Unveiling the Investment Strategies of a Tech Titan in Q3 2023
Bill Gates (Trades, Portfolio), a paragon of business acumen, has once again made headlines with the latest 13F report for the third quarter of 2023. As the co-founder of Microsoft, Gates has not only revolutionized the tech industry but also established himself as a formidable investor. The portfolio in question, managed by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust since June 2009, reflects a commitment to responsible investing, aligning financial growth with the foundation's ethical values. This report offers a window into the investment strategies employed by the trust's external managers under the guidance of Bill and Melinda Gates.
New Additions to the Portfolio
The third quarter saw Bill Gates (Trades, Portfolio)' portfolio expand with the addition of 51 stocks. Noteworthy new positions include:
- Apple Inc (AAPL, Financial), with 52,815 shares, making up 0.02% of the portfolio and valued at $9.04 million.
- Meta Platforms Inc (META, Financial), comprising 27,035 shares, also representing 0.02% of the portfolio, with a total value of $8.12 million.
- iShares U.S. Technology ETF (IYW, Financial), with 57,600 shares, accounting for 0.02% of the portfolio and a total value of $6.04 million.
Key Position Increases
In addition to new acquisitions, Gates bolstered his stakes in 3 existing holdings:
- Microsoft Corp (MSFT, Financial) saw an addition of 21,500 shares, bringing the total to 39,286,170 shares. This represents a 0.05% increase in share count and a 0.02% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of $12.40 billion.
- United Parcel Service Inc (UPS, Financial) increased by 14,400 shares, resulting in a total of 755,089 shares. This adjustment marks a 1.94% increase in share count, with a total value of $117.70 million.
Significant Reductions
The portfolio also experienced strategic reductions:
- Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK.B, Financial) was reduced by 2,613,252 shares, leading to a -10.39% decrease in shares and a -2.12% impact on the portfolio. The stock's average trading price was $354.77 during the quarter, with a -1.18% return over the past 3 months and a 14.68% year-to-date return.
Portfolio Overview
As of the third quarter of 2023, Bill Gates (Trades, Portfolio)'s investment portfolio encompassed 75 stocks. The top holdings were:
- 31.88% in Microsoft Corp (MSFT, Financial)
- 20.28% in Berkshire Hathaway Inc (BRK.B, Financial)
- 15.26% in Canadian National Railway Co (CNI, Financial)
- 13.8% in Waste Management Inc (WM, Financial)
- 5.16% in Caterpillar Inc (CAT, Financial)
This article, generated by GuruFocus, is designed to provide general insights and is not tailored financial advice. Our commentary is rooted in historical data and analyst projections, utilizing an impartial methodology, and is not intended to serve as specific investment guidance. It does not formulate a recommendation to purchase or divest any stock and does not consider individual investment objectives or financial circumstances. Our objective is to deliver long-term, fundamental data-driven analysis. Be aware that our analysis might not incorporate the most recent, price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative information. GuruFocus holds no position in the stocks mentioned herein.
