So, you're ready to join the ranks of shareholders in the legendary company built by Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger. That's a fantastic goal! Investing in Berkshire Hathaway isn't just about buying a stock; it's about owning a piece of an incredibly diverse and well-managed collection of businesses. But before you can say you own a piece of "the Oracle of Omaha's" empire, you need to understand the right way to go about it.
Let's embark on this journey together.
Step 1: Understand What You're Buying: The Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Before you even think about placing an order, you need to know that Berkshire Hathaway offers two distinct types of stock: Class A and Class B. This is a crucial first step, as they are vastly different in price and characteristics. So, which one is for you?
Berkshire Hathaway Class A Shares (Ticker: BRK.A)
The Original: These are the OG shares, the ones that have never been split.
The Price Tag: They are famously the most expensive shares on the market, with a single share trading for hundreds of thousands of dollars. As of June 2025, one share of BRK.A is trading for over $700,000! This price is a testament to the company's long-term value and Warren Buffett's philosophy of avoiding stock splits.
The Power: Each Class A share comes with full voting rights, giving its holder a significant say in the company's decisions.
The Catch: For most retail investors, buying a full Class A share is simply out of reach due to the exorbitant price.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B Shares (Ticker: BRK.B)
The Accessible Option: These were created to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors, especially those who couldn't afford a Class A share.
The Price Tag: They trade at a much more affordable price, typically in the hundreds of dollars. As of June 2025, a single BRK.B share is priced around $485. This makes them perfect for individual investors who want exposure to Berkshire without breaking the bank.
The Power (or lack thereof): Class B shares have significantly fewer voting rights. A single BRK.B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share. For most investors, this isn't a concern, as their primary goal is investment growth, not corporate control.
The Convertibility: While you can convert a Class A share into 1,500 Class B shares, you cannot convert Class B shares back into Class A.
Engage with the user here: So, now that you know the difference, which one are you leaning towards? The powerful but pricey BRK.A or the affordable and accessible BRK.B? For most of us, BRK.B is the clear choice. Let's assume you're going with the Class B shares to continue our guide.
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| How Do You Buy Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Get Your Investment Vehicle Ready
You can't just walk up to Warren Buffett and hand him cash for a share. You need a platform to buy and sell stocks. This platform is called a brokerage account.
Sub-heading: Open a Brokerage Account
This is your mission control for all your investments. If you don't have one, you'll need to open one with a reputable brokerage firm. Here are some key things to look for:
Low or Zero Commission Fees: Many brokerages today offer commission-free trading, which means you won't pay a fee every time you buy or sell a stock. This is a huge benefit, especially for smaller investments.
User-Friendly Platform: The platform should be easy to navigate, with clear information and simple tools for placing trades.
Fractional Share Investing: This is a game-changer for expensive stocks like Berkshire Hathaway. With fractional shares, you can buy a portion of a share based on a dollar amount you want to invest. For example, if a BRK.B share costs $485 and you only have $100 to invest, you can buy 0.206 shares. This makes investing in BRK.B accessible even if you don't have the full share price. Look for a brokerage that offers this feature.
Security: Make sure the brokerage is regulated by the appropriate authorities in your country and offers strong security features to protect your assets.
Sub-heading: Fund Your Account
Once your brokerage account is open, you need to add money to it. You can typically do this through a bank transfer (ACH), wire transfer, or even a debit card. This process can take a few business days, so be patient.
Tip: Reading in chunks improves focus.
Step 3: Research and Strategize
You've got your account ready and funded. Now comes the fun part: doing your homework!
Sub-heading: Research Berkshire Hathaway's Fundamentals
Even though you're buying into a well-known company, it's always smart to understand its financial health. Look at:
Revenue and Net Income: Are they growing?
Earnings per Share (EPS): What are the company's profits on a per-share basis?
Annual and Quarterly Reports: Berkshire Hathaway publishes these on its investor relations website. They provide an in-depth look at the company's performance.
