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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Steve Cohen
| name = Steve Cohen
| birth_name   = Steven A. Cohen
| birth_name = Steven A. Cohen
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1956|6|11}}
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|6|11}}
| birth_place = [[Great Neck, New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Great Neck, New York]], United States
| nationality = American
| nationality = American
| occupation   = Hedge fund manager, sports team owner
| occupation = Hedge fund manager, sports team owner
| known_for   = Founder of [[Point72 Asset Management]], owner of the [[New York Mets]]
| known_for = Founder of [[Point72 Asset Management]], owner of the [[New York Mets]]
| education   = [[University of Pennsylvania]] ([[Wharton School of Business|Wharton School]])
| education = [[University of Pennsylvania]] ([[Wharton School]])
| spouse      = Alexandra Garcia (m. 1992)
| awards      = Top-earning hedge fund manager (Bloomberg, 2025)
}}
}}


'''Steven A. Cohen''' (born June 11, 1956) is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, investor, and sports team owner. He is the founder and chairman of [[Point72 Asset Management]], a multi-strategy hedge fund headquartered in [[Stamford, Connecticut]]. Cohen is also the owner of the [[New York Mets]], the [[Major League Baseball]] franchise he purchased in 2020. Over a career spanning more than four decades in finance, Cohen built a reputation as one of the most prolific traders on [[Wall Street]], first through his founding of [[SAC Capital Advisors]] in 1992 and subsequently through Point72, which manages billions of dollars in assets. In February 2026, [[Bloomberg News]] reported that Cohen earned a $3.4 billion payday in 2025, placing him at the top of the publication's annual ranking of the highest-earning hedge fund managers, ahead of [[David Tepper]] and [[Israel Englander]].<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Steve Cohen's $3.4 Billion Payday Tops Hedge Fund Ranks |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-02-19/mets-owner-steve-cohen-leads-hedge-funds-with-3-4-billion-haul |work=Bloomberg.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Beyond his financial career, Cohen has become a prominent figure in professional sports ownership and is known for his active, hands-on approach to managing the Mets.
'''Steven A. Cohen''' (born June 11, 1956) is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, investor, and sports team owner. He is the founder and chairman of [[Point72 Asset Management]], one of the largest and most prominent hedge fund firms in the world. Cohen is also the owner of the [[New York Mets]], the [[Major League Baseball]] franchise he purchased in 2020. Over the course of a career spanning more than four decades on Wall Street, Cohen built a reputation as one of the most successful traders in the history of the financial industry, amassing a personal fortune through his aggressive and data-driven approach to investing. In 2026, Cohen topped Bloomberg's annual ranking of hedge fund earners, taking home an estimated $3.4 billion in personal compensation, edging out fellow managers David Tepper and Izzy Englander for the top position.<ref name="bloomberg">{{cite news |date=2026-02-19 |title=Steve Cohen's $3.4 Billion Payday Tops Hedge Fund Ranks |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-02-19/mets-owner-steve-cohen-leads-hedge-funds-with-3-4-billion-haul |work=Bloomberg |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> As Mets owner, Cohen has become one of the most visible and outspoken team owners in professional sports, investing heavily in the franchise's roster and operations while making headlines for his candid views on team management.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Steven A. Cohen was born on June 11, 1956, in [[Great Neck, New York]], a suburb on the [[North Shore (Long Island)|North Shore]] of [[Long Island]]. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. His father worked as a dress manufacturer in [[Manhattan]]'s [[Garment District]], and his mother was a homemaker. Cohen was one of eight children in the household, and the competitive environment of a large family has often been cited as an influence on his later career in the high-pressure world of trading.
Steven A. Cohen was born on June 11, 1956, in [[Great Neck, New York]], a suburb on the North Shore of [[Long Island]]. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. His father worked as a dress manufacturer in Manhattan's Garment District, and his mother was a part-time piano teacher. Cohen was one of eight children in the household, and the family's modest means instilled in him a competitive drive from an early age.


From an early age, Cohen demonstrated an interest in numbers and games of strategy. He became an avid poker player during his youth, and he later credited the game with teaching him important lessons about risk assessment, probability, and reading opponents—skills that would prove central to his approach to financial markets. Growing up on Long Island in the 1960s and 1970s, Cohen was a fan of New York sports teams, including the Mets, a fandom that would eventually culminate in his purchase of the franchise decades later.
As a youth, Cohen developed an interest in card games, particularly poker, which he later credited with sharpening his ability to assess risk, read opponents, and make rapid decisions under conditions of uncertainty — skills that would prove foundational to his career as a trader. He attended Great Neck North High School, where he was an active student.
 
