Oprah Winfrey Stock Portfolio: 10 Companies To Consider

Published October 27, 2021 at 8:34 am EDT Updated September 7, 2026 at 1:04 pm EDT

In this article, we discuss the 10 companies to consider in the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey.

Oprah Winfrey is among a rare breed of billionaires in the United States that have made their fortune from a full-time career in the media industry. Although Oprah has expanded the scope of her work away from the eyes of the camera in recent years, she remains indebted to the world of broadcast television for turning her into a highly successful global brand. The present net worth of the talk show host, television producer, actress, author, and philanthropist is over $2.6 billion, just $300 million shy of a feature on Forbes 400, a list of 400 richest Americans.

Over the years, Oprah has invested in highly successful businesses but limited her activities to specific market areas like media, food, and education. This has proved to be a highly successful strategy and is a lesson for young investors – having expertise in an area is a necessary prerequisite to a lucrative return. Through her career, she has partnered with several firms, including Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:DISCA), Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA), and Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL), among others discussed in detail below.

Official White House Photo by Lawrence Jackson

Our Methodology

Here is our list of the 10 stocks to consider based the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey.

It is important to clarify that not all the companies listed below are direct investments of the TV star. They were also picked from the historical portfolio and commercial partnerships of Oprah Winfrey over the years.

We analyzed the past and current investments and partnerships of Winfrey and picked some stocks that are aligned with her investment philosophy and interests.

The hedge fund sentiment around each stock was gauged using the data of 873 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey.

Why pay attention to hedge fund holdings? Insider Monkey’s research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 86 percentage points since March 2017. Between March 2017 and July 2021 our monthly newsletter’s stock picks returned 186.1%, vs. 100.1% for the SPY. Our stock picks outperformed the market by more than 86 percentage points (see the details here). That’s why we believe hedge fund sentiment is an extremely useful indicator that investors should pay attention to. You can subscribe to our free newsletter on our homepage to receive our stories in your inbox.

Oprah Winfrey Stock Portfolio: Companies To Consider

10. United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15

United Natural Foods, Inc. (NYSE:UNFI) features on our list of companies to consider based on the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey since the specialty business of the firm resembles the trailblazing efforts of Apeel Sciences, a California-based firm that uses plant-derived technology to enhance the lifespan of edible products, in the food industry. Apeel Sciences has so far raised $640 million over nine rounds. The company is valued at over $2 billion.

United Natural Foods, Inc. also sells fresh produce and specialty foods. In 2020, Oprah contributed to a $250 million funding round for Apeel Sciences that also featured interest from pop star Katy Perry.

At the end of the second quarter of 2021, 15 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $83 million in United Natural Foods, Inc., down from 23 in the preceding quarter worth $103 million.

Just like Discovery, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and Alphabet Inc., United Natural Foods, Inc. is one of the stocks attracting the attention of elite investors.

9. Oatly Group AB (NASDAQ:OTLY)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19

Oatly Group AB (NASDAQ:OTLY) is Swedish company that makes and sells plant-based dairy products. The company went public in May 2021, raising $1.4 billion at the IPO and fetching a valuation of around $10 billion at the end of the first day of trading. Last year, Oprah was part of a $200 million funding round for the company that also included contributions from hip hop star Jay-Z and famous actress Natalie Portman.

On October 8, JPMorgan analyst Ken Goldman upgraded Oatly Group AB stock to Overweight from Neutral with a price target of $21, noting that oat products had the potential to take market share from almond-based alternatives.

At the end of the second quarter of 2021, 19 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $302 million in Oatly Group AB.

In addition to Discovery, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and Alphabet Inc., Oatly Group AB is one of the stocks that hedge funds are buying.

8. WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:WW)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 27

WW International, Inc. (NASDAQ:WW) is one of the premier investments of Oprah Winfrey. She first invested in the company in October 2015, spending $43 million to acquire a 10% stake in the company. The firm, based in New York, makes and sells weight management products and services. In 2019, Oprah extended a partnership deal with the company till 2025. At the time the deal was renewed, the stock had rallied 450% since Oprah bought a stake in the firm. That would indicate that her initial investment in the firm has paid off handsomely.

On October 4, Citi analyst Wendy Nicholson maintained a Buy rating on WW International, Inc. stock with a price target of $32, noting that the company was well-positioned for a strong fiscal showing in 2022.

