From Yahoo Finance: 2025-06-03 20:21:00

Wall Street money managers shared investing career highlights, emphasizing skill and luck in successful decisions. Recent stories from everyday Americans featured house investments and holding onto stocks like Nvidia and Apple. Wall Street pros shared career highlights, showcasing their ability to spot timely opportunities and capitalize on them.

GMO’s Arjun Divecha realized a 6,400% return by buying discounted shares during Russia’s financial crisis. Negotiating tactics led to a successful purchase, highlighting the importance of seizing opportunities during crises. Divecha’s strategic selling years later resulted in a significant profit.

During the pandemic, Nguyen invested in oil through MLPs and ETFs, achieving a 50% return as the world normalized. She then donated the proceeds to charities focusing on education and food security in New York City. Nguyen’s approach showcased the importance of broad investments during uncertain times.

Bill Smead noticed eBay’s potential during the 2008 crash, leading to a lucrative investment. Recognizing the company’s valuable assets and business model, Smead recommended buying and holding the stock. eBay’s subsequent success validated his investment decision.

John Barr’s investment in Nova led to over 6,000% returns, benefiting from the semiconductor boom. Making an early investment based on his knowledge of the company’s potential, Barr’s success underscored the importance of thorough analysis and understanding of industry trends.

Jason Hsu capitalized on retail traders’ impact on GameStop’s stock, correctly predicting a downturn. By betting against GameStop at the right time, Hsu experienced significant returns. His success highlighted the importance of timing and analysis in successful investments.

Hank Smith made strategic selling decisions during the Great Financial Crisis, avoiding significant losses. Selling Citigroup and AIG before their collapses showcased his foresight and ability to make tough decisions. Despite initial criticism, Smith’s actions saved his clients from substantial losses.

Read more: 6 Wall Street veterans share the best trades they’ve ever made