The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has reduced its Microsoft stake by 65% through an $8.8 billion share sale, sharply lowering its exposure to the tech giant. The move supports its long-term philanthropic funding strategy as the Foundation prepares for higher annual charitable spending through 2045.
TheInterviewTimes.com | November 16, 2025: The Microsoft stake held by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust has undergone a major restructuring, with the organization slashing its holdings by 65% in a landmark financial move. A regulatory filing released on November 14, 2025, confirms that the Trust sold 17 million Microsoft shares, valued at $8.8 billion based on the average trading price of $510.13 per share during the third quarter.
This marks one of the Trust’s most significant reductions in its Microsoft stake since it began accumulating shares in 2021. The move underscores the Foundation’s broader strategy of generating liquidity to support rising philanthropic commitments over the coming decades.
Microsoft Stake Reduced to 13% of the Investment Portfolio
Following the massive sale, the Foundation’s Microsoft stake now stands at 9.2 million shares, worth an estimated $4.76 billion. This reduces Microsoft’s portfolio contribution from 27% to 13%, a major shift for an investment base long tied to Bill Gates’ corporate legacy.
Despite the divestment, Microsoft continues to demonstrate robust financial strength. The stock has surged 21.7% year-to-date, reflecting strong investor confidence driven by explosive growth in its cloud and AI business units. Azure revenue grew 33% in the fiscal third quarter, with artificial intelligence services accounting for nearly half of the segment’s expansion.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella reiterated that cloud computing and AI remain essential drivers for global business transformation, enhancing productivity, optimizing costs, and supporting innovation across industries.
Portfolio Rebalancing, Not a Loss of Confidence in Microsoft
Financial experts emphasize that the Foundation’s trimming of its Microsoft stake is not rooted in concerns about Microsoft’s fundamentals. Instead, the move is aligned with long-term portfolio diversification and liquidity requirements.
The Foundation also reported:
- A full exit from Crown Castle
- A full exit from UPS
- A reduced position in Berkshire Hathaway, which still accounts for nearly 30% of the overall portfolio
Even after these adjustments, the portfolio remains concentrated, with roughly two-thirds of the Foundation’s assets allocated to Berkshire Hathaway, Waste Management, and Canadian National Railway.
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Rising Philanthropic Budget Drives the Reduction in Microsoft Stake
The substantial cut to the Microsoft stake is closely connected to the Foundation’s future roadmap. Bill Gates has pledged to donate 99% of his $106 billion wealth, with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation scheduled to wind down operations by December 31, 2045.
To meet rising global humanitarian needs, the Foundation plans to increase its annual charitable spending to $9 billion. This requires unlocking large capital reserves, making periodic asset liquidations essential to sustaining the Foundation’s mission for the next two decades.
The reduction in the Microsoft stake therefore reflects disciplined financial planning rather than a shift in sentiment about Microsoft’s market prospects.
Key Takeaways
- The Foundation cut its Microsoft stake by 65%, selling 17 million shares worth $8.8 billion.
- Microsoft’s representation in the portfolio dropped from 27% to 13%.
- Microsoft continues strong performance, with 21.7% YTD gains and 33% Azure revenue growth.
- The divestment supports increased philanthropic spending of $9 billion annually.
- The Trust remains heavily concentrated in Berkshire Hathaway, Waste Management, and Canadian National Railway.