Rakesh Jhunjhunwala's near $4-bn stock holdings in focus after death

The death of Indian billionaire Rakesh Jhunjhunwala puts a spotlight on the nearly $4 billion worth of stocks held by the famed investor, whose trades were closely followed.

The man known as India’s Warren Buffett died of a reported cardiac arrest Sunday at the age of 62. The self-made trader invested in a wide swathe of established businesses and startups, and served on the boards of several Indian firms. 

“His portfolio consists of companies which have risen from being value investments to larger players,” said Kranthi Bathini, a strategist at WealthMills Securities Pvt. Jhunjhunwala wasn’t much involved in management of companies in which he owned strategic stakes, Bathini said, adding that “these stocks are unlikely to see any major impact since his investments will be looked after by his company.”

Jhunjhunwala was among the most influential market voices in Asia’s third-biggest economy, with an intense following among the nation’s growing horde of retail investors. His investing success earned him a cult-like following, with news of his trades occasionally sparking stocks to move by their daily limits.

The man also known as “Big Bull” was a fierce backer of the India growth story. Jewelery retailer Titan Co. was one of the largest and most profitable investments for the veteran trader and his wife Rekha Jhunjhunwala, making up for more than a third of their portfolio, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. 

Their other top holdings by market value include Star Health & Allied Insurance Co., footwear maker Metro Brands Ltd. and automaker Tata Motors Ltd. Jhunjhunwala held stakes of more than 10% in Star Health, IT firm Aptech Ltd. and videogame maker Nazara Technologies Ltd.

Key Holdings	Value
Titan	$1.4 billion
Star Health	$884 million
Metro Brands	$281 million
Tata Motors (shares, DVRs)	$262 million
Crisil	$164 million
Fortis Healthcare	$113 million

Source: Bloomberg

Shares of companies in which Jhunjhunwala held stakes were mixed in Tuesday trading as the market reopened after a holiday. Titan rose about 1% and Star Health climbed as much as 2.5%, while Aptech fell more than 5%.

Jhunjhunwala’s estate, including shares and property, will be bequeathed to his wife and three children, newspaper Economic Times reported Monday, citing an unnamed person aware of the matter. The billionaire had previously worked out the plan, according to the report.

“True to his nature and unerring eye for detail, he had planned and meticulously executed a smooth transition to sustain and enhance his legacy,” Rare Enterprises Pvt., Jhunjhunwala’s investment firm, said in a statement. Rare Enterprises didn’t immediately respond to phone calls and an emailed request for details.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Jhunjhunwala in a tweet Sunday, saying the “indomitable” investor made “an indelible contribution to the financial world.”