3%

PE of 16, a PEG of 1.11, and it pays a yield of 3.5%.

Gates continued to boost his stake in Republic Services (RSG), the waste hauler. From Aug. 5 to Sept. 29, he invested $256.7 million in Republic, at an average price near $33. Today, the stock is around $22. Waste Management (WMI) recently dropped its bid for Republic.

Bill Gates, through his Cascade Investment, increased holdings to 35,034,946 shares (19.25%), after buying 2,289,706 from Sept. 4 to 18 at $29.09 to $34.49 each.

Microsoft (MSFT) founder Bill Gates raised his stake to 32.75 million shares (17.99%), by buying 4,202,789 through his Cascade Investment firm from Aug. 5 to 12 at prices ranging from $32.81 to $35.18.

They Just Don't Get Trash!:
Marek Fuchs looks at two wire service reports -- one right, one wrong -- about the Waste Management-Republic Services deal.

Click here to watch the video.

Republic Services. With WM, AW and ECOL, a solid performer in waste recovery and disposal. Active in 12+ states. Small dividend. Held since 4/25/2007.

Other big holdings included Republic Services, shares of Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway (BRK/A) and Grupo Televisa (TV), Mexico's largest broadcaster. There wasn't a tech stock in the bunch.

The Fort Lauderdale-based solid waste collection, transfer and disposal services firm recently announced a $250 million dollar buyback.


Republic Services said its fourth quarter earnings increased 23 percent, benefiting from the sale of its composting business in Texas.

It said it earned $82.1 million, or 44 cents a share, on revenue of $796 million. For the prior-year quarter, it earned $66.9 million, or 34 cents a share, on revenue of $766.2 million.

The stock trades for 8x cash flow.

2%