Of course! Let's dive deep into the world of Berkshire Hathaway stock ownership. It's a fascinating topic because it's not just about a company, but about a legendary investment philosophy led by the one and only Warren Buffett.
How Many People Own Berkshire Hathaway Stock? A Deep Dive into the Shareholder Universe
Have you ever wondered who holds a piece of one of the world's most iconic and valuable companies? It's a question that many investors, both seasoned and new, ask. The answer is more complex and interesting than you might think, revealing a diverse mix of shareholders from individual investors like you and me to the world's largest institutional funds. So, let's embark on this journey to understand the unique ownership structure of Berkshire Hathaway.
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| How Many People Own Berkshire Hathaway Stock |
Step 1: Understand the Two Tiers of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
First things first, to understand the ownership, you need to know that Berkshire Hathaway isn't a one-stock-fits-all company. It has two distinct classes of stock, each with a different price point, voting rights, and appeal to investors.
The "Golden Ticket" - Class A Shares (BRK.A): These are the original shares, famous for their eye-watering price. As of late June 2025, a single Class A share is priced at over $700,000! This astronomical price is a deliberate strategy by Warren Buffett to attract long-term, value-oriented investors and discourage short-term speculation. They also come with significant voting rights. The number of Class A shares is relatively small, and they have never undergone a stock split. This makes them a very exclusive club.
The Accessible Entry - Class B Shares (BRK.B): Introduced in 1996 to counter the rise of unit trusts that were trying to create a cheaper way to invest in Berkshire, these shares are a game-changer for most retail investors. They are priced at a fraction of the Class A shares (typically around 1/1,500th of the price) and have much less voting power. This accessibility has made BRK.B the primary way for most people to own a piece of the company.
Now that we know the two types of shares, let's explore who owns them.
Step 2: Unpacking the Shareholder Breakdown
The ownership of Berkshire Hathaway stock is a fascinating blend of institutional power and individual conviction. While we don't have an exact real-time count of every single person, we can get a very clear picture by looking at the holdings of major entities and the general breakdown of ownership.
Sub-heading: Institutional Investors - The Giants of the Market
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A significant portion of Berkshire Hathaway's Class B stock is held by institutional investors. These are large organizations that manage money on behalf of their clients. Think of them as the big players in the market.
Who are they? These include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), pension funds, and asset management firms. According to recent data, there are over 5,600 institutional owners of BRK.B, holding a total of over 969 million shares.
Top Holders: Some of the largest institutional shareholders include massive fund managers like Vanguard Group, BlackRock, and State Street. They own millions of shares of BRK.B, often through their index funds and ETFs that track the S&P 500, as BRK.B is a component of that index.
Why do they own it? For these institutions, Berkshire Hathaway is a core holding. It represents a stable, well-managed company with a diversified portfolio of businesses and a proven track record of long-term growth.
Sub-heading: Individual and Retail Investors - The Power of the Crowd
Beyond the large institutions, millions of individual investors own Berkshire Hathaway stock, primarily the more affordable Class B shares.
The Individual Shareholder: These are everyday people who have opened brokerage accounts and decided to invest in the company. The accessibility of the Class B shares has opened the door for a vast number of retail investors to become part of the Berkshire story.
Fractional Shares: The rise of fractional share ownership has made it even easier. Now, you can buy a small slice of a share for as little as a dollar, making it possible for almost anyone to invest in Berkshire Hathaway.
Warren Buffett's Legacy: The strong following and trust in Warren Buffett's investment prowess is a major driver for this retail ownership. Many individual investors see it as a way to invest alongside the "Oracle of Omaha."
Sub-heading: The Insiders - The Visionaries at the Helm
This is a small but incredibly important group. The insiders are the executives and board members of the company, and their ownership is a testament to their belief in its future.
Warren Buffett's Holding: Warren Buffett himself is the single largest shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway, holding a significant portion of the Class A voting shares. As of a recent news release, Mr. Buffett's ownership consists of over 198,000 Class A shares. This represents a substantial voting power and economic interest in the company.
