5 Most Successful Short Sellers of All Time

3. Fahmi Quadir

Founder of the New York-based Safkhet Capital, a short only fund, Fahmi Quadir, is renowned for her short sales. One of the most famous bets was placed by Quadir, third on the list of the most successful short sellers of all time, was when she shorted Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX), whose stock fell dramatically in 2015 from $260 to the low value of $8. After realizing that Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX) was involved in unethical and potentially fraudulent practices, Quadir executed her short in June 2015, just as the stock was nearing its peak. Her bet paid off as the stock fell from $257 to $28 between July 2015 and March 2016. As the stock lost 90% of its value, it became the most significant profit earner for Krensavage, the firm Quadir was affiliated with at the time, which earned a 14% return in 2016 through this short, which has helped Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. (NYSE: VRX) short sellers to make $2.8 billion in profit since the stock’s peak in 2015.