Cohen attended John L. Miller Great Neck North High School, where he was known as a bright but not especially studious student. His interests leaned more toward practical applications of mathematics and toward competitive pursuits than toward traditional academics. It was during his high school years that Cohen first became aware of the stock market, reportedly reading the financial pages of newspapers and developing a fascination with the movements of stock prices.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Cohen enrolled at the [[University of Pennsylvania]]'s [[Wharton School of Business]], one of the most prestigious undergraduate business programs in the United States. At Wharton, he studied economics and developed a deeper understanding of financial markets, corporate finance, and quantitative analysis. The curriculum at Wharton emphasized both theoretical foundations and practical applications of business and finance, which aligned well with Cohen's natural inclinations toward trading and market analysis.
Cohen enrolled at the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where he attended the [[Wharton School of Business]], one of the most prestigious undergraduate business programs in the United States. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in economics. At Wharton, Cohen developed an interest in the stock market, and he reportedly opened a brokerage account while still a student to begin trading equities. His early experiences in the markets during his college years helped solidify his ambition to pursue a career on Wall Street.
 
While a student at Wharton, Cohen reportedly opened a brokerage account and began trading stocks, gaining hands-on experience in the markets before he had even graduated. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Pennsylvania in 1978.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== Early Trading Career ===
=== Early Career on Wall Street ===


After graduating from Wharton in 1978, Cohen took a position in the options arbitrage department at [[Gruntal & Co.]], a midsize Wall Street brokerage firm. According to widely reported accounts, Cohen generated $8,000 in profit on his first day of trading. He quickly distinguished himself as an exceptionally skilled short-term trader with an ability to read market movements and act on them with speed and precision.
After graduating from Wharton in 1978, Cohen took a position as a junior trader in the options arbitrage department at [[Gruntal & Co.]], a mid-size brokerage firm based in New York City. By his own account, he generated approximately $8,000 in profit on his first day of trading. Cohen quickly distinguished himself at Gruntal, eventually managing a portfolio and a team of traders that reportedly generated roughly $100 million in annual profits for the firm. He remained at Gruntal for over a decade, honing his trading style, which emphasized short-term positions, rapid execution, and an intensive focus on market data and momentum signals.
 
Over the next several years at Gruntal, Cohen rose through the ranks and was eventually given his own trading group to manage. By the late 1980s, he was reportedly managing a portfolio of approximately $75 million and generating substantial returns for the firm. His success at Gruntal established his reputation as one of Wall Street's most talented equity traders and provided him with the capital, experience, and confidence to strike out on his own.


=== SAC Capital Advisors ===
=== SAC Capital Advisors ===


In 1992, Cohen founded [[SAC Capital Advisors]], a hedge fund named after his initials. He launched the firm with approximately $25 million in capital, much of it his own money. Operating initially from offices in Stamford, Connecticut, SAC Capital quickly grew into one of the most profitable and closely watched hedge funds in the world.
In 1992, Cohen left Gruntal to establish his own firm, SAC Capital Advisors, named after his initials. He launched the fund with approximately $25 million in capital, much of it his own. SAC Capital grew rapidly, becoming one of the most profitable and closely watched hedge funds in the industry. The firm was known for its aggressive trading strategies, its use of extensive research networks, and its willingness to take large, concentrated positions. At its peak, SAC Capital managed approximately $14 billion in assets and employed hundreds of traders and analysts across multiple offices.


SAC Capital's strategy was built around aggressive, short-term equity trading. The fund was known for its intensive research operation, which employed hundreds of analysts and portfolio managers who sought out informational advantages in the market. Cohen cultivated a culture of high performance and high expectations, with traders and analysts under constant pressure to generate ideas that would translate into profitable trades.
SAC Capital's returns were extraordinary by industry standards, with the firm reportedly generating average annual returns of approximately 30 percent over the course of its existence, net of fees. Cohen's personal compensation from the fund made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the financial industry.


Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, SAC Capital posted extraordinary returns, frequently outperforming broader market indices by wide margins. At its peak, the fund managed more than $15 billion in assets and employed over 1,000 people. Cohen's personal fortune grew commensurately, and he became one of the wealthiest individuals in the United States.
However, SAC Capital became the subject of a prolonged federal investigation into insider trading. Over several years, a number of current and former SAC employees were charged with and convicted of insider trading offenses. In 2013, SAC Capital Advisors itself pleaded guilty to securities fraud charges and agreed to pay $1.8 billion in fines — one of the largest penalties in the history of insider trading prosecutions. Cohen was not personally charged with criminal wrongdoing, but the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) brought a civil administrative action against him, alleging that he failed to adequately supervise employees who engaged in insider trading. In 2016, Cohen reached a settlement with the SEC that included a two-year ban on managing outside investor capital.


However, SAC Capital also attracted scrutiny from regulators. Beginning in the late 2000s, the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]] (SEC) and the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] conducted a multi-year investigation into insider trading at the firm. Several former SAC employees were charged with and convicted of insider trading offenses. In 2013, SAC Capital Advisors pleaded guilty to securities fraud and agreed to pay $1.8 billion in penalties—one of the largest such settlements in history. While Cohen himself was not criminally charged, the SEC brought a civil administrative action against him, alleging that he failed to adequately supervise employees who engaged in insider trading. As part of a settlement, Cohen agreed to a two-year ban on managing outside investors' money, which took effect in 2016.
The legal proceedings effectively forced the closure of SAC Capital as a fund that accepted outside money. Cohen converted the firm's operations into a family office, managing his own substantial personal fortune during the period of the supervisory ban.


