Ready to Invest in the Oracle's Empire? Here's Your Ultimate Guide to Buying Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Have you ever looked at the staggering success of Warren Buffett and his company, Berkshire Hathaway, and wondered how you can get a piece of that action? You're not alone! The allure of investing alongside one of the greatest investors of all time is powerful. But for many, the seemingly astronomical price of a single share of Class A stock can be a major roadblock. Don't worry, you don't need a million dollars to become a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the entire process, from understanding the different share classes to placing your first trade. Let's dive in and unlock the secrets to owning a part of this legendary conglomerate.
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| How Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock |
Step 1: Understand the Two Sides of the Berkshire Coin - BRK.A vs. BRK.B
This is the most crucial step before you even think about buying. Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of stock, and understanding the difference is essential.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, and famously expensive, share class. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.A trades for over $700,000! These shares have significant voting rights and a direct line to Warren Buffett and the board. However, they have never had a stock split, which is why the price has grown so high over decades. For most individual investors, this share is out of reach and often illiquid due to its high price.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): This is the "Baby Berkshire" or "Baby B" stock, created in 1996 to make the company more accessible to a wider range of investors. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.B trades for around $485. This is the share class that the vast majority of individual investors buy. Here's what you need to know about BRK.B:
Price: It's a fraction of the cost of BRK.A.
Value: One BRK.A share is convertible into 1,500 BRK.B shares. This means the value of one BRK.A share is roughly 1,500 times the value of a BRK.B share.
Voting Rights: BRK.B shares have significantly less voting power than BRK.A shares.
Liquidity: BRK.B is much more liquid, meaning it is traded more frequently, making it easier to buy and sell.
Investment: Both share classes represent an ownership stake in the same underlying company and its diverse portfolio of businesses, including Geico, BNSF Railway, and a vast collection of stocks like Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express.
For this guide, we will focus on buying the more accessible and practical Class B shares (BRK.B).
Step 2: Open a Brokerage Account
Think of a brokerage account as your personal digital vault for buying and selling stocks. You cannot buy stocks directly from Berkshire Hathaway; you need an intermediary, a brokerage firm.
Choose the right brokerage: There are many online brokerage platforms available, and they have made investing incredibly easy and affordable. Some popular options include platforms like Zerodha, Upstox, Groww (in India), Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E-Trade, or Interactive Brokers (globally).
What to look for:
Low or zero commissions: Many brokers now offer commission-free trading for stocks, which is a huge advantage for investors.
Fractional shares: This is a game-changer! If the price of one BRK.B share is still a bit high for your budget, some platforms allow you to buy fractional shares. This means you can invest a specific dollar amount, say $100, and own a fraction of a share.
User-friendly platform: A simple and intuitive interface can make the process less intimidating, especially for beginners.
Research tools: Look for platforms that offer research, news, and analysis on stocks to help you make informed decisions.
Once you've chosen a brokerage, the process to open an account is straightforward. You will typically need to provide personal information such as:
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Your name, address, and date of birth
Your Social Security number (in the US) or Permanent Account Number (PAN) in India
Employment information
A government-issued ID
Step 3: Fund Your Brokerage Account
Once your brokerage account is open, you need to add money to it to make your purchase. This is usually a simple process.
Link your bank account: You can typically link your savings or checking bank account to your brokerage account.
Transfer funds: Use electronic fund transfers (like NEFT, RTGS, or UPI in India, or ACH transfers in the US) to move money from your bank account to your brokerage account. The transfer can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of business days to settle.
Remember to only invest money you are comfortable with and don't need for immediate expenses.
Step 4: Research and Plan Your Investment
Before you hit the "buy" button, it's wise to do some research. While Berkshire Hathaway is a well-established company, every investment carries risk.
Ticker Symbol is Key: When you are ready to search for the stock on your brokerage platform, remember to use the correct ticker symbol: BRK.B (for the Class B shares).
Current Price: Check the current market price of BRK.B. Prices fluctuate throughout the day.
