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.
As spring turns into summer, the old market adage “sell in May and go away” resurfaces, sparking the usual debate among investors. But this year, that seasonal wisdom may not hold much weight.
Kyrgyzstan is stepping deeper into the digital finance era through a new collaboration with Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange.
Warren Buffett’s decision to pass the torch marks the end of a legendary era in corporate America, closing a 60-year chapter during which he reshaped a struggling textile business into one of the world’s most valuable companies.
A recent move by U.S. President Donald Trump to reward top holders of his personal cryptocurrency with exclusive access to a White House dinner has sparked sharp criticism from both sides of the political aisle, including among Republicans.