=== Point72 Asset Management ===
=== Point72 Asset Management ===


Following the closure of SAC Capital to outside investors, Cohen converted the firm into a family office, which was renamed [[Point72 Asset Management]] in 2014. The name was derived from the address of the firm's headquarters at 72 Cummings Point Road in Stamford, Connecticut. For several years, Point72 operated exclusively as a family office, managing Cohen's personal fortune, which was estimated at the time to be in the range of $9 billion to $11 billion.
Following the expiration of the SEC-imposed ban in 2018, Cohen relaunched his investment firm under the name [[Point72 Asset Management]], named after the address of his estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. Point72 began accepting outside investor capital once again, and the firm quickly grew to become one of the largest hedge fund operations in the world, managing tens of billions of dollars in assets.


In 2018, after the expiration of his ban on managing outside capital, Cohen reopened Point72 to external investors. The fund attracted billions of dollars in new capital, reflecting continued confidence in Cohen's investment acumen despite the legal troubles that had beset SAC Capital. Point72 adopted a multi-strategy approach, employing fundamental equity long/short strategies, systematic trading, macro investing, and venture capital through its Point72 Ventures arm.
Point72 operates as a multi-strategy hedge fund, employing a range of investment approaches including fundamental equity long/short strategies, quantitative and systematic trading, macro investing, and venture capital through its Point72 Ventures arm. The firm has invested heavily in technology, data science, and machine learning to support its investment decision-making processes.


By the mid-2020s, Point72 had grown into one of the largest and most influential hedge funds in the world, managing tens of billions of dollars in assets. The firm employed hundreds of investment professionals across offices in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
In early 2026, Point72 disclosed significant new positions in major technology companies, reflecting Cohen's conviction in the long-term growth potential of artificial intelligence infrastructure and Big Tech companies. According to regulatory filings reported by financial media, the firm invested approximately $2.8 billion into major technology stocks.<ref name="thestreet">{{cite news |date=2026-02-24 |title=Billionaire fund manager drops $2.8 billion on Big Tech stocks |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/billionaire-fund-manager-drops-2-8-billion-on-big-tech-stocks |work=TheStreet |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The moves came at a time when AI-related equities had faced increased volatility, as investors reconsidered the pace and cost of capital spending on data centers, semiconductors, and related infrastructure.<ref name="tipranks">{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Microsoft or Amazon: Billionaire Steve Cohen Pulls the Trigger on One Top AI Stock |url=https://www.tipranks.com/news/microsoft-or-amazon-billionaire-steve-cohen-pulls-the-trigger-on-one-top-ai-stock |work=TipRanks |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The disclosures signaled Point72's conviction in the AI infrastructure buildout and the leadership positions of major technology firms in that space.<ref name="thestreet" />


In February 2026, Bloomberg reported that Cohen earned $3.4 billion personally in 2025, making him the highest-earning hedge fund manager of the year. The ranking placed Cohen ahead of David Tepper of Appaloosa Management and Israel Englander of Millennium Management, two other prominent figures in the hedge fund industry.<ref name="bloomberg" />
Cohen's performance in 2025 was particularly notable. He topped Bloomberg's annual ranking of the highest-earning hedge fund managers, with an estimated personal take-home of $3.4 billion, surpassing David Tepper and Izzy Englander for the number one position.<ref name="bloomberg" /> The ranking underscored Point72's strong investment returns and Cohen's continued standing as one of the most successful investors in the hedge fund industry.
 
=== Investment Strategy and AI Focus ===
 
Cohen and Point72 have been notable for their willingness to invest heavily in technology and data-driven approaches to investing. The firm has made significant investments in artificial intelligence infrastructure and has built out proprietary technology platforms to support its trading operations.
 
In early 2026, disclosures revealed that Point72 had made a substantial move into major technology stocks, with Cohen deploying approximately $2.8 billion into Big Tech companies. The investment was interpreted by market observers as a signal of Cohen's conviction in the long-term prospects of artificial intelligence infrastructure and the leading technology companies positioned to benefit from the growth of AI.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Billionaire fund manager drops $2.8 billion on Big Tech stocks |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/billionaire-fund-manager-drops-2-8-billion-on-big-tech-stocks |work=TheStreet |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
Reporting indicated that among the major AI-related stocks, Cohen had shown particular interest in companies building out the infrastructure layer of artificial intelligence, including cloud computing platforms and semiconductor suppliers. An analysis of Point72's portfolio moves noted that Cohen had taken positions in leading AI stocks at a time when many investors were reassessing the valuations of AI-related companies amid concerns about the pace and cost of capital spending on data centers and chips.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Microsoft or Amazon: Billionaire Steve Cohen Pulls the Trigger on One Top AI Stock |url=https://www.tipranks.com/news/microsoft-or-amazon-billionaire-steve-cohen-pulls-the-trigger-on-one-top-ai-stock |work=TipRanks |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== Ownership of the New York Mets ===
=== Ownership of the New York Mets ===


Cohen had long been known as a lifelong [[New York Mets]] fan, and in 2012, he purchased a minority stake in the team. His ambitions to acquire full ownership of the franchise were eventually realized in November 2020, when he completed the purchase of the Mets from the [[Wilpon family]] for approximately $2.4 billion—the highest price ever paid for a North American professional sports franchise at the time of the sale.
On November 6, 2020, Cohen completed his purchase of the [[New York Mets]] from the Wilpon family for approximately $2.4 billion, making it the most expensive transaction for a professional baseball franchise at the time. Cohen, a lifelong Mets fan who had grown up rooting for the team on Long Island, had previously attempted to acquire the club in 2012 before that deal fell through.


