This article looks at the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks.
The American quant hedge fund is known for using statistical and mathematical tools to drive its investment programs. It was founded in 1982 by Jim Simons, a mathematician who worked as a code breaker for the US National Security Agency during the Cold War.
The Renaissance founder stepped down from active hedge fund management in 2010 and resigned as its executive chairman in 2021. Simons passed away in May last year.
The firm is now headed by Peter Brown, who has a strong educational background in mathematics and computer science.
It has been a challenging summer for quant funds, and according to a report in Business Insider, Renaissance Technologies’ two funds that are available to investors, Renaissance Institutional Equities Fund (RIEF) and Renaissance Institutional Diversified Alpha (RIDA), were down 5.1% and 3.9% in July, continuing the decline from June.
The firm’s assets have shrunk in recent years; however, 2024 was a strong year, with RIEF returning 22.7% – its best year since 2011. Despite a tough last couple of months, RIEF and RIDA were up by 5.6% and 6.5%, respectively, during the first seven months of 2025.
With that said, let’s now head over to see the biggest stocks in the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio.
Jim Simons of Renaissance Technologies
Methodology
We scanned Renaissance Technologies’ 13F portfolio as of June 30, 2025. From there, we picked the top 10 stocks according to their stake value and ranked them in ascending order.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $628,232,881
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 16, JPMorgan analyst Chris Schott lifted the stock’s price target to $145 from $135 while maintaining an Overweight rating for its shares.
While the firm left most of its large-cap biopharma estimates unchanged, it adjusted share price targets on a move from December 2025 to December 2026.
The adjustment reflects a 29% upside potential for Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) from its closing share price on September 22.
Overall, Wall Street analysts maintain a positive outlook for the stock, with a consensus Buy rating.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. (NASDAQ:GILD) is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of medicines to prevent and treat various life-threatening diseases, including HIV, viral hepatitis, and cancer.
9. Roblox Corporation (NYSE:RBLX)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $641,894,527
Roblox Corporation (NYSE:RBLX) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 22, JPMorgan raised the stock’s price target to $160 from $150, while maintaining an Overweight rating for its shares.
The firm noted an increase in engagement on Roblox Corporation (NYSE:RBLX)’s platform during Q2, driven by Grow a Garden. It expects the momentum to continue in the third quarter due to Steal a Brainrot and 99 Nights in the Forest.
The company’s concurrent users reached 43 million in late August, well above its prior record of 32 million, the analysts told investors in a note. JPMorgan anticipates the encouraging platform engagement to result in a ‘healthy upside’ to the management’s guidance for the third quarter.
Roblox Corporation (NYSE:RBLX) offers an immersive platform for communication and connection, allowing users to create, work, learn, play, and connect in experiences developed by its global community of creators.
The stock has had a stellar 2025, gaining 130% year-to-date as of September 23.
8. Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $663,802,796
Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. In a press release dated September 15, the company announced that Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation awarded over 550 in-store donations during its recent Sprouting Healthy Communities Day.
The company’s stores across all 450 neighborhoods hosted live in-store check presentations and awarded $3.3 million to local partners that supported wellness and nutrition programs.
Dustin Hamilton, chief stores officer of Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM) stated the following:
“At Sprouts, caring for our community is one of our core values, and with the Sprouting Healthy Communities Day we saw that value in action. This in-store event created a powerful moment of connection across the country as our team members came together with local partners to support children, families, and healthier communities.”
The donations are part of the Sprouts Healthy Communities Foundation’s grants program announced in May. The $5,000 to $10,000 grants are aimed at strengthening programs to provide children and families with increased access to nutrition education, cooking classes, school gardens, and wellness opportunities.
According to Sprouts Farmers Market, Inc. (NASDAQ:SFM), these programs are expected to benefit an estimated 1 million kids and adults this year.
7. Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $676,737,376
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 16, BNP Paribas Exane initiated coverage of the stock with an Outperform rating and announced a price target of $900 for its shares.
The firm highlighted the company’s status as a global market leader against rival firms in the segment in its analysis. It also noted that despite historical challenges with profitability, Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) has transformed into a quality business and attractive investment, due to its recent strategic decisions and product mix.
Overall, Wall Street analysts maintain a bullish position on the stock, with a consensus Buy rating and a one-year average share price target of $753.75, representing a 5% upside potential.
Spotify Technology S.A. (NYSE:SPOT) provides audio streaming subscription services worldwide. The stock has had impressive returns in 2025, gaining 61% year-to-date, as of the close of business on September 23.
6. Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $697,256,144
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 17, Morgan Stanley raised the stock’s price target to $50 from $46, while maintaining an Overweight rating for its shares.
In a research note to investors, the analyst noted that Zanzalintinib presents a significant opportunity for the company, with near-term catalysts that could drive further share price upside. The firm mentioned that it was now modelling approximately $4.7 billion in peak unadjusted Zanzalintinib sales across renal cell carcinoma, colorectal, and neuroendocrine tumors.
In other related news, both Goldman Sachs and Barclays recently initiated coverage of Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL), with Buy and Equal-Weight ratings, respectively, and announced price targets of $47 and $40, respectively.
Overall, Wall Street analysts have a bullish outlook for the stock, with a consensus Buy rating and an average share price upside potential of 11%.
