Bill Gates Has Nearly 30% of His $35 Billion Portfolio in 1 Stock and It's Not Microsoft The Gates Foundation, established by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates in 2000, manages a vast charitable trust with over $86 billion in total assets. A significant portion of this wealth—nearly $35 billion—is invested in publicly traded companies, with one stock dominating the portfolio. Contrary to expectations, the largest holding is not Microsoft, but rather Berkshire Hathaway. The foundation’s stock portfolio includes 23 individual holdings, but 96% of its assets are concentrated in its top 10 positions. Berkshire Hathaway stands out as the single largest investment, accounting for 28% of the portfolio. As of late 2025, the foundation owned approximately 19.4 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway, valued at around $9.8 billion. Other major holdings include Waste Management and Canadian National Railway, while Microsoft ranks as the fourth-largest position with a 10.5% allocation. The foundation’s heavy investment in Berkshire Hathaway stems from Warren Buffett’s long-standing practice of donating shares to the Gates Foundation and other charities. From 2006 to 2024, Buffett contributed a total of $43.3 billion in Berkshire stock to the foundation. Over time, the foundation has sold portions of its Berkshire holdings to fund charitable initiatives, including a $1 billion raise in the fourth quarter of 2025 through the sale of 2.36 million shares. Microsoft’s presence in the portfolio reflects Gates’ own historical contributions. At the time of Microsoft’s 1986 IPO, Gates held 45% of the company, but his stake has since dwindled to less than 1%. Donations to his foundation have been a key factor in reducing his ownership.#microsoft #berkshire_hathaway #warren_buffett #bill_gates #the_gates_foundation
Billionaire Bill Gates Has 60% of His Foundation's $38 Billion Stock Portfolio Invested In 3 Timeless Companies Bill Gates' investment strategy is heavily influenced by Warren Buffett. He favors slow-growing value stocks with wide competitive moats. Bill Gates is one of the most well-known billionaires in the world. The Microsoft founder became the wealthiest person in the world in the late 1990s, as the tech company's value soared. Despite giving away a large chunk of his wealth since the turn of the century, Gates' net worth still sits above $100 billion. But he plans to give away almost all of it to the Gates Foundation by 2045. The Gates Foundation maintains a large endowment to fund improvements in health, gender equality, development, and education worldwide. A big part of that is its $38 billion equity portfolio. While Gates made his riches in technology, the foundation's equity portfolio reflects his personal investment style and the heavy influence of longtime friend and former Gates Foundation board member Warren Buffett. That includes a willingness to maintain a highly concentrated portfolio. In fact, about 60% of the portfolio is held in just three stocks. Berkshire Hathaway (BRKA 1.54%) (BRKB 1.65%) is the largest holding in the foundation's portfolio, accounting for 26% of its assets. The Gates Foundation receives an annual injection of Berkshire shares from Warren Buffett. This year's donation added 9.4 million Class B shares to the portfolio. Buffett's donation comes with the stipulation that the foundation must spend an amount equal to his donation plus 5% of its other assets each year to receive the next donation.#berkshire_hathaway #warren_buffett #bill_gates #gates_foundation #waste_management
Gates Foundation's $86 Billion Portfolio Heavily Concentrated in Berkshire Hathaway The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the charitable organization founded by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, manages a portfolio valued at $86 billion. According to a report from Yahoo Finance, the foundation’s equity holdings are heavily concentrated, with 96% of its portfolio’s value tied to its ten largest investments. A single stock accounts for 28% of the entire portfolio, but this is not Microsoft, the company Gates co-founded. Instead, the dominant position is held by Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B), the conglomerate led by Warren Buffett. As of the end of 2025, the foundation owned approximately 19.4 million Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares, valued at around $9.8 billion. Other significant holdings include Waste Management (WM) and Canadian National Railway (CNI). Microsoft (MSFT) is the fourth-largest holding, representing a 10.5% allocation. The foundation’s investment in Berkshire Hathaway stems from annual charitable donations made by Buffett over decades. From 2006 to 2024, Buffett donated a total of $43.3 billion in Berkshire stock to the foundation. The foundation’s current $9.8 billion stake in Berkshire is lower than the cumulative donation because shares are sold over time to fund philanthropic activities. For example, in the final quarter of 2025, the foundation sold 2.36 million Berkshire shares, generating over $1 billion. This strategy aligns with Buffett’s intent to support charitable causes while managing the foundation’s financial resources. The foundation has deployed more than $102 billion in total philanthropy since its inception, reflecting its long-term commitment to global initiatives.#microsoft #berkshire_hathaway #warren_buffett #bill_melinda_gates_foundation #yahoo_finance