As owner, Cohen pledged to invest in the team and restore it to competitiveness. He significantly increased the Mets' payroll, making the team one of the highest-spending franchises in Major League Baseball. Under his ownership, the Mets pursued high-profile free agents and made significant investments in player development, analytics, and facilities.
As owner, Cohen brought a markedly different approach to the Mets' operations compared to his predecessors. He committed substantial financial resources to the team's payroll, player acquisitions, and organizational infrastructure. The Mets became one of the highest-spending teams in Major League Baseball under Cohen's ownership, making several high-profile free agent signings and trades aimed at building a championship-caliber roster.


Cohen has adopted an active and at times outspoken approach to ownership. He has been known to engage with fans on social media and to make public statements about the direction of the franchise. In February 2026, during spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Cohen made headlines when he declared that the Mets would never name a team captain as long as he owns the franchise. The statement ended speculation that the team might eventually bestow the title on a current player, as the Mets had not had a captain since [[David Wright]] played his final game eight years earlier.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Cohen: 'There will never be a team captain' as long as he owns Mets |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/steve-cohen-mets-team-captain-ownership |work=MLB.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Steve Cohen says there'll never be a captain while he owns Mets |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47947764/steve-cohen-says-therell-never-captain-owns-mets |work=ESPN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Cohen has been an unusually active and visible owner by MLB standards, frequently engaging with fans on social media and making candid public statements about team matters. His willingness to spend freely and his outspoken nature have made him a polarizing but prominent figure in baseball.


The declaration drew mixed reactions from fans and commentators. Some praised Cohen for emphasizing collective leadership and team-first culture, while others questioned whether the captain designation could serve as a useful motivational tool. [[Francisco Lindor]], the longest-tenured Mets player at the time, publicly expressed respect for Cohen's decision, telling reporters, "Let's focus on winning."<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title='Let's focus on winning': Lindor reacts to Cohen's 'no captain' approach |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/francisco-lindor-reacts-to-steve-cohen-s-captain-comments |work=MLB.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-20 |title=Mets' Francisco Lindor respects Steve Cohen's anti-captain stance |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47980214/mets-francisco-lindor-respects-steve-cohen-anti-captain-stance |work=ESPN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In February 2026, during spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Cohen made headlines when he declared that the Mets would never have a team captain as long as he owned the franchise. The last Mets captain had been David Wright, who played his final game approximately eight years earlier. Cohen's statement was unequivocal, ending speculation that the team might bestow the title on a current player.<ref name="mlb-captain">{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Cohen: 'There will never be a team captain' as long as he owns Mets |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/steve-cohen-mets-team-captain-ownership |work=MLB.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="espn-captain">{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Steve Cohen says there'll never be a captain while he owns Mets |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47947764/steve-cohen-says-therell-never-captain-owns-mets |work=ESPN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Cohen's ownership of the Mets has also sparked broader discussions about the relationship between wealthy hedge fund owners and professional sports, as well as the financial dynamics of baseball in the era of soaring payrolls and franchise valuations.
The declaration drew mixed reactions from fans and media observers. Some viewed it as a reflection of Cohen's belief in collective team leadership rather than singling out one individual, while others questioned the departure from a tradition that had been meaningful to the franchise's identity. Francisco Lindor, the longest-tenured player on the Mets roster at the time, responded publicly by saying he respected Cohen's position and that the team should focus on winning rather than titles.<ref name="mlb-lindor">{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title='Let's focus on winning': Lindor reacts to Cohen's 'no captain' approach |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/francisco-lindor-reacts-to-steve-cohen-s-captain-comments |work=MLB.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref name="espn-lindor">{{cite news |date=2026-02-21 |title=Mets' Francisco Lindor respects Steve Cohen's anti-captain stance |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47980214/mets-francisco-lindor-respects-steve-cohen-anti-captain-stance |work=ESPN |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The episode illustrated Cohen's hands-on ownership style and his willingness to make definitive pronouncements on matters of team culture and governance.<ref name="amazin">{{cite web |title=How do you feel about Steve Cohen not wanting a captain on the Mets? |url=https://www.amazinavenue.com/new-york-mets-discussion/90307/mets-discussion-team-captain-lindor-wright-hernandez-carter-franco |publisher=Amazin' Avenue |date=2026-02-22 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Cohen resides in [[Greenwich, Connecticut]], and maintains residences in New York City and other locations. He married his second wife, Alexandra Garcia, in 1992. The couple has several children. Cohen also has children from his first marriage.
Steve Cohen resides in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he maintains a large estate. He is known as an avid art collector, and his personal collection includes works by prominent modern and contemporary artists. Cohen has been described as one of the most significant private art collectors in the United States.
 