Step 3: A Guide to Becoming a Berkshire Hathaway Shareholder
Are you inspired to join the ranks of Berkshire Hathaway owners? Here's a step-by-step guide on how you can do it.
Sub-heading: Step 3a: Choose Your Path - BRK.A or BRK.B
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As we discussed, this is your first and most important decision.
If you have a very large amount of capital and want the prestige and voting rights of the original shares, you can consider the Class A (BRK.A) stock.
For the vast majority of investors, the Class B (BRK.B) stock is the practical and accessible choice. It gives you all the economic exposure to Berkshire's performance without the massive price tag.
Sub-heading: Step 3b: Open and Fund a Brokerage Account
You can't buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You need a brokerage account.
Choose a Brokerage: Select a reputable online brokerage firm. Look for one with low or zero commissions on stock trades and a user-friendly platform.
Open an Account: Follow the brokerage's instructions to open a new account. You'll need to provide some personal information, like your name, address, and Social Security Number.
Fund Your Account: Once your account is approved, transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account. This will be the money you use to purchase the stock.
Sub-heading: Step 3c: Place Your Order
This is the exciting part!
Search for the Ticker: In your brokerage platform, search for "BRK.B" (or "BRK.A" if you're a high-net-worth investor).
Decide on a Purchase Method: You can choose to buy a specific number of shares or, if your brokerage offers it, a specific dollar amount of fractional shares.
Place Your Order:
Market Order: This buys the stock at the best available market price right now.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay. The order will only execute if the stock's price falls to or below your limit.
Confirm and Monitor: Review your order, confirm the trade, and you're now a proud owner of a piece of Berkshire Hathaway! You can then monitor its performance in your portfolio.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India by opening an international trading account with a brokerage firm that allows you to trade on US stock exchanges. Many Indian brokerage firms and fintech platforms now offer this service. You can either buy whole shares or fractional shares, making it accessible to a wider range of investors.
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How to find the number of Class A shareholders?
The exact number of individual shareholders is not publicly disclosed. However, the company's SEC filings and institutional ownership data give us a good indication. We know that the number of Class A shares is very limited (around 619,940 as of late 2022), and they are held by a relatively small, exclusive group of investors, including Warren Buffett himself.
How to find the number of Class B shareholders?
Similar to Class A, the precise number of individual Class B shareholders isn't released. However, we know that institutional investors hold a massive number of shares (over 969 million), and retail investors own a significant portion as well (approximately 44.74% of BRK.B stock is held by retail and individual investors). This suggests millions of people globally own a piece of BRK.B.
How to know the latest ownership statistics for Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the latest institutional ownership statistics by looking at financial data websites like Fintel, TipRanks, and Nasdaq. They aggregate data from SEC filings (Form 13F) that institutional investors are required to file quarterly, providing a snapshot of who owns how many shares.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B shares?
Class A shareholders can convert their shares into an equivalent amount of Class B shares at any time. The conversion ratio is 1 Class A share to 1,500 Class B shares. This process is handled through your brokerage.
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How to get voting rights as a shareholder?
Only Class A shareholders have significant voting rights. One Class A share gets you one vote. Class B shares have very little voting power, with 1,500 Class B shares being equivalent to one Class A share in voting power.
How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway?
To buy a fractional share, you need to use a brokerage that offers this service. Instead of specifying the number of shares you want to buy, you simply enter the dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., $100). The brokerage then buys a fraction of a share for you.
How to get a Berkshire Hathaway annual report?
You can access the Berkshire Hathaway annual reports and other SEC filings directly from the company's official website or through the SEC's EDGAR database. Warren Buffett's annual letter to shareholders is a must-read for any investor.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without buying the stock directly?
You can invest indirectly by buying an ETF or mutual fund that holds Berkshire Hathaway stock in its portfolio. Many index funds that track the S&P 500 will have a holding in BRK.B. This is a great way to gain exposure without picking individual stocks.
How to understand why Berkshire Hathaway doesn't split its Class A stock?
Warren Buffett has famously stated that he wants to attract investors who are in it for the long haul and who share his value-investing philosophy. He believes that the high price of the Class A shares acts as a filter, attracting serious, long-term investors and discouraging short-term traders.
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