Microsoft Hit by $3.2 Billion Sell-Off From Bill Gates Foundation
Microsoft (MSFT) Stock Performance. However, the sale is liquidity-driven, not a bearish call on Microsoft. The foundation has publicly committed to lifting annual grantmaking to $9 billion by 2026. Bill Gates announced a plan to wind down the entire endowment by 2045. Selling concentrated MSFT stock is the most direct route to that cash schedule. BREAKING: The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has sold 100% of its Microsoft, $MSFT, position which was a total of 7.7 million shares. Microsoft has anchored the Trusts portfolio for decades because Gates donated billions in personal shares. The position grew so large that any drawdown plan starts with trimming MSFT first. “The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation did not purchase its Microsoft shares on the open market. The entire position was built through direct donations of Microsoft stock from Bill Gates‘ personal wealth over many years. As a foundation, they do pay a small tax, but it’s not the standard capital gains tax. The sale of their Microsoft shares is subject to a federal excise tax of 1.39% on the net capital gains,” one user noted. Ackman Steps In, Sellers Still Win the Tape Investor Bill Ackman used the same days filings to disclose a new 5.65 million share Microsoft stake.