Why 'cash is not trash' in a stock market crash, explains Robert Kiyosaki When financial markets surge, cash often appears unexciting—lacking the growth potential of stocks, the scarcity appeal of gold, or the speculative allure of Bitcoin. However, during periods of market turmoil and sharp declines, cash can become an investor’s most valuable asset. This perspective is central to the argument made by Robert Kiyosaki, author of Rich Dad Poor Dad, in a recent post on X. He emphasized that liquidity is critical during crises, not when markets are thriving. Kiyosaki’s message was succinct: “CASH is not TRASH in a CRASH.” He framed this as a reminder that cash is not merely a safety net during downturns but a strategic tool for seizing opportunities when asset prices drop. He drew a parallel to Warren Buffett, suggesting that the billionaire investor’s decision to hold substantial cash reserves may reflect patience rather than fear. Buffett’s approach, Kiyosaki argued, is akin to holding “dry powder”—cash set aside to purchase undervalued assets after a market crash. The author explained that cash provides investors with a unique advantage during crashes. Those with liquidity are less likely to be forced to sell high-quality assets at discounted prices to meet financial obligations. Instead, they can adopt a patient stance, waiting for the right moment to invest. Kiyosaki stressed that holding cash alone is insufficient without a clear plan. “If you do not have a plan for your cash… during a crash… the smartest thing you may consider doing is… nothing,” he warned. This underscores the importance of discipline in managing cash reserves. Kiyosaki also shared his personal strategy, revealing that he recently allocated millions in cash to acquire oil wells, gold, silver, and Bitcoin.#strait_of_hormuz #x #robert_kiyosaki #rich_dad_poor_dad #warren_buffett
Warren Buffett has stepped down as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, marking the end of his more than five-decade tenure at the helm of the conglomerate. Greg Abel, who has served as the company’s chief investment officer, has assumed the role of CEO and released his first shareholder letter, detailing his vision for the company’s future. The transition, long anticipated by investors, now officially places Abel in the leadership position, with Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (NYSE:BRK.B) closing at $481.36. The shift in leadership comes amid a company that has historically been closely tied to Buffett’s legacy. Over the past five years, Class B shares have returned 85.8%, reflecting the strong association between Buffett’s stewardship and the company’s performance. Abel’s letter provides insight into his approach to managing Berkshire’s vast portfolio of businesses, emphasizing continuity in cultural values, capital discipline, and a long-term mindset. Investors are now focused on how closely his strategies align with Buffett’s established playbook and whether he will introduce new priorities. Abel’s vision centers on maintaining the company’s reputation as a steady compounder rather than a speculative investment vehicle. His letter highlights the importance of preserving Berkshire’s culture, which has been a cornerstone of its success. The company’s current cash reserves, bolstered by a record position, offer flexibility for strategic moves such as acquisitions or buybacks. However, challenges remain, including recent declines in operating earnings driven by insurance sector weakness and impairments on investments in Kraft Heinz and Occidental Petroleum. These factors underscore the risks of relying on a diversified but volatile business model.#berkshire_hathaway #warren_buffett #greg_abel #class_b_shares #kraft_heinz
Berkshire Hathaway resumes share buybacks, CEO Greg Abel invests $15 million in company stock Berkshire Hathaway announced on Thursday that it has restarted its share repurchase program for the first time since 2024, with the company beginning to buy back its Class A and Class B shares. Separately, new CEO Greg Abel disclosed that he personally purchased $15 million worth of Berkshire stock, an amount equivalent to his after-tax annual salary. Abel, who took over as CEO in January following the retirement of Warren Buffett, emphasized that he would continue using his full salary to invest in Berkshire shares annually. The company’s policy allows for stock buybacks when the CEO, in consultation with the chairman, Warren Buffett, believes the repurchase price is below the company’s intrinsic value. Abel confirmed he discussed the decision with Buffett, stating that the timing and valuation were key factors in the move. Berkshire’s decision to resume buybacks came amid a challenging year for the company. Shares have declined 3% so far in 2025 and 10% from their record high in May. The stock faced additional pressure earlier this week after the firm reported a nearly 30% drop in fourth-quarter operating earnings, largely due to underperformance in its insurance division. Investors had been calling for the company to deploy its $373.3 billion cash reserves more actively since the last buyback in the second quarter of 2024. The announcement led to a 1% rise in Berkshire B shares during early trading on Thursday. Abel highlighted the importance of transparency with shareholders, noting that the move was intended to signal alignment with investors during the leadership transition.#berkshire_hathaway #factset #warren_buffett #greg_abel #berkshire_b_shares