Cohen is an avid art collector and has assembled one of the most significant private art collections in the world, with holdings that include works by [[Pablo Picasso]], [[Andy Warhol]], [[Jeff Koons]], [[Jasper Johns]], [[Willem de Kooning]], and other major artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. His art purchases have frequently made headlines, including high-profile acquisitions at auction houses such as [[Christie's]] and [[Sotheby's]].


In addition to his art collecting, Cohen has been involved in philanthropic activities. He and his wife Alexandra have donated to educational institutions, medical research, and children's health organizations through the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation. Their philanthropic interests have included support for veterans' causes, mental health initiatives, and programs in the New York metropolitan area.
Cohen has been married twice. He married his second wife, Alexandra Garcia, in 1992. The couple has several children together.


Cohen's lifestyle and spending habits have been the subject of extensive media coverage over the years. His Greenwich estate, which includes expansive grounds and a private ice rink, has been described as one of the most valuable residential properties in the United States.
Cohen has engaged in philanthropic activities, including donations to medical research, education, and veterans' causes. He and his wife established the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which has made substantial gifts to hospitals, research institutions, and organizations supporting military veterans and their families.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


Cohen's position in the financial world has been recognized through numerous rankings and media profiles over the course of his career. He has appeared regularly on lists of the wealthiest Americans, including the [[Forbes 400]] and the [[Bloomberg Billionaires Index]].
Cohen has been a recurring figure on lists of the world's wealthiest individuals, regularly appearing in the ''Forbes'' 400 and the ''Bloomberg Billionaires Index''. His personal fortune has been estimated at various points in the tens of billions of dollars.


In February 2026, Bloomberg named Cohen the top-earning hedge fund manager for 2025, with a personal haul of $3.4 billion. The ranking edged out David Tepper and Israel Englander, two other prominent hedge fund leaders, and placed Cohen at the pinnacle of the industry for the year.<ref name="bloomberg" /> The Bloomberg ranking, which is based on estimates of managers' personal earnings from their funds' performance and management fees, is one of the most closely followed measures of success in the hedge fund industry.
In 2026, Cohen earned the top position on Bloomberg's annual ranking of the highest-earning hedge fund managers, with an estimated $3.4 billion in personal income for the year. The ranking placed him ahead of David Tepper and Izzy Englander, who finished second and third, respectively.<ref name="bloomberg" /> The recognition marked Cohen's return to the pinnacle of hedge fund compensation rankings after years of rebuilding his public-facing investment management business following the SAC Capital legal proceedings.


Cohen's investment moves are closely tracked by financial media and by other investors who view his portfolio decisions as indicators of broader market trends. Disclosures of Point72's holdings through SEC filings regularly generate news coverage and analysis, as was the case with the firm's $2.8 billion allocation to Big Tech stocks in early 2026.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-23 |title=Billionaire fund manager drops $2.8 billion on Big Tech stocks |url=https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/billionaire-fund-manager-drops-2-8-billion-on-big-tech-stocks |work=TheStreet |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Cohen's investment decisions continue to attract significant attention from financial media and institutional investors. His firm's quarterly regulatory filings are closely scrutinized for signals about market direction, sector allocation, and individual stock picks. In early 2026, Point72's $2.8 billion allocation to major technology stocks was widely reported as a notable indicator of institutional confidence in the AI sector despite recent market volatility.<ref name="thestreet" /><ref name="tipranks" />


As owner of the New York Mets, Cohen has also received attention in the sports world. His willingness to invest heavily in the team's roster and his public engagement with fans have made him one of the most visible and discussed owners in Major League Baseball. His comments and decisions regarding the franchise are regularly covered by outlets including ESPN, MLB.com, and the New York sports media.<ref>{{cite news |date=2026-02-17 |title=Cohen: 'There will never be a team captain' as long as he owns Mets |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/steve-cohen-mets-team-captain-ownership |work=MLB.com |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
As owner of the New York Mets, Cohen has received both praise and criticism from fans and commentators. His willingness to invest heavily in the team's payroll and his active engagement with the fanbase have been noted as a significant change from the previous ownership era. His public statements, such as the declaration regarding team captains, have generated extensive media coverage and discussion within the baseball community.<ref name="mlb-captain" /><ref name="espn-captain" />


== Legacy ==
== Legacy ==


Steve Cohen's career represents one of the most consequential trajectories in the modern history of hedge fund management. From his early days as a trader at Gruntal & Co. to the founding and growth of SAC Capital Advisors, and subsequently Point72 Asset Management, Cohen has been at the center of significant developments in the financial industry for more than four decades.
Steve Cohen's career has placed him among the most consequential figures in the modern hedge fund industry. Over more than four decades, he built and rebuilt investment firms that have managed tens of billions of dollars and employed thousands of finance professionals. His trading-centric approach, emphasis on data-driven decision making, and willingness to invest in technology and talent have influenced the operational models of numerous other hedge fund firms.
 
