Outlook Business Desk
Billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s net worth rose to $9.2 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion in 2024. This increase is driven by the performance of his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management, and its main investment vehicle, Pershing Square Holdings, as per Barron’s report.
Pershing Square Holdings, a London-listed closed-end fund trading under the ticker PSHZF, returned 25.3% in 2025, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 (Standard & Poor’s 500 Index), which had an 11.7% total return. Barron’s reports the fund’s net asset value is around $16 billion, while its market value stands at approximately $11 billion.
Pershing Square Holdings’ strong 2025 performance is mainly due to its significant investments in mortgage companies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Barron’s reports the fund has earned an estimated $2 billion in profits from these holdings alone this year.
Meanwhile, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac shares have surged dramatically in 2025. Fannie Mae closed at $14.64, up 350% since January, while Freddie Mac reached $13.50, a gain of over 300%. Both stocks started the year near $3 per share.
Pershing Square Holdings is among the largest shareholders of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, holding an estimated 180 million shares combined, including about 115 million Fannie Mae shares. Barron’s reports the total value of these holdings is now approximately $2.5 billion.
Bill Ackman maintains a concentrated portfolio of roughly six key investments, including Uber Technologies, Alphabet, Brookfield Asset Management, and Restaurant Brands International. Barron’s notes this strategy marks a move away from short selling toward long-term growth-focused companies.
Bill Ackman’s impact extends beyond finance, with over 2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter). His outspoken views influence public debates, reaching audiences in business, academia, and politics, showing his presence is far wider than just Wall Street.
Bill Ackman’s career is marked by bold, contrarian decisions. In 2020, he profited around $2.6 billion by shorting the bond market just before the COVID-19 pandemic downturn, using the gains to strengthen his long-term investments.
Some of Ackman’s most profitable positions include Canadian Pacific Railway and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which remain key holdings in Pershing Square’s portfolio, demonstrating his focus on long-term, high-conviction investments that have consistently delivered strong returns.