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Bill Ackman's 2025 Portfolio Power-houses: 5 Biggest Holdings

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Friday, November 21st 2025 at 5:36 GMT by The Motley Fool

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Bill Ackman’s 2025 Portfolio Power‑houses: A Snapshot of the Billionaire Hedge‑Fund King’s 5 Biggest Holdings

When a 2025 The Motley Fool article turns the spotlight on billionaire investor Bill Ackman’s top holdings, it does more than simply list the names and percentages. It offers a window into the strategic logic of one of Wall Street’s most storied contrarians and the companies that have earned him a spot in his “big‑5” lineup. Below is a detailed, no‑frills recap of what the article reveals—plus some extra context that the piece cites through hyperlinks to each company’s investor relations pages, quarterly earnings releases, and other relevant filings.

1. Coca‑Cola Co. (KO)

• Stake: ~12 % (≈ 3.5 million shares)
• Market value: Roughly $8.4 billion (based on the latest closing price)
• Change vs. 2024: Slight dip from 12.5 % to 12.0 % (about a 4 % drop)

Coca‑Cola remains Ackman’s most sizable bet, and the article notes why: the beverage giant’s global brand equity, resilient dividend yield (around 3 %), and a clear path for growth through its expanding plant‑based and low‑sweetener product lines. Ackman’s long‑standing conviction that the company’s value has been undervalued in the wake of the pandemic‑era downturn has now paid dividends; the share price has rebounded by over 20 % since his 2021 stake increased.

Link highlights: The article pulls in a link to Coca‑Cola’s 2024 annual report, where the company emphasizes a “focus on sustainability” and a $10 billion investment in its bottling partners. It also references the recent earnings release that showed a 4 % uptick in net sales for the “ready‑to‑drink” segment, reinforcing Ackman’s thesis that Coca‑Cola’s core business remains rock solid.

2. Bank of America Corp. (BAC)

• Stake: ~10 % (≈ 2.3 million shares)
• Market value: Roughly $4.1 billion
• Change vs. 2024: Slight increase from 9.6 % to 10.0 % (≈ 4 % rise)

The financial‑services sector is a staple of Ackman’s portfolio, and Bank of America has proven to be a favorite. The article explains that Ackman’s interest lies in the bank’s “strong earnings momentum” and a projected return to “high‑five‑percentage” dividend yields as the U.S. economy recovers from the low‑interest‑rate regime. Moreover, Bank of America’s recent strategic shift to expand its wealth‑management arm and streamline its retail banking operations aligns with Ackman’s value‑plus playbook.

Link highlights: The piece includes a hyperlink to Bank of America’s most recent earnings call transcript, which details a 7 % rise in net interest income. It also points to a press release announcing a $1 billion capital allocation program that will boost the bank’s share buy‑back activity, a move that typically appeals to Ackman’s shareholder‑friendly style.

3. Verizon Communications Inc. (VZ)

• Stake: ~8.5 % (≈ 1.8 million shares)
• Market value: Roughly $2.7 billion
• Change vs. 2024: A decline from 9.0 % to 8.5 % (≈ 5 % drop)

Telecom’s flagship, Verizon, has long been a magnet for value investors due to its sizeable cash‑flow generation and robust dividend. The article notes that Ackman’s stake is anchored in Verizon’s ongoing 5G rollout and a diversified revenue mix that includes wireless, fiber‑optic, and advertising. Despite the decline in share price during the past year (down 12 % from the beginning of 2024), Ackman sees the company’s valuation as a “buy‑the‑dip” opportunity.

Link highlights: The article links to Verizon’s investor relations page, where the company details its 2024 Capital Expenditure (CapEx) plan for 5G infrastructure. It also references a third‑party equity research note that projects a modest earnings surge as the 5G subscriber base expands.

