How Much Does It Cost to Buy One Share of Berkshire Hathaway Stock? A Step-by-Step Guide
Have you ever wondered what it takes to own a piece of a company led by the legendary investor Warren Buffett? You've come to the right place! Buying a share of Berkshire Hathaway, the multinational conglomerate known for its diverse portfolio of businesses and investments, is a goal for many investors. But the cost can be a bit of a surprise. Let's break it down together, step by step, so you can understand the different options and what you'll need to do.
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| How Much Does It Cost To Buy One Share Of Berkshire Hathaway Stock |
Step 1: Understand the Two Tickers (BRK.A and BRK.B)
Before you even think about the price, you need to know there are two different classes of Berkshire Hathaway stock. This is a crucial first distinction. The price difference between them is absolutely massive!
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, and famously expensive, share class. It has never had a stock split, a decision Warren Buffett made to attract long-term, value-oriented investors rather than short-term traders. These shares come with significant voting rights.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): This class was created in 1996 to make the stock more accessible to the average investor. It has a much lower price per share and fewer voting rights. In 2010, the Class B shares underwent a 50-to-1 stock split, further increasing their affordability.
So, the first question to ask yourself is: which class are you interested in? The answer to that will determine the ballpark figure for the cost.
Step 2: Check the Current Market Price
The stock market is dynamic, and prices change every single day. Therefore, the cost to buy a single share is not a fixed number. You need to check the real-time or near-real-time price on a financial news website, a stock exchange website (like the NYSE where BRK.A and BRK.B are traded), or through your brokerage platform.
As of the time of writing this on Friday, June 28, 2025:
The price of one share of Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) is approximately $729,807.77 USD. Yes, you read that right. It's a staggering six-figure number, making it one of the most expensive stocks on the market.
The price of one share of Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) is approximately $485.77 USD. This is a much more manageable price for most individual investors.
So, to buy one share of Berkshire Hathaway stock, you are looking at a cost of either roughly $730,000 or about $486, depending on the class you choose.
Step 3: Factor in Brokerage Commissions and Fees
QuickTip: Pay attention to first and last sentences.
The share price is just one part of the equation. You'll also need a brokerage account to buy the stock, and that comes with its own costs.
Sub-heading: Brokerage Commissions
Many modern online brokerages in the US now offer commission-free trading for stocks and ETFs. This means you won't pay a fee to the brokerage for executing the trade itself. This has become the standard for most retail investors. However, it's always wise to double-check with your chosen brokerage to confirm their fee structure. Some may still charge a small commission, especially for non-US investors or for specific types of trades.
Sub-heading: Regulatory and Exchange Fees
When you buy a stock, there are also very small regulatory fees that are passed on to you. These are typically fractions of a cent per share and are almost negligible for a single share purchase. For example, the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission) and FINRA (Financial Industry Regulatory Authority) have small transaction fees. Don't worry, these won't significantly impact your total cost.
Sub-heading: Foreign Exchange and Transfer Fees (Important for Indian Investors in Shirpur)
Since you are in Shirpur, Maharashtra, and the stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), you will need to consider currency exchange rates and transfer fees.
You'll need to transfer your Indian Rupees (INR) into US Dollars (USD) to buy the stock.
Your brokerage or a third-party service will handle this currency conversion, and they will likely charge a small fee or a spread on the exchange rate.
For example, a share of BRK.B at $485.77 would cost you approximately ₹41,539.65 at a conversion rate of 1 USD ≈ 85.52 INR. However, the final cost in INR would be slightly higher due to the exchange and transfer fees.
So, the total cost for one share of BRK.B would be:
Share Price (e.g., $485.77) + (negligible) Regulatory Fees + (potential) Brokerage Commission + (potential) Foreign Exchange & Transfer Fees.
Step 4: Explore Your Options - Whole Shares vs. Fractional Shares
Now, here's a game-changer, especially for the expensive Class A stock.
Sub-heading: Buying Whole Shares
If you have $730,000 lying around and want to buy a single share of BRK.A, you can do so through a brokerage that supports such a large transaction. For BRK.B, you just need about $486 in your account.
QuickTip: Slowing down makes content clearer.
Sub-heading: The Power of Fractional Shares
Many brokerages now offer the ability to buy fractional shares. This means you can buy a portion of a share instead of a whole one. This is a fantastic option for two reasons:
Access to BRK.A: Instead of needing over $700,000, you could invest a smaller amount, say $1,000, and own a tiny fraction of a BRK.A share.
Dollar-Cost Averaging: You can invest a fixed amount of money, like $50 every month, and your brokerage will buy whatever fraction of a BRK.B share that amount can purchase. This is a disciplined way to invest over time.
So, while the cost to buy a whole share of BRK.A is astronomical, the cost to start investing in Berkshire Hathaway can be as low as a few dollars, thanks to fractional shares.
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Step 5: Place Your Order and Monitor Your Investment
Once you've chosen your share class, funded your account, and decided on whole or fractional shares, you're ready to buy.
Sub-heading: Market Order vs. Limit Order
You will typically have two main order types:
Market Order: You tell your brokerage to buy the stock at the best available price right now. This is a quick and simple way to buy.
Limit Order: You set a specific price you are willing to pay. For example, you can say, "Buy one share of BRK.B only if the price drops to $480 or lower." This gives you more control over the price you pay.
Remember, a stock's price can fluctuate throughout the day, so the price you see and the price you pay can differ slightly, especially with a market order.
Congratulations! Once your order is filled, you are officially a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder. Now, the real work begins: holding for the long term, just like the Oracle of Omaha himself would advise.
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers
QuickTip: Every section builds on the last.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India through international stock brokerage platforms that allow you to invest in US markets. You will need to open a brokerage account, complete KYC, and then fund the account in US Dollars.
How much is Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock today?
As of June 28, 2025, the price of one share of Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) is approximately $729,807.77 USD.
How much is Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock today?
As of June 28, 2025, the price of one share of Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) is approximately $485.77 USD.
How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B is most common for this) through a brokerage that offers fractional share investing. You simply input the dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., $50), and the brokerage will buy a corresponding fraction of a share for you.
How to find the real-time price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
QuickTip: Stop scrolling, read carefully here.
You can find the real-time price of BRK.A and BRK.B on major financial news websites like Bloomberg, Reuters, or Yahoo Finance, or directly on the websites of stock exchanges like the NYSE. Your brokerage app will also show live prices.
How to know the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
The main differences are price, voting rights, and convertibility. BRK.A is vastly more expensive and has full voting rights. BRK.B is much cheaper and has limited voting rights (1/10,000th of a BRK.A vote). BRK.A can be converted to BRK.B, but not the other way around.
How to start investing in Berkshire Hathaway with a small amount of money?
The best way to start with a small amount is to use a brokerage that offers fractional shares and invest in BRK.B. You can start with as little as a few dollars or a fixed amount per month.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway stock is a good investment for me?
You should conduct your own research on the company's financials, future outlook, and the risks involved. Consider your own investment goals, time horizon, and risk tolerance before investing. A diversified portfolio is always a good idea.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock without paying high commissions?
Use a modern online brokerage platform that offers commission-free trading for US stocks. Most major platforms now follow this model.
How to track my Berkshire Hathaway stock performance?
You can track your stock's performance through your brokerage account's dashboard, which will show you your portfolio's gains or losses. You can also monitor the stock's price on financial news websites.
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