Gates Bets $927M on Waste Giant, CEOs Cash Out

Bill Gates has been quietly amassing Republic Services stock. Filings show the Microsoft co-founder bought over 4.2 million shares across 65 transactions since mid-August. The total outlay exceeds $927 million. The purchases span August 10 through September 2, with the most recent filings reported on September 3. Gates holds the stake through his main investment vehicle and is now a significant shareholder in the waste management giant.

Across the Atlantic, Swedish gaming stock Evolution AB drew a blockbuster buy. Major shareholder Kenneth Dart filed purchases of more than 10 million shares worth over $715 million across two July transactions. The filings only landed on August 26, making this newly disclosed information. Dart's move is notable given EVO's shares have faced pressure this year.

On the sell side, executives at several US companies cashed out heavily. Comfort Systems USA CEO Brian Lane filed a sale of $25.8 million worth of stock on August 26 — around 16,000 shares. Corpay Chairman and CEO Ronald Clarke sold $20.8 million in shares on August 25. Tenet Healthcare CEO Saum Sutaria disclosed two separate sales totalling over $17 million filed in late August.

argenx CEO Tim Van Hauwermeiren filed a $21.1 million sale in argenx on September 5, covering a September 3 trade.

None of the sell filings currently indicate 10b5-1 pre-planned sale designations in the available data, though investors should treat executive sales at high-flying stocks with standard caution.