Ready to Own a Piece of a Legend? Here's How to Invest in Berkshire Hathaway with Fidelity
Have you ever heard the name Warren Buffett and wondered how you could get a piece of his incredible success? You're not alone. Berkshire Hathaway, the conglomerate he built, is a titan of the investment world, known for its diverse portfolio of companies like GEICO, BNSF Railway, and Dairy Queen, as well as significant stakes in companies like Apple and Coca-Cola. Investing in Berkshire Hathaway isn't just about buying a stock; it's about buying into a philosophy of value and long-term growth.
This guide will walk you through the entire process of investing in Berkshire Hathaway using a Fidelity brokerage account. It's simpler than you might think, and we'll break it down into easy, actionable steps. Let's get started on your investment journey!
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| How To Invest In Berkshire Hathaway Fidelity |
Step 1: Get Your Financial House in Order
Before you can even think about buying a stock, you need a place to hold it. Think of a brokerage account as your personal investment bank. It's where you'll deposit your money and then use it to buy and sell stocks, ETFs, mutual funds, and more.
A. Open a Fidelity Brokerage Account
If you don't already have a Fidelity account, this is your first and most crucial step. Fidelity is a leading brokerage firm known for its low fees, robust research tools, and user-friendly platform.
Choose the Right Account Type: Fidelity offers a variety of accounts, including individual brokerage accounts, Roth IRAs, traditional IRAs, and more. For simply investing in stocks, a standard individual brokerage account is a great starting point. If you want to invest for retirement and take advantage of tax benefits, consider an IRA.
Gather Your Information: To open an account, you'll need your personal details, such as your Social Security number, date of birth, and contact information. You'll also need your bank account information (routing and account numbers) to fund your new brokerage account.
Complete the Online Application: The process is straightforward. Head to the Fidelity website, click on "Open an Account," and follow the prompts. The application will ask you about your investment goals, risk tolerance, and employment status. Be honest with your answers, as they can help Fidelity provide you with relevant information.
B. Fund Your Account
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Once your account is open, you need to add money to it. This is called "funding" the account. You can do this through several methods:
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): This is the most common and easiest method. You can link your bank account to your Fidelity brokerage account and transfer funds electronically. It usually takes a few business days for the funds to settle and become available for trading.
Bank Wire: For larger amounts, you can initiate a wire transfer from your bank.
Check Deposit: You can also mail a check to Fidelity.
Step 2: Understand the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
This is a critical distinction that many new investors miss. Berkshire Hathaway has two classes of stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B).
A. Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A)
This is the original share, and it's famous for its incredibly high price. As of late June 2025, one share of BRK.A is worth several hundred thousand dollars.
Voting Rights: Class A shares have significant voting rights, giving shareholders a say in company decisions.
Non-Splittable: Warren Buffett has famously said he will never split the Class A stock, believing the high price attracts long-term, serious investors.
B. Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B)
This is the more accessible share, and it was created in 1996 to make the company's stock available to a wider range of investors.
Affordable Price: The price of a single BRK.B share is a tiny fraction of a BRK.A share, typically a few hundred dollars. This makes it a much more realistic option for most retail investors.
Limited Voting Rights: BRK.B shares have significantly fewer voting rights compared to Class A shares.
Convertibility: A Class A share can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares, but not vice versa.
For the vast majority of individual investors, BRK.B is the way to go. It provides you with ownership in the same amazing company, tracks its performance almost identically, and is affordable.
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Step 3: Research and Place Your Order on Fidelity
Now for the exciting part – buying the stock!
A. Navigate to the Trading Platform
Log in to your Fidelity account on the website or through the mobile app.
Look for the "Trade" or "Transact" section. On the website, you'll usually find this under the "Accounts & Trade" tab.
This will take you to a trading ticket or order entry screen.
B. Search for the Stock Symbol
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In the "Symbol" or "Ticker" box, type in BRK.B.
It is crucial that you enter BRK.B, not BRK.A, unless you have the capital for a Class A share.
The platform should populate the name "Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class B" and show you the current price.
