From Nasdaq: 2024-09-15 05:30:00

In 1987, at age 23, Bill Gates became the youngest person to achieve billionaire status. He went on to become the first centibillionaire, with a net worth of $100 billion. Gates and his then-wife Melinda established the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to fund global healthcare and poverty alleviation efforts. Warren Buffett pledged donations to the foundation since 2006, and his latest contribution consisted of 9.9 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s equity portfolio currently stands at around $48 billion, with 69% invested in just three stocks. Microsoft makes up 31% of the portfolio, with Gates donating $20 billion worth of shares in 2022. The foundation’s Microsoft holding has performed well, increasing by over 60% since the donation.

Gates also allocated 23% of the foundation’s portfolio to Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares. Buffett’s donation of shares helped increase the trust’s position in Berkshire Hathaway to nearly 25 million shares, valued at around $11.2 billion. The stock has outperformed the market in 2024, with a current valuation above 1.6 times book value.

Waste Management, a leading waste hauler in the U.S., occupies 15% of the foundation’s portfolio. The stock, valued at around $7.3 billion, has performed well in 2024. Waste Management benefits from its scale, owning more landfills than competitors and operating high-density routes efficiently.

Microsoft, Berkshire Hathaway, and Waste Management make up the majority of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation’s equity portfolio. These investments have contributed significantly to the foundation’s philanthropic efforts and are positioned for potential future growth.



Read more at Nasdaq: Billionaire Bill Gates Has 69% of His Foundation’s $48 Billion Portfolio Invested in Just 3 Phenomenal Stocks