Introduction:
The LPG policy played a crucial role in helping Indian companies compete globally. Liberalization, Privatization, and Globalization policies have significantly boosted the Indian economy, especially the finance sector. After 1991, investing shifted from a side activity to a full-fledged career, with many big names emerging.
One of them was Ramesh Damani, who made his first big move in the 1990s. How did Ramesh Damani enter the investing world? Did he focus only on equity asset management? How did he become one of the best investors? Let’s find out!
About Ramesh Damani:
Ramesh Damani is a veteran investor at BSE. His portfolio focuses on Indian and US markets. He manages Damani Finance Pvt. Ltd. and chairs D-Mart. He was born into a well-off family, and his father was a regular market investor.
Initially, Damani started his investment journey when his father gave him around Rs.8,39,000 ($10,000) as a challenge to invest in the stock market, but he lost both the challenge and the money. After finishing his bachelor’s in India, Damani went to the USA for an MBA. Later, in 1989, he returned to India with a Master’s degree from California State University and became a member of the Bombay Stock Exchange.
Damani was intrigued by spotting successful businesses and investing in them for the long term. His big break came in 1993 when he invested Rs.10 lakh in Infosys and CMC.
By 1999, his investment had increased multifold when the share price of Infosys increased from Rs.1.86 to Rs.226.82, and that of CMC reached approx Rs.203 ($2.42) from Rs.146.67 ($1.75). In 2002-03, he invested in the liquor industry with McDowell (now United Spirits) and saw significant returns. He also invested early in Bharat Electronics Ltd and Bharat Earth Movers Ltd, though he regrets not buying more.
Ramesh Damani Net Worth
As of the quarter ending 30 June 2024, Ramesh Damani’s net worth is Rs.317.45 crore, 115.1% higher than the previous quarter’s Rs.147.58 crore. His net worth grew consistently since the December 2020 quarter’s Rs.4.48 crore. However, as of August 2024, it declined slightly and dropped to Rs.298.68 crore.
Ramesh Damani Portfolio Holdings:
The following is the list of shares held by Ramesh Damani as of the latest filing made in the quarter ending 30th June 2024-
| Sr. No. | Stock | Qty Held | Jun 2024 Holding % | Mar 2024 % | June 2024 Quarter Revenue (Rs. Cr.) | June 2024 Quarter Net Profit(Rs. Cr.) | Promoter Holding as of June 2024 |
| 1 | Goldiam International Ltd. | 1,682,898 | 1.60% | 1.60% | 165 | 22 | 64.26% |
| 2 | Vadivarhe Speciality Chemicals Ltd. | 189,000 | 1.50% | 1.50% | 5 | -2 | 74.50% |
| 3 | Panama Petrochem Ltd. | 678,456 | 1.13% | 1.20% | 670 | 50 | 61.94% |
| 4 | Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. | 1,251,156 | 1.10% | 1.10% | 1009 | 87 | 74.64% |
Source- Trendlyne
Apart from the listed shares, Ramesh Damani stock portfolio includes investments in startups and unlisted company shares of a few other businesses. The list of such investments includes the following-
- CurryIt (August 2024)
- Arrivae (October 2021 and again in April 2024)
- StockEdge (October 2018)
- Wellness Forever (September 2014 and again in November 2017)
Ramesh Damani Latest Portfolio Analysis:
- Ramesh Damani portfolio consists of four publicly held stocks, and three out of these are small-cap stocks. Their market cap and one-year price growth as of 23rd August 2024 are as follows-
| Company | One-Year Growth | Market Cap |
| Goldiam International Ltd. | 126.83% | Rs.3030.85 crore |
| Vadivarhe Speciality Chemicals Ltd. | 47.76% | Rs.80.28 crore |
| Panama Petrochem Ltd. | 43.80% | Rs.2,549.81 crore |
| Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. | 120.99% | Rs.20,194.37 crore |
(Source- NSE and MoneyControl)
While two of these stocks have outperformed NIFTY50 in the last month, they have all surpassed the NIFTY50 one-year return of 29.65%.
- Ramesh Damani slightly lowered his stake in the Panama Petrochemical Ltd. shares by 0.07% as of the June 2024 quarter.
- Apart from the mentioned holdings, Damani bought 8,00,000 shares of NIIT Ltd. (National Institute of Information Technology) at an average price of Rs.127.55 each on 23rd August 2024.
- Except for Vadivarhe Speciality Chemicals Ltd., the other three have given a dividend yield as of the June 2024 quarter.
| Company Name | Dividend Yield |
| Goldiam International Ltd. | 0.42% |
| Panama Petrochem Ltd. | 1.66% |
| Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. | 0.53% |
Source- MoneyControl
- Ramesh Damani’s portfolio shows the following sectoral distribution-
Source- MoneyControl
- When investing, he preferred a bottom-up approach involving concentrated stock picking and identifying undervalued companies with strong management and growth potential. The strategy worked for him because he stayed invested for a long term and did not time the markets often.
Takeaways from Ramesh Damani’s Investment Approach:
- Just like Raamdeo Agrawal portfolio focuses on quality investments, Ramesh Damani’s investment philosophy centers on buying stocks of companies with strong management and solid fundamentals early on and holding them long-term to reap the benefits. He stresses the importance of starting to invest as soon as possible and staying invested for as long as possible.
- Damani advocates for simple investing. He believes in basic market understanding and spotting external opportunities. He encourages investors to invest in equity markets, even during boom periods, as he sees equities as a long-term game.
- Try targeting sectors that cater to the growing middle class, especially those offering premium products and services.
- As Damani often says, “There are no losses, only lessons earned.” Losses marked his early days, but through years of learning and experience in the Indian stock market, he built significant wealth.
- Unlike Mukul Agrawal portfolio, Ramesh Damani portfolio includes only a select few stocks held in large quantities. He believes that quality pays off over time, so your portfolio doesn’t need to be filled with too many stocks.
Conclusion:
No one is born an investor, and Ramesh Damani is proof of that. His journey shows you can build confidence in the stock market without fearing losses. A slow, steady approach can boost your net worth, just as it did for Damani.
His portfolio is a masterclass in strategic investing, with significant stakes in companies like GRSE and early successes in CMC and Infosys. These investments reflect a deep market understanding and a focus on long-term growth. His diversified, value-driven approach continues to inspire both seasoned and new investors.If Ramesh Damani’s portfolio inspires you and you wish to follow in his footsteps, consider consulting a registered stock advisory to better understand your financial profile and invest accordingly.
FAQs
Who is Ramesh Damani?
Ramesh Damani is the MD of Damani Finance Private Limited and a renowned investor in the Indian and US stock markets.
Are Radha Kishan Damani and Ramesh Damani related?
No, Ramesh Damani and Radha Kishan Damani are not related. While both are successful investors, they do not share any family connections.
What is Ramesh Damani’s investment vehicle?
Ramesh Damani primarily invests through his proprietary portfolio, which is managed under Damani Finance Pvt Ltd.
Disclaimer Note: The securities quoted, if any, are for illustration only and are not recommendatory. This article is for education purposes only and shall not be considered as a recommendation or investment advice by Equentis – Research & Ranking. We will not be liable for any losses that may occur. Investments in the securities market are subject to market risks. Read all the related documents carefully before investing. Registration granted by SEBI, membership of BASL & certification from NISM in no way guarantee the performance of the intermediary or provide any assurance of returns to investors.
I’m Archana R. Chettiar, an experienced content creator with
an affinity for writing on personal finance and other financial content. I
love to write on equity investing, retirement, managing money, and more.
