How Much is Berkshire Hathaway Class A Stock? A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Investing in BRK.A
Thinking about investing in one of the most legendary companies in the world, Berkshire Hathaway? You've come to the right place. The name "Berkshire Hathaway" is synonymous with Warren Buffett, and its Class A shares (ticker symbol: BRK.A) are famous for their eye-popping price tag. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the cost of a BRK.A share and the factors that influence its value.
Let's dive in and demystify this iconic stock.
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| How Much Is Berkshire Hathaway Class A Stock |
Step 1: Discover the Current Price and Its Astonishing Value
First things first, let's address the big question: how much is Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock?
As of late June 2025, one single share of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock is trading for approximately $729,000. That's not a typo. We're talking about hundreds of thousands of U.S. dollars for one share. This makes BRK.A the most expensive stock on the New York Stock Exchange.
Now, you might be wondering, "Why is it so expensive?" The simple answer is that the stock has never undergone a stock split. This means that as the company's value has grown exponentially over decades, the share price has simply kept climbing. This is a deliberate strategy by Warren Buffett and his team to attract a specific type of investor—one who is focused on long-term ownership rather than short-term trading.
Step 2: Understand the Two Classes of Shares: A vs. B
Before you get too intimidated by the price of Class A shares, it's crucial to know that there's a more accessible option. Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of stock:
Class A (BRK.A): This is the original stock, with its famously high price. Each Class A share comes with a significant voting right, giving the owner a say in company matters. This is the stock that serious institutional investors and ultra-high-net-worth individuals typically hold.
Class B (BRK.B): In 1996, to make the company more accessible to smaller investors, Berkshire Hathaway created the Class B shares. These shares trade at a much lower price, around $485 as of late June 2025. While they come with limited voting rights, they represent the same economic interest in the company. You can think of a BRK.B share as a small slice of the same pie. A single BRK.A share is economically equivalent to 1,500 BRK.B shares.
In short: if you're a retail investor, you'll likely be looking at BRK.B shares.
Step 3: Explore the Factors Influencing the Price of BRK.A
QuickTip: Don’t just consume — reflect.
The price of Berkshire Hathaway stock, like any other, is influenced by a variety of factors. However, due to its unique nature as a conglomerate, the drivers of its value are a bit different.
Sub-heading: Warren Buffett's Influence
For decades, Warren Buffett's leadership has been a primary driver of the stock's performance. His reputation as the "Oracle of Omaha" and his incredible track record of investment success have instilled immense confidence in investors. His public comments, his annual letter to shareholders, and the company's annual meeting are closely watched events that can move the stock price. The recent news of his increasing philanthropic donations and succession planning also impacts investor sentiment.
Sub-heading: The Performance of Its Subsidiaries
Berkshire Hathaway is not just a stock portfolio; it's a massive conglomerate that owns a diverse range of businesses outright. These include:
Insurance: Geico, General Re, and many others.
Energy and Utilities: BHE (Berkshire Hathaway Energy).
Railroad: BNSF Railway.
Manufacturing, Services, and Retail: Dairy Queen, Duracell, Fruit of the Loom, and many more.
The financial performance of these core businesses, including their revenue, earnings, and cash flow, directly contributes to Berkshire Hathaway's intrinsic value and, consequently, its stock price. A strong economic environment that benefits these industries will often be reflected in a higher stock price.
Sub-heading: Its Investment Portfolio
A significant portion of Berkshire's value comes from its massive equity portfolio, which holds shares in publicly traded companies. This portfolio is managed by Buffett and his team. The performance of key holdings, such as Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola, has a direct impact on the overall value of Berkshire Hathaway. When these stocks perform well, so does BRK.A.
Sub-heading: Market Sentiment and Broader Economic Conditions
Like all stocks, BRK.A is not immune to overall market trends. During a bull market, it tends to rise, and during a downturn, it may experience a decline. However, due to its diverse holdings and stable businesses, it often shows a lower beta coefficient, meaning it's less volatile than the overall market. Its massive cash reserves also act as a buffer during economic uncertainty.
Tip: Each paragraph has one main idea — find it.
Step 4: How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A Stock
While the price tag is high, if you are a serious investor with substantial capital, here's a general step-by-step guide on how to buy BRK.A.
Step 4.1: Open a Brokerage Account
You'll need a brokerage account that allows you to trade stocks on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Most major online brokerages will offer this. If you don't have one, you'll need to open an account and complete the necessary verification steps.
Step 4.2: Fund Your Account
Once your account is open, you will need to fund it with the required capital. Given the price of a single share, this is a significant step. You can transfer funds from your bank account to your brokerage account.
Step 4.3: Place Your Order
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Search for the ticker symbol: In your brokerage platform, search for BRK.A.
Choose your order type:
Market Order: This will execute your trade at the current market price. Be aware that the price can fluctuate rapidly.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you're willing to pay per share. Your trade will only execute if the stock's price falls to or below your specified limit. Given the high price, a limit order can be a good way to control your purchase price.
Enter the number of shares: Specify the number of shares you want to buy. Keep in mind that a single share is a huge commitment.
Review and submit: Double-check all the details of your order before submitting it.
Step 5: Consider the Class B Shares as an Alternative
If the price of BRK.A is simply out of reach, remember that you have an excellent alternative in BRK.B. Many brokerages also offer the option to buy fractional shares, which allows you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $1000) and own a fraction of a single BRK.B share. This is a great way to gain exposure to Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio without needing a large lump sum of capital.
10 Related FAQs
Tip: Reread slowly for better memory.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock?
You can buy BRK.B shares through any major online brokerage. The process is the same as buying any other stock, just search for the ticker symbol 'BRK.B'.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway for a small amount?
The most common way is to buy BRK.B shares through a brokerage that offers fractional shares, allowing you to invest with as little as a few dollars.
How to find the real-time price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can find the real-time price on any financial news website, brokerage platform, or stock market tracking app by searching for the ticker symbols BRK.A or BRK.B.
How to calculate the value of Berkshire Hathaway's Class A stock?
The value is determined by market forces of supply and demand, influenced by the company's financial performance, its subsidiaries' earnings, the value of its stock portfolio, and market sentiment.
How to understand the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B voting rights?
BRK.A shares have 1 vote per share, while BRK.B shares have 1/10,000 of a vote per share. This means BRK.A shareholders have significantly more power in company decisions.
Reminder: Take a short break if the post feels long.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway is a good investment?
Investing in Berkshire Hathaway is often seen as a long-term play on a diversified portfolio of successful businesses. However, its value is tied to the performance of its underlying holdings and the leadership of its management. It is essential to conduct your own due diligence and consider your investment goals.
How to get Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders?
The annual letter is available for free on the Berkshire Hathaway official website's investor relations page.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting?
Shareholders of either BRK.A or BRK.B are eligible to attend the annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, famously known as the "Woodstock for Capitalists."
How to see Berkshire Hathaway's stock price history?
You can view historical price charts for both BRK.A and BRK.B on financial platforms like Nasdaq, TradingView, or Macrotrends.
How to get a dividend from Berkshire Hathaway stock?
Berkshire Hathaway does not pay dividends. Instead, the company reinvests all of its earnings back into its businesses and investments.
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