The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) has been a major player in global philanthropy, distributing over $77 billion in grants since its establishment.
Funded by the BMGF Trust, which held assets totaling $48 billion as of June 2024, the foundation’s investments are heavily weighted in Microsoft (33%) and Berkshire Hathaway (21%). These strategic investments have allowed the trust to outperform the S&P 500 by 10 percentage points over the last three years, underscoring Bill Gates’ confidence in these companies.
Microsoft, the leading global software provider, excels in business productivity and cloud computing. Its Azure cloud platform is expected to rival Amazon Web Services (AWS) by 2027.
Despite recent challenges including market share declines and a weaker fourth-quarter performance, experts remain hopeful about Microsoft’s prospects, although the stock is currently viewed as pricey.
Berkshire Hathaway, under the leadership of Warren Buffett, is a major diversified holding company with a strong foothold in the insurance sector. The company’s prudent investment strategies and substantial portfolio are projected to drive a 17% annual increase in operating income through 2027. Berkshire is considered a solid defensive investment, particularly beneficial during economic downturns.
Investors might need to be wary of Microsoft’s current high valuation but could find Berkshire Hathaway appealing for its consistent growth and defensive attributes.
The U.S. Federal Reserve is prepared to step in with emergency support should financial markets face severe stress, Boston Fed President Susan Collins confirmed in a recent interview, signaling that policymakers remain vigilant amid recent volatility in stocks and bonds.
A major breakthrough in Bitcoin staking is gaining momentum after Binance announced its latest addition: Babylon (BABY), a project aiming to unlock new utility for BTC without relying on traditional bridges.
BlackRock kicked off 2025 with $84 billion in net inflows, fueled by record-breaking demand for its iShares ETFs and growing interest in private markets.
Concerns over the unchecked rise of cryptocurrencies have prompted New York Attorney General Letitia James to call on Congress for immediate intervention.