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Bill Gates, the 9th richest person in the world with an estimated net worth of $132.2 billion, has mastered the art of dividend investing. His portfolio, based on the latest 13F filing for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust, is generating a staggering $476,619,848.15 in annual dividend income. This translates to an average of $1,305,807.80 per day.

Regardless of stock price fluctuations over the next year, Gates is set to earn nearly half a billion dollars in dividends. This highlights the importance of focusing on income generation rather than solely relying on capital appreciation. Notably, over 70% of the stocks in Gates’ portfolio (17 out of 24) pay dividends, underlining his preference for income-producing assets.

Here's a closer look at the three companies paying Bill Gates the most in dividends:

Canadian National Railway

Gates owns a whopping 54,826,786 shares of Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI), currently valued at $6,655,423,552.54. The company pays a quarterly dividend, with the latest payment being $0.6271 per share. Over the past 12 months, the company has paid out $2.38 per share, translating to an impressive $130,487,750.68 in dividends for Gates. Canadian National Railway has a dividend yield of 1.93% and a 5-year dividend growth rate (CAGR) of 10.58%.

Microsoft

Gates owns 36,499,597 shares of Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), worth $16,137,931,817.58, even after reducing his stake by roughly 4.5% earlier this year. With a forward annual dividend rate of $3.00 per share, Gates can expect to earn $109,498,791.00 over the next 12 months from his Microsoft holdings. The company has a 19-year track record of dividend growth and a 5-year dividend growth rate (CAGR) of 10.23%.

Waste Management

Gates owns 35,234,344 shares of Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM), currently worth $7,015,510,233.84. The company has a forward annual dividend rate of $3.00 per share, which means Gates is expected to earn $105,703,032.00 from Waste Management in the next year. Waste Management boasts an impressive 20 years of consecutive dividend growth and a 5-year dividend growth rate (CAGR) of 8.21%.

Gates’ Highest-Yielding Stocks

While the above companies pay Gates the most in dividends, they are not the highest-yielding stocks in his portfolio. Some notable high-yield holdings include:

Crown Castle Inc (NYSE:CCI): Gates owns 1,420,072 shares (6.29% yield), expected to generate $8,889,650.72 in annual dividends.
Kraft Heinz Co (NASDAQ:KHC): Gates owns 2,622,600 shares (4.93% yield), expected to generate $4,196,160.00 in annual dividends.
United Parcel Service, Inc. (NYSE:UPS): Gates owns 755,089 shares (4.85% yield), expected to generate $4,923,180.28 in annual dividends.

Bill Gates’ dividend income is dependent on these companies maintaining and growing their dividends over time. His portfolio serves as a testament to the power of dividend investing and the importance of selecting high-quality, dividend-paying stocks. By focusing on income generation, investors can build wealth steadily, even during periods of market volatility. However, it is crucial to remember that dividend investing carries risks, and thorough research should be conducted before making any investment decisions.

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This article Bill Gates Earns Over $1.3 Million Per Day In Dividend Income - Here Are The 3 Stocks Paying Him The Most originally appeared on Benzinga.com