Legends of Investing - Carl Icahn

Carl Icahn is one of the most recognisable and successful investors in the world, having far outperformed the market on an annualised basis since 1968; at a rate which, by some measures, has him ahead of Warren Buffett.

Though his corporate raider or activist approach to investing has proven to be controversial at times, his involvement in companies has still resulted in a boost for shareholders more often than not. Leading to the so-called ‘Icahn effect’ in stock prices when he announces a position.

Whether you love him or hate him, the man Time magazine called the “Master of the Universe” and “the most important investor in America” is definitely someone to be respected and studied.

This is his story…

Early Years

Carl Icahn was born on the 16th February 1936 in Queens, New York. It was a beach neighbourhood and a poor area. His mother was a pianist, but dropped her dreams of pursuing it as a career and instead chose a more stable job as a school teacher. His father also became a substitute teacher.

As you may expect with both parents involved in education, Carl was extremely studious. At high school, he didn’t involve himself in many activities such as sports and clubs, instead he had set himself the big goal of making it to an Ivy League university…