Top 10 Best Traders in India in 2023 - Upstox (2024)

Trading has become a vital aspect of the Indian economy, and many traders have significantly contributed to its growth. Over the years, a few traders have distinguished themselves through their remarkable success in the industry, earning them recognition as some of the top traders in India.

These traders have become role models for aspiring traders, offering insights into investment strategies, philosophies, and approaches to risk management. These traders have also accumulated substantial wealth through their investment successes, and their influence is felt in India and the global trading community.

This blog will examine some of India's top traders, including Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, Radhakishan Damani, Raamdeo Agrawal, and Nemish Shah. This blog aims to inspire traders, providing valuable insights into the world of trading and highlights the achievements of some of the top traders in India.

Top 10 Traders in India

Here is the 10 top traders in India list:

1. Premji & Associates was founded by Azim Hashim Premji, a prominent Indian businessman and the current chairman of Wipro Ltd. He is often referred to as the "Czar of the Indian IT Industry" and is a well-known philanthropist. He is among the wealthiest individuals in India. Born in Bombay in 1945, Premji established Premji & Associates as an investment vehicle and held a significant stake in Wipro and other companies such as Tube Investments and JK Lakshmi Cements.
2. Ramesh Damani is India's top trader and stock market investor known for his investment acumen. He embarked on his journey to financial success in the 1990s when the Sensex was at 600 points. After completing his Bachelor's degree in Commerce from HR College in Mumbai, he pursued an MBA from California State University. His first notable investment was in Infosys, where he recognised the company’s tremendous potential, owing to his technical background in the US. He invested Rs. 10 lakh in Infosys when it went public in 1993, which yielded a return of more than 100 times by 1999. His other notable holdings include Goldiam International, Godrej Industries, Panama Petrochem, and several more.
3. Rakesh Jhunjhunwala, also known as "The Big Bull," is among the top 10 traders in India of Indian stock market investors who has amassed a significant fortune through intraday trading and investing. He serves as an inspiration to those seeking to succeed in the Indian stock market. Jhunjhunwala, the son of an income tax officer, began his career in the stock market after completing his Chartered Accountancy degree. With a meagre investment of Rs. 5,000, he has now amassed a massive net worth of over Rs. 41,000 crores as of 2021. Some of his notable holdings include Titan Company, Star Health & Allied Insurance, Metro Brands, Tata Motors, and many more.
4. Ashish Dhawan is a well-known figure in the Indian stock market and is recognised for his expertise as a stock investor, entrepreneur, and philanthropist. Currently serving as the CEO of Central Square Foundation, he played a key role in laying the foundation for Ashoka University. His portfolio is currently valued at Rs. 1,971 crore and comprises 16 stocks. Among his holdings are shares worth Rs. 259.5 crore in Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Ltd. and stocks in IDFC Ltd., Birlasoft Ltd., Equitas Holdings Ltd., and others. His portfolio has grown by 81.07% in the past year, with an overall increase of 651.38% over the last five years.
5. Sunil Singhania, the CIO of Reliance Mutual Fund, is a prominent figure among India's top traders. He is highly regarded by stock investors and industry traders alike. Singhania strongly emphasises diversification, as evidenced by his holdings in Jindal Stainless Ltd. Route Mobile Ltd. Polyplex Corporation Ltd. Mastek Ltd. Acrysil Ltd, Saregama India Ltd. Paras Defence and Space Technologies Ltd., among others. His portfolio grew by approximately 260% in the previous year alone, and in just five years, it has increased by an astounding 11,004.55%.
6. Vijay Kedia has an exceptional knowledge of the stock market, and his story is even more inspiring. Despite being born into a family of brokers, his journey in the stock market was challenging. Although he developed an interest in the stock market at 14 years of age, he was forced to enter by the young age of 19, after his father's passing. He joined his family's brokerage firm but had no intention of staying. Instead, he ventured into intraday trading, which proved more lucrative for him. Kedia's popular holdings include Mahindra Holidays, Repro India, Elecon Engineering, and others.
7. Nemish Shah is a significant supporter of ENAM and is recognised as one of India's top small-scale financial investors. In many ways, Shah's approach to venture capital is comparable to that of Warren Buffet. A sound investment strategy, according to him, is to invest in companies that generate revenue by increasing usage. Over the last three years, Shah's stakes in Asahi India, a car glass manufacturer, have more than tripled. Shah's investment philosophy centres on the notion that investing in companies with a ROCE (return on capital employed) of less than 9% is not justifiable. The critical factor is how the organisation intends to grow in the future. Shah believes that constant fundraising dilutes the value of the company.
8. Ashish Kacholia is another financial guru known for his expertise in selecting mid and small-cap stocks that have the potential to multiply in value. Last year, Kacholia demonstrated his perseverance by achieving impressive results. Kacholia's other multi-bagger selections include KEI Industries, which generated a 204% return, and APL Apollo Tubes, which returned 116% in 2017.
9. Mr. Porinju Veliyath, an Indian stock market investor and trader, is an exceptional figure. He manages Equity Intelligence India Limited, a company he co-founded. Veliyath had to start working at 17 years of age, to support his family, who were struggling financially. He moved to Ernakulam, where he worked as a telephone operator for the Ernakulam phone exchange while studying for his LLB degree at Ernakulam Law College. Veliyath had a keen interest in the stock market from a young age. After completing his education, he came to Mumbai to pursue his passion, and he has been actively involved in the stock market ever since.
10. Radhakishan Damani, born in Mumbai in 1954, started his career as a businessman and founded Dmart before transitioning to becoming a full-time multibillionaire investor. He established his own investing company, Bright Stars Investments Limited. Radhakrishnan Damani's portfolio comprises various companies, with Avenue Supermarts Ltd being a leading one. Avenue Supermarts Ltd is the parent company of D-Mart, a prominent hypermarket chain in India. Damani holds nearly 65% of the business shares, which amounts to Rs. 2,03,244.3 crore. VST Industries Ltd. is another significant holding in Damani's portfolio, with a holding of 32.3% worth Rs. 1,553.2 crore. The rest of Damani's portfolio comprises 12 other stocks from different companies, with India Cements Ltd accounting for almost 13% of his investments. The portfolio's value grew by 89.56% in the previous year and an impressive 9851.24% over five years.

Conclusion

India's trading landscape is dynamic, with new traders emerging every year. As the country continues to develop, we can expect to see even more successful traders emerge in upcoming years. The future of trading in India is bright, and it will be exciting to see how the country's top traders continue to shape the industry. India's top traders are a testament to the power of hard work, dedication, and a deep understanding of the markets. Whether you are an aspiring trader or among the top 10 traders in India, there is much to learn.

Disclaimer

The investment options and stocks mentioned here are not recommendations. Please go through your own due diligence and conduct thorough research before investing. Investment in the securities market is subject to market risks. Please read the Risk Disclosure documents carefully before investing. Past performance of instruments/securities does not indicate their future performance. Due to the price fluctuation risk and the market risk, there is no guarantee that your personal investment objectives will be achieved.