If you think about Microsoft, eventually the name Bill Gates will come up, not only was he the co-founder he owns a lot of shares in the company which has made him one of the wealthiest people in the world. For the past 27 years, he has been married to Melinda, but he recently announced he was getting divorced. With every divorce there is a separation of assets and it may or may not be decision making will be done differently. It could be the two exchanged information about the family investments and both were happy in the investments. The Gates used a firm called Cascade. For a number of years, Cascade has been buying farm land and with the numbers Mr. Gates has the firm is one of the largest private landholder in the US,

In an article by Eric Atkins, Cascade transferred 14 million shares of CN worth about $1.8 billion and 3 million shares of AutoNation worth $315 milion to Melinda Gates for no consideration.

CN was the largest holding of Cascade at 24.4%, followed by Republic Waste Services at 23.9% and John Deere and Co at 18%.

For the world, the New York Times reported the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation which has given away more than $55 billion to health, hunger and education will not change. Bill and Melinda will remain co-chairs and trustees.

Linking to dividend paying stocks, while building and holding a position allows for stability in voting and dividend receiving it is important to remember life is always nearby. People live and die, marry and divorce and relationships change. Depending on the size, it can affect the company and as senior management worry if they have the votes. As long as senior management has the votes, the company can continue to be profitable and pay dividends and change will be at the edges not in the center.

There are more questions than answers, till the next time – to raising questions.