Investment Overview of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 29 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Foundation Donations: Since 2000, the Gates Foundation has donated approximately $8.5 billion to 1,472 grantees, highlighting its significant impact on global philanthropy, although its investment decisions are managed separately from charitable activities.
- Portfolio Structure: As of the first quarter, the Gates Foundation Trust had over $31.6 billion in assets, with 63% invested in just three large-cap stocks, reflecting a preference for stable and mature companies, particularly Berkshire Hathaway.
- Role of Berkshire Hathaway: As the largest stock in the portfolio, Berkshire Hathaway boasts a market cap exceeding $1 trillion, showcasing its advantages in wealth preservation and growth, despite not growing as rapidly as pure-play AI companies.
- Challenges for Canadian National Railway: With 17% of the Gates Trust's investments in Canadian National Railway, which transports over $181 billion in goods annually, the stock has struggled due to trade tensions and economic downturns, yielding only a 1.5% gain over the past five years.
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Analyst Views on WM
Wall Street analysts forecast WM stock price to rise
20 Analyst Rating
15 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 215.850
Low
223.00
Averages
247.61
High
266.00
Current: 215.850
Low
223.00
Averages
247.61
High
266.00
About WM
Waste Management, Inc. is a provider of environmental solutions. The Company provides collection, recycling, and disposal services to millions of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers throughout the United States and Canada. Its segments include East Tier, West Tier, Recycling Processing and Sales, WM Renewable Energy, and WM Healthcare Solutions. East Tier primarily consists of geographic areas located in the Eastern U.S., the Great Lakes region and all of Canada. The West Tier primarily includes geographic areas located in the Western U.S., including the upper Midwest region and British Columbia, Canada. Recycling Processing and Sales includes the processing and sales of materials collected from residential, commercial, and industrial customers. WM Renewable Energy develops, operates, and promotes projects for the beneficial use of landfill gas. WM Healthcare Solutions includes Regulated Waste and Compliance Services and Secure Information Destruction services.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
WM's Strong Growth and Stable Dividends
- Core Pricing Growth: WM achieved a 6.3% core pricing growth in Q1 2026, driven by its largest landfill and transfer station network in North America, which competitors find nearly impossible to replicate, resulting in a 110 basis points margin expansion.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: Since 2017, WM's dividend has increased from $1.70 annually to $3.78 in 2026, with the latest quarterly payout rising from $0.825 to $0.945, and dividend payments have consistently consumed only 22% to 24% of operating cash flow, indicating strong cash flow coverage.
- Cyclical Revenue Resilience: Waste collection is non-discretionary, allowing WM to maintain stable revenue through economic expansions and recessions, with approximately 40% to 45% of revenue indexed to quarterly inflation measures, as operating cash flow grew from $2.498 billion in 2015 to $6.043 billion in 2025.
- Low Volatility Investment: WM's stock has declined 6.51% over the past year while the S&P 500 has risen, highlighting its low volatility in high-risk markets, making it suitable for long-term investors seeking stable income, with current shares near a 52-week low and a forward P/E of 26, with dividends never cut.
See More
Waste Management to Market C$700 Million Seven-Year Notes
- Debt Issuance Scale: Waste Management is marketing approximately C$700 million ($501 million) in new notes, which is expected to replace a C$500 million bond maturing in September, thereby optimizing its capital structure and reducing financing costs.
- Yield Expectations: Preliminary pricing discussions indicate a yield spread of about 75 basis points above comparable government bonds, making the offering potentially attractive to investors and likely to enhance demand.
- Underwriter Lineup: Bank of America-owned Merrill Lynch, RBC Dominion Securities, and Scotia Capital are serving as bookrunners for this debt issuance, reflecting strong market confidence and support for the transaction.
- Investor Meetings: Company executives are expected to meet with investors on Monday as part of the debt sale process, aiming to bolster interest in the new notes and ensure a smooth issuance.
See More
WM Implements Battery Recycling Ban to Prevent Fires
- Fire Risk from Batteries: A study by the National Waste & Recycling Association estimates that approximately 5,000 battery-related fires occur annually at recycling facilities, posing significant risks to worker safety and operational integrity, prompting WM to implement a battery ban to mitigate this danger.
- Types of Batteries and Impact: WM identifies common battery types, including alkaline batteries used in remotes and toys, and lithium-ion batteries found in smart devices and power tools, with lithium-ion demand projected to increase nearly sevenfold by 2030, underscoring the critical need for proper disposal practices.
- Consumer Education: WM emphasizes the importance of consumer education, urging the public to visit batterysafetynow.org for resources and drop-off locations to enhance awareness of safe battery handling and reduce fire hazards, thereby protecting community safety.