His approach to investing—characterized by intensive research, rapid trading, and a willingness to deploy enormous sums of capital based on conviction—has influenced the strategies of countless other hedge fund managers and institutional investors. The organizational structure of SAC Capital and later Point72, with its emphasis on employing large numbers of analysts and portfolio managers operating in a multi-strategy framework, became a model that many other firms sought to emulate.


At the same time, Cohen's career has been marked by the insider trading scandal at SAC Capital, which resulted in criminal guilty pleas by the firm and civil penalties for Cohen himself. The episode remains one of the most significant enforcement actions in the history of securities regulation and raised important questions about the culture of information-gathering at large hedge funds, the responsibilities of fund managers to supervise their employees, and the boundaries of legitimate research.
The SAC Capital insider trading case remains one of the most significant episodes in the history of financial regulation, resulting in one of the largest corporate penalties ever imposed and leading to the convictions of multiple traders. The case prompted broader discussions about compliance culture, information barriers, and supervisory obligations within the asset management industry. Cohen's personal trajectory — from the legal proceedings surrounding SAC Capital to the establishment of Point72 and his return to managing outside capital — has been cited as one of the more remarkable comebacks in Wall Street history.


Cohen's entry into sports ownership with his purchase of the New York Mets added another dimension to his public profile. His ownership has been characterized by aggressive spending and a stated commitment to building a winning organization, reflecting the same intensity and competitive drive that defined his financial career.
As the owner of the New York Mets, Cohen has reshaped the franchise's competitive posture and public profile. His financial commitment to the team, combined with his outspoken personality and active presence on social media, has made him one of the most distinctive and discussed owners in Major League Baseball. His management philosophy, including decisions such as the permanent elimination of the team captain designation, reflects an approach that blends business-world leadership principles with sports ownership.<ref name="mlb-captain" />


As of 2026, Cohen remains active both as the chairman of Point72 Asset Management and as the owner of the New York Mets. His investment decisions continue to be closely followed by the financial world, and his management of the Mets remains a subject of intense interest among baseball fans and sports media.<ref name="bloomberg" />
Cohen's substantial investments in technology stocks, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector, position him as a significant voice among institutional investors evaluating the long-term trajectory of the technology industry.<ref name="thestreet" /> His investment moves are tracked as bellwethers by both retail and institutional market participants.


== References ==
== References ==
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[[Category:People from Greenwich, Connecticut]]
[[Category:People from Greenwich, Connecticut]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:American billionaires]]
[[Category:Art collectors]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:1956 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]

Latest revision as of 05:20, 24 February 2026




Steve Cohen
BornSteven A. Cohen
11 6, 1956
BirthplaceGreat Neck, New York, United States
NationalityAmerican
OccupationHedge fund manager, sports team owner
Known forFounder of Point72 Asset Management, owner of the New York Mets
EducationUniversity of Pennsylvania (Wharton School)

Steven A. Cohen (born June 11, 1956) is an American billionaire hedge fund manager, investor, and sports team owner. He is the founder and chairman of Point72 Asset Management, one of the largest and most prominent hedge fund firms in the world. Cohen is also the owner of the New York Mets, the Major League Baseball franchise he purchased in 2020. Over the course of a career spanning more than four decades on Wall Street, Cohen built a reputation as one of the most successful traders in the history of the financial industry, amassing a personal fortune through his aggressive and data-driven approach to investing. In 2026, Cohen topped Bloomberg's annual ranking of hedge fund earners, taking home an estimated $3.4 billion in personal compensation, edging out fellow managers David Tepper and Izzy Englander for the top position.[1] As Mets owner, Cohen has become one of the most visible and outspoken team owners in professional sports, investing heavily in the franchise's roster and operations while making headlines for his candid views on team management.

Early Life

Steven A. Cohen was born on June 11, 1956, in Great Neck, New York, a suburb on the North Shore of Long Island. He grew up in a middle-class Jewish family. His father worked as a dress manufacturer in Manhattan's Garment District, and his mother was a part-time piano teacher. Cohen was one of eight children in the household, and the family's modest means instilled in him a competitive drive from an early age.

As a youth, Cohen developed an interest in card games, particularly poker, which he later credited with sharpening his ability to assess risk, read opponents, and make rapid decisions under conditions of uncertainty — skills that would prove foundational to his career as a trader. He attended Great Neck North High School, where he was an active student.

Education

Cohen enrolled at the University of Pennsylvania, where he attended the Wharton School of Business, one of the most prestigious undergraduate business programs in the United States. He graduated in 1978 with a degree in economics. At Wharton, Cohen developed an interest in the stock market, and he reportedly opened a brokerage account while still a student to begin trading equities. His early experiences in the markets during his college years helped solidify his ambition to pursue a career on Wall Street.

