Bill Ackman’s net worth doubles to $9.2 billion in 2025 as Pershing Square scores big gains

Group 1: Performance Overview - Bill Ackman's net worth increased to $9.2 billion in 2025 from $4.3 billion in 2024, driven by the strong performance of his hedge fund, Pershing Square Capital Management [1] - Pershing Square Holdings delivered a 25.3% return in 2025, outperforming the S&P 500's 11.7% return during the same period [2] - The fund's net asset value (NAV) is approximately $16 billion, while its market value is around $11 billion [2] Group 2: Key Investments - The fund's significant gains are attributed to its holdings in Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, generating an estimated profit of $2 billion in 2025 [3] - Fannie Mae shares rose 350% to $14.64, and Freddie Mac shares increased over 300% to $13.50 in 2025, both starting the year around $3 [3] - Pershing Square is one of the largest shareholders of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, holding an estimated 180 million shares combined, valued at nearly $2.5 billion [4] Group 3: Investment Strategy - Ackman's investment strategy focuses on a concentrated portfolio, typically around six core investments, including Uber Technologies, Alphabet, Brookfield Asset Management, and Restaurant Brands International [5] - The fund has shifted from short selling to investing in "durable growth companies" [5] - Pershing Square manages approximately $20 billion in assets [5] Group 4: Influence and Controversy - Bill Ackman is known for his outspoken views and has over 2 million followers on X (formerly Twitter), extending his influence beyond Wall Street [6] - He made headlines in 2024 for campaigning against Harvard University president Claudine Gay, leading to her resignation [6] - Ackman endorsed Donald Trump for the 2024 presidential election, marking a significant political shift [7] Group 5: Notable Achievements - Ackman gained $2.6 billion by shorting the bond market before the COVID-19 pandemic, using the profits to strengthen long-term positions [8] - Successful investments include Canadian Pacific Railway and Chipotle Mexican Grill, which remain core holdings in the portfolio [8]