Exelixis, Inc. (NASDAQ:EXEL) is an oncology company focused on the discovery, development, and commercialization of medicines to treat cancer.
5. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $721,161,111
Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 17, Loop Capital analyst Alan Gould upgraded the stock’s rating to Buy from Hold, and also lifted his price target to $1,350 per share from $1,150.
The revised forecast represents a further 11% upside potential for the stock, which has already gained 37% year-to-date, as of the close of business on September 23.
Gould acknowledged that his prior downgrade of Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) was a mistake and noted a strong fundamental backdrop for the company in his recent adjustment:
“We are upgrading our rating back to Buy based on exceptional 3Q engagement, a strong 4Q content slate, higher long-term margin assumptions as each dollar of content is generating more revenue, which leads to higher earnings and free cash flow. Our NFLX downgrade in mid-December with the stock in the low $900s was wrong, but after a strong first half, the stock has tread water the past quarter. At the time of our downgrade management was guiding to 11-13% revenue growth in 2025; it is now 16-17%.”
The Loop Capital analyst credited the latest seasons of Squid Games, Wednesday, and KPop Demon Hunters for Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)’s growing engagement.
Moreover, he raised his third-quarter estimates for the streaming giant and also highlighted its dominant position in the entertainment industry despite stiff competition.
4. VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $943,616,167
VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks, with the hedge fund having investments of over $943 million in the company, as of June 30, 2025.
It is a global provider of network infrastructure and domain name registry services, and serves as the sole registry of the .com and .net domains, which combined account for a majority of the global domain registrations.
The company reported a net income of $2.21 per share for Q2 2025, beating Wall Street’s estimates by one cent, amid stable demand for domain name registrations as an increasing number of businesses expand their digital footprints. VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN)’s revenue was posted at $410 million, which was just shy of estimates, but up 5.9% year-over-year.
The stock is up 37% year-to-date, as of September 24, driven by impressive financials and robust domain name industry trends. Wall Street analysts have a one-year average price target of $309 for VeriSign, Inc. (NASDAQ:VRSN), representing a further upside potential of 8.5%.
3. Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $1,078,208,811
Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 23, Citigroup lifted the stock’s price target to $135 from $120, while maintaining a Neutral rating for its shares.
The firm cited an elevated trading activity behind its adjustment for the stock, but added that it prefers to be on the sidelines until a more attractive entry point for the company’s shares.
In other news, on the same day, analysts at Piper Sandler also raised Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD)’s price target to $140 from $120, and reiterated an Overweight rating for its shares.
Analyst Patrick Moley told investors in a client note that prediction markets were fueling the company’s growth, with sports betting already bringing in approximately $200 million to the platform.
Piper Sandler also added that Kalshi, a contract exchange that Robinhood Markets, Inc. (NASDAQ:HOOD) has partnered with, is on track for record volumes in September, partly due to the rollout of NFL and NCAA Football prediction markets.
2. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $1,172,726,130
NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. On September 22, the company announced to invest up to $100 billion in OpenAI and provide it with data center chips.
This partnership between two major players in the global AI race underscores the growing overlap of interests between tech giants developing advanced systems.
As part of the agreement, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) will get a financial stake in OpenAI, which is also an important customer, while the investment will provide the latter with cash and the access it requires to acquire chips that are vital to maintaining its dominance in a fiercely competitive landscape.
The deal will involve two separate transactions, Reuters reported, citing a person familiar with OpenAI. After the agreement is finalized, NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) will invest in OpenAI’s non-voting shares, and then OpenAI can use the funds to buy the chips, said the report.
The two firms signed a letter of intent for the deployment of at least 10 gigawatts of NVDA systems for OpenAI, with the aim of further finalizing details of the strategic partnership in the coming weeks. NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) will start delivering the hardware in the second half of 2026.
Following the news, several analysts welcomed the deal as a positive development for NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA), but also expressed concerns that some of the investment dollars might be coming back to the company in the form of chip purchases.
1. Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)
Stake Value as of Q2 2025: $1,840,598,254
Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) is among the Renaissance Technologies Portfolio: 10 Biggest Stocks. During the recent Air, Space & Cyber Conference, Boeing and Palantir announced that the two companies are partnering to integrate AI systems and software across the planemaker’s defense and space units.
The tie-up is set to help the aerospace firm in standardizing data analytics across its production lines. Boeing has also tapped Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) to supply AI expertise and capabilities for several undisclosed, classified military projects.
In a press release on September 23, Boeing said that it would leverage Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR)’s Foundry platform, which uses artificial intelligence to unify disparate and complex systems through a streamlined and intuitive user interface.
Mike Gallagher, the Head of Defense at Palantir Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ:PLTR) shared the following remarks on the partnership:
“Palantir and Boeing Defense, Space & Security are committed to delivering dominant capabilities to the warfighter to deter conflict and defend the homeland. This partnership will turbocharge production and innovation, allowing Boeing and Palantir to bring cutting-edge technology to current and next-generation defense programs. America’s enemies aren’t slowing down and neither can we.”
Palantir’s shares rose following the news on Tuesday and closed at 2% higher. The stock has had impressive returns in 2025, gaining 137% YTD.
While we acknowledge the potential of PLTR to grow, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than PLTR and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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