At the end of the second quarter of 2021, 27 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $602 million in WW International, Inc., down from 28 in the previous quarter worth $466 million.

Along with Discovery, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and Alphabet Inc., WW International, Inc. is one of the stocks on the radar of institutional investors.

7. The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 33

The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ:KHC) also features on our list of companies to consider based on the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey since the popular host has had a long-standing partnership with the firm stretching all the way back to 2017. Oprah teamed up with the food company to introduce a new line of healthy and nutritious products called the Oprah Winfrey line that included special soups, dishes, and other products.

Since the initial collaboration, The Kraft Heinz Company and Oprah have come together to improve the Oprah Winfrey product line at KHC, sell refrigerated meats, and launch a new brand of “healthy” pizzas.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, Nebraska-based investment firm Berkshire Hathaway is a leading shareholder in The Kraft Heinz Company with 325 million shares worth more than $13 billion.

Discovery, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and Alphabet Inc. are some of the top stocks to buy right now, along with The Kraft Heinz Company.

In its Q4 2020 investor letter, Berkshire Hathaway highlighted a few stocks and The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) was one of them. Here is what the firm said:

“We exclude our Kraft Heinz holding — 325,442,152 shares — (In the list of 15 common stock investments that at yearend were our largest in market value) because Berkshire is part of a control group and therefore must account for that investment using the “equity” method. On its balance sheet, Berkshire carries the Kraft Heinz holding at a GAAP figure of $13.3 billion, an amount that represents Berkshire’s share of the audited net worth of Kraft Heinz on December 31, 2020.

Berkshire and its subsidiaries hold investments in certain businesses that are accounted for pursuant to the equity method. Currently, the most significant of these is our investment in the common stock of The Kraft Heinz Company (“Kraft Heinz”). Kraft Heinz is one of the world’s largest manufacturers and marketers of food and beverage products, including condiments and sauces, cheese and dairy, meals, meats, refreshment beverages, coffee and other grocery products. Berkshire currently owns 325,442,152 shares of Kraft Heinz common stock representing 26.6% of the outstanding shares.

We recorded equity method earnings from our investment in Kraft Heinz of $95 million in 2020, $493 million in 2019 and losses of approximately $2.7 billion in 2018. Equity method earnings (losses) included the effects of goodwill and identifiable intangible asset impairment charges recorded by Kraft Heinz. Our share of such charges was approximately $850 million in 2020, $450 million in 2019 and $3.7 billion in 2018. We received dividends from Kraft Heinz of $521 million in each of 2020 and 2019 and $814 million in 2018, which we recorded as reductions in our carrying value.

Shares of Kraft Heinz common stock are publicly-traded and the fair value of our investment was approximately $11.3 billion at December 31, 2020 and $10.5 billion at December 31, 2019. The carrying value of our investment was approximately $13.3 billion at December 31, 2020 and $13.8 billion at December 31, 2019. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying value of our investment exceeded the fair value based on the quoted market price by $2.0 billion (15% of carrying value). In light of this fact, we evaluated our investment in Kraft Heinz for impairment. We utilize no bright-line tests in such evaluations. Based on the available facts and information regarding the operating results of Kraft Heinz, our ability and intent to hold the investment until recovery, the relative amount of the decline and the length of time that fair value was less than carrying value, we concluded that recognition of an impairment loss in earnings was not required. However, we will continue to monitor this investment and it is possible that an impairment loss will be recorded in earnings in a future period based on changes in facts and circumstances or intentions.”

6. General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 37

General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) makes and sells branded consumer foods. The firm is among the list of firms to consider based on the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey since the food business of the firm resembles the interest Oprah has shown in True Food Kitchen, a restaurant that serves healthy foods. In 2018, Oprah had disclosed that she had made an investment in the company. The restaurant firm later announced that Oprah would be joining the Board of Directors of the firm as a consultant.

Just like True Food Kitchen, General Mills, Inc. has introduced organic and natural products in the food marketplace in North America, pledging that going forward, one out of every ten products made by the firm will be organic-certified.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based firm Renaissance Technologies is a leading shareholder in General Mills, Inc. with 3.7 million shares worth more than $226 million.

Discovery, Inc., Comcast Corporation, and Alphabet Inc. are some of the elite stocks to buy right now, in addition to General Mills, Inc..

