The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has made a major portfolio shift, selling its remaining Microsoft shares and reallocating investments toward two long‑held value stocks that now make up 43 percent of its $33 billion portfolio.
The foundation, which funds global health, education, and poverty‑reduction initiatives, continues to favor value‑driven companies with strong fundamentals over high‑growth tech stocks. The move aligns with Gates’ long‑term plan to donate nearly all his wealth and wind down the foundation by 2045, spending more than $200 billion in that period.
The trust’s largest holding is Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, representing roughly 25 percent of total assets. The position reflects Gates’ close ties to Warren Buffett, whose annual donations of Berkshire stock have helped sustain the foundation’s endowment. Berkshire’s diversified operations — from insurance and railroads to energy — continue to deliver steady returns, with shares trading near their lowest price‑to‑book ratio in three years.
The second‑largest position, WM (NYSE: WM), accounts for about 18 percent of the portfolio. The waste‑management giant’s extensive landfill network and renewable‑energy initiatives have driven consistent margin expansion. Its predictable cash flow and strong competitive moat make it a cornerstone of the foundation’s value‑focused strategy.
Although the foundation sold its Microsoft stake, Gates personally retains 103 million shares worth about $43 billion, which he plans to donate over the next two decades. Microsoft’s continued growth in cloud computing and AI services underscores its enduring strength, even as the foundation diversifies its holdings.
The shift highlights a disciplined approach to philanthropy‑backed investing — balancing long‑term stability with Gates’ mission to fund global progress.
