Chairman of Davis Advisors — the current leader of the three-generation Davis investing dynasty.
Life story
Christopher C. Davis grew up in a family of famous investors. His grandfather, Shelby Cullom Davis, was a legendary investor who turned about $100,000 in the late 1940s into more than $800 million by the early 1990s (largely through insurance stocks). His father, Shelby M.C. Davis, left the Bank of New York in 1968 to found the firm that became Davis Selected Advisers.
Chris Davis earned a master's degree from the University of St Andrews in Scotland. Little is publicly known about his birth year or childhood.
How they got started
Davis began his career as an accountant at State Street Bank and Trust Company, then worked as a research analyst at Tanaka Capital Management. He also served as an assistant to his grandfather.
He joined the family firm in 1989 as a financial analyst and in 1995 succeeded his father as portfolio manager of its flagship funds, Davis New York Venture Fund and Selected American Shares. He later became the firm's chairman. In 2006 he joined the board of The Washington Post Company (now Graham Holdings).
Davis Advisors describes itself as an independent, employee-owned firm. The firm, the Davis family and foundation, and employees have more than $2 billion of their own money invested alongside clients (as of June 2026).
Investment style
The Davis philosophy is to buy durable, well-managed businesses at attractive prices and hold them for the long term, without trying to forecast short-term market moves. Chris Davis is especially known for his expertise in financial stocks — a family tradition rooted in his grandfather's focus on insurance companies.
Best decisions
Carrying on the family tradition
Taking over the flagship funds from his father in 1995, Davis preserved the firm's long-term, research-driven approach; the firm has now navigated more than 50 years of varied market conditions.
Financial-sector expertise
In a 2024 interview Davis discussed undervalued banks and financial companies (such as Capital One, JPMorgan and BNY Mellon) — the sector widely seen as his core strength.
Biggest mistakes
Limited information
No reliable public information was found on specific mistakes Chris Davis has acknowledged. A portfolio tilted toward financials naturally faces severe tests during financial crises.
Today
As of 2026 Chris Davis remains chairman of Davis Advisors and portfolio manager of the Davis Large Cap and Financial portfolios; he has been with the firm for 37 years.
What to learn from following the portfolio
- The Davis portfolio is long-term and low-turnover — positions held and increased over several years show the firm's deepest conviction.
- It is a useful guide to the financial sector: you can see how the Davises value banks and insurers.
- 13F lags by 45 days and shows only long U.S.-listed positions; copying is not a strategy.
- Halal lens: the Davises' favorite area — banks, insurers and other financials — is typically not halal, so much of this portfolio may not suit a halal investor; technology and consumer positions deserve a separate look. Check each position's halal status on the Portfolio tab.
An introduction based on public sources — not investment advice. Spotted an error? Let us know.