Wall Street Journal (WSJ)

Who Are the Greatest Investors of All Time?

The video surveys readers to crown the world’s greatest investor, presenting a poll where Warren Buffett, Jim Simons and Peter Lynch emerge as the top three choices. Buffett captured 62% of votes, eclipsing Simons (18%) and Lynch (12%). Buffett’s hypothetical performance would have outpaced the S&P 500 by a factor of 140, while Simons’ Medallion Fund posted an astonishing 66% annualized return from 1998‑2018, turning $1 into $7 million. Lynch grew Fidelity’s Magellan fund from $18 million to $14 billion, delivering a 29.2% compound annual return through two recessions and the market’s worst day. The narration emphasizes a “time‑machine” scenario: investing alongside Buffett would have multiplied wealth dramatically, and Simons’ fee‑free returns dwarf typical hedge‑fund benchmarks. Lynch’s record illustrates the power of long‑term, disciplined stock‑picking even in turbulent markets. For investors, the poll underscores that extraordinary compound returns, not just fame, differentiate legendary managers. Understanding these performance metrics can guide asset allocation, talent scouting, and expectations about active versus passive strategies.