

9. Philip Fisher

Philip Arthur Fisher | Image Source: Expansion

Philip Fisher, the brain behind Common Stocks and Uncommon Profits, wasn't just your run-of-the-mill investor. He was the OG growth guru, who created the gospel for picking stocks with serious potential. Taking a leaf from Benjamin Graham's playbook, Fisher's wisdom also rubbed off on the Oracle of Omaha Warren Buffett himself. With his emphasis on long-term value and growth potential, Fisher's legacy continues to resonate with modern investors.

8. Peter Lynch

Peter Lynch, the money maestro behind Fidelity's Magellan Fund, redefined the game of mutual funds. Between 1977 and 1990, he pulled off a jaw-dropping 29.2% average annual return. To put it in perspective, that's more than twice what the S&P 500 was up to during that time. But Lynch didn't stop at being an investment genius; he shared his wisdom in his book, "One Up on Wall Street."

7. John Templeton

John Templeton didn't just dip his toes in the market, he made waves with his Templeton Growth Fund, which scored a jaw-dropping 15% annual growth over 38 years! A real student of the investing legend, Benjamin Graham, Templeton had a knack for finding diamonds in the rough. He'd spot those undervalued, under-the-radar gems that others missed, and had a knack for being ahead of the curve; with investment in Japan back in the '60s being a game-changer.

6. Benjamin Graham

Benjamin Graham With Gen. Robert E. Wood | Getty Images

Benjamin Graham, often dubbed the "father of value investing," was like the Jedi Master Yoda of the financial world. He penned the iconic book, "The Intelligent Investor," which remains a Bible for investors. But he wasn't all about words; which were the guiding light for legends like Warren Buffett and John Templeton. Graham walked the talk and rocked the world as a fund manager, scoring an impressive 20% annual return from 1936 to 1956.

5. Michael Steinhardt

Michael Steinhardt, the Wall Street maestro, was no stranger to the thrill of the trade. His brainchild, Steinhardt Partners, made a jaw-dropping 24.5% annual return between 1967 and 1995, establishing himself as a trading legend. With a net worth of a whopping $1.3 billion, Forbes rightly crowned him as one of the money market's heavyweights.

4. Charlie Munger

Charlie Munger, the big-shot vice chairman at Berkshire Hathaway, is more than just suits and ties. He's all about the long game, snapping up those quality companies on the cheap and holding onto them for life. Take a peek at Berkshire Hathaway's wallet, and you'll find a $123.7 billion Apple-shaped gem. With a whopping $2.6 billion under his belt, according to Forbes, it's safe to say Munger's not just sipping on lattes at the corner café.

3. Carl Icahn

Carl Icahn, the billionaire activist investor and mastermind behind Icahn Capital, doesn't just sit back and watch the stock market show unfold. He's known for making appearances on CNBC, sharing his insights, and rallying support for his brilliant initiatives. With a net worth of a hefty $5.8 billion, Forbes ranks him among the world's wealthiest. His empire, Icahn Enterprises LP, boasts a massive $14.3 billion holding.

2. Stanley Druckenmiller

Stanley Druckenmiller, the brains behind Duquesne Capital, keeps slaying the investment game with a whopping $1.7 billion 13F equity portfolio. Despite closing his doors to new investors in 2010, his quarterly 13Fs are still making waves. His big bet on Coupang, valued at a jaw-dropping $324 million, speaks volumes about his knack for picking winners. But let's not forget his epic British Pound short with George Soros back in '92, raking in a cool $1 billion.

1. David Tepper

David Tepper, the genius behind Appaloosa Management and the proud owner of the Carolina Panthers, knows a thing or two about making big moves. Starting with a stint at Goldman Sachs' junk bond desk, he soared to billionaire status through his role at Appaloosa Management. Tepper's claim to fame was snagging a substantial piece of Bank of America during the 2009 financial crisis, raking in a cool $7 billion. As of the last quarter, his firm was steering a $218.8 million ship with Constellation Energy Corporation.