Career

Early Career on Wall Street

After graduating from Wharton in 1978, Cohen took a position as a junior trader in the options arbitrage department at Gruntal & Co., a mid-size brokerage firm based in New York City. By his own account, he generated approximately $8,000 in profit on his first day of trading. Cohen quickly distinguished himself at Gruntal, eventually managing a portfolio and a team of traders that reportedly generated roughly $100 million in annual profits for the firm. He remained at Gruntal for over a decade, honing his trading style, which emphasized short-term positions, rapid execution, and an intensive focus on market data and momentum signals.

SAC Capital Advisors

In 1992, Cohen left Gruntal to establish his own firm, SAC Capital Advisors, named after his initials. He launched the fund with approximately $25 million in capital, much of it his own. SAC Capital grew rapidly, becoming one of the most profitable and closely watched hedge funds in the industry. The firm was known for its aggressive trading strategies, its use of extensive research networks, and its willingness to take large, concentrated positions. At its peak, SAC Capital managed approximately $14 billion in assets and employed hundreds of traders and analysts across multiple offices.

SAC Capital's returns were extraordinary by industry standards, with the firm reportedly generating average annual returns of approximately 30 percent over the course of its existence, net of fees. Cohen's personal compensation from the fund made him one of the wealthiest individuals in the financial industry.

However, SAC Capital became the subject of a prolonged federal investigation into insider trading. Over several years, a number of current and former SAC employees were charged with and convicted of insider trading offenses. In 2013, SAC Capital Advisors itself pleaded guilty to securities fraud charges and agreed to pay $1.8 billion in fines — one of the largest penalties in the history of insider trading prosecutions. Cohen was not personally charged with criminal wrongdoing, but the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) brought a civil administrative action against him, alleging that he failed to adequately supervise employees who engaged in insider trading. In 2016, Cohen reached a settlement with the SEC that included a two-year ban on managing outside investor capital.

The legal proceedings effectively forced the closure of SAC Capital as a fund that accepted outside money. Cohen converted the firm's operations into a family office, managing his own substantial personal fortune during the period of the supervisory ban.

Point72 Asset Management

Following the expiration of the SEC-imposed ban in 2018, Cohen relaunched his investment firm under the name Point72 Asset Management, named after the address of his estate in Greenwich, Connecticut. Point72 began accepting outside investor capital once again, and the firm quickly grew to become one of the largest hedge fund operations in the world, managing tens of billions of dollars in assets.

Point72 operates as a multi-strategy hedge fund, employing a range of investment approaches including fundamental equity long/short strategies, quantitative and systematic trading, macro investing, and venture capital through its Point72 Ventures arm. The firm has invested heavily in technology, data science, and machine learning to support its investment decision-making processes.

In early 2026, Point72 disclosed significant new positions in major technology companies, reflecting Cohen's conviction in the long-term growth potential of artificial intelligence infrastructure and Big Tech companies. According to regulatory filings reported by financial media, the firm invested approximately $2.8 billion into major technology stocks.[2] The moves came at a time when AI-related equities had faced increased volatility, as investors reconsidered the pace and cost of capital spending on data centers, semiconductors, and related infrastructure.[3] The disclosures signaled Point72's conviction in the AI infrastructure buildout and the leadership positions of major technology firms in that space.[2]

Cohen's performance in 2025 was particularly notable. He topped Bloomberg's annual ranking of the highest-earning hedge fund managers, with an estimated personal take-home of $3.4 billion, surpassing David Tepper and Izzy Englander for the number one position.[1] The ranking underscored Point72's strong investment returns and Cohen's continued standing as one of the most successful investors in the hedge fund industry.

Ownership of the New York Mets

On November 6, 2020, Cohen completed his purchase of the New York Mets from the Wilpon family for approximately $2.4 billion, making it the most expensive transaction for a professional baseball franchise at the time. Cohen, a lifelong Mets fan who had grown up rooting for the team on Long Island, had previously attempted to acquire the club in 2012 before that deal fell through.

As owner, Cohen brought a markedly different approach to the Mets' operations compared to his predecessors. He committed substantial financial resources to the team's payroll, player acquisitions, and organizational infrastructure. The Mets became one of the highest-spending teams in Major League Baseball under Cohen's ownership, making several high-profile free agent signings and trades aimed at building a championship-caliber roster.

Cohen has been an unusually active and visible owner by MLB standards, frequently engaging with fans on social media and making candid public statements about team matters. His willingness to spend freely and his outspoken nature have made him a polarizing but prominent figure in baseball.

In February 2026, during spring training in Port St. Lucie, Florida, Cohen made headlines when he declared that the Mets would never have a team captain as long as he owned the franchise. The last Mets captain had been David Wright, who played his final game approximately eight years earlier. Cohen's statement was unequivocal, ending speculation that the team might bestow the title on a current player.[4][5]

The declaration drew mixed reactions from fans and media observers. Some viewed it as a reflection of Cohen's belief in collective team leadership rather than singling out one individual, while others questioned the departure from a tradition that had been meaningful to the franchise's identity. Francisco Lindor, the longest-tenured player on the Mets roster at the time, responded publicly by saying he respected Cohen's position and that the team should focus on winning rather than titles.[6][7] The episode illustrated Cohen's hands-on ownership style and his willingness to make definitive pronouncements on matters of team culture and governance.[8]

Personal Life

Steve Cohen resides in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he maintains a large estate. He is known as an avid art collector, and his personal collection includes works by prominent modern and contemporary artists. Cohen has been described as one of the most significant private art collectors in the United States.

