Bill Gates Foundation Divests Microsoft Shares, Allocates 43% of $33 Billion Portfolio to Two Key Stocks

Key Points

• The Gates Foundation’s investment managers favor value stocks over growth stocks, with significant holdings in Berkshire Hathaway and Waste Management.

• Bill Gates plans to donate nearly all his wealth, valued at over $100 billion, to the foundation over the next two decades, including 103 million shares of Microsoft currently valued at approximately $43 billion.

• As of the most recent filing, Berkshire Hathaway shares account for about 25% of the foundation’s $33 billion portfolio, while Waste Management represents around 18%.

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft, has committed to donating the majority of his wealth through the Gates Foundation, which aims to address global issues such as poverty and disease. The foundation’s $33 billion fund primarily consists of value stocks, reflecting Gates’ investment philosophy influenced by Warren Buffett.

The foundation’s top holdings include Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, bolstered by annual donations from Buffett, and Waste Management, a longstanding investment due to its strong market position and competitive advantages. The foundation plans to spend over $200 billion by 2045, necessitating ongoing strategic investments.