What Are the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation’s Top Investments?

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.

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