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Keith Gill, also known by his online pseudonyms Roaring Kitty and DeepFuckingValue, became a household name during the infamous GameStop stock saga in early 2021. His online posts and YouTube videos, which chronicled his belief in the potential of GameStop stock, attracted a huge following, leading to one of the most significant and publicized retail investor-driven stock surges in history. But just how much money did Roaring Kitty make from his GameStop investment? In this article, we’ll break down the rise of Roaring Kitty, his GameStop earnings, and the impact of his story.

1. The GameStop Investment

Keith Gill began posting about GameStop (GME) stock on Reddit’s r/WallStreetBets in 2019. At the time, GameStop was viewed by many on Wall Street as a struggling company in a declining retail market, particularly as digital downloads for games were growing. Despite this, Gill believed that GameStop was undervalued and had the potential to make a comeback.

• Initial investment: Gill reportedly started buying GameStop stock when it was trading around $5 to $10 per share in mid-2019. He accumulated a large number of shares and also invested in call options, which are contracts that allow an investor to buy a stock at a specific price within a certain time frame.

By the time his GameStop position began to attract attention in early 2021, Gill had amassed thousands of shares and options contracts, betting that the stock would soar.

2. The GameStop Stock Surge

In January 2021, Gill’s analysis of GameStop’s potential went viral, thanks to the increased attention on Reddit’s WallStreetBets community. This led to a massive buying spree of GameStop stock by retail investors, driving the price up dramatically and catching the attention of institutional investors and the mainstream media. GameStop stock, which had traded below $20 per share for much of 2020, surged to over $300 per share in January 2021, peaking at around $483.

• Roaring Kitty’s position: At the height of the GameStop frenzy, Gill’s holdings were worth tens of millions of dollars. According to reports, he had about 50,000 shares of GameStop stock and additional call options.

3. How Much Did Roaring Kitty Make?

By January 2021, Roaring Kitty’s GameStop position had grown to staggering levels. He posted screenshots on social media showing the value of his portfolio during the stock surge. At one point, his total position in GameStop was valued at approximately $48 million, including both his shares and options contracts.

• Initial investment: Gill reportedly invested around $53,000 in GameStop stock when he first began buying shares and call options in 2019.
• Peak portfolio value: At its peak in late January 2021, his GameStop position was valued at $48 million, representing an astronomical return on his initial investment.
• Realized gains: It is unclear exactly how much money Gill realized from his GameStop investment, as he did not immediately sell his entire position when the stock price peaked. However, he did confirm selling portions of his holdings, locking in millions of dollars in profit. By early February 2021, Gill disclosed that he had realized gains of over $13 million from GameStop, with additional paper profits from his remaining holdings.

4. After the GameStop Frenzy

After the GameStop stock surge, Keith Gill became a central figure in the discussion around retail investing and the power of social media to influence the stock market. He testified before Congress in February 2021 during hearings about the GameStop short squeeze and the role of retail investors. Throughout the ordeal, Gill maintained that his investment in GameStop was based on his genuine belief in the company’s potential, not as part of any scheme to manipulate the stock price.

Gill has largely kept a low profile since the Congressional hearings, though he reportedly continues to invest in the stock market and remains a popular figure in online investing communities.

5. The Impact of Roaring Kitty’s Story

Roaring Kitty’s story is a prime example of how individual investors can have a significant impact on the stock market, especially when aided by the power of social media. His success with GameStop not only made him a multi-millionaire but also inspired countless other retail investors to explore the stock market, many of whom had never invested before. The GameStop saga also led to broader discussions about the relationship between retail investors and Wall Street, regulatory changes, and the democratization of investing.

Conclusion

Keith Gill, also known as Roaring Kitty, made an estimated $13 million in realized gains from his GameStop investment, with the total value of his portfolio reaching around $48 million at its peak. His bold investment strategy and public commentary on GameStop made him a key figure in one of the most extraordinary stock market events in recent history. While the exact amount of money Roaring Kitty ultimately made from GameStop remains private, there’s no doubt that his earnings from this trade solidified his place as one of the most successful retail investors of recent times.