American entrepreneur, software developer, investor, and foundation founder, Bill Gates is one of the world’s most powerful figures. As soon as Gates left Harvard University in 1975, Gates founded Microsoft, which made him the richest person in the world. He ranked third in the Forbes list of wealthiest persons in January 2022 behind Elon Musk of Tesla and Jeff Bezos of Amazon. As he built Microsoft into a major technological powerhouse, Gates accumulated a fortune. Cascade Investment was created by the founder of Microsoft in 1995 to manage investment portfolios.
There are more than 100 people employed by this firm and significant stakes in enterprises in the hospitality, rail transportation, beverage, and recycling industries. Bill and Melinda Gates were founded in 2000 as the charity to further his philanthropic work. Today, they possess assets worth almost $47 billion. Global issues such as poverty, the healthcare system, and environmental issues are addressed through this project. What companies does Bill Gates own?
Is always on demand, as of its investment portfolio, Bill Gates has investments in Berkshire Hathaway, Crown Castle Caterpillar, Ecolab, FedEx, Boston Properties Walmart, UPS, Schrodinger and Walmart. He now puts his efforts and might through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation on his charity causes. Bill Gates retired from Microsoft to focus on the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. There have also been initiatives to combat malaria, reform gun control policies, and promote education reform. Through its investment portfolio, the Foundation seeks to help businesses resolve complex and entrenched problems.
What companies does Bill Gates own?
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Read More: Bill Gates Portfolio
As bill gates companies or its most valuable holding, Berkshire Hathaway has 50 million shares worth approximately $11 billion in the Gates Foundation’s portfolio. Over 18.6 million shares are held by Waste Management, which is valued at $2.12 billion. A total of 17.1 million shares worth $1.54 billion is held by Bill Gates by the Canadian National Railway Company. Among the top four holdings is Caterpillar, with 11.2 million shares worth over $1.66 billion. With 11.6 million shares valued at close to $1.40 billion, Walmart Inc. is Bill Gates fifth biggest holding.
1) Berkshire Hathaway, Inc.
Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (BRK.B) comprised the Foundation’s largest holding. Over $7 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares are owned by the Foundation. Its market cap is $522.43 billion, which ranks it among the S&P 500’s largest. Among the Fortune 500 for 2020, it ranked sixth. Since they first met in 1991, Bill Gates and Warren Buffett have established a close relationship. Till 2020, at Berkshire Hathaway Gates served on the board. As part of their charitable philanthropy commitments, they have both pledged to give away the majority of their assets.
Read More: Warren Buffett Portfolio
2) Waste Management, Inc.
A second major holding of the Foundation is Waste Management, Inc. (WM). Approximately 18.6 million shares with a market capitalization of $1.97 billion are owned by the Foundation. Environmental services are provided by Waste Management. U.S. landfill gas to energy and waste to energy facilities are developed and operated by this company. The company manages over 20 million tons of waste on behalf of more than 20 million customers. Market capitalization of the company is over $49.73 billion, and it was ranked as high as 207th on the 2020 Fortune 500 list.
3) Canadian National Railway Company
The Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) is the third biggest or largest investment of Bill Gates and his foundation. Shares of the Foundation are worth $1.51 billion and has more than 17.1 million shares. In addition to rail, trucking, freight forwarding, and warehousing, Canadian National Railway also provides integrated transportation services. Besides petroleum and fuel products, crops and chemicals, energy, minerals, and mechanical and automatic products, the company also transports agricultural products. A recent study estimates its market cap at $74.1 billion.
4) Caterpillar Inc.
In terms of the Foundation’s portfolio, Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) ranks fourth. More than $1.42 billion is worth of Caterpillar shares held by the Foundation. A manufacturer of construction, agribusiness, and energy products, Caterpillar is one of the major manufacturers worldwide. According to the 2020 Fortune 500 list, Caterpillar has a market capitalization of $77.52 billion.
5) Walmart Inc.
Among the foundation’s portfolio holdings, Walmart Inc. (WMT) ranks fifth, with 11.6 million shares and a market value of nearly $1.38 billion.3 Walmart Inc. is a retailer with stores across the country and operations around the world. With stores and operations around the world, Walmart Inc. is a retail giant. Among its many initiatives are hypermarkets, discount retailers, and supermarkets. The company also owns share and operates Sam’s Club warehouse clubs. According to the 2020 Fortune 500 list, Walmart is the number one company with a market capitalization of $407.25 billion.
6) Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts
Next in what companies does Bill Gates own is the international luxury hotel chain Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, which operates hotels and resorts across the globe. Over 100 hotel and resort properties are operated by the company in countries across the globe, which was founded in 1961. The Gates Foundation and the Saudi Arabian prince own 95% of the shares following a $3.8 billion investment in 2007 by Gates and Bin Talal.
7) UPS and FedEx
A curious thing is that Gates has substantial investments in FedEx and UPS. In addition to being direct competitors, these companies operate in the United States. He generally invests in these companies in order to take beneficial advantage of the growing trends of digital commerce.
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How much of Microsoft does bill gates own?
Bill Gates’ company, Microsoft, has become synonymous with popular culture. However, Gates did sell the majority of his company’s shares in 2000 – right after he stepped down as CEO. He is no longer involved in the daily company operations but is a technical advisor. Although he owns a 3.6% stake in the company, Cascade Investment is his current holding. There is also a small stake held by Bill and Melinda Gates’ foundation.
What does bill gates own?
In addition to the Foundation’s top holdings, these are some of the values of their respective market values as of June 30, 2020, as reported by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
All other financial information was based on December 22, 2020, which included the company’s market capitalization. Market capitalization or Market Cap is a measurement of the value of an organization’s shares based on its current share price.
FAQs
Does Bill Gates still own Microsoft?
On Jan. 13, 2022, Bill Gates’ net worth was estimated around $133 billion. Despite being CEO, founder, and chief software architect at Microsoft (MSFT), he made the bulk of his fortune. Despite of his retirement in 2014 from his cofounded company Microsoft, Gates continues to play an active and assertive role with the company as an expert advisor. The company he co-founded remains in his possession at 1.34%.
What business does Bill Gates own?
The software company Microsoft Corporation was founded by Bill Gates in corporation with one of his close friends Paul Allen. A program to fund global health and development was founded by Bill and his wife Melinda Gates and named after them. Bill Gates also hold major shares in Berkshire Hathaway, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Canadian National Railway, Caterpillar, , Waste Management, Inc., Walmart Inc., UPS and FedEx
How many companies does Bill Gates own?
Bill Gates own million dollar share in 24 companies and organizations, prominent of them are Berkshire Hathaway, Four Seasons Hotel and Resorts, Canadian National Railway, Caterpillar, , Waste Management, Inc., Walmart Inc., UPS and FedEx besides these companies he still holds 3.6% shares or equity rights in Microsoft, the company which he co founded with his friend. He also founded the Bill and Melinda Gates organization for non profit or charity work.
Bill Gates’ portfolio amounts to what percentage?
The Gates Foundation has 45.4% of its investment portfolio devoted to Berkshire Hathaway stock. while waste management, Canadian National Railway, Caterpillar, and Walmart Inc. have 9.5%, 8.3%, 7.6%, and 7.3% of its investment respectively.
Does Bill Gates own Costco?
He voluntarily stepped down from his position on Costco’s board despite owning 1.39% shares of the company through his Gates and Melinda Gates foundation.
Does Bill Gates own Apple?
In 2020, nearly 1 million Apple shares were owned by the Bill Gates’ trust but by March 31, they had been sold. The stock of Apple has underperformed. During the initial quarter, shares fell by 8%. However, in the following quarter, shares increased by 2.7%. #
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