Bill Gates Raises His Bet on Republic Services

Date: January 29, 2009

Source: News Room

Bill Gates' Cascade Investments has again raised its stake in Republic Services to a total of 43.89 million shares equal to an 11.6% share. According to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Gates' private investment fund bought 3.9 million shares of Republic Services from Jan. 13 through Jan. 26 for $448.6 million. Republic recently completed a $6.1 billion, all-stock buyout of former rival Allied Waste Industries. Before the deal, Gates owned 20.0% of Republic. Strong cash flows of the business make it an attractive haven in turbulent economic times. Free cash flow at Republic grew 10.8% in the company's third quarter, to $66.5 million, from $60.0 million in the year-earlier period. Republic earned $88.7 million on sales of $834.0 million in the quarter. Gates reported holding about 39.98 million Republic shares Jan. 15.

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