Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Sells Final 7.7M Microsoft Shares Worth $3.2B
MSFT•The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation sold its remaining 7.7 million Microsoft shares, raising $3.2 billion in Q1 2026 after offloading 65% of its position in Q3 2025. The divestment aligns with its plan to wind down by 2045 and follows a new stake purchase by Pershing Square.
1. Foundation Completes Microsoft Exit
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation completed its Microsoft divestiture by selling its final 7.7 million shares for $3.2 billion in Q1 2026. The foundation began reducing its position two years ago, selling 65% of its stake in Q3 2025.
2. Endowment Wind-Down Strategy
This latest sale advances the foundation’s 2025 announcement to wind down operations over 20 years and distribute its $200 billion endowment by 2045. The move reflects a structured plan to convert equity holdings into grant funding.
3. Pershing Square Stakes Position
Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square acquired a new Microsoft position, citing a valuation of 21 times forward earnings. This investment underscores confidence in Microsoft’s growth prospects amid the foundation’s exit.