- Simplified Recycling Rules: WM has outlined four straightforward recycling rules on its Recycle Right® website, clearly stating that batteries should not be placed in recycling or trash bins to prevent short circuits that can lead to hard-to-extinguish fires, ensuring the safety of consumers and workers.
See More
WM Implements Battery Recycling Ban to Prevent Fires
- New Recycling Rule: WM has added a fourth rule prohibiting batteries in recycling and trash bins to mitigate fire risks, thereby enhancing worker and facility safety, which underscores the company's commitment to environmental safety.
- Fire Risk Statistics: A study by the National Waste & Recycling Association estimates approximately 5,000 battery-related fires occur annually at recycling facilities, with nearly daily incidents in waste and recycling trucks, transfer stations, and landfills, highlighting the critical need for safe battery disposal.
- Growing Market Demand: Data from Statista indicates that lithium-ion battery demand is projected to increase nearly sevenfold by 2030, emphasizing the necessity for proper battery disposal to address the rising market demand and potential environmental impacts.
- Consumer Education: WM urges consumers to visit batterysafetynow.org for battery recovery resources and drop-off locations, stressing the importance of educating consumers on proper battery recovery to reduce fire risks and promote sustainability.
See More
Bill Gates Foundation Sells Microsoft Shares, Invests in West Pharmaceutical Services
- Gates Foundation Sells Microsoft: Bill Gates has gradually sold off his Microsoft shares over 25 years, completing the final sale in Q1 2023, which may impact the stability of his investment portfolio as he exits a major tech position.
- New Investment Emerges: The foundation initiated a position in West Pharmaceutical Services last quarter, a leading manufacturer of injectable drug delivery systems, indicating confidence in its potential to become a future Dividend King, reflecting a strategic shift in investment focus.
- Earnings Growth Forecast: West Pharmaceutical is projected to report earnings per share (EPS) of $8.62 and $9.55 in 2026 and 2027, respectively, representing a 14% to 15% growth compared to the forecast EPS of $7.29 for 2025, showcasing its resilience in a recession-resistant industry.
- Dividend Growth Potential: Although the current dividend yield is under 0.3%, West has increased its dividend for 32 consecutive years, suggesting that strong earnings growth and a potential resurgence in dividend growth could yield significant total returns for both dividend and growth investors in the long run.
See More
Gates Foundation Trust Sells Off Microsoft Stock
- Microsoft Exit: The Gates Foundation Trust completed its final sale of Microsoft stock in Q1 2023, marking the end of a long-term investment in the tech giant and indicating a strategic shift in asset allocation.
- New Investment: The foundation added West Pharmaceutical Services to its $31 billion portfolio, a lesser-known healthcare stock that presents promising dividend growth potential, appealing to long-term investors seeking stability.
- Earnings Growth Forecast: West Pharmaceutical is projected to achieve earnings per share of $8.62 and $9.55 in 2026 and 2027, respectively, reflecting a 14% to 15% growth from the 2025 forecast of $7.29, suggesting a potential earnings growth surge ahead.
- Dividend Growth Potential: Although West's current forward dividend yield is under 0.3%, its 32-year history of increasing dividends indicates strong return potential, with future earnings growth likely to enhance dividend payouts significantly.
See More
WM's Strong Growth and Stable Dividends
- Core Pricing Growth: WM achieved a 6.3% core pricing growth in Q1 2026, driven by its largest landfill and transfer station network in North America, which competitors find nearly impossible to replicate, resulting in a 110 basis points margin expansion.
- Consistent Dividend Growth: Since 2017, WM's dividend has increased from $1.70 annually to $3.78 in 2026, with the latest quarterly payout rising from $0.825 to $0.945, and dividend payments have consistently consumed only 22% to 24% of operating cash flow, indicating strong cash flow coverage.
- Cyclical Revenue Resilience: Waste collection is non-discretionary, allowing WM to maintain stable revenue through economic expansions and recessions, with approximately 40% to 45% of revenue indexed to quarterly inflation measures, as operating cash flow grew from $2.498 billion in 2015 to $6.043 billion in 2025.
- Low Volatility Investment: WM's stock has declined 6.51% over the past year while the S&P 500 has risen, highlighting its low volatility in high-risk markets, making it suitable for long-term investors seeking stable income, with current shares near a 52-week low and a forward P/E of 26, with dividends never cut.
See More
Waste Management to Market C$700 Million Seven-Year Notes
- Debt Issuance Scale: Waste Management is marketing approximately C$700 million ($501 million) in new notes, which is expected to replace a C$500 million bond maturing in September, thereby optimizing its capital structure and reducing financing costs.
