Li Lu's Himalaya Capital Bets Big on Alphabet, BofA, and PDD
💡 Key Takeaway
Legendary value investor Li Lu is making an extreme, high-conviction bet on just three stocks, signaling deep faith in their long-term potential despite clear risks.
The Big Bet: A 75% Concentration
Li Lu, the founder of Himalaya Capital and a protégé of Charlie Munger, has placed a massive, concentrated bet on the future of three companies. As of the end of 2025, a staggering 75% of his $3.5 billion fund is invested in just three stocks: Alphabet, Bank of America, and PDD Holdings.
This level of concentration is rare, even among legendary value investors. It reflects an ultra-high-conviction strategy where Lu is willing to put the majority of his capital behind his very best ideas, a principle often espoused by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger.
The largest position by far is Alphabet (GOOG/GOOGL), making up 44% of the entire portfolio. This bet has paid off handsomely, with the stock up over 86% in the past year, driven by a favorable antitrust ruling and strong execution in AI.
The second-largest holding is Bank of America (BAC) at 16% of the portfolio. This investment hinges on the bank's massive scale and a favorable shift in the regulatory environment, where capital requirements are expected to decline, potentially boosting profits.
Rounding out the trio is Chinese e-commerce giant PDD Holdings (PDD) at 15%. This is the most controversial pick, as the stock has struggled, down over 36% in five years due to China's economic challenges and fierce competition.
Why This Portfolio Strategy Matters
Li Lu's portfolio is a masterclass in high-conviction value investing. It matters because it shows what a top-tier investor believes will withstand economic cycles and generate superior returns over decades, not quarters. This isn't a diversified ETF; it's a carefully curated list of what he sees as the best opportunities.
For Alphabet, the massive bet signals a belief that the company is more than just a search engine. Lu is betting on its AI prowess, the dominance of YouTube, the potential of Waymo, and the growth of Google Cloud. At 26 times forward earnings, he may see it as a reasonable price for a collection of market-leading franchises.
The Bank of America position is a classic value play on the U.S. financial system. Lu is likely betting that its scale provides a durable competitive advantage and that looser regulations will unlock value for shareholders through dividends, buybacks, and increased lending.
Bobby Insight
Investors should study Li Lu's concentrated portfolio as a blueprint for high-conviction investing, but most should not blindly copy it.
Lu's strategy highlights exceptional businesses trading at reasonable or compelling valuations. His success with BYD proves his long-term vision. However, his level of concentration carries immense risk that most investors cannot stomach. The takeaway is to seek quality and hold with conviction, but maintain prudent diversification.
What This Means for Me