Sub-heading: Learn from the Masters
You're buying into a company run by Warren Buffett, so it's a great opportunity to learn from his investment philosophy. His core principles include:
Value Investing: He seeks to buy shares of a company for less than its intrinsic value.
"Economic Moats": He looks for companies with a durable competitive advantage that protects them from rivals.
Long-Term Holding: Buffett is famous for his "buy and hold" strategy, often holding stocks for decades. He believes in owning a business, not just a stock.
Step 4: Place Your Order
This is the moment of truth!
Sub-heading: Search for the Ticker Symbol
QuickTip: Skim slowly, read deeply.
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In your brokerage platform's search bar, type in the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares: BRK.B. Don't accidentally search for BRK.A unless you're prepared to spend a fortune!
Sub-heading: Choose Your Order Type
When you go to buy, you'll usually have two main options:
Market Order: This is the simplest. You tell the brokerage to buy the shares at the best available market price right now. It's fast, but the price could fluctuate slightly between when you place the order and when it's filled.
Limit Order: This gives you more control. You set a maximum price you're willing to pay per share. The order will only execute if the stock's price falls to or below your specified limit. This is a great option if you have a specific price target in mind.
Sub-heading: Decide on the Amount and Submit
Now, decide how many shares or what dollar amount you want to invest. If your brokerage offers fractional shares, you can enter a dollar amount (e.g., "$100 worth of BRK.B"). If not, you'll need to buy whole shares.
Once you've decided, review your order and click the "Buy," "Submit," or "Place Trade" button. Congratulations! You are now a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway.
Step 5: Hold, Monitor, and Learn
Buffett's philosophy is all about the long term. Don't be tempted to sell based on daily price fluctuations.
Monitor: Keep an eye on your investment's performance and read Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly and annual reports to stay informed.
Learn: You can even attend the legendary Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholder meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, known as the "Woodstock for Capitalists," if you own at least one share! It's a fantastic opportunity to hear from Warren Buffett and his team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tip: Look for examples to make points easier to grasp.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can buy fractional shares of BRK.B through many modern brokerage platforms. Simply check if your chosen brokerage offers this feature. Instead of buying a whole share, you can invest a specific dollar amount, and the brokerage will buy a corresponding fraction of a share for you.
How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway?
The ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class A is BRK.A, and for Class B, it is BRK.B. You will use these symbols to search for the stock in your brokerage account.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting?
To attend the famous annual shareholder meeting, you need to own at least one share of either BRK.A or BRK.B stock. You can then use your brokerage statement as proof of ownership to get a credential for the event.
How to know the current price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can find the real-time stock price for BRK.A and BRK.B on various financial websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, and within your brokerage platform.
How to understand the difference between Class A and Class B shares?
Class A shares (BRK.A) are extremely expensive and have full voting rights, while Class B shares (BRK.B) are much more affordable and have limited voting rights. They both represent ownership in the same company, but BRK.B was created to be more accessible to retail investors.
QuickTip: Short pauses improve understanding.
How to determine the right time to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock?
Warren Buffett advises against "market timing." Instead, he recommends buying when you believe the company is trading at a fair price relative to its intrinsic value and holding for the long term. He famously says to be "fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful."
How to research Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance?
You can find the company's financial reports, including annual reports (10-K) and quarterly reports (10-Q), on their official website under the investor relations section. These documents contain detailed information on revenue, earnings, and balance sheet data.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India?
Indian investors can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that facilitates US stock trading. You will need to complete KYC verification and transfer funds in USD to your account. Some Indian brokerages also offer this service with integrated currency conversion.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway without a brokerage account?
It's not possible to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You must have a brokerage account to purchase the shares on a public exchange like the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE).
How to find out what stocks Berkshire Hathaway owns?
Berkshire Hathaway is required to file a 13F report with the SEC every quarter, which discloses its equity holdings. You can find these reports on the SEC's EDGAR database or on various financial news websites that track institutional ownership.
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