The Gates Foundation Trust sold 65% of its Microsoft stake in Q3, reducing the position from $13.9B to $4.76B. Microsoft dropped to the fourth-largest holding in the Trust’s portfolio behind Berkshire Hathaway at $10.9B. The sale appears driven by portfolio rebalancing and liquidity needs as the foundation plans to increase annual grants to $9B by 2026.
Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates once held the vast majority of his personal wealth in the company’s shares. Over decades, he gradually reduced his direct ownership through sales and massive donations to philanthropy. The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, now called the Gates Foundation Trust, long maintained Microsoft as its largest holding, but recently sold around 17 million shares, slashing its position by nearly 65%.
Microsoft has evolved beyond its roots as a personal computer software giant under CEO Satya Nadella. The company pivoted into cloud computing with Azure and positioned itself as a leader in AI. Despite reaching all-time highs in 2025, the stock has retreated about 12% amid fears of an “AI bubble.” Nvidia’s strong Q3 earnings reaffirmed robust spending on AI infrastructure, benefiting Microsoft’s Azure business.
The Gates Foundation Trust’s reduction in Microsoft shares stands out for its size, with proceeds totaling between $8.7B to $8.8B. Analysts attribute the move to portfolio rebalancing and liquidity needs for increased grantmaking. Despite speculation, there is no evidence the sales reflect insider concerns about AI competition or valuation. Microsoft’s fundamentals remain strong, and the Trust remains the company’s fourth-largest holding.
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Read more at Yahoo Finance: Bill Gates Just Dumped 65% of His Microsoft Stock. Should You Sell?