How Much Money Do You Need to Invest with Berkshire Hathaway? A Step-by-Step Guide
Investing with Warren Buffett's legendary conglomerate, Berkshire Hathaway, is a dream for many aspiring investors. The company's stellar track record and diversified portfolio of businesses make it a compelling option for long-term growth. But when you look at the stock price, a single share of Class A stock can be a jaw-dropping number. So, the big question is: How much money do you really need to invest with Berkshire Hathaway? The answer is likely much less than you think, thanks to a clever solution created by Buffett himself.
Step 1: Get to Know Your Options (And Get Excited!)
Before we dive into the numbers, let's talk about the two classes of Berkshire Hathaway stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B). This is the most crucial distinction you need to understand.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): This is the famous, high-priced stock that has never had a stock split. As of late June 2025, the price of a single BRK.A share is around $729,000 USD or approximately ₹6.23 crore INR. This price is intentionally high, as Warren Buffett believes it attracts serious, long-term investors. If you're looking to own a full share of BRK.A, you need a substantial amount of capital. But don't worry, there's another option!
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): This is the more accessible and affordable version of Berkshire Hathaway stock. It was created in 1996 precisely to make the company's shares available to a wider range of investors, including those who couldn't afford a single Class A share. As of late June 2025, a single BRK.B share is priced around $485 USD or roughly ₹41,500 INR. See? It's much more within reach!
Engage the User: Now that you know the difference, which one are you more curious about? The a-bit-out-of-reach but historically iconic Class A, or the much more attainable Class B? Let's explore how you can invest in the latter, which is the path most retail investors take.
| How Much Money Do You Need To Invest With Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Open and Fund a Brokerage Account
This is the foundational step for any stock market investment. You can't buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company; you need to go through a brokerage.
Sub-heading: Finding the Right Brokerage
Look for a brokerage that offers a good platform for buying U.S. stocks. Some key features to consider are:
QuickTip: If you skimmed, go back for detail.
Low or no commissions: Many modern brokerages offer commission-free trading for stocks, which can save you money on every transaction.
Fractional shares: This is a game-changer! If you can't afford a full share of BRK.B (or just want to invest a smaller amount), many brokerages allow you to buy fractional shares. This means you can invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $50) and own a fraction of a share.
User-friendly interface: A platform that is easy to navigate will make your investment journey much smoother.
Robust research tools: While you're investing in a well-known company, it's always good to have access to research and data to track its performance.
Once you've chosen a brokerage, you'll need to complete the account opening process, which usually involves a KYC (Know Your Customer) verification with documents like your PAN card and Aadhaar card (if you're in India). After your account is verified, you can transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account.
Step 3: Decide How Much to Invest and Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part! You have your brokerage account and your funds are ready.
Sub-heading: Placing Your Order
Search for the ticker: In your brokerage's trading platform, search for the stock using its ticker symbol: BRK.B.
Choose your order type: The two most common order types are:
Market Order: This tells your broker to buy the stock immediately at the best available price. It's fast but the price can fluctuate slightly from when you place the order.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a specific price you want to pay for the stock. The order will only be executed if the stock's price drops to or below your limit price. This gives you more control but your order might not be filled if the price doesn't reach your limit.
Determine your investment amount: This is where the money question is answered!
If you're buying full shares: Look at the current price of BRK.B and decide how many shares you want to buy. The minimum investment is the cost of a single share, which is around $485 USD (or a similar amount in your currency).
If you're buying fractional shares: You don't need to worry about the per-share price. Just decide the dollar amount you want to invest. So, even if you only have $100, you can still become a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
Step 4: Monitor Your Investment and Think Long-Term
Once you've placed your order, you're a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder! Now, the key is to adopt the mindset of the Oracle of Omaha himself: think long-term.
Berkshire Hathaway is not a stock for day trading. Its value lies in its diverse holdings and the long-term vision of its management. Monitor your investment periodically, but avoid the temptation to check the price every day. Focus on the company's fundamentals and its overall performance over years, not days.
Tip: Let the key ideas stand out.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are 10 related FAQ questions that start with 'How to' and their quick answers.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that allows trading in US stocks, such as Angel One or other international platforms. You will need to complete KYC verification and fund your account in USD to place trades.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock?
Check if your brokerage offers fractional share trading. If they do, you can simply input the dollar amount you wish to invest (e.g., $50) instead of the number of shares, and the platform will automatically buy a fraction of a BRK.B share for you.
How to find the current price of Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) stock?
You can find the current price of BRK.A on financial news websites, brokerage platforms, and stock market data providers like Nasdaq or Yahoo Finance.
Tip: Don’t skip the small notes — they often matter.
How to find the current price of Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) stock?
Similar to Class A, you can find the current price of BRK.B on any financial news website or your brokerage's platform by searching for the ticker symbol 'BRK.B'.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway through a mutual fund or ETF?
You can invest in mutual funds or Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) that hold Berkshire Hathaway stock as one of their major holdings. This provides a more diversified investment than owning a single stock.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares to Class B shares?
Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time. The process is typically done through your brokerage.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to Class A shares?
Tip: Pause whenever something stands out.
This is not possible. Class B shares cannot be converted back into Class A shares. You would need to sell your Class B shares and then buy Class A shares, which is not a feasible option for most investors due to the high price of BRK.A.
How to calculate the value of Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares in relation to Class B?
One Class A share is convertible into 1,500 Class B shares. While their values don't always perfectly align, this conversion ratio gives you a good way to compare their relative values.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance?
You can find Berkshire Hathaway's annual and quarterly reports on their investor relations website. This is a great way to research the company's revenue, net income, and overall financial health.
How to determine if investing in Berkshire Hathaway is right for me?
Before investing, you should consider your investment goals and risk tolerance. While Berkshire Hathaway is a stable company, all investments carry risk. Consider if you are comfortable with the long-term, buy-and-hold strategy that the company is known for.