Hello there! So, you're ready to take the plunge and become a part of the legendary Berkshire Hathaway story, guided by none other than the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett. That's a fantastic goal! Buying a piece of this multinational conglomerate is a testament to your long-term investment vision. But before we get to the "how," let's talk about the "what."
Did you know Berkshire Hathaway has two types of shares? There's the famously expensive Class A stock and the more accessible Class B stock. Don't worry, we'll cover both in this guide. Let's get started on your journey to becoming a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Shares
This is the most crucial first step. You need to decide which class of stock is right for you. It's like choosing between a luxury car and a reliable, fuel-efficient one—both will get you to your destination, but they have different price tags and features.
Tip: Rest your eyes, then continue.
Class A (BRK.A): The Original Beast This is the behemoth of stocks. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.A costs an eye-watering amount, often in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Why is it so expensive? Because Warren Buffett has famously refused to split the stock, believing its high price attracts long-term, like-minded investors who aren't focused on short-term trading. It offers 10,000 times the voting rights of a Class B share. The ticker symbol for this is BRK.A.
Class B (BRK.B): The People's Choice Introduced in 1996 to counter the rise of unit trusts that were trying to create a pseudo-Berkshire fund, the Class B shares are the retail investor's gateway. They are a fraction of the price of a Class A share (approximately 1/1,500th of the price). This makes them affordable for almost anyone. While they have significantly fewer voting rights, they represent the same economic interest in the company. The ticker symbol is BRK.B. For most retail investors, this is the logical and most practical choice.
Action: Think about your budget. Are you looking to invest a significant amount and be a part of the company's governance (though your vote will be a tiny drop in the ocean)? Or do you simply want to own a piece of this incredible company's portfolio? For the majority of us, BRK.B is the answer.
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| How To Buy Into Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Open a Brokerage Account
You can't just walk into a bank and buy stock. You need a dedicated investment account, known as a brokerage account. If you're in India, you'll need to open an international trading account.
QuickTip: Pause when something clicks.
Choose a Reputable Brokerage Look for a brokerage that offers access to US stocks on the NYSE (New York Stock Exchange), where Berkshire Hathaway is listed. In India, platforms like INDmoney and Angel One offer this service. Do your research and compare factors like:
Commissions and Fees: Look for low or zero-commission trading.
Account Minimums: Some brokerages require a minimum deposit to open an account.
Fractional Shares: This is a game-changer for expensive stocks. If a brokerage offers fractional shares, you can buy a portion of a share for a specific dollar amount, even if you can't afford a full share.
User Interface and Tools: A good platform is easy to navigate and provides helpful research tools.
Complete the KYC Process This is a standard procedure to verify your identity. You will need to provide documents like your PAN Card, Aadhaar Card, etc. The process is usually digital and can be completed in minutes to a few hours.
Step 3: Fund Your Account
Once your brokerage account is open, you need to add money to it. This is a critical step, as you'll be converting your Indian Rupees (INR) to US Dollars (USD) to buy the stock.
Transfer Funds Your brokerage will have a secure process for transferring funds from your Indian bank account to your brokerage wallet. This might involve a simple bank transfer or using a linked account. Pay attention to the exchange rates and any associated fees for the currency conversion.
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
Step 4: Place Your Order
This is the exciting part! You're now ready to buy your shares.
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Search for the Stock In your brokerage's platform, use the ticker symbol: BRK.B for Class B shares.
Choose Your Order Type You'll typically have two main options:
Market Order: This order buys the stock at the best available price immediately. It's simple and quick, but the price you pay might be slightly different from the price you saw a second ago due to market fluctuations.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a specific price at which you want to buy the stock. The order will only be executed if and when the stock's price falls to your specified limit. This gives you more control but there's no guarantee your order will be filled.
Decide How Much to Invest You can buy a specific number of shares (e.g., 5 shares of BRK.B) or a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100 worth of BRK.B). If you're using fractional shares, you can enter the dollar amount you want to invest.
Submit the Order Review your order details and hit the "Buy" or "Place Trade" button. Congratulations! You are now on your way to becoming a shareholder in Warren Buffett's incredible company.
Step 5: Hold for the Long Term
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
This is the Berkshire Hathaway philosophy in a nutshell. Warren Buffett is a value investor who believes in holding good companies for the long haul. Don't panic if the stock price fluctuates in the short term. The value of Berkshire Hathaway lies in its diverse portfolio of businesses and its disciplined management.
What about dividends? Here's a fun fact: Berkshire Hathaway has famously never paid a dividend on its stock (neither Class A nor Class B). Instead of paying out profits to shareholders, Buffett and his team believe in reinvesting that money back into the company to generate more growth. This is a core part of their investment strategy. So, don't expect a dividend check in your mail. Your return on investment comes from the appreciation of the stock's value over time.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about buying Berkshire Hathaway stock.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India? You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock (specifically Class B, BRK.B) in India by opening an international brokerage account with a platform that offers access to US stocks, such as INDmoney or Angel One.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway? Many modern brokerage platforms offer fractional share trading. When placing your order, you can simply input the dollar amount you wish to invest (e.g., $50) instead of the number of shares.
How to check the current price of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can check the live price of BRK.B on financial news websites like Nasdaq, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or directly on your brokerage platform.
How to convert my money to USD to buy the stock? Your international brokerage account will have a built-in feature to convert your local currency (INR) to USD. You'll fund your account in INR, and the platform will handle the currency exchange.
How to know if I should buy Class A or Class B? For the vast majority of retail investors, the Class B stock (BRK.B) is the practical choice due to its affordable price. Class A is reserved for institutional investors or those with a very high net worth who can afford the exorbitant price tag.
How to understand the difference in voting rights? Class A shares have 10,000 times the voting power of Class B shares. This means a Class A shareholder has a much greater say in company decisions during shareholder meetings, although this is largely symbolic given Warren Buffett's control.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends? No, Berkshire Hathaway does not pay dividends. The company's philosophy is to reinvest its earnings back into the business to create more value for shareholders.
How to sell my Berkshire Hathaway shares? The process is the reverse of buying. On your brokerage platform, you will search for the stock, choose to "Sell," and decide whether you want to sell a specific number of shares or your entire holding.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway before buying? You can research the company's financial reports on its investor relations website, read Warren Buffett's famous annual letters to shareholders, and follow financial news about the company.
How to decide if Berkshire Hathaway is a good investment for me? This is a personal decision. Consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. Berkshire Hathaway is generally considered a stable, long-term investment, but it's essential to do your own research or consult a financial advisor.
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