In this article we take a look at the 5 biggest holdings of Bill Gates’ foundation as of the end of the third quarter. To read about Bill Gates’ net worth, his investments in startup and other holdings, click Bill Gates Net Worth, Investments and Holdings.
5. Deere & Company NYSE: DE
Deere & Co makes agricultural machinery, heavy equipment, forestry machinery, diesel engines, drivetrains used in heavy equipment, and lawn care equipment. Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation initiated a new position in the company during the third quarter of last year. In the third quarter of this year, the fund increased its hold in the company by 336%, ending the period with a $1.31 billion stake. Last month, the stock jumped after Deere (NYSE:DE) posted strong quarterly results which were helped by rising prices and higher product shipments. The company’s 2023 guidance was also stronger than expected.
As of the end of the third quarter, 57 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey had stakes in the company. The total value of these stakes was $2.8 billion.
4. Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been holding stakes in Waste Management since the third quarter of 2012. As of the end of the third quarter of this year, the trust had owned a $5.6 billion worth of stake in the company. Earlier this month, Waste Management WM (NYSE:WM) increased its dividend by 7.7%, which brings the company’s annual dividend to $2.80. The company also announced a common share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, replacing a prior $1.5 billion authorization that was fully utilized in 2022. In the third quarter, Waste Management posted an adjusted EPS of $1.56, while the company’s revenue in the period came in at $5.08 billion. However, Waste Management said that its operating EBITDA of recycling business fell by $36 million when compared to the third quarter of 2021, mainly due to a decline in recycled commodity prices and inflationary pressures.
3. Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI)
Another strong defensive player in Bill Gates’ portfolio, Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) has been increasing shareholder value this year despite several headwinds. The company bought back 23 million shares for $3.5 billion. It has also increased its dividend by 19% dividend this year. In November, Deutsche Bank analyst Amit Mehotra reiterated his bullish rating on CNI in his broader note for the transportation industry.
Canadian National Railway is also a hedge fund favorite. As of the end of the third quarter of this year, 42 hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey reported having stakes in the company, compared to 41 funds in the previous quarter. The most notable stakeholders of the firm include major hedge funds like Chris Hohn’s TCI Fund Management ($4 billion stake) and Israel Englander’s Millennium Management ($250 million stake).
2. Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class A (NYSE:BRK.A)
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has been holding huge stakes in Berkshire Hathaway Inc Class A (NYSE:BRK.A) since the fourth quarter of 2013. The trust entered the last quarter of this year with a $7.9 billion stake in the company which is headed by the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett. Earlier this month, Reuters reported that Berkshire Hathaway sold 1.33 million Hong Kong-listed shares of electric vehicle maker BYD (OTCPK:BYDDF) for about $34.4 million.
1. Microsoft Corp.
Topping the list of Bill Gates’ Q3 holdings is Microsoft Corp. which Gates co-founded back in 1975. The trust owns a $9.1 billion stake in the company. Microsoft is the most popular stock among the 920 elite hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey, as 269 funds reported having stakes in the Cloud company at the end of September. The total value of these stakes was $61 billion.
