Investing

Bill Gates Holds 80% of His $45B Portfolio in 4 Stocks

Kenneth Metral

Kenneth Metral

— 1 min read
Bill Gates Holds 80% of His $45B Portfolio in 4 Stocks
Image Credit: Bill Gates/Ricardo Stuckert

Bill Gates, co-founder of Microsoft and renowned philanthropist, manages a substantial investment portfolio through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust. As of November 2024, the trust's portfolio is valued at approximately $45 billion, with a significant concentration in a few key holdings.

Major Holdings

  1. Microsoft (MSFT): Representing 35% of the portfolio, the trust holds around 36.5 million shares of Microsoft, valued at approximately $15.47 billion. Microsoft's strategic focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence has driven its growth, with Azure Cloud being a leading cloud infrastructure provider. The company's consistent dividend payments since 2004, with annual increases since 2011, provide a steady income stream for the trust.
  2. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B): Accounting for 16% of the portfolio, the trust owns over 17.3 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway, valued at nearly $7.1 billion. Berkshire Hathaway's diverse holdings and strong financial performance make it a cornerstone investment.
  3. Waste Management (WM): Comprising 15% of the portfolio, the trust holds more than 35 million shares of Waste Management, worth about $7.3 billion. As a leading waste hauler in the U.S., Waste Management's stable business model and consistent dividend payments align with the trust's investment strategy.
  4. Canadian National Railway (CNI): Making up 16.3% of the portfolio, Canadian National Railway operates an extensive rail network across Canada and the U.S., transporting significant cargo annually. Its strategic position and consistent performance contribute to its substantial weighting in the trust's holdings.

These four investments collectively constitute a significant portion of the trust's portfolio, reflecting a strategic focus on companies with strong market positions, consistent dividend histories, and potential for long-term growth. This concentrated investment approach aligns with the trust's objective to generate sustainable returns to support its philanthropic initiatives.

Read more