Ready to become a part of the legendary company built by Warren Buffett? Buying Berkshire Hathaway stock is a goal for many investors, a chance to own a piece of a diversified conglomerate with a long history of success. But before you jump in, it's essential to understand the unique structure of Berkshire Hathaway stock. Don't worry, we'll walk you through every step of the process.
Let's begin this journey to become a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
This is arguably the most important step before you even think about placing an order. Berkshire Hathaway offers two distinct classes of stock, and understanding the difference is key to making the right choice for your investment goals.
Class A Shares (Ticker: BRK.A)
The Original: These are the original shares, famous for their incredibly high price tag. As of late June 2025, one single share of BRK.A costs over $700,000 USD. This price is so high that it makes a single share inaccessible to most individual investors.
Voting Power: Each Class A share has significant voting rights, giving its holder a strong voice in company decisions.
Convertibility: Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time.
Class B Shares (Ticker: BRK.B)
The Accessible Option: Introduced in 1996, Class B shares were created to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors. Their price is a tiny fraction of the Class A shares. As of late June 2025, a single BRK.B share is priced at around $485 USD.
Limited Voting Power: Each Class B share has significantly less voting power, about 1/10,000th of a Class A share's voting rights. This means they are primarily for investors seeking financial ownership rather than corporate control.
No Conversion Back: Class B shares cannot be converted back into Class A shares.
So, which one is right for you? For the vast majority of retail investors, the answer is definitely Class B (BRK.B). The price is manageable, and you still get to participate in the company's growth and success.
Step 2: Choose Your Brokerage Account
You can't buy stock directly from Berkshire Hathaway. You need to use a brokerage account. If you don't already have one, this is the time to open it.
Online Brokerages: This is the most common and convenient option. Companies like Charles Schwab, Fidelity, E*TRADE, and others offer user-friendly platforms and a wide range of investment options.
Full-Service Brokers: If you prefer personalized advice and guidance, a full-service broker can help you. However, their fees are typically higher.
Investing Apps: Apps like Robinhood and Stash have made investing more accessible for beginners. Many of these platforms also offer the ability to buy fractional shares, which we'll discuss next.
When choosing a brokerage, consider these factors:
Fees and Commissions: Many brokerages now offer commission-free trading, which is a huge benefit for investors.
Account Minimums: Some platforms require a minimum deposit to open an account.
Fractional Shares: If you want to invest a specific dollar amount, even if it's less than the price of a full share, make sure the brokerage offers fractional shares. This is especially useful for a stock like BRK.B, as it allows you to invest a small amount, say $50, and own a fraction of a share.
Step 3: Fund Your Brokerage Account
Once your account is open, you need to put money in it. You can do this through various methods:
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): The most common way to transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account. It can take a few business days for the funds to clear.
Wire Transfer: This is a faster option but usually comes with a fee.
Depositing a Cheque: This is a slower method, and some brokerages may not accept it.
Make sure you have enough money in your account to cover your desired investment. Even if you're buying fractional shares, you'll need the funds to execute the trade.
Step 4: Search for the Stock and Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part!
Log in to your brokerage account.
Use the search bar and enter the ticker symbol: To buy Class B shares, search for BRK.B. To buy Class A shares, search for BRK.A.
Choose your order type:
Market Order: This is the simplest type of order. You tell your broker to buy the stock at the best available price right now. Be aware that the price can fluctuate in real-time, so the price you see when you place the order might be slightly different from the price you pay.
Limit Order: This gives you more control. You set a specific maximum price you are willing to pay for the stock. The order will only be executed if the stock's price drops to or below your set limit. This is a good option if you are concerned about price volatility.
Decide how much to buy:
By Shares: Enter the number of shares you want to purchase (e.g., 1 share of BRK.B).
By Dollars: If your brokerage offers fractional shares, you can simply enter the dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., $100 of BRK.B).
Review and submit your order! Double-check all the details before you hit the "buy" or "place trade" button.
Once the order is filled, you will officially be a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder! Congratulations!
Step 5: Monitor Your Investment and Stay Informed
Becoming a shareholder is just the first step. To be a successful investor, it's important to keep an eye on your investment.
Track the stock's performance: You can easily check the current price and historical performance of BRK.A and BRK.B on your brokerage platform, financial news websites, or search engines.
Read the annual reports: Berkshire Hathaway provides comprehensive annual and quarterly reports on its investor relations website. This is where you can dive deep into the company's financials and understand its business activities.
Watch the annual shareholder meeting: The famous annual meeting in Omaha, Nebraska, is a must-watch for any Berkshire shareholder. You can watch it live online via CNBC and listen to Warren Buffett and other executives discuss the company's strategy and answer questions.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about buying Berkshire Hathaway stock.
How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway? The ticker symbol for Class A shares is BRK.A, and for Class B shares, it is BRK.B. You will use these symbols to search for the stock on your brokerage platform.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock with a small amount of money? You can buy Class B shares (BRK.B), which are much more affordable than Class A shares. Furthermore, if your brokerage offers fractional shares, you can invest any dollar amount you choose, even if it's less than the price of one full share.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway? First, check if your brokerage or investing app supports fractional share trading. If they do, when you place your order, you will have the option to enter a dollar amount instead of the number of shares.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting? To attend the annual meeting in Omaha, you typically need to be a shareholder and receive a pass. However, you can also watch a live broadcast of the meeting on CNBC or its website.
How to tell the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B? The main differences are price, voting rights, and convertibility. BRK.A is very expensive and has full voting rights, while BRK.B is much cheaper and has limited voting rights. BRK.A can be converted to BRK.B, but not the other way around.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends? Berkshire Hathaway, under Warren Buffett's leadership, has historically not paid a dividend. They prefer to reinvest the company's earnings back into the business, believing it creates more value for shareholders in the long run.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway's fundamentals? You can find Berkshire Hathaway's annual and quarterly reports on its investor relations website. These reports provide detailed information on the company's revenue, net income, and other key financial metrics.
How to set a limit order to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock? When you place your trade on your brokerage platform, select "Limit Order" and specify the maximum price you are willing to pay per share. Your order will only be executed if the stock price reaches that limit.
How to transfer funds to my brokerage account to buy stock? The most common way is through an electronic funds transfer (EFT) from your bank account. Other options include wire transfers and depositing a cheque.
How to know if I'm buying the right Berkshire Hathaway stock? For most individual investors, the correct ticker symbol to use is BRK.B. This is the more affordable and accessible Class B share. If you are an institutional investor or simply want the full voting rights, you would buy BRK.A, but be prepared for the high cost.