Nirmal - you keep making an issue of B.G's selling shares. This is at least the second post on this board from you about how allegedly Gates is "concerned about the 'long long term prospects' for his company".
I thought several posters covered this. Gates still has a HUGE number of shares. What he sells is a TINY fraction of his holdings. His salary is relatively modest compared to his lifestyle. He has also been active in charities. And he'd be a fool not to diversify.
As to the remark about being sure that KO will be around in 20 years, but can't make the same statement of certitude about MSFT - he made that remark while standing next to Warren Buffet. That's basically Buffet's view of tech companies in general. However, Buffet has also said that IF he were to invest in a tech company, it would be MSFT.
You have to be a little bit more sophisticated in seeing B.G's remarks in the proper light - the social context (making nice with his buddy Warren B), and with the DOJ breathing down his neck... wouldn't pay to sound arrogant.
Meanwhile, Billy and his gang are making extremely aggressive moves to reinvent, expand, and grow MSFT - NOTHING, but NOTHING in their actions suggest that they are "concerned about the long-long term prospects". They know they're sitting on one of the world's premiere franchises for printing money. And they want to make it even greater. And as B.G. said in a recent interview: "I plan on staying around for a long, long time". That pretty much sums it up, doesn't it...
You "are getting heavy on MSFT and would like to sell some" - please do sell. Sounds like you have plenty of ideas for stocks with a better, more "sure prospects" (LOL!) - invest in those.
Thanks for sharing your concerns - none of which make the LEAST bit of sense to me. But what do I know. Funny, you ask questions about how much Gates is selling, and you are "heavy" into MSFT, but you think it "tedious" to wade through Edgar filings. Wow. I guess I don't get it. If you are soooooo concerned, why don't you do some 'tedious' research to ease your deep anxiety. BTW, Gates has been selling stock for years and years - and MSFT only keeps climbing. So, keep on worrying - nobody else here seems to be influenced by your worry wort musings.
Good luck!
Morgan |
