Bill Gates’ 2026 Portfolio: Top 5 Stocks to Buy

2. Waste Management (NYSE:WM)

Gates Foundation Stake Value: $6.36 Billion

Waste Management (NYSE:WM) is a defensive, non-discretionary business with high customer retention and stable revenue. Waste Management (NYSE:WM) operates over 250 solid waste landfills across North America and has a durable moat since obtaining new landfill permits in the U.S. is extremely difficult. Its scale and long-term contracts allow Waste Management (NYSE:WM) to maintain pricing power and resilient cash flow even during economic volatility.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM)’s transition into renewable energy is a major growth catalyst. The company is investing billions into 20 new renewable natural gas (RNG) plants, expected to generate an incremental $450–500 million in annual EBITDA. This expansion positions Waste Management (NYSE:WM) not just as a waste hauler but also as a player in the green energy transition, benefiting from ESG mandates and carbon credit markets.