In this article, we will take a look at the top stocks according to Bill Gates.
Bill Gates is one of the most influential figures in the modern world. The software company he co-founded, best known for its Windows operating system, ranks among the most valuable companies globally, boasting a market capitalization of $3 trillion. This success has contributed to Gates becoming one of the wealthiest individuals, with his net worth recently estimated at $108 billion.
In 2000, Bill and Melinda Gates established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, now one of the world’s largest charitable organizations. The foundation focuses on public health, poverty reduction, education, and climate change. Since 1994, the Gateses have contributed over $50 billion to its initiatives, including more than $1.94 billion in grants for vaccine research during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to a report by Business Insider, Bill Gates, Melinda French Gates, and Warren Buffett have collectively contributed around $100 billion to the Gates Foundation to date. During an interview with the BBC, the Microsoft co-founder and Gates Foundation chair disclosed the extent of his philanthropic efforts. According to a foundation fact sheet, Gates and French Gates, who are now divorced, donated a total of $59.5 billion between the organization’s inception in 2000 and the end of 2023. Meanwhile, Buffett, the CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, has contributed an additional $39.3 billion.
The foundation has been a major financial backer of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for malaria and tuberculosis vaccine research. It also played a pivotal role in launching Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which spearheads immunization efforts in low-income nations. Headquartered in Seattle, the foundation continues to expand its global impact. Following a $20 billion donation, Gates outlined plans to boost its annual spending by 50%, targeting $9 billion by 2026.
Bill Gates has dedicated years and billions of dollars to addressing climate change. His foundation has directed substantial funding toward climate technology solutions while consistently highlighting major sources of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly those from large energy and manufacturing companies that burn fossil fuels extensively. However, Gates believes that many people overlook one of the significant contributors to climate change: agriculture, particularly methane emissions from livestock and the impact of fertilizers.
Since 2015, Breakthrough Energy, the climate-focused investment firm he founded, has allocated $2.2 billion to more than 160 startups and initiatives, aiming to generate investor returns while reducing emissions. In addition to these investments through the firm, Gates has also pursued climate-focused ventures independently. Some of these startups focus on practical solutions, such as sealants to improve heating efficiency, while others explore more unconventional approaches, including burying plant waste to capture carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
As of Q4 2024, The Gates Foundation, managed by Michael Larson, has a portfolio valued at over $42 billion. The tech and industrial goods sectors represented 29% and 26.3% of the portfolio, respectively. The finance sector made up over 21% of the fund’s portfolio. In view of this, we will take a look at the best stocks to buy according to Bill Gates.
Bill Gates
Our Methodology
To make our list of the latest stocks in Bill Gates’ portfolio, we scanned through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s SEC filings for the fourth quarter and picked out the top ten stocks with the highest investment stakes.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
10. Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $484,064,463
Headquartered in Mexico, Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF) produces and distributes trademark beverages of The Coca-Cola Company, offering a wide portfolio of 134 brands to a population of more than 270 million. With over 97 thousand employees, the company markets and sells approximately 3.8 billion unit cases through more than 2 million points of sale a year.
Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF) had a strong Q4 2024 as it increased its revenue by 14.3% to MXN 75.5 billion (approx. $3.7 billion), driven by revenue management initiatives and favorable currency translation effects. The company also witnessed a volume growth of 2.2% YoY, reaching 1.08 billion unit cases during the quarter. The company also announced significant digital advancements to enhance its operations, such as the Juntos+ platform reaching over 1.3 million users and a significant increase in enrolled clients in the loyalty program. These developments, alongside KOF’s record CAPEX investments (MXN 25.3 billion in 2024) are expected to strengthen its operations and market positioning, particularly in the rapidly expanding Latin American beverage industry.
Shares of Coca-Cola FEMSA, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE:KOF) have surged by over 14% this year. The stock was held by 12 hedge funds in the Insider Monkey database at the end of Q4 2024, with Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Trust being the largest holder.
9. FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $712,992,061
FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) serves more than 220 countries and territories and provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce, and business services, offering integrated business solutions utilizing its flexible, efficient, and intelligent global network.
FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) posted a revenue of $21.97 billion in Q2 of 2025, slightly missing market expectations by $125.2 million and down 0.9% YoY, revealing underlying struggles with US domestic demand. However, the company’s adjusted EPS came in at $4.05 against analysts’ estimates of $4.01, bolstered by successful cost reduction strategies under the DRIVE program. Fedex’s cost reduction efforts are bearing fruit, with the company achieving DRIVE savings of $540 million in Q2 and remaining confident to deliver its targeted $2.2 billion in incremental savings in FY 2025. FedEx remains committed to returning value to its shareholders and completed $1 billion in share repurchases in Q2, bringing the YTD total to $2 billion, with an additional $500 million of repurchases planned for the fiscal second half. The company also announced a quarterly dividend of $1.38 per share this month, in line with the previous.
In its Q2 2025 earnings call, FedEx Corporation (NYSE:FDX) announced plans to separate into two public companies – FedEx and FedEx Freight. Analysts believe that the strategic move could unlock up to $20 billion in shareholder value, while also enabling both companies to benefit from enhanced focus and competitiveness.
8. Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $821,324,597
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) is an Arkansas-based retail behemoth that operates a chain of hypermarkets, discount stores, and grocery stores across the US. The company operates more than 10,750 stores and clubs in 19 countries and eCommerce websites.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) topped expectations in Q4 2025 with a revenue uptick of 4.1% to $180.6 billion, slightly above the estimated $180.2 billion. The company’s EPS also came in at $0.66 compared to market expectations of $0.65, thanks to higher gross margins, membership income growth, and improved E-Commerce economics. Walmart maintains a robust balance sheet, generating $36.4 billion in operating cash flow in FY 2025 and ending the year with $9 billion in cash and cash equivalents. The retailing giant repurchased $4.5 billion worth of shares in FY 2025 and raised its quarterly dividend by 13% to $0.235 per share, putting it among the Best Dividend Aristocrat Stocks to Buy Now. Shares of WMT have surged by more than 64% over the last year.
Walmart Inc. (NYSE:WMT) continues to witness strong growth in its Walmart Connect advertising business, with US revenue surging by 24% in Q4. The segment is expected to receive a further boost following the acquisition of Vizio, a popular low-cost television manufacturer, for $2.3 billion in December 2024. For fiscal year 2026, Walmart expects consolidated net sales growth of approximately 3% to 4%, including the negative impact from the lapping leap year and the favorable contribution from VIZIO sales.
7. Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $1,222,692,070
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) is a global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions and services. The company’s 48,000 associates support millions of customers in more than 170 countries around the world.
Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) posted strong results in Q4 2025 with sales of $4 billion, up 1.7% YoY and beating market expectations by almost $19.5 million. The company topped estimates with an adjusted EPS of $1.81, led by robust organic growth and improved margins. Ecolab’s largest Global Industrial segment, which provides water treatment and cleaning products and services to large industrial customers, saw a 10.8% rise in operating income to $374.6 million. The company generated a record free cash flow of $1.8 billion in FY 2024 and its balance sheet was further bolstered by the divestment of its global surgical solutions business in a deal worth $950 million. Ecolab repurchased $1 billion worth of shares in 2024 and declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.65 this month.
The phenomenal rise of AI technologies is prompting data centers to rethink their cooling strategies, leading to a shift from air-cooled to liquid-cooled servers, creating a significant opportunity for Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL). The company’s global high-tech business operates in the data center and microelectronics industries, with sales reaching over $300 million and much room for growth in the coming years.
6. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $1,507,261,059
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) is a world leader in providing advanced products and services for agriculture, forestry, construction, and lawn and turf care. It also provides financial services worldwide and manufactures and markets engines used in heavy equipment.
Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) had a tough Q1 2025 as its revenue slumped 35% to $6.81 billion and missed analysts’ estimates by over $1 billion, primarily due to lower shipment volumes and ongoing market challenges. The company’s Construction & Forestry segment witnessed a steep 38% sales decline to $2 billion, with operating profit also down by 89%, driven by unfavorable pricing and higher research and development expenses. However, DE’s Financial Services division managed to achieve an 11% rise in net income to $230 million, aided by special items and a decreased valuation allowance on assets held for sale of Banco John Deere. However, despite the current difficulties, the company returned over $800 million in cash to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases during the quarter.