In its Q3 2021 investor letter, Oakmark Funds, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and General Mills, Inc. (NYSE:GIS) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“In the 1970s, blackout rules prevented televising NFL home games that weren’t sold out. It was always uncertain whether or not the Minnesota Vikings’ games would be televised. I remember how excited I’d be each week hearing that General Mills had purchased the remaining tickets, allowing the game to be on TV. Some said General Mills did this for its stakeholders—its employees and community—as opposed to maximizing profits for its shareholders. I believe stakeholders and shareholders both benefitted.

Consider the long-term benefits of General Mills being the hero that let us watch those games. It made employees proud of their employer and maybe helped with talent acquisition. The thousands of disadvantaged kids who got to attend NFL games were perhaps more likely to become General Mills customers or employees. And across the state, maybe we were all more likely to buy Betty Crocker cake mix instead of Duncan Hines. While the tickets were purchased in the name of being a good corporate citizen, I believe it was the most effective marketing ever done by General Mills and clearly benefitted the company’s shareholders.

Would Friedman argue against this spending because it reduced profits? Absolutely not. His writing from more than 40 years ago sounds eerily timely: “In the present climate of opinion, with its widespread aversion to ‘capitalism,’ ‘profits,’ the ‘soulless corporation’ and so on, this is one way for a corporation to generate goodwill as a by-product of expenditures that are entirely justified in its own self-interest.”

General Mills accepted lower short-term profits in its pursuit of higher long-term value. And the stakeholders also benefitted. In The Heart of Capitalism, Joly states that “shareholder or stakeholder” tradeoffs are artificial because an “and” solution often exists. “We maximize performance not by choosing between stakeholders, but by embracing all of them. We choose employees and customers and shareholders and the community.” Joly cites examples from his time at Best Buy, including reducing its carbon footprint by installing LED lights throughout the stores. “This helps the environment and helped us save money on our energy consumption. Again, not a zero-sum game.”

5. Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 38

One of the biggest achievements of Oprah’s stellar career has been the establishment of the Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy, a school for young girls in South Africa that features top-of-the-line facilities. Oprah herself takes a remote class at the school, offering her expertise to young girls who aspire to achieve more. Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG), a California-based student learning platform, also offers similar educational services online.

Chegg, Inc. aims to make quality education more accessible to children around the world, just like the South African academy. According to reports, Oprah invested close to $40 million in the school over seven years before it opened.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, London-based investment firm Polar Capital is a leading shareholder in Chegg, Inc. with 1.4 million shares worth more than $117 million.

In its Q2 2021 investor letter, Alger, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Chegg, Inc. (NYSE:CHGG) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Chegg, Inc. was among the top detractors from performance. Chegg provides online textbook rentals and other internet delivered services, such as homework help, tutoring and assistance with obtaining scholarships and finding internships. The company has been acquiring customers at low cost, in part because it is a leader in providing supplementary educational services to college students. Its Chegg Services offering helps students master subjects, get better grades, graduate and pursue careers. After posting a very strong 2020, the stock has experienced a general pullback based on the market perception that Chegg was simply a “Covid-19 beneficiary” and now with a reopening economy will experience weakness. We believe, however, that the company’s recent inroads to previously untapped international markets and new controls on shared password/account access are positive developments for Chegg.”

4. Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:DISCA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 44

Discovery, Inc. features on our list of companies to consider based on the portfolio of Oprah Winfrey because it is reported that Oprah sold some of her stake in the Oprah Winfrey Network, a cable channel she owns, in late 2020 to Discovery in a deal rumored to be around $35 million that included stock options. Discovery is one of the biggest media firms in the world and has a market cap of over $16 billion.

In August, Deutsche Bank analyst Bryan Kraft maintained a Buy rating on Discovery, Inc. stock but lowered the price target to $40 from $55, forecasting lower domestic revenue for the firm and problems with subscriber growth in the near-term.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based investment firm DE Shaw is a leading shareholder in Discovery, Inc. with 5.6 million shares worth more than $165 million.

In its Q1 2021 investor letter, Mayar Capital, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Discovery, Inc. (NASDAQ:DISCA) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“We also sold most of our holdings in Discovery as the stock price continued to increase to new highs. However, in late March the stock declined considerably when brokers liquidated holdings by Archegos Capital (see above in General Commentary) to satisfy margin calls. That brought the stock price down to levels that we found attractive, and we bought back a significant amount of the shares that we had sold earlier that month.”

3. Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 84

One of the earliest business ventures of Oprah Winfrey was Oxygen Media, a media project she co-founded in 1998 that focused on content for women and children. The company grew progressively over the years, increasing presence on cable television and also the internet. In 2007, NBC Universal, now owned by Comcast Corporation, a leading media technology firm, purchased Oxygen Media for $925 million.

Comcast Corporation has grown over the years and is presently perhaps the biggest media company in the world with a market capitalization of more than $240 billion. It is expanding into the internet streaming domain too.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, New York-based firm Eagle Capital Management is a leading shareholder in Comcast Corporation with 29 million shares worth more than $1.6 billion.

In its Q1 2021 investor letter, Nelson Capital Management, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ:CMCSA) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“Comcast is the Largest cable provider in the U.S. and is the dominant internet access provider in the markets it serves. Though Comcast will likely see further declines in cable subscriptions due to ongoing cord-cutting, it should be able to off set that lost revenue by growing internet access customers and instituting higher pricing. The pandemic has increased the importance of a fast internet connection, with more content streaming to homes at increasingly higher quality. Comcast made significant upgrades early on, allowing it to quickly deploy new technology and increase speeds to meet the evolving needs of its customers.”

2. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 113

Oprah owns her own production house, called Harpo Productions, that operates as a media and entertainment firm. Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX), the premier streaming service in the world, runs a similar business but is focused on the internet. In contrast, Harpo Productions was initially invested in all media domains. It ran the Oprah Winfrey TV Network, printed O, The Oprah Magazine, and also had interests in radio and the film business.

Netflix, Inc., after building a solid streaming business, has plans to expand as well, especially in the video game and film production domains. It has been dedicating a large part of the budget to these two ventures over the past few months.

Among the hedge funds being tracked by Insider Monkey, Chicago-based firm Citadel Investment Group is a leading shareholder in Netflix, Inc. with 4.6 million shares worth more than $2.4 billion.

In its Q1 2021 investor letter, Polen Capital, an asset management firm, highlighted a few stocks and Netflix, Inc. (NASDAQ:NFLX) was one of them. Here is what the fund said:

“We purchased Netflix in March, initiating a 3% position in the Portfolio. We believe Netflix is a highly competitively advantaged company. It has recently met all our investment guardrails, and we anticipate it will remain sustainably above our guardrails over the next five years and beyond. We know Netflix for its ubiquitous streaming service and deep library of owned content. The company has made investments in this content (currently running at nearly $20 billion/year), generally keeping subscribers highly engaged and loyal to their service. The company has number one market share in 99% of markets globally, but it is our view that video streaming on-demand is still an underpenetrated space with many years of attractive growth likely ahead. The service is also relatively affordable at roughly $11/month on average globally.

We believe Netflix’s growth in content spend is beginning to moderate, which could allow margin expansion to continue for many years when paired with ongoing subscriber growth and price increases. While there is competition from the likes of Apple (Apple TV+), Amazon (Prime Video), Disney (Disney+ and Hulu), and others, we believe there can be a handful of winners in this industry. Already, we see many people subscribe to multiple streaming video services, with Netflix being their “anchor” service. That said, the barriers to entry are high, and we believe they are getting higher given the substantial amount of capital and size of the subscriber base required to maintain a competitive service for both viewers and content producers. Over the next five years, we expect Netflix’s earnings growth to be approximately 30% annualized and free cash flow to grow at an even higher rate.”

1. Alphabet Inc. (NASDAQ:GOOGL)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 190

Just as YouTube, the video-sharing platform owned by Alphabet Inc., was really taking off, Oprah contributed to a $1.7 million funding round for Waywire, a New York-based internet platform targeted at young people that would feature original content from members that users could watch and share for free. The startup was the brainchild of Cory Booker, a US politician and tech guru.

In 2013, Waywire was sold to Magnify, a video distributor, in a mostly-stock deal. Since then, Alphabet Inc. has enjoyed unrivaled success in the content creation domain in the short-form video space on the internet through YouTube.

At the end of the second quarter of 2021, 190 hedge funds in the database of Insider Monkey held stakes worth $26 billion in Alphabet Inc., up from 185 in the preceding quarter worth $24 billion.

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