Cohen has been married twice. He married his second wife, Alexandra Garcia, in 1992. The couple has several children together.

Cohen has engaged in philanthropic activities, including donations to medical research, education, and veterans' causes. He and his wife established the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, which has made substantial gifts to hospitals, research institutions, and organizations supporting military veterans and their families.

Recognition

Cohen has been a recurring figure on lists of the world's wealthiest individuals, regularly appearing in the Forbes 400 and the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. His personal fortune has been estimated at various points in the tens of billions of dollars.

In 2026, Cohen earned the top position on Bloomberg's annual ranking of the highest-earning hedge fund managers, with an estimated $3.4 billion in personal income for the year. The ranking placed him ahead of David Tepper and Izzy Englander, who finished second and third, respectively.[1] The recognition marked Cohen's return to the pinnacle of hedge fund compensation rankings after years of rebuilding his public-facing investment management business following the SAC Capital legal proceedings.

Cohen's investment decisions continue to attract significant attention from financial media and institutional investors. His firm's quarterly regulatory filings are closely scrutinized for signals about market direction, sector allocation, and individual stock picks. In early 2026, Point72's $2.8 billion allocation to major technology stocks was widely reported as a notable indicator of institutional confidence in the AI sector despite recent market volatility.[2][3]

As owner of the New York Mets, Cohen has received both praise and criticism from fans and commentators. His willingness to invest heavily in the team's payroll and his active engagement with the fanbase have been noted as a significant change from the previous ownership era. His public statements, such as the declaration regarding team captains, have generated extensive media coverage and discussion within the baseball community.[4][5]

Legacy

Steve Cohen's career has placed him among the most consequential figures in the modern hedge fund industry. Over more than four decades, he built and rebuilt investment firms that have managed tens of billions of dollars and employed thousands of finance professionals. His trading-centric approach, emphasis on data-driven decision making, and willingness to invest in technology and talent have influenced the operational models of numerous other hedge fund firms.

The SAC Capital insider trading case remains one of the most significant episodes in the history of financial regulation, resulting in one of the largest corporate penalties ever imposed and leading to the convictions of multiple traders. The case prompted broader discussions about compliance culture, information barriers, and supervisory obligations within the asset management industry. Cohen's personal trajectory — from the legal proceedings surrounding SAC Capital to the establishment of Point72 and his return to managing outside capital — has been cited as one of the more remarkable comebacks in Wall Street history.

As the owner of the New York Mets, Cohen has reshaped the franchise's competitive posture and public profile. His financial commitment to the team, combined with his outspoken personality and active presence on social media, has made him one of the most distinctive and discussed owners in Major League Baseball. His management philosophy, including decisions such as the permanent elimination of the team captain designation, reflects an approach that blends business-world leadership principles with sports ownership.[4]

Cohen's substantial investments in technology stocks, particularly in the artificial intelligence sector, position him as a significant voice among institutional investors evaluating the long-term trajectory of the technology industry.[2] His investment moves are tracked as bellwethers by both retail and institutional market participants.

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "Steve Cohen's $3.4 Billion Payday Tops Hedge Fund Ranks".Bloomberg.2026-02-19.https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2026-02-19/mets-owner-steve-cohen-leads-hedge-funds-with-3-4-billion-haul.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Billionaire fund manager drops $2.8 billion on Big Tech stocks".TheStreet.2026-02-24.https://www.thestreet.com/investing/stocks/billionaire-fund-manager-drops-2-8-billion-on-big-tech-stocks.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Microsoft or Amazon: Billionaire Steve Cohen Pulls the Trigger on One Top AI Stock".TipRanks.2026-02-23.https://www.tipranks.com/news/microsoft-or-amazon-billionaire-steve-cohen-pulls-the-trigger-on-one-top-ai-stock.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 "Cohen: 'There will never be a team captain' as long as he owns Mets".MLB.com.2026-02-17.https://www.mlb.com/news/steve-cohen-mets-team-captain-ownership.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Steve Cohen says there'll never be a captain while he owns Mets".ESPN.2026-02-17.https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47947764/steve-cohen-says-therell-never-captain-owns-mets.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "'Let's focus on winning': Lindor reacts to Cohen's 'no captain' approach".MLB.com.2026-02-21.https://www.mlb.com/news/francisco-lindor-reacts-to-steve-cohen-s-captain-comments.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Mets' Francisco Lindor respects Steve Cohen's anti-captain stance".ESPN.2026-02-21.https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/47980214/mets-francisco-lindor-respects-steve-cohen-anti-captain-stance.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "How do you feel about Steve Cohen not wanting a captain on the Mets?".Amazin' Avenue.2026-02-22.https://www.amazinavenue.com/new-york-mets-discussion/90307/mets-discussion-team-captain-lindor-wright-hernandez-carter-franco.Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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