The founder of Microsoft, Bill Gatesreduced its stake in the share capital of the Spanish construction company FCC at 1.9%, below the 2% mark. This is reflected in the records of National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) consulted by OKDIARIO. The American businessman has maintained a position close to 6% since 2013, when he bought stock market shares of the company for the first time.
Thus, the tycoon currently holds 1.9% of the capital of the construction company, compared to 5.7% acquired in October. 11 years agothe reduction therefore reaches 3.8 percentage points.
“FCC completed the sale of 7,638,198 shares of the Group in own shares, up to 6.0% of its capital. The buyer is one or more entities related to William H. Gates III. The operation was carried out at the closing price last Friday, October 18, of 14.865 euros per share, for a gross amount of 113,541,813 euros,” the company then indicated.
Bill Gates made a significant investment in FCC, a company currently controlled by the Mexican businessman. Carlos Slim. At the time, the American businessman acquired 3.8% of the company which he is selling today for 76 million euros, an investment which now has a market value of 234 million euros , tripling its initial price.
Bill Gates at FCC
Following the sale of part of his stake, Gates still indirectly owns 8.5 million shares, valued at approximately 110 million euros at current market prices.
Its entry into FCC came at a critical time, as the company worked to reduce debt and improve profitability following the financial crisiswas considered strategic support.
This action attracted other investors such as George Soroseven though Gates never sought a role on the company’s board of directors or management.
In terms of shareholder control, FCC has undergone a series of drastic changes. In 2013, Esther Koplowitz He controlled 53.9% of the company, but his stake decreased to 3.2%, while Slim owns 82% of the company, consolidating his influence in the construction company.
Indeed, in October 2023, Koplowitz announced that he would sell 1.57% of the shares he held as part of the tender offer launched by the company to buy 7% of the company’s shares construction at 12.5 euros per share.