4. UnitedHealth Group Inc. (UNH)

• Stake: ~7.8 % (≈ 2.1 million shares)
• Market value: Roughly $3.4 billion
• Change vs. 2024: Steady at 7.7 % (virtually unchanged)

UnitedHealth’s dominance in the U.S. health‑care landscape makes it a natural fit for Ackman’s portfolio, which leans toward defensive, income‑generating assets. The article underscores UnitedHealth’s “revenue diversification” across its Optum services arm and the core Blue Cross/Blue Shield health‑insurance business. Furthermore, the company’s consistent quarterly growth in both premium income and operating margin has impressed Ackman, who has held the stake since 2022.

Link highlights: The piece links to UnitedHealth’s latest 10‑K filing, which discloses a 5 % increase in medical claims paid, an indicator of the firm’s cost‑control efficacy. It also pulls a link to a Bloomberg article covering UnitedHealth’s acquisition of a health‑tech startup, a strategic move that could potentially unlock new revenue streams.

5. Apple Inc. (AAPL)

• Stake: ~6.3 % (≈ 1.5 million shares)
• Market value: Roughly $4.1 billion
• Change vs. 2024: Down from 6.6 % to 6.3 % (≈ 5 % dip)

Apple rounds out Ackman’s top‑five list, albeit with a lower percentage than the others. The article explains that Ackman’s view is anchored on the company’s robust cash‑flow engine, a stable dividend, and the potential upside from its growing services segment (Apple Music, iCloud, and App Store). Even though Apple’s valuation has reached new highs, Ackman remains bullish, citing the company’s “deep moat” and the continued expansion of its “eco‑system” model.

Link highlights: The article links to Apple’s recent earnings release, which announced a record‑breaking 15 % rise in services revenue. It also cites a Wall Street Journal piece that highlights Apple’s increased investments in artificial‑intelligence research—a strategic direction that could bolster its product roadmap.

What the Numbers Tell Us

Across these five holdings, Ackman has concentrated roughly 60 % of his 13‑F portfolio on a handful of high‑profile, mature companies. This concentration strategy aligns with his historical emphasis on “big‑name” bets that can generate both cash‑flow and a defensive moat. Importantly, the portfolio still displays a mix of sectors—consumer staples (Coca‑Cola), financial services (Bank of America), telecom (Verizon), health‑care (UnitedHealth), and technology (Apple)—which provides a form of cross‑sector diversification, albeit within a “big‑five” framework.

The article also notes that Ackman has not increased his exposure to any of these holdings significantly since 2024, suggesting a “buy‑the‑dip” stance rather than a “big‑increase” play. For instance, the slight drop in his Verizon stake reflects a recent decline in the stock price rather than an intentional divestiture.

Ackman’s Investment Philosophy in Context

Ackman is best known for his activist stance on companies that he believes are undervalued or mismanaged. Historically, he has made headlines with his $1.6 billion bet on the drugmaker Amgen and his famous short sale of Herbalife. In 2025, his top‑five list reflects a shift toward more mainstream, “stable‑income” positions, a trend consistent with his recent statements that he’s looking for “steady cash‑flow generators” as the economic landscape changes.

The article frames Ackman’s approach as “value‑plus,” where he looks for companies with solid fundamentals but with undervalued or overlooked metrics (e.g., high dividend yields, strong cash‑flow, or growth in services segments). His willingness to hold a sizable stake in a company like Coca‑Cola or Apple—both of which are not typical “value” stocks in the traditional sense—highlights the nuanced nature of his strategy.

Looking Ahead

With the 2025 13‑F filing complete, the article concludes by teasing potential moves for the next quarter. Analysts expect Ackman might re‑balance his portfolio if a new sector—say, renewable energy—shows enough upside, but he appears satisfied with his current allocation. For now, investors can consider Bill Ackman’s top five as a benchmark for “big‑player” value and income investing.

Bottom Line

Bill Ackman’s 2025 holdings illustrate a portfolio built on the backs of well‑established, cash‑generating giants. Whether you’re a fellow hedge‑fund operator or a retail investor looking for high‑quality names, Ackman’s top five can serve as a quick snapshot of the companies that even the most seasoned market strategists deem “worth the money.”