Carlos Slim Helú’s Business Portfolio
1América Móvil
Role: Honorary Chairman
Founded: 2000
Valuation: $70B
Focus: Telecommunications
Ownership: ~60% (via family holdings)
2Grupo Carso
Role: Chairman
Founded: 1965
Valuation: $12B
Focus: Conglomerate (Construction, Retail, Energy, etc.)
Ownership: 76% (family-controlled)
3Telmex
Role: Chairman (via América Móvil)
Founded: 1947 (Acquired 1990)
Valuation: $15B
Focus: Telecommunications (Landline/Internet)
Ownership: ~60% (via América Móvil)
4Grupo Financiero Inbursa
Role: Chairman
Founded: 1965
Valuation: $5B
Focus: Banking and Financial Services
Ownership: Majority stake (family-controlled)
5Minera Frisco
Role: Chairman
Founded: 1960s (Acquired later)
Valuation: $2B
Focus: Mining (Gold, Silver, Copper)
Ownership: Majority stake
6IDEAL (Impulsora del Desarrollo y el Empleo en América Latina)
Role: Chairman
Founded: 1998
Valuation: $3B
Focus: Infrastructure Development
Ownership: Majority stake
7Grupo Sanborns
Role: Chairman (via Grupo Carso)
Founded: 1903 (Acquired 1985)
Valuation: $2.5B
Focus: Retail and Restaurants
Ownership: Majority stake (via Grupo Carso)
8Inmuebles Carso
Role: Chairman
Founded: 1966
Valuation: $1B
Focus: Real Estate Development
Ownership: Majority stake
9Cigatam
Role: Shareholder
Founded: 1907 (Acquired 1980)
Valuation: $500M
Focus: Tobacco Production
Ownership: 20%
10Realia Business
Role: Majority Shareholder
Founded: 1980s (Acquired later)
Valuation: $1B
Focus: Real Estate (Spain)
Ownership: Majority stake
Carlos Slim Helú’s Business Investment Timeline
- 1965-1966: Carlos Slim acquired Jarritos, a popular soft drink company, and Schweizer, a chocolate company, marking his early forays into diverse consumer markets. These acquisitions demonstrated his ability to identify and capitalize on promising ventures early in his career.
- 1980-1982: During Mexico’s economic downturn, Slim strategically invested in undervalued companies, acquiring controlling stakes in numerous businesses at bargain prices. This counter-cyclical investment strategy proved highly successful, setting the stage for his future growth.
- 1990: Slim’s Grupo Carso, through a consortium, acquired Telmex (Teléfonos de México) during its privatization. This landmark acquisition transformed Telmex into a telecommunications powerhouse, becoming the cornerstone of his vast business empire.
- 1996: Slim’s Grupo Carso acquired Sears Mexico, expanding his retail presence and demonstrating his capacity to revitalize established brands. This move showcased his ability to diversify and succeed in various sectors.
- 2000: Slim established América Móvil, consolidating his mobile telecommunications holdings across Latin America. This strategic move created a dominant player in the region’s mobile market, significantly expanding his influence.
- 2008: Slim became a major shareholder in The New York Times Company, demonstrating his interest in media and his ability to identify strategic investment opportunities in the global market.
- 2012: Slim increased his stake in Telekom Austria, expanding his telecommunications footprint into Europe. This investment underscored his ambition to diversify geographically and enter new markets.
- 2014: Grupo Carso acquired a significant portion of Tabasco Oil Company, expanding his involvement in the energy sector. This move signaled his continued diversification into critical infrastructure and natural resources.
- 2015: Slim’s Inbursa financial group made significant investments in the Mexican infrastructure sector, supporting the development of roads and telecommunications networks. This initiative showed his commitment to contributing to Mexico’s economic development.
- 2016: Slim expressed interest in investing in Mexico’s energy sector after the country’s energy reforms, suggesting continued diversification into newly liberalized markets.
- 2020: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Slim’s foundations and businesses contributed significantly to relief efforts, demonstrating his commitment to social responsibility alongside his business interests.
- 2023: Slim’s companies continued to invest in the development of 5G infrastructure in Latin America, solidifying his role in advancing technological connectivity in the region.