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LDS Church Investment Portfolio Reaches $48.6 Billion in 2025

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Saturday, November 15th 2025 at 19:38 GMT by The Salt Lake Tribune
      Locale: UNITED STATES

The LDS Church’s Investment Portfolio: A 2025 Snapshot

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‑Day Saints (LDS Church) has long maintained a substantial, diversified investment portfolio, but the scope and focus of those holdings are only now coming fully into view. The Salt Lake Tribune’s in‑depth look at the Church’s investment activities—published November 15, 2025—unpacks the size, composition, and guiding principles that shape one of the largest faith‑based investment vehicles in the world. Below is a comprehensive summary of the key findings, contextualized by related sources that the article itself cites.

1. Size and Structure

• Total Value: The Church’s portfolio is now valued at $48.6 billion at the end of 2025, a modest increase from the $46.7 billion reported for 2024. The growth is largely attributable to the performance of technology and real‑estate holdings, which together comprise roughly 42 % of the total portfolio.

• Core Holdings: The most heavily weighted positions are in the following sectors: - Technology – $11.2 billion (23 % of total) – includes significant stakes in Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, and a growing private‑equity interest in a major AI start‑up. - Real Estate – $9.1 billion (19 %) – encompassing institutional investments in office, retail, and residential properties across the United States, Europe, and Asia. - Financial Services – $7.5 billion (16 %) – concentrated in major U.S. banks, including JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America, as well as a sizable holding in a global investment‑banking conglomerate. - Consumer Goods & Energy – $6.8 billion (14 %) – includes large positions in Procter & Gamble, Coca‑Cola, Exxon Mobil, and a renewable‑energy company.

• Investment Vehicles: The portfolio is managed through two primary vehicles: 1. Church Investment Fund (CIF) – a private‑equity‑style fund that holds direct stakes in select companies. 2. Endowment‑Style Mutual Fund – a more liquid, diversified fund that is accessible to the broader Church membership through charitable donations.

2. Responsible Investment Policy

Central to the Church’s portfolio management is the “Responsible Investment Policy” (RIP), adopted in 2019 and updated in 2023. The policy establishes a framework that balances financial performance with ethical stewardship.

• Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Criteria: The RIP requires that all new investments meet minimum ESG thresholds. This has led to the divestiture of approximately $1.3 billion in fossil‑fuel holdings since 2020, shifting those assets into renewable‑energy funds.

• Human‑Rights Screening: The policy mandates that companies with poor labor practices or histories of human‑rights violations be excluded. The Church’s holdings in several global mining firms were reassessed in 2024, leading to a partial divestiture and a subsequent engagement strategy to improve conditions.

• Transparency and Reporting: The Church publishes an annual report detailing portfolio performance, ESG compliance, and engagement outcomes. The most recent report—released in September 2025—highlighted a 7.8 % increase in ESG‑rated assets and a 3.2 % rise in dividend yield relative to the market.

3. Public Perception and Controversies

The Tribune’s investigation also touches on public debate surrounding the Church’s wealth and its social impact.

• Tax Exemption and Transparency: Critics argue that the Church’s tax‑exempt status, coupled with limited public disclosure of its financials, creates an information asymmetry. In response, the Church has pledged to release quarterly summaries of portfolio holdings to its global membership, a move announced during the 2025 General Conference.

• Impact of Divestitures: While the Church’s divestments from fossil‑fuel firms have drawn praise from environmental groups, some investors worry about short‑term returns. The article cites a 2024 interview with the Church’s chief investment officer, who stresses that long‑term ESG alignment “is not a trade‑off; it is an investment strategy.”

4. Comparative Landscape

The LDS Church’s investment scale places it among the largest faith‑based investors worldwide. The Tribune benchmarks the Church against other major religious organizations:

• Catholic Church’s Global Bank – $45 billion (2024)
• U.S. Episcopal Church Fund – $2.1 billion
• Islamic Relief Worldwide – $1.7 billion

These comparisons underscore the LDS Church’s relatively aggressive growth in high‑growth sectors such as technology and renewable energy.

5. Looking Ahead

The Church’s investment team outlines a multi‑year strategy that emphasizes:

• Increased Allocation to Renewable Energy – Targeting an additional $3 billion by 2028.
• Expansion into Emerging Markets – Especially in Southeast Asia, where the Church is exploring both real‑estate and tech ventures.
• Enhanced ESG Engagement – Utilizing the Church’s influence to advocate for climate‑friendly policies within its largest corporate holdings.

6. Key Takeaways

• Robust Portfolio Growth: The Church’s $48.6 billion portfolio continues to grow, driven by technology and real‑estate sectors.
• ESG‑Focused Management: The Responsible Investment Policy governs investment decisions, leading to significant divestitures from fossil fuels and increased allocation to renewable energy.
• Public Scrutiny: Transparency remains a point of contention; the Church’s commitment to quarterly reporting aims to address concerns.
• Strategic Future Plans: Emphasis on renewable energy, emerging markets, and ESG engagement signals a forward‑looking investment philosophy that seeks to balance financial returns with ethical considerations.

The LDS Church’s investment portfolio is more than a financial asset; it reflects the institution’s evolving stance on responsible stewardship and its willingness to adapt to a rapidly changing global economy. As the Church continues to grow its holdings while integrating ESG principles, its portfolio will likely serve as a bellwether for how faith‑based organizations balance tradition, wealth, and social responsibility in the 21st century.