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Oracle Chairman Sees $16 Billion Increase in Fortune

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Larry Ellison, Oracle Chairman

The Chairman of Oracle, Larry Ellison has seen an addition of almost $16 billion to his fortune as at the close of Friday, pushing him past Google’s co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin and inching him closer towards Bill Gates.

Oracle’s stock went up about 16% after a quarterly earnings report late on Thursday which was better than expected. Ellison, who is the company’s biggest stakeholder with 1.4 billion shares is now worth a sum of $135.7 billion, according to Forbes.

The Oracle stock surge was the company’s second-biggest surge in the last 20 years, and was a huge boost to Ellison, who co-founded the company in 1977. Following the surge, Ellison has now moved ahead on the Forbes billionaires list, going just ahead of Google’s Larry Page ($126.3 billion) and Sergey Brin ($121.7 billion) into fifth place.

He is also closer to Bill Gates, the world’s fourth-richest person who is worth $139.2 billion.

Ellison’s resurgence comes across as unexpected, considering next-generation tech companies like Google, Amazon and Facebook have been witnessing exponential growth in recent years while Oracle has sluggishly followed with mainly single-digit growth.

Oracle is now showing signs of gaining momentum as the company’s latest guidance surpassed estimates, making investors more confident in the company’s shift to the cloud.

The increase in his personal wealth back above the Google founders is likely to be a sweet feat for Ellison. Back in April, the Supreme Court backed Google against Oracle in a long-running copyright dispute concerning the software used in the Android mobile operating system. Ellison may therefore see this as payback against the tech giant.

Ellison gets most of his wealth from his ownership of Oracle, which has gone up about $44 billion this year due to the company’s 59% gain in stock price. However, he has made an extra fortune from trust in Tesla and Elon Musk three years ago.

In late 2018, Ellison revealed that he had acquired a $1 billion stake in Tesla. Over the past three years, the Electric Vehicle maker’s market cap has gone up by close to 1300%, and Ellison’s shares are now worth $16 billion.

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Warren Buffett Donates $5.3 Billion in Berkshire Shares to Charities

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Warren Buffett - Investors King

Renowned investor Warren Buffett has reaffirmed his commitment to philanthropy by donating $5.3 billion worth of Berkshire Hathaway shares to five charitable foundations.

The donations announced on Friday will see the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Trust receive the largest portion, totaling 9.93 million Class B shares of Berkshire Hathaway.

Also, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation will receive 993,035 shares, while the Sherwood Foundation, Howard G. Buffett Foundation, and NoVo Foundation will each benefit from 695,122 shares.

Buffett, approaching his 94th birthday in August, said his annual contributions first announced in a publication back in 2006 are important.

These shares represent a significant portion of Buffett’s holdings, with his remaining Class A stock valued at approximately $127 billion, constituting nearly 99.5% of his net worth.

Over the past 18 years, Buffett has maintained a steadfast commitment to his Berkshire holdings, refraining from both buying and selling Class A or B stock.

The impact of Buffett’s philanthropy extends far beyond these recent donations, as the five foundations have collectively received Berkshire Class B shares valued at approximately $55 billion since 2006.

This ongoing support has enabled these organizations to fund initiatives ranging from global health and education to poverty alleviation and community development.

As the Berkshire shares are transferred to the designated foundations, stakeholders anticipate a continuation of impactful programs and initiatives supported by Buffett’s generosity.

Moving forward, Buffett’s philanthropic efforts are expected to further inspire and catalyze global philanthropy, setting a precedent for strategic giving and leveraging financial resources for maximum societal benefit.

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LeBron’s New Lakers Deal Pushes Net Worth to Nearly $1.5 Billion

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LeBron James has signed a two-year, $104 million deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, according to sources familiar with the matter.

This contract sets a new record for an NBA player of his age and pushes his net worth to almost $1.5 billion based on estimates from the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

At 39 years old, James remains one of the league’s top superstars, holding the all-time scoring record and maintaining an average of 25.7 points per game last season.

His enduring performance on the court, coupled with this lucrative contract, underscores his continued dominance in professional basketball.

James’ wealth is not only derived from his NBA salary but also from an extensive portfolio of sponsorships, investments, and his own ventures.

His business empire includes the SpringHill Co., a consumer and entertainment company valued at approximately $725 million.

The company received significant investment from Nike Inc., among others, in 2021.

James’ lifetime deal with Nike is projected to bring in $1 billion, adding to his financial achievements.

Also, he earned over $100 million from the sale of Beats Electronics to Apple Inc. in 2014. His diverse investments include a 1% stake in Fenway Sports Group, which owns the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Liverpool Football Club.

The new contract also aligns with James’ personal aspirations, allowing him to play alongside his 19-year-old son, Bronny James Jr., who was recently drafted by the Lakers and agreed to a four-year, $7.9 million deal.

This father-son duo marks a significant milestone in NBA history.

LeBron James has long expressed his goal of owning an NBA franchise, and this latest contract brings him closer to achieving billionaire status, a crucial step towards that dream.

His financial success mirrors his extraordinary career on the court, where he has been a dominant force since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003.

As James enters his 22nd NBA season, his influence extends far beyond basketball. His financial acumen and strategic investments have solidified his place as one of the wealthiest athletes in the world, trailing only behind legends like Michael Jordan, who recently sold his stake in the Charlotte Hornets, amassing a net worth of over $4 billion.

James’ continued success both on and off the court exemplifies his moniker “King James,” showcasing his unparalleled talent and business savvy.

With his latest contract, LeBron James reaffirms his position as a leading figure in sports and business, inspiring athletes and entrepreneurs alike.

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Amazon’s Bezos Set to Sell $5 Billion More in Stock on Record-Breaking Day

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Jeff Bezos companies

Jeff Bezos, the iconic founder and former CEO of the tech giant, announced plans to sell an additional $5 billion worth of Amazon shares.

The decision comes on the heels of Amazon’s shares rising to an all-time high of $200,  a historic milestone since its initial public offering in 1997.

Tuesday’s filing detailed Bezos’s intent to divest himself of a significant portion of his Amazon holdings.

While sales could commence immediately following the filing, Bezos’s ongoing divestitures in 2024 now worth an estimated $13.5 billion.

Since February, Bezos has been actively reducing his stake in Amazon, this represents his first major stock sales since 2021.

The recent announcement indicates his commitment to further diversifying his portfolio while maintaining a substantial ownership interest in the company he founded.

Following the latest transaction, Bezos will retain nearly 912 million shares, equivalent to about 8.8% of Amazon’s total outstanding shares.

His current holdings show his continued influence over the company, despite stepping down as CEO in 2021 and transitioning into the role of executive chairman.

Bezos’s decision to liquidate a portion of his Amazon holdings coincides with the company’s robust performance in the market.

Amazon’s stock has surged 32% this year alone, bolstered by strong growth prospects in its cloud computing division and anticipated advancements in generative AI technologies.

At 60 years old, Bezos remains one of the wealthiest individuals globally, with a net worth of approximately $221.6 billion, according to Bloomberg’s wealth index.

Beyond Amazon, he also oversees Blue Origin, a pioneering space exploration company, and holds ownership of The Washington Post.

Bezos’s relocation from Seattle to Miami last November has garnered attention, particularly due to tax implications.

By moving to Florida, which lacks a state-level capital gains tax like Washington state’s 7% levy implemented in 2022, Bezos stands to save considerable sums in taxes, potentially amounting to hundreds of millions of dollars.

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