Welcome, future investor! Have you ever wondered what it takes to own a piece of one of the world's most legendary and successful companies, a company led by the one and only "Oracle of Omaha," Warren Buffett? If you're ready to dive into the world of Berkshire Hathaway, you've come to the right place.
The first thing you need to know is that there isn't just one Berkshire Hathaway stock, but two. This is a crucial detail that directly impacts the cost and accessibility of the shares. Let's break down the difference and show you exactly how much it costs to become a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Stock
This is the most important step in your journey to owning a piece of Berkshire Hathaway. Before you even look at the price, you must understand that the company has two distinct classes of common stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B).
Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, quintessential Berkshire Hathaway stock. It is famously known for its astronomically high share price, which Warren Buffett has intentionally kept that way to attract long-term investors. A single share of BRK.A represents a significant stake in the company and comes with a substantial voting right.
Class B (BRK.B): Introduced in 1996, the Class B stock was created to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors. It has a much lower share price and significantly less voting power than the Class A shares. The BRK.B shares were also created to fend off mutual funds that were trying to create their own "mini-Berkshire" funds, which Buffett viewed as potentially harmful to the company's long-term shareholder base.
Key Difference to Remember: A single share of Class A stock can be converted into 1,500 shares of Class B stock at any time. However, you cannot convert Class B shares into Class A shares. This is a one-way street, reinforcing the distinct nature of the two classes.
Step 2: Check the Current Market Price
Now, let's get to the numbers. The cost of a Berkshire Hathaway stock is not a fixed price; it fluctuates with the market just like any other publicly traded company. You need to check the live stock price from a reliable financial source.
Current Price of BRK.A: As of the market close on June 27, 2025, the price of a single Class A share (BRK.A) was approximately $729,000 USD. Just take a moment to let that sink in. This is why it's known as one of the most expensive stocks in the world. Its 52-week range is from about $607,955 to $812,855.
Current Price of BRK.B: In stark contrast, the price of a single Class B share (BRK.B) was approximately $485.77 USD on June 28, 2025. Its 52-week range is from about $403.82 to $542.07.
What this means for you: If you want to buy a whole share, the Class A stock is likely out of reach for most individual investors, while the Class B stock is much more affordable and accessible.
Step 3: Decide Which Class is Right for You
This decision depends on your financial situation and investment goals.
Choose Class A (BRK.A) if:
You have a significant amount of capital to invest in a single stock.
You are a long-term, buy-and-hold investor who isn't concerned with short-term price fluctuations.
You want the full voting rights that come with the Class A shares.
You are an institutional investor or a high-net-worth individual.
Choose Class B (BRK.B) if:
You are a retail investor with a limited budget.
You want to own a piece of Berkshire Hathaway and participate in its