Here is a comprehensive, step-by-step guide to understanding the cost of Berkshire Hathaway shares, designed to engage you from the very beginning.
Have you ever wondered what it would take to own a piece of a company led by one of the most successful investors of all time, Warren Buffett? The answer might surprise you, especially when you learn that Berkshire Hathaway offers two distinct classes of stock, each with a vastly different price tag. Let's break it down and navigate the world of Berkshire Hathaway shares together.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Shares
This is the most crucial step, as it directly impacts how much you'll need to invest. Berkshire Hathaway offers two types of common stock: Class A shares (BRK.A) and Class B shares (BRK.B). They represent the same underlying company and its portfolio of businesses, but they are designed for different types of investors.
Class A Shares (BRK.A): Often referred to as the "original" shares, these are famously expensive. The price of a single Class A share is so high that it is out of reach for most individual investors. This high price is intentional, as Warren Buffett has historically wanted to attract long-term, committed investors who are less likely to trade frequently.
Class B Shares (BRK.B): Introduced in 1996, these shares were created to make Berkshire Hathaway stock more accessible to the average investor. They are a fraction of the price of the Class A shares, making it possible to invest in the company without a massive capital outlay.
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| How Much Are Berkshire Hathaway Shares |
Step 2: Check the Current Share Price (The Big Number)
The most direct way to answer "how much are Berkshire Hathaway shares" is to look at the live market price. As of late June 2025, here are the approximate prices:
Class A Shares (BRK.A): A single share is priced at around $729,000 USD. This price fluctuates with market movements, but it consistently remains in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. As of June 28, 2025, the price was around $730,939.90. This incredible price tag is a testament to the company's long-term growth and its unique history of never splitting its stock.
Class B Shares (BRK.B): In stark contrast, a single Class B share is priced at around $485 USD. This is a far more manageable price for most investors, allowing them to participate in the company's growth.
It's important to remember that these are just snapshots in time. The prices will change daily based on market activity. You can always check the latest price on financial news websites or through your brokerage account.
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Step 3: Differentiate Beyond the Price Tag
While the price is the most obvious difference, there are other critical distinctions between the two classes of shares that you must understand before you consider buying.
Voting Rights
This is a significant factor for investors who want a say in the company's decisions.
Class A: Each Class A share comes with one vote.
Class B: Each Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share. This means that Class A shareholders have substantially more power and influence in corporate governance, though most retail investors are more focused on the stock's value than its voting power.
Convertibility
Class A to Class B: You can convert a Class A share into 1,500 Class B shares at any time. This offers liquidity to Class A shareholders if they need to sell a portion of their holdings without selling an entire, very expensive share.
Class B to Class A: You cannot convert Class B shares into Class A shares. This is a one-way street, designed to maintain the integrity of the Class A shares and their unique, high-value nature.
Performance
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
In terms of market performance, both Class A and Class B shares generally track each other very closely. They are both a piece of the same company, so their value is tied to Berkshire Hathaway's overall financial health and performance. The Class B shares were created in a way that their value would be a fraction of the Class A shares. Minor price discrepancies may occur due to supply and demand, but they typically move in tandem.
Step 4: How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Shares
Now that you know the prices and the key differences, you might be wondering how to actually buy them.
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Step 4.1: Open a Brokerage Account
You cannot buy Berkshire Hathaway shares directly from the company. You need to open a brokerage account with a registered financial institution. If you don't already have one, you can open an account with a well-known brokerage firm. The process usually involves:
Filling out an online application.
Completing KYC (Know Your Customer) verification.
Funding your account by transferring money from your bank account.
Step 4.2: Choose Your Share Class and Investment Amount
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Once your account is funded, you need to decide which class of share you want to buy. For most individual investors, the Class B shares (BRK.B) are the only practical option.
If you have a large amount of capital and want the full voting rights, you can consider a Class A share. However, keep in mind its price.
If you are a retail investor, focus on the Class B shares.
Step 4.3: Place Your Order
Within your brokerage platform, search for the stock ticker symbol: BRK.A for Class A or BRK.B for Class B. You will then have to choose your order type.
Market Order: This will buy the shares at the best available price at that moment. It's simple and quick, but the price might fluctuate slightly.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a specific price you are willing to pay. The order will only be executed if the stock price reaches your specified limit.
Step 5: Consider Fractional Shares for the Class B Stock
If even the Class B share price feels a bit high, don't worry. Many modern brokerage platforms allow you to buy fractional shares. This means you can invest a specific dollar amount, for example, $100, and you will own a corresponding fraction of a single share. This is an excellent way to start investing in a high-priced stock like Berkshire Hathaway without needing to buy a full share.
10 Related FAQ Questions
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Here are some quick answers to common questions about buying Berkshire Hathaway shares:
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares? You can buy Class A shares through a brokerage account by searching for the ticker symbol BRK.A. Be prepared for a very high share price.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares? Open a brokerage account, fund it, and search for the ticker symbol BRK.B. You can then place an order for the number of shares or the dollar amount you wish to invest.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without buying a whole share? You can invest by buying fractional shares of the Class B stock (BRK.B) through a brokerage platform that offers this feature.
How to find the current price of Berkshire Hathaway shares? You can find the real-time price on financial websites like Nasdaq, Google Finance, or within your brokerage account's platform by searching for BRK.A or BRK.B.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway shares? Only Class A shares (BRK.A) can be converted into Class B shares (BRK.B) at a ratio of 1:1500. The reverse conversion is not possible.
How to get voting rights with Berkshire Hathaway shares? To have significant voting rights, you need to own Class A shares (BRK.A). Class B shares have very limited voting power.
How to know if Class A or Class B is better for me? If you are a retail investor focused on gaining exposure to Berkshire Hathaway's performance without a massive upfront cost, Class B is the right choice. Class A is for those with substantial capital who want voting rights and are willing to pay the premium.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway from India? Indian investors can buy Berkshire Hathaway shares (BRK.B) through a brokerage that offers international trading, often with the option to buy fractional shares.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway before investing? You can research the company's financial reports, news, and investor relations information on their official website or through financial data providers.
How to know the historical performance of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can view historical price charts and data for both BRK.A and BRK.B on financial websites. The stock has a long history of significant growth, especially the Class B shares since their inception.
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