Have you ever dreamt of owning a piece of a company led by the legendary Warren Buffett, the "Oracle of Omaha" himself? Do you want to be a part of one of the world's most successful and enduring investment stories? Then you've come to the right place! Buying Berkshire Hathaway stock can feel like a daunting task, especially with the high price tag of its Class A shares. But fear not, because with the right knowledge and a clear plan, it is entirely within your reach.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through every step of the process, from understanding the different types of shares to placing your first order. We'll break down the complexities and make it simple, so you can confidently embark on your investment journey.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock - A vs. B
Before you do anything else, you need to understand that Berkshire Hathaway offers two distinct classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B). This is a crucial distinction that directly impacts accessibility and cost.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A):
This is the original, ultra-expensive share.
It has never undergone a stock split, which is why its price per share is in the high six figures. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.A is trading for over $800,000.
Each BRK.A share has full voting rights.
You can convert a BRK.A share into 1,500 BRK.B shares at any time, providing a degree of flexibility.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B):
This is the more accessible and affordable option, specifically created by Warren Buffett to allow smaller investors to own a piece of the company.
The price is a fraction of the Class A shares. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.B is trading for just under $500.
Each BRK.B share has a much smaller voting right, typically 1/10,000th of a Class A share's vote.
You cannot convert a BRK.B share into a BRK.A share.
So, which one is right for you? For the vast majority of retail investors, the BRK.B shares are the practical and sensible choice. The performance of both share classes is closely tied, so you are still investing in the same diversified portfolio of businesses and stocks. The only real differences are the price and voting rights.
Step 2: Choose and Open a Brokerage Account
You cannot buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You need a brokerage account to do so. This is the platform that will allow you to buy, sell, and hold stocks. There are many options available, from traditional brokerages to modern online platforms.
Sub-heading: Finding the Right Brokerage for You
Consider a US-based brokerage with international access: Since Berkshire Hathaway stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), you'll need a brokerage that allows you to trade on US exchanges.
Look for low or zero commission fees: Many brokerages now offer commission-free stock trading, which can save you money, especially if you plan to make regular investments.
Check for minimum investment requirements: Some brokerages have minimum deposit requirements to open an account.
Explore fractional shares: If even the price of a single BRK.B share feels a bit high, look for a brokerage that offers fractional shares. This allows you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) and own a portion of a share, making even expensive stocks highly accessible.
Sub-heading: The Account Opening Process
Select your brokerage: Do your research and choose a platform that suits your needs and budget.
Complete the application: This typically involves providing personal information, such as your name, address, date of birth, and tax identification number (like a PAN card in India).
Complete KYC (Know Your Customer) verification: You'll need to upload copies of your identification documents and proof of address.
Fund your account: Once your account is approved, you need to transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account. This can be done via various methods like bank transfer (NEFT/RTGS), UPI, or other payment gateways, depending on the brokerage. The funds will be available in your brokerage account in a few minutes to a few hours.
Step 3: Research and Analyze Berkshire Hathaway
Before you place your order, it's a good idea to understand what you're investing in. Remember Warren Buffett's philosophy: invest in what you understand.
Sub-heading: The Berkshire Hathaway Business Empire
Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational conglomerate holding company. It's not just one company; it's a massive portfolio of diverse businesses.
It owns a wide range of companies outright, including well-known names like GEICO (insurance), BNSF Railway (rail transportation), Duracell (batteries), and Dairy Queen (fast food).
In addition to its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Berkshire Hathaway also holds a significant and valuable stock portfolio, including major stakes in companies like Apple, Bank of America, American Express, and Coca-Cola.
This diversification across different sectors makes investing in Berkshire Hathaway similar to investing in an entire exchange-traded fund (ETF).
Sub-heading: Key Financial Metrics to Consider
While Warren Buffett himself often advises against focusing too much on short-term price fluctuations, it's still prudent to look at the company's financial health.
Check their annual and quarterly reports on the Berkshire Hathaway investor relations website.
Consider metrics like revenue, net income, and cash reserves. Berkshire Hathaway is known for holding a massive amount of cash, which Warren Buffett can deploy to make acquisitions when he finds a good opportunity.
Step 4: Place Your Stock Order
Now for the exciting part! Once your brokerage account is funded and you're ready to invest, follow these steps to place your order.
Sub-heading: Search for the Ticker Symbol
In your brokerage platform's search bar, enter the ticker symbol for the Class B shares: BRK.B.
You'll see the current market price and other trading data.
Sub-heading: Choose Your Order Type
Market Order: This is the simplest type of order. You tell your brokerage to buy the stock at the best available price right now. This is a good option if you are comfortable with the current price and want to execute the trade immediately.
Limit Order: This gives you more control. You set a specific price that you are willing to pay for the stock. Your order will only be executed if the stock's price falls to or below your limit price. This is useful if you want to buy the stock at a price lower than the current market price.
Sub-heading: Enter the Amount
Decide how much you want to invest. You can either specify the number of shares you want to buy or, if your brokerage supports it, the dollar amount you want to invest (for fractional shares).
Sub-heading: Review and Submit
Carefully review all the details of your order before submitting it, including the ticker symbol, the number of shares/dollar amount, and the order type.
Click the "Buy," "Submit," or "Place Trade" button to finalize your purchase.
Congratulations! You are now a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to open an international trading account in India to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can open an international trading account with brokerages that offer access to US stocks. The process involves an online application and KYC verification, similar to opening a domestic Demat account.
How to find the Berkshire Hathaway stock price? You can find the real-time stock price for both BRK.A and BRK.B on financial news websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or directly on your brokerage platform.
How to choose between Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B shares? For most individual investors, the Class B (BRK.B) shares are the only practical option due to their significantly lower price. Unless you have a multi-million dollar portfolio and want voting rights, BRK.B is the way to go.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway stock? Check if your brokerage platform supports fractional shares. If they do, you can simply enter a dollar amount you wish to invest (e.g., $100) instead of the number of shares.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway indirectly? You can invest indirectly by buying a mutual fund or Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) that has Berkshire Hathaway as one of its top holdings. This gives you exposure to the company's performance without owning the individual stock.
How to check Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance? You can access Berkshire Hathaway's annual and quarterly reports, as well as SEC filings, on the company's official investor relations website. This is the most reliable source for financial data.
How to know when is the best time to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock? As a long-term, value-oriented investment, timing the market is not the primary goal. Warren Buffett's philosophy is to buy quality businesses and hold them for the long term. Focus on a disciplined, long-term approach rather than trying to time the market's daily fluctuations.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting? The Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders meeting is held in Omaha, Nebraska, and is a major event. To attend, you typically need to show proof of stock ownership. The meeting is also live-streamed online for all to watch.
How to convert my BRK.A shares to BRK.B shares? You can convert Class A shares to Class B shares through your brokerage. The conversion ratio is 1 BRK.A share for 1,500 BRK.B shares.
How to start investing in the US stock market from India? First, open an international brokerage account with a platform that allows Indian residents to invest in US stocks. Then, fund your account and you can begin trading. Make sure to understand the regulations and tax implications for international investments in India.