C. Fill Out the Order Details
This is where you tell Fidelity how you want to buy the stock.
Action: Select "Buy."
Account: Choose the brokerage account you want to use.
Quantity: Decide how many shares you want to buy. You can also sometimes buy "fractional shares," which allows you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) instead of a whole number of shares. This is a great feature for beginners.
Order Type: This is an important choice.
Market Order: This tells Fidelity to buy the shares immediately at the best available price. It's fast and easy, but the price might fluctuate slightly from what you see on the screen.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you're willing to pay per share. The order will only execute if the stock's price drops to or below your specified limit. This gives you more control over the price, but your order might not be filled if the price never reaches your limit. For long-term investors, a market order is often sufficient for a widely traded stock like Berkshire Hathaway.
Time in Force: For most orders, "Day" is the standard option, meaning the order will be canceled if it's not filled by the end of the trading day. "Good 'til Canceled" (GTC) keeps the order active until it's filled or you cancel it.
D. Review and Submit
Before you click "Place Order," carefully review all the details of your trade.
Check the symbol (BRK.B), the quantity, the order type, and the total estimated cost.
Fidelity has a $0 commission for online U.S. stock trades, so you won't be charged a trading fee. You may be subject to a small activity assessment fee on sell orders.
Once you're satisfied, submit the order. You'll receive a confirmation when the trade is executed.
Congratulations! You are now a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
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Step 4: Monitor Your Investment and Stay Informed
Now that you own a piece of the company, it's a good idea to keep an eye on your investment.
Check Your Portfolio: You can see your new BRK.B shares in your Fidelity portfolio. You can track their performance, see any gains or losses, and view your overall portfolio value.
Utilize Fidelity's Research Tools: Fidelity offers a wealth of free research, news articles, and analyst reports on stocks. Use these resources to stay informed about Berkshire Hathaway's business, its holdings, and the broader market.
Read the Annual Report and Shareholder Letters: For true value investors, reading Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders is a must. It's a masterclass in business and investing. You can find these on Berkshire Hathaway's investor relations website.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings
How to open a brokerage account with Fidelity? To open a Fidelity brokerage account, you can visit their website and fill out the online application. You will need to provide personal details like your Social Security number and link a bank account for funding. The process is free and can be completed in minutes.
How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class B on Fidelity? The ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares is BRK.B. You can easily find it by typing "BRK.B" into the search bar or trade ticket on the Fidelity platform.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway on Fidelity? Fidelity's platform often allows for buying fractional shares, meaning you can invest a specific dollar amount rather than a whole share. When placing an order, look for an option to specify a dollar amount instead of the number of shares.
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How to place a limit order for BRK.B stock on Fidelity? On the trade ticket, select "Limit" as your order type. Then, enter the specific maximum price per share that you are willing to pay. Your order will only be filled if the stock's price drops to that level.
How to find the transaction history for my Berkshire Hathaway investment? You can view your transaction history in your Fidelity account under the "Activity & Orders" or similar section. This will show you the date of your purchase, the price you paid, and any other associated details.
How to sell my Berkshire Hathaway shares on Fidelity? To sell your shares, go back to the trade ticket, select "Sell" as the action, enter the quantity, and choose your order type (Market or Limit). Review the details and submit the order.
How to check for commission fees when buying stocks on Fidelity? Fidelity generally offers $0 commission for online trades of U.S. stocks and ETFs in retail accounts. While there are no trading commissions, be aware of a small activity assessment fee on sell orders, which is typically a few cents per $1,000 of principal.
How to understand the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B? The main difference is the price and voting rights. BRK.A is prohibitively expensive for most investors and has full voting rights, while BRK.B is much more affordable and has limited voting rights. They both represent ownership in the same company.
How to get started with investing in general on Fidelity? Fidelity provides extensive educational resources, including articles, webinars, and videos for new investors. You can start by exploring their "Learn" or "Education" section on their website.
How to track the performance of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can track the performance of BRK.B within your Fidelity portfolio, which will show you real-time price updates and your investment's daily change. You can also use the quote and chart tools available on the platform to view historical performance.
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