- Yield Expectations: Preliminary pricing discussions indicate a yield spread of about 75 basis points above comparable government bonds, making the offering potentially attractive to investors and likely to enhance demand.
- Underwriter Lineup: Bank of America-owned Merrill Lynch, RBC Dominion Securities, and Scotia Capital are serving as bookrunners for this debt issuance, reflecting strong market confidence and support for the transaction.
- Investor Meetings: Company executives are expected to meet with investors on Monday as part of the debt sale process, aiming to bolster interest in the new notes and ensure a smooth issuance.
See More
WM Implements Battery Recycling Ban to Prevent Fires
- Fire Risk from Batteries: A study by the National Waste & Recycling Association estimates that approximately 5,000 battery-related fires occur annually at recycling facilities, posing significant risks to worker safety and operational integrity, prompting WM to implement a battery ban to mitigate this danger.
- Types of Batteries and Impact: WM identifies common battery types, including alkaline batteries used in remotes and toys, and lithium-ion batteries found in smart devices and power tools, with lithium-ion demand projected to increase nearly sevenfold by 2030, underscoring the critical need for proper disposal practices.
- Consumer Education: WM emphasizes the importance of consumer education, urging the public to visit batterysafetynow.org for resources and drop-off locations to enhance awareness of safe battery handling and reduce fire hazards, thereby protecting community safety.
- Simplified Recycling Rules: WM has outlined four straightforward recycling rules on its Recycle Right® website, clearly stating that batteries should not be placed in recycling or trash bins to prevent short circuits that can lead to hard-to-extinguish fires, ensuring the safety of consumers and workers.
See More
WM Implements Battery Recycling Ban to Prevent Fires
- New Recycling Rule: WM has added a fourth rule prohibiting batteries in recycling and trash bins to mitigate fire risks, thereby enhancing worker and facility safety, which underscores the company's commitment to environmental safety.
- Fire Risk Statistics: A study by the National Waste & Recycling Association estimates approximately 5,000 battery-related fires occur annually at recycling facilities, with nearly daily incidents in waste and recycling trucks, transfer stations, and landfills, highlighting the critical need for safe battery disposal.
- Growing Market Demand: Data from Statista indicates that lithium-ion battery demand is projected to increase nearly sevenfold by 2030, emphasizing the necessity for proper battery disposal to address the rising market demand and potential environmental impacts.
- Consumer Education: WM urges consumers to visit batterysafetynow.org for battery recovery resources and drop-off locations, stressing the importance of educating consumers on proper battery recovery to reduce fire risks and promote sustainability.
See More
Bill Gates Foundation Sells Microsoft Shares, Invests in West Pharmaceutical Services
- Gates Foundation Sells Microsoft: Bill Gates has gradually sold off his Microsoft shares over 25 years, completing the final sale in Q1 2023, which may impact the stability of his investment portfolio as he exits a major tech position.
- New Investment Emerges: The foundation initiated a position in West Pharmaceutical Services last quarter, a leading manufacturer of injectable drug delivery systems, indicating confidence in its potential to become a future Dividend King, reflecting a strategic shift in investment focus.
- Earnings Growth Forecast: West Pharmaceutical is projected to report earnings per share (EPS) of $8.62 and $9.55 in 2026 and 2027, respectively, representing a 14% to 15% growth compared to the forecast EPS of $7.29 for 2025, showcasing its resilience in a recession-resistant industry.
- Dividend Growth Potential: Although the current dividend yield is under 0.3%, West has increased its dividend for 32 consecutive years, suggesting that strong earnings growth and a potential resurgence in dividend growth could yield significant total returns for both dividend and growth investors in the long run.
See More
Gates Foundation Trust Sells Off Microsoft Stock
- Microsoft Exit: The Gates Foundation Trust completed its final sale of Microsoft stock in Q1 2023, marking the end of a long-term investment in the tech giant and indicating a strategic shift in asset allocation.
- New Investment: The foundation added West Pharmaceutical Services to its $31 billion portfolio, a lesser-known healthcare stock that presents promising dividend growth potential, appealing to long-term investors seeking stability.
- Earnings Growth Forecast: West Pharmaceutical is projected to achieve earnings per share of $8.62 and $9.55 in 2026 and 2027, respectively, reflecting a 14% to 15% growth from the 2025 forecast of $7.29, suggesting a potential earnings growth surge ahead.
- Dividend Growth Potential: Although West's current forward dividend yield is under 0.3%, its 32-year history of increasing dividends indicates strong return potential, with future earnings growth likely to enhance dividend payouts significantly.
See More
