In late December, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust disclosed its substantial investments in U.S.-listed stocks, totaling a massive $42.3 billion. Among its 24 stock holdings, Microsoft emerged as the leading asset, comprising one-third of the portfolio’s value.
The trust’s three largest remaining investments, excluding Microsoft, include Berkshire Hathaway, Canadian National Railway, and Waste Management. Interestingly, Berkshire’s AI association stems from its significant stake in Apple.
Schrodinger, a relatively smaller player with a $1.91 billion market cap, commands 0.60% of the foundation’s assets. The company’s AI-driven software platform aids drug companies in selecting optimal molecules for their treatments. Notable clients include the world’s top 20 pharmaceutical firms.
Deere & Co., with a market cap of $111.02 billion, constitutes 3.3% of the trust’s assets. Despite underwhelming performance in recent times, Deere remains a key player in the quest to automate farming processes, catering to global food needs ahead of a projected 10 billion population by 2050.
Danaher, the largest of the trio, boasts a market cap of $183.73 billion, accounting for 0.2% of the trust’s assets. The company’s stock rally, focusing on predictive modeling and machine learning, positions it at the forefront of innovation in various sectors, including the healthcare industry.
As AI continues to drive advancements across industries, investing in forward-thinking companies like Schrodinger, Deere & Co., and Danaher could yield substantial long-term gains amidst evolving technological landscapes.