A significant threat to Deere & Company (NYSE:DE)’s operations has emerged in the form of tariffs on Canada, Mexico, and China, which have increased uncertainty regarding the impact on US farmers as several of their crops are particularly vulnerable to retaliatory measures. Moreover, the prices of several industrial metals are rising as a result of the said tariffs, raising input costs for the company.
5. Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $2,667,597,015
Renowned for its iconic yellow heavy-duty machinery, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) is the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, off-highway diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines, and diesel-electric locomotives. The company boasts a global workforce of 113,200 and has suppliers in 175 countries around the world.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) faced challenges in Q4 2025 as its revenue of $16.2 billion (down 5% YoY) fell short of the forecasted $16.61 billion, primarily due to reduced market demand. However, the adjusted EPS of $5.14 still managed to beat expectations, showcasing the company’s operational resilience through efficient cost strategies.
Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT) maintains a robust balance sheet, having generated approximately $40 billion of ME&T free cash flow since 2019, including $10.3 billion only in 2024. Such a strong and consistent ME&T free cash flow has allowed the company to reduce the average number of shares outstanding by approximately 18% since the beginning of 2019. CAT maintains a strong track record of returning value to its shareholders, having paid higher annual dividends for 31 consecutive years and attaining the prestigious title of a dividend aristocrat. The company lived up to its name and distributed $10.3 billion to its shareholders in 2024, with $7.7 billion of share repurchases and $2.6 billion in the form of dividends.
4. Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $5,565,467,047
A leading North American transportation and logistics company, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) transports more than C$250 billion worth of goods annually for a wide range of business sectors, ranging from resource products to manufactured products to consumer goods, across a rail network of approximately 20,000 route-miles spanning Canada and mid-America.
Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) had a difficult Q4 2024, facing a number of challenges including labor issues and strikes. The looming threat of tariffs by the Trump administration could also seriously hamper its operations. The company reported a Q4 2024 revenue of around $3 billion, down 9.38% YoY and below market expectations by over $24.2 million. However, CNI’s overall 2024 revenue still surged by around 1.3% YoY to a little over CAD $17.04 billion (approx. $11.96 billion). CNI also generated $3.1 billion in free cash flow in 2024, down $800 million from the year before due to higher capital spending and lower cash flow from operations. Reiterating its commitment to its shareholders, the company recently announced a 5% dividend increase for 2025, marking 29 consecutive years of growth. It also authorized a new buyback program for up to 20 million shares from February 2025 to February 2026.
It was announced last month that Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) has gained regulators’ approval to acquire Iowa Northern Railway Company. The merger will further bolster CNI’s network, adding 175 route miles within the state of Iowa, and will offer single-line service to better connect grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets to CNI’s North American network.
Appalaches Capital stated the following regarding Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) in its Q3 2024 investor letter:
“During the quarter, we established core positions in two railroads: Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) and CSX Corporation (CSX). The investment thesis is simple. Domestic railroads have not seen volume growth over the last 20 years despite being the cheapest, cleanest, and safest form of freight transportation. The lack of volume growth and related share losses to trucking is due to the poor reliability of the networks. However, there is strong evidence to believe that this may not be the case going forward. It seems that investors are overweighting historical characteristics of the industry and not giving credit to recent and sustainable improvements in service metrics. If the rails are able to show any sign of sustained volume growth, our investment should perform very well.
The Canadian railroads have more or less operated at full capacity over the last two decades, while the U.S. networks have not. Why is that? There are a few reasons for the anemic volume growth domestically, but only one of which is not shared by the Canadian railroads: service. In 2017, had you shipped goods by rail in Canada, the odds that your shipment would arrive on time, or the ‘trip plan compliance’ rate, was around 90% or higher. In the U.S., these levels were closer to 50%.5 Maybe you have a different opinion, but I am not particularly excited about using a shipping service that only has a coin flip’s chance of arriving on time, even if it may be more economical…” (Click here to read the full text)
3. Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $6,504,568,276
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) is the leading provider of comprehensive waste management environmental services in North America. The company serves more than 20 million residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers through its Collection, Landfill, Transfer, Recycling, and Other lines of business.
