The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has sharply reduced its long-held Microsoft position, selling roughly 65% of its shares for a total of $8.8 billion. The divestment marks one of the largest portfolio adjustments made by the trust in recent years and significantly lowers its exposure to the software giant co-founded by Bill Gates.
The trust has historically maintained Microsoft as one of its core holdings, but filings show a strategic shift toward broader diversification. Portfolio managers have been reallocating capital into healthcare, industrials, and consumer companies, in line with the trust’s long-term philanthropic funding model.
While Microsoft remains a top performer in the tech sector, the reduction suggests a move to rebalance concentration risk and secure liquidity for grant-making activities. Market analysts noted that the sale is unlikely to reflect the company’s operational outlook, as Gates himself has not been involved in Microsoft’s management for years.
