10 Best Stocks to Buy According to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust

6. Deere & Company (NYSE:DE)

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust’s Stake: $1.5 billion

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 57

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE), also known as John Deere, is an American firm that manufactures agricultural, heavy, and forestry machinery, diesel engines, heavy equipment drivetrains, and lawn care equipment. The company also provides financial services and engages in other business operations.

Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) reported revenues of $6.81 billion in the first quarter of 2025, which fell more than $1 billion behind analysts’ expectations, owing to reduced shipping volumes and persistent market headwinds. The company’s Construction & Forestry division had a 38% decrease in sales to $2 billion, while operating profit experienced an 89% decrease due to adverse pricing and greater R&D expenditures. However, the company’s Financial Services segment saw an 11% increase in net income to $230 million.

Nightview Capital stated the following regarding Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) in its Q4 2024 investor letter:

“In January, we purchased shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE) based on a simple thesis: the 185-year-old company is evolving from a machinery manufacturer into a technology leader in an industry that urgently needs innovation.

Deere’s vision of autonomous tractors, dump trucks, and mowers address critical labor shortages, enabling farmers, builders, and landscapers to maintain productivity with fewer workers.”

Deere’s potential to transform the multi-trillion-dollar agriculture market is significant. Technologies like its See & Spray system, which reduced herbicide use by nearly 60% across over one million acres in 2024, demonstrate its ability to drive efficiency and environmental benefits. Its connected ecosystems, such as the John Deere Operations Center, are integrating machinery and data to improve decision-making and outcomes for customers.

The company has also implemented structural improvements to weather challenging market conditions. In 2024, Deere generated $6.9 billion in operating cash flow from equipment operations, achieving 18.2% operating margins despite lower shipment volumes. These measures support reinvestment in technology and steady shareholder returns, while maintaining operational discipline.

Deere’s continued pivot toward technology-driven solutions and recurring revenue models, such as pay-per-use and software licensing, enhances its ability to serve modern farmers and contractors effectively. We are optimistic about the company’s ability to lead innovation in its markets and will share further updates as we continue to evaluate its long-term prospects.”