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) had an impressive Q4 2024 with revenue of around $5.9 billion, up 13% YoY, driven by a strong market demand, ongoing asset network expansions, and efficiencies in Collection and Disposal services. However, the company’s still adjusted EPS slipped by 2.3% to $1.70, affected by elevated operational costs. WMI showed a strong financial performance in 2024, as its operating cash flow grew more than 14% to $5.39 billion, and free cash flow before sustainability growth investments reached $3.27 billion, marking a 22.5% increase over 2023. The company returned $1.47 billion to its shareholders last year, including more than $1.2 billion in dividends. WMI recently raised its dividend by 10%, marking its 22nd straight annual dividend raise.
Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM) continued to grow its portfolio with an impressive shopping spree in 2024. The company closed $800 million worth of acquisitions in the first three quarters of last year, before acquiring Stericycle (the largest medical waste management company in North America) for $7.2 billion in Q4, all while also funding $950 million in sustainability growth initiatives. The company is now expecting synergies worth $250 million from the Stericycle acquisition by 2027 and is confident it will deliver up to $100 million even in 2025.
2. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $8,909,229,279
Headquartered in Omaha, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) is a holding company that owns subsidiaries engaged in a number of diverse business activities. The most important of these is the property and casualty insurance business conducted on both a direct and reinsurance basis through a number of subsidiaries.
Shares of Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) closed at an all-time high of $499.82 on February 25th after the Warren Buffett-led conglomerate reported a stellar performance in 2024. Berkshire’s operating earnings from its 180 operating businesses skyrocketed 71% to $14.53 in the final three months of 2024. This was led by a whopping 302% YoY surge in insurance underwriting to $3.409 billion. Full-year operating profit also rose 27% to $47.44 billion, setting a new record.
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE:BRK-B) ended the year sitting on a record cash pile of $334.2 billion, up from $325.2 billion at the end of the third quarter. The firm’s cash doubled last year as it reduced 62% of its holdings in Apple and one-third of its stake in Bank of America. The company also bought back $2.9 billion worth of shares in 2024, but hasn’t conducted any share repurchases since last May. Berkshire does not pay dividends, as it believes that re-investing its revenues rather than paying percentages out to its clients has yielded far larger returns.
1. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)
Stake Value as of Q4 2024: $11,994,729,611
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) is engaged in developing and marketing software, services, and hardware that deliver new opportunities, greater convenience, and enhanced value to people’s lives. While the $3 trillion company was co-founded by Bill Gates himself 50 years ago, he now owns less than 1% of the business after his most recent donation of shares to the Gates Foundation in 2022.
Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) reported revenue of $69.6 billion in Q2 2025, up 12% YoY, while its net income of $24.1 billion surged by 10% on a YoY basis. This strong performance was driven by a 21% increase in cloud revenue, although challenges remain in Azure’s growth. The company also witnessed a whopping 157% jump in AI services revenue last quarter, exceeding its expectations. Microsoft maintains a strong balance sheet, generating $22.2 billion in operating cash flow and ending Q2 with over $17.4 billion available in cash and cash equivalents. It also returned $9.5 billion to investors through dividends and share repurchases.
Shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) recently took a hit after investment bank TD Cowen reported that the company had canceled some of its leases of data centers in the US, a move that may reflect concerns about whether it’s building more AI computing than it will need over the long term. However, the company responded by saying that it is sticking to its plan to invest over $80 billion in AI and cloud capacity this fiscal year.
Bretton Capital Management stated the following regarding Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:
“Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) has become the go-to provider of computing services for many emerging AI companies, and its franchise is much more diversified than Alphabet’s, making it a net beneficiary of the AI arms race. Demand for its cloud computing services continued to grow, and the rest of its business (Orce, Windows, Xbox, GitHub, LinkedIn) are also thriving, sending earnings per share up 22% while the stock returned 13%.”
Overall, Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) ranks first on our list of the best stocks according to Bill Gates. While we acknowledge the potential for MSFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and doing so within a shorter time frame. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT but that trades at less than 5 times its earnings, check out our report about the cheapest AI stock.
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