Bill Gates' Foundation Trust cuts Microsoft stake by 65% — dropping to a mere $4.7 billion in its vast portfolio

A Microsoft office in New York, US.

(Image credit: Getty Images | Bloomberg)

After the sale of 65 percent of its Microsoft shares, the stock moved from the Trust’s largest position down to the fourth largest. The overall portfolio is now valued at $70 billion; however, the managed portfolio sits closer to $36 billion, with Berkshire Hathaway becoming the Trust’s biggest holding at about $10.9 billion.

Following the reduction, the value of the Microsoft position also dropped to about $4.7 billion. Berkshire Hathaway is a large American holding company run by Warren Buffett. It owns businesses such as Dairy Queen, along with several energy and utility companies, and it also holds major investments in Apple, Coca-Cola, and multiple banks.

Waste Management and Canadian National Railway are now the next largest positions in the Trust’s portfolio. These were already long-term holdings and remain central parts of its asset mix.

The Trust also reduced several other holdings during the quarter and fully exited Crown Castle and United Parcel Service. It still holds more than 9 million Microsoft shares, so it has not stepped away from Microsoft entirely and continues to be a significant investor in the company.