Ready to dive into the world of Warren Buffett's empire? Let's find out exactly how Berkshire Hathaway's stock has been performing so far this year.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Stock
Before we get into the numbers, it's crucial to know that Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of publicly traded stock:
Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, ultra-expensive stock. One share is equivalent to thousands of dollars and holds significant voting power. It has never been split.
Class B (BRK.B): This is the more affordable version, created to make the company's stock accessible to a wider range of investors. Each Class B share is a tiny fraction of a Class A share and has less voting power.
So, when we talk about "how much is Berkshire Hathaway up," we need to look at both ticker symbols, as they will have slightly different price movements and percentage returns.
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| How Much Is Berkshire Hathaway Up This Year |
Step 2: Check the Year-to-Date Performance
To determine the year-to-date (YTD) return, we need to compare the stock's price on January 1, 2025, with its current price on June 30, 2025.
For Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A):
Starting Price (January 2, 2025): The price of a BRK.A share at the beginning of the year was approximately $675,500.
Current Price (June 27, 2025): The closing price for BRK.A on June 27, 2025, was around $730,939.90.
Year-to-Date Return: To calculate the percentage increase, we use the formula:
The year-to-date return for Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) is approximately 8.21% as of late June 2025.
For Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B):
QuickTip: Focus on what feels most relevant.
Starting Price (January 2, 2025): The price of a BRK.B share at the start of the year was approximately $451.10.
Current Price (June 27, 2025): The closing price for BRK.B on June 27, 2025, was around $485.68.
Year-to-Date Return: Let's apply the same formula:
The year-to-date return for Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) is approximately 7.67% as of late June 2025.
It's important to note that these are based on price changes and do not include the impact of dividends (which Berkshire Hathaway does not pay) or other factors that contribute to a total return.
Step 3: Analyze the Performance in Context
Now that we have the numbers, let's see how this performance stacks up against the broader market and Berkshire's own historical returns.
A. Comparing with the S&P 500
Berkshire Hathaway has a long-standing history of outperforming the S&P 500, a key benchmark for the US stock market.
While the S&P 500's year-to-date performance can fluctuate, Berkshire Hathaway's returns in 2025 have shown resilience and a healthy increase. Some reports even suggest that Berkshire Hathaway has been outperforming the S&P 500 this year, with a significant gain compared to a slight decline in the S&P 500. This is a testament to the company's diversified portfolio and strategic management.
B. Key Factors Influencing the Performance
Diverse Portfolio: Berkshire Hathaway is not just a single company. It's a conglomerate with a vast portfolio of wholly-owned businesses like Geico, BNSF Railway, and others, as well as a massive equity portfolio with holdings in companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America. The performance of these underlying businesses and stocks directly influences Berkshire's stock price.
Market Volatility: The stock market has experienced its share of ups and downs in 2025. Berkshire Hathaway's performance demonstrates its ability to navigate market volatility, providing a measure of stability for investors.
Record Cash Reserves: Berkshire Hathaway's cash reserves hit a record high of approximately $347 billion in Q1 2025. This war chest provides flexibility for acquisitions and investments, which can be a key driver of future growth.
Warren Buffett's Legacy: Although Warren Buffett announced his upcoming retirement in May 2025, the company's strong fundamentals and investment philosophy continue to hold investor confidence. The market's reaction to this news, while potentially causing some short-term fluctuations, has not derailed the stock's overall positive trend this year.
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Step 4: Track the Stock for Yourself
Want to keep an eye on Berkshire's performance? Here’s how:
QuickTip: Skim the first line of each paragraph.
Financial News Websites: Visit financial news sites like Bloomberg, Reuters, Yahoo Finance, or Google Finance and search for the ticker symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.
Stock Market Apps: Use mobile apps from your brokerage or financial data providers to get real-time quotes and charts.
Company's Investor Relations: Visit the official Berkshire Hathaway website for their investor relations section, which will provide official reports and filings.
Remember, past performance is not indicative of future results. It's always wise to conduct your own research and consider your investment goals before making any decisions.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings with Quick Answers
How to find the current stock price of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the current stock price by searching for "BRK.A stock price" or "BRK.B stock price" on any financial news website or a stock market app.
How to calculate the year-to-date return for any stock?
To calculate the YTD return, you can use the formula: .
How to buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
QuickTip: Read actively, not passively.
You can buy shares of Berkshire Hathaway (either BRK.A or BRK.B) through a brokerage account, like those offered by Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or Vanguard.
How to tell the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
BRK.A is the original, high-priced Class A stock with significant voting rights, while BRK.B is the much more affordable Class B stock with fewer voting rights.
How to interpret Berkshire Hathaway's cash reserves?
A large cash reserve indicates that the company has a strong financial position and the flexibility to make large acquisitions or strategic investments when opportunities arise.
How to understand why Berkshire Hathaway doesn't pay dividends?
Warren Buffett has a long-standing philosophy of reinvesting profits back into the company to generate more value for shareholders, believing this provides a better return than paying out dividends.
Tip: A slow skim is better than a rushed read.
How to track Berkshire Hathaway's portfolio?
You can track Berkshire Hathaway's stock holdings by reviewing its quarterly 13F filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which are publicly available.
How to assess the long-term performance of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can assess long-term performance by looking at historical price charts and comparing its annualized returns over several decades against market indices like the S&P 500.
How to learn more about Warren Buffett's investment philosophy?
You can learn more by reading his annual letters to shareholders, which are available on the Berkshire Hathaway website, and by reading books and articles about his investing principles.
How to get information on Berkshire Hathaway's upcoming earnings reports?
You can find information on upcoming earnings report dates on financial news calendars and by checking the company's investor relations section.
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