Of course! Let's dive into the fascinating world of Berkshire Hathaway stock. It's a topic that often surprises people, as there's a unique twist to it.
The Surprising Answer to "How Much Does Berkshire Hathaway Stock Sell For?"
Before we get into the step-by-step guide on how to acquire a piece of this legendary company, let's address the main question head-on. If you're a potential investor, you might be surprised to learn that there isn't just one Berkshire Hathaway stock. The company, led by the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, has two classes of stock, and their prices are vastly different.
As of today, June 30, 2025, the approximate prices are:
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): Around $729,000 per share. Yes, you read that right. A single share of BRK.A costs over seven hundred thousand US dollars. This makes it the most expensive stock in the world.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): Around $485 per share. This is the more accessible and commonly traded stock for the average investor.
So, which one are you interested in? The choice depends on your budget and your investment goals. Now, let's walk through the steps to get your hands on either of these.
| How Much Does Berkshire Hathaway Stock Sell For |
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Stock
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This is the most crucial step. Before you even think about buying, you need to know what you're buying. The difference between Class A and Class B is not just the price; it's also about voting rights and convertibility.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): These are the original shares. They have full voting rights, meaning each share gets one vote in company matters. Warren Buffett has famously refused to split this stock, which is why the price has grown to such an astronomical level. They are often called "voting" shares. They are also convertible into Class B shares, but not the other way around.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): These shares were created in 1996 to be more affordable to retail investors who couldn't afford the Class A shares. They have fractional voting rights, specifically 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share. This means they have a very limited say in company decisions. They are not convertible back into Class A shares.
Key Takeaway: If you want a say in the company's governance and have a massive budget, Class A is for you. If you're a regular investor who wants to own a piece of this iconic company without breaking the bank, Class B is the way to go.
Step 2: Choose Your Investment Platform
You can't buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You need a brokerage account. If you don't have one, this is where you start.
Open a Brokerage Account: Choose a reputable brokerage firm that offers access to US stock exchanges (NYSE, Nasdaq, etc.). There are many options, from traditional full-service brokerages to modern, low-cost online platforms. Look for one with low or zero commission fees on stock trades, a user-friendly interface, and the ability to buy US stocks from your location.
Fund Your Account: Once your account is set up, you'll need to transfer money into it from your bank account. This can be done via various methods like bank transfers (wire transfer, ACH) or other payment options offered by the brokerage.
Step 3: Research and Decide on Your Investment Amount
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This is where you do your due diligence. While Berkshire Hathaway is a well-known and stable company, you should always do your own research before investing.
Analyze the Company's Fundamentals: Look at its financial reports, earnings, and balance sheet. Understand the diverse businesses that fall under the Berkshire Hathaway umbrella, which include insurance (Geico), utilities (Berkshire Hathaway Energy), and a massive portfolio of public stocks (Apple, Coca-Cola, etc.).
Decide How Much to Invest: As we've seen, the share price of BRK.A is prohibitive for most. For BRK.B, you might be able to buy a whole share. But what if you only have a few thousand rupees or a couple of hundred dollars to invest? This brings us to a fantastic option for modern investors: fractional shares. Many brokerage platforms now allow you to buy a portion of a share, for example, 0.1 of a BRK.B share, if you invest a certain dollar amount. This is a great way to start your investment journey with Berkshire Hathaway, even with a small budget.
Step 4: Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part – buying the stock!
Find the Stock: In your brokerage account's trading platform, search for the stock ticker.
For Class A, the ticker is BRK.A
For Class B, the ticker is BRK.B
Choose Your Order Type:
Market Order: This is the simplest option. You place an order to buy at the best available price in the market at that moment. This is a good choice if you're not concerned about a minor price fluctuation.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a specific price at which you want to buy the stock. For example, if BRK.B is trading at $485, you can set a limit order to buy it only if the price drops to $480. This gives you more control over the price you pay.
Input the Quantity: Enter the number of shares (or the dollar amount for fractional shares) you want to buy.
Review and Submit: Double-check all the details of your order before you hit the "Buy" or "Submit" button. Congratulations, you're now a proud owner of Berkshire Hathaway stock!
Step 5: Consider a Fund Instead of Individual Stock
If buying a single stock, even a fractional share, feels too risky, you can consider investing in a fund that holds Berkshire Hathaway. This is a great way to diversify your holdings and reduce risk.
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Index Funds or ETFs: Many exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds track major market indices like the S&P 500. Since Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) is a component of the S&P 500, investing in a broad-market index fund is a simple way to get exposure to Berkshire Hathaway without buying the individual stock.
Related FAQ Questions
Here are 10 quick answers to some of the most common questions about buying Berkshire Hathaway stock:
How to check the live price of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can check the live price of both BRK.A and BRK.B on major financial websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or your brokerage platform. Just search for the ticker symbol, BRK.A or BRK.B.
How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway? You can buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) through brokerage platforms that offer this feature, such as Robinhood, Interactive Brokers, or Stash. You simply specify the dollar amount you want to invest, and the platform will buy the corresponding fraction of a share.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway from India? Indian investors can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that facilitates US stock trading. Some popular options include platforms like INDmoney and Angel One, which allow for fractional share purchases.
How to understand the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B shares? The main difference is price, voting rights, and convertibility. BRK.A is very expensive with full voting rights and can be converted to BRK.B. BRK.B is affordable, has limited voting rights, and cannot be converted to BRK.A.
QuickTip: A quick skim can reveal the main idea fast.
How to calculate the value of my Berkshire Hathaway shares? To calculate the current value, simply multiply the number of shares you own by the current market price of the stock (either BRK.A or BRK.B, depending on what you hold).
How to find Berkshire Hathaway's financial reports? The company's official financial reports, including annual and interim reports, are available on the investor relations section of the Berkshire Hathaway website.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway stock is a good investment? Determining if it's a good investment depends on your individual financial goals and risk tolerance. It's considered a stable, long-term investment, but you should always conduct your own research, consider your own financial situation, and consult with a financial advisor.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock with a small amount of money? The best way is to use a brokerage that offers fractional shares and buy the Class B stock (BRK.B). This allows you to invest any dollar amount you're comfortable with, even if it's less than the cost of one full share.
How to get voting rights as a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder? To have significant voting rights, you must own a Class A share (BRK.A). The voting power of Class B shares is negligible.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B shares? Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time. The process is typically handled through your brokerage. However, remember that once converted, they cannot be changed back to Class A shares.