The Gates Foundation holds Berkshire Hathaway as its top stock, valued at $7.4 billion, reflecting its preference for stable industrial and consumer companies over volatile tech investments, according to a recent filing.
The Gates Foundation Trust has positioned itself as a steadfast investor in industrial and consumer sectors, with Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) as its largest holding. As of June 30, the foundation’s portfolio includes 14.7 million shares of Berkshire Hathaway, valued at $7.4 billion, according to its quarterly Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). This strategic choice underscores a long-term focus on steady compounders rather than the high-growth, high-risk tech stocks that have dominated recent market enthusiasm. The foundation trimmed its Berkshire stake by about 2.4 million shares in the second quarter, as reported in the same filing.
Gates Foundation’s Investment Strategy
The foundation’s investment portfolio, valued at $34.4 billion, includes 24 equities. While Berkshire Hathaway leads with $7.4 billion, other major holdings include Caterpillar (NYSE: CAT), Canadian National Railway, Waste Management, and Deere, with values ranging from $2.3 billion to $6.8 billion. The foundation also owns significant stakes in consumer goods companies like Walmart, Home Depot, and McDonald’s. Notably, it initiated a $350 million position in Home Depot during the second quarter, purchasing 1 million shares, as detailed in the source material.
Bill Gates' Foundation Holds Berkshire Hathaway as Its Top
Caterpillar, the foundation’s second-largest holding, has demonstrated resilience, with a 44% year-to-date gain driven by demand for data center construction tied to artificial intelligence (AI). The company’s second-quarter revenue surged 24% year over year to $20.5 billion, and its dividend increased by 8% to $1.63 per share, yielding 0.8%. This performance aligns with the foundation’s emphasis on long-term growth and stability. The foundation’s holdings also include Caterpillar, which celebrated its 100th anniversary last year, as noted in the source material.
The Gates Foundation Trust’s investment portfolio is detailed in its quarterly Form 13F filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), providing investors with insight into which companies Gates values most. The foundation’s holdings include 24 equities valued at $34.4 billion as of June 30. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRKA) (NYSE: BRKB) Class B shares make up the largest share, about $7.4 billion. The foundation trimmed its Berkshire stake by about 2.4 million shares in the second quarter, but still holds 14.7 million shares.
Bill Gates’ Apology Over Epstein Ties
Amid these financial moves, Bill Gates faced personal scrutiny after apologizing to staff at the Gates Foundation over his past connections to Jeffrey Epstein. During a town hall, Gates acknowledged two affairs with Russian women linked to Epstein but denied involvement with his victims. I did nothing illicit. I saw nothing illicit,
Gates stated, according to a recording reviewed by The Wall Street Journal. He admitted the mistake of associating with Epstein and apologized for drawing foundation executives into those meetings.
Gates said images in the recently released Epstein files showing him with women whose faces are redacted were pictures that Epstein asked him to take with Epstein’s assistants after their meetings. To be clear I never spent any time with victims, the women around him,
Gates said. It was a huge mistake to spend time with Epstein
and bring Gates Foundation executives into meetings with the sex offender, Gates said. I apologize to other people who are drawn into this because of the mistake that I made.
Exclusive | Bill Gates Apologizes to Foundation Staff Over
The apology came as the foundation reviewed its historical ties to Epstein, which had already strained its reputation. While the foundation confirmed no financial transactions or collaborations with Epstein, the incident highlighted ongoing challenges in maintaining public trust. Gates’ remarks aimed to address internal concerns, though the fallout continues to affect the foundation’s image.
Warren Buffett Suspends Donations
The foundation’s reputation faced another blow when Warren Buffett announced a temporary halt to his annual donations, estimated at several billion dollars. Buffett, who had historically directed much of his philanthropy through the Gates Foundation, cited the need to await the results of an internal review of the foundation’s past interactions with Epstein. According to Reuters, his decision could be repoussed to more later in the year, possibly until his traditionnal letter of Thanksgiving.
The suspension, while not an official break, signals a shift in Buffett’s approach. The foundation, which has received over $47 billion in Berkshire Hathaway shares since 2006, now faces uncertainty about future donations. Warren Buffett had previously made the Gates Foundation one of the main vehicles of his philanthropy, according to the source material.
Nouveau coup dur pour Bill Gates ! Warren Buffett
Implications for the Gates Foundation
The combination of financial strategy, personal accountability, and donor relations paints a complex picture for the Gates Foundation. Its investment choices reflect a calculated approach to wealth management, prioritizing stability over the volatility of tech stocks. However, the Epstein-related controversies and Buffett’s donation pause highlight the challenges of maintaining public trust in the face of personal and institutional scrutiny.
For investors, the foundation’s portfolio offers a case study in long-term, diversified growth. For the public, it raises questions about the intersection of philanthropy, personal conduct, and corporate responsibility. As the foundation navigates these challenges, its ability to balance financial prudence with reputational recovery will be critical to its future impact.
The Gates Foundation’s second-largest holding, Caterpillar, has proven its staying power, profiting despite cyclical downturns in the construction and mining markets. The company celebrated its 100th anniversary last year. Shares are up an impressive 44% so far this year, with much of the gains attributed to data center construction needed to support the growth of artificial intelligence. Caterpillar’s second-quarter top line grew 24% year over year to $20.5 billion. To top it off, Caterpillar recently increased its dividend by 8% to $1.63 per quarter, yielding 0.8%. Caterpillar has raised its dividend annually for the last 32 years.
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