Bill Gates is widely recognized as a technology visionary and one of the smartest businessmen of our time. While his legacy as the co-founder of Microsoft, one of the largest software developers in the world, is well established, Gates has also quietly built a reputation as a highly disciplined and successful long-term investor. His vast financial resources, along with his philanthropic capital, are professionally managed through the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, Cascade Investment LLC, and a carefully curated personal portfolio.
As of Q1 2025, Gates’ total investment assets stand at an impressive $41.8 billion, allocated across just 25 stocks. This highly concentrated yet diversified portfolio reflects his belief in investing in a handful of incredible companies with proven business models, strong leadership, and sustainable competitive advantages. His current portfolio is structured to balance reliable dividend stocks with exposure to sectors offering significant long-term growth potential, including technology, healthcare innovation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Working alongside a skilled team of investment managers, Gates takes a meticulous approach to equity investments, prioritizing companies with a history of strong revenue growth, high operating margins, and consistent cash flow generation. His investment philosophy emphasizes purchasing shares at fair prices, guided by rigorous financial analysis and a commitment to long-term value creation.
Gates’ strategy also reflects his personal values, with a focus on companies that not only deliver financial returns but contribute to solving critical global challenges. This is evident in his significant investments in environmental services, offline healthcare services, and technologies that improve access to clean water and sanitation.
Through the assets managed by the Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, Gates’ approach serves as a blueprint for modern investing, combining disciplined financial management, a long-term horizon, and a strong commitment to positive social impact.
Key Portfolio Metrics (As of Q1 2025)
✅ Total Portfolio Value: $41.81 Billion
✅ Number of Holdings: 25 Stocks
✅ Average Holding Period: 26 Quarters (6.5 Years)
✅ Top 10 Holdings: 95.76% of Portfolio
✅ Largest Sector Allocation: Prepackaged Software (25.55%)
✅ Recent Performance: 3-Year Cumulative Return Above Market Average
About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust plays a critical role in funding the Foundation’s global initiatives focused on global health, education, and poverty alleviation. The Trust’s investment philosophy emphasizes financial sustainability through long-term equity investments in a handful of companies known for their resilience and profitability.
- Endowment Size: $41.8 Billion (as of Q1 2025)
- 2024 Charitable Support: $8.0 billion
- Investment Goals: Generate steady returns to fund philanthropic efforts while maintaining capital preservation
- Governance: Independent from the Foundation’s grant-making, managed by a specialized team at Cascade Investment LLC
The Trust applies advanced investment models and works closely with a highly skilled team of portfolio managers to achieve its financial objectives. The approach prioritizes industries like cloud computing, Communication Services, healthcare innovation, and sustainable infrastructure.
Top 10 Holdings in Bill Gates’ Portfolio (Q1 2025)
1. Microsoft (MSFT)
- Market Value: $10.68 Billion
- Shares Held: 28.46 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 25.55%
- Last Transaction: Q4 2024
- As a leader in cloud computing and artificial intelligence, Microsoft remains Gates’ top stock pick. Despite a decrease in shares last year, this position continues to deliver high average returns.
2. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B)
- Market Value: $9.15 Billion
- Shares Held: 17.17 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 21.88%
- Last Transaction: Q1 2025 (Trimmed by 12.63%)
- This strategic investment move remains a core holding, giving Gates exposure to Warren Buffett’s incredible companies through Berkshire Hathaway Inc..
3 Waste Management Inc. (WM)
- Market Value: $7.46 Billion
- Shares Held: 32.23 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 17.85%
- Last Transaction: Q3 2024
- Gates’ environmental focus is evident in his large position in Waste Management Inc., North America’s largest waste collection and recycling firm, benefiting from growth from price increases and sustainable infrastructure demand.
4. Canadian National Railway (CNR)
- Market Value: $5.34 Billion
- Shares Held: 54.83 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 12.78%
- Last Transaction: Q3 2022
- A classic infrastructure play, this investment supports Gates’ long-term exposure to the logistics sector, a strategy also seen in investments in FedEx and other global logistics leaders.
5. Caterpillar Inc. (CAT)
- Market Value: $2.43 Billion
- Shares Held: 7.35 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 5.80%
- Last Transaction: Q1 2022
- CAT Caterpillar Inc. remains a top holding, benefiting from global infrastructure development and increasing demand for construction machinery.
6. Deere & Co. (DE)
- Market Value: $1.67 Billion
- Shares Held: 3.56 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 3.99%
- Last Transaction: Q4 2023
- A leading agricultural technology provider, Deere supports Gates’ focus on food security and technological innovation in farming.
7. Ecolab Inc. (ECL)
- Market Value: $1.32 Billion
- Shares Held: 5.22 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 3.16%
- Last Transaction: Q4 2024
- ECL Ecolab Inc. plays a crucial role in hygiene and water treatment solutions, directly aligning with Gates’ efforts to improve offline healthcare services and global sanitation.
8. Walmart Inc. (WMT)
- Market Value: $798 Million
- Shares Held: 9.09 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 1.91%
- Last Transaction: Q1 2024
- One of Gates’ key dividend stocks, Walmart provides consistent cash flow and exposure to essential consumer goods.
9. FedEx (FDX)
- Market Value: $618 Million
- Shares Held: 2.53 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 1.48%
- Last Transaction: Q3 2024
- FedEx remains a strategic bet on global trade and the booming e-commerce economy.
10. Coca-Cola FEMSA (KOF)
- Market Value: $567 Million
- Shares Held: 6.21 Million
- Portfolio Weight: 1.36%
- Last Transaction: Q3 2012
- One of the longest-held positions in Gates’ portfolio, providing reliable returns from emerging markets and stable dividend payments.
Sector Allocation: How Gates Strategically Manages Risk
- Prepackaged Software: 25.55%
- Environmental & Facilities Services: 18.85%
- Rail Transportation: 12.78%
- Construction Machinery: 5.80%
- Consumer Staples & Retail: Diversified through Walmart and Coca-Cola FEMSA
Gates strategically allocates capital to sectors with consistent performance, prioritizing companies with high operating margins, market dominance, and a proven ability to weather economic cycles.
🛡️ Is Gates’ Portfolio Defensive in 2025?
Gates continues to demonstrate the mindset of an investor at heart. His portfolio reflects a balanced mix of dividend stocks, defensive blue chips, and high-growth tech names. With minimal investment activity in speculative sectors and no significant new positions aside from West Pharmaceutical Services, Gates favors stability and capital preservation.
Recent Portfolio Changes (Q1 2025)
- Reduced Berkshire Hathaway by 12.63%
- Added West Pharmaceutical Services, doubling his position
- New Purchases: 1 Stock in Q1 2025
- Maintained top holdings in Microsoft, Waste Management, and Canadian National Railway
Key Takeaways for Investors
Gates applies a disciplined, data-driven approach to his current holdings, always focused on long-term value creation rather than short-term market trends. His portfolio consistently delivers above-average 3-Year Cumulative Returns, driven by smart sector allocations, high-conviction positions, and a commitment to low turnover. This is not a portfolio chasing hype. It’s one built to last.
Whether you’re following in the footsteps of Gates, analyzing Warren Buffett’s timeless value strategies, or exploring Elon Musk’s more aggressive, innovation-driven bets, Gates provides a clear blueprint for building an impressive stock portfolio grounded in financial responsibility and sustainability.
For those looking to navigate today’s volatile markets with confidence, Gates’ investment model offers not just a benchmark, but a masterclass in how to balance resilience with growth.
Want to track Gates’ latest moves? Visit Gainify to explore real-time updates on his 13F filings and stay ahead of his next big investment decisions.