Company News: Read recent news and quarterly reports about Berkshire Hathaway. You can find this information on financial news websites or the company's official investor relations website.
Your Investment Amount: Decide how much you want to invest. This could be a fixed amount of money (e.g., ₹5,000 or $500) or a specific number of shares.
Step 5: Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part! This is where you actually buy the stock.
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Search for the stock: In your brokerage platform's search bar, type "BRK.B" or "Berkshire Hathaway Inc." and select the Class B shares.
Enter the order details:
Action: Select "Buy."
Order Type: You'll typically see two main options:
Market Order: This tells your broker to buy the stock at the best available price right now. It's a quick way to execute a trade, but the price might change slightly from when you hit the button.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay per share. Your order will only be executed if the stock's price falls to or below your specified limit. This gives you more control over the price, but your order might not be filled if the stock never reaches your desired price.
Quantity: Enter the number of shares you want to buy, or if your broker offers it, the dollar amount you wish to invest (for fractional shares).
Review and Confirm: Before you finalize the purchase, double-check all the details of your order.
Submit: Click the "Submit," "Place Trade," or "Buy" button.
Congratulations! You are now a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, an owner of a piece of Warren Buffett's incredible empire. Your new shares will appear in your brokerage account soon after the trade is executed.
10 Frequently Asked Questions about Buying Berkshire Hathaway Stock
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
To buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India, you need to open an international brokerage account that allows you to trade US stocks. Platforms like INDmoney, Groww (in their international section), or Interactive Brokers are popular choices. You'll need to complete KYC (Know Your Customer) and fund the account with Indian rupees, which will be converted to US dollars for the purchase. Many of these platforms also offer fractional shares.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock?
Buying Class A shares (BRK.A) is the same process as buying Class B shares, but with a major difference in price. You need a brokerage account and enough capital to purchase a single share, which can cost upwards of $700,000. It's not a practical option for most retail investors.
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How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
Many modern online brokerage platforms, such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and many international platforms, offer fractional share investing. When you place your buy order, instead of entering the number of shares, you simply enter the dollar amount you want to invest. The platform will then calculate and purchase the corresponding fraction of a share for you.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock without a brokerage account?
You cannot directly buy Berkshire Hathaway stock without a brokerage account. A brokerage firm is a regulated entity that holds your investments and executes trades on your behalf. There is no direct purchase program from the company itself.
How to check the current price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can check the live stock price of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) on various financial news websites like Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, Google Finance, or directly through your brokerage platform's app or website. Just search for the ticker symbol BRK.B.
How to choose a good brokerage for buying BRK.B?
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Look for a brokerage that offers commission-free stock trading, allows fractional shares if you need them, has a user-friendly platform, and is regulated in your country. Check for customer reviews and the quality of their research tools.
How to sell Berkshire Hathaway stock?
Selling Berkshire Hathaway stock is the reverse of buying. In your brokerage account, select your BRK.B holdings, choose the "Sell" action, enter the quantity of shares you want to sell, and place your order. The funds from the sale will be credited to your brokerage account.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class A to Class B shares?
A holder of Class A shares (BRK.A) can convert them into Class B shares (BRK.B) at any time. The conversion ratio is 1 BRK.A share for 1,500 BRK.B shares. However, this conversion does not work in reverse. You cannot convert BRK.B shares back to BRK.A shares.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends?
Berkshire Hathaway is famous for its long-standing policy of not paying dividends. Warren Buffett believes that the company can generate better returns by reinvesting its profits back into its businesses and acquisitions. Therefore, the stock's value comes from capital appreciation, not dividend income.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway for the long term?
Investing for the long term means buying the stock with the intention of holding it for many years, often a decade or more, to benefit from the company's growth. After purchasing your BRK.B shares, simply hold them in your brokerage account and avoid the temptation to sell during short-term market fluctuations. Warren Buffett himself is a prime example of a long-term investor.
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