(economía vacuna) Slim le gana a Gates

[arturo_gtz]

Carlos Slim has overtaken Bill Gates. Photograph: Roberto Velazquez/AP

Microsoft founder Bill Gates looks to have lost his title as the world's
richest man, toppled from top spot by the Mexican telecoms tycoon Carlos
Slim.

Three months ago the cigar-chomping Mr Slim quietly slipped past
legendary US investor Warren Buffett to take second place in the global
wealth league.

Now, thanks to a surge in the shares of his America Movil group, Mr Slim
has claimed pole position, according to the Mexican online financial
publication, Sentido Común.

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It was Sentido Común's founder, Eduardo Garcia, who highlighted Mr
Slim's rapidly rising wealth in April, although by his calculations the
Mexican had not only beaten Mr Buffett in the wealth stakes by then but
also edged past Mr Gates.

Now, however, Mr Garcia says there is no doubt that the little-known
Mexican has finally captured the coveted top slot, following a surge in
America Movil's shares over the second quarter. This is estimated to
have boosted his fortune to an estimated $67.8bn (£33.6bn) - equivalent
to 8% of Mexico's gross domestic product - compared with $59.2bn for the
Microsoft mogul, putting him in the lead by a decisive $8.6bn.

"When I put Slim ahead three months ago Forbes bumped him up to second
place (in world rankings) a few days later," Mr Garcia told Reuters.

"Let's see if the same happens again."

Shares in Mr Slim's mobile phone empire surged by 27% over the second
quarter, compared with a 5.7% rise for Microsoft. Mr Slim's bank,
Inbursa, also saw its stock jump by 20%.

Mr Gates has headed the Forbes list of the world's wealthiest for more
than a decade. But, like Mr Buffett, he is rapidly becoming as well
known for giving his money away as he is for accumulating it. Both he
and the "Sage of Omaha" have promised to give most of their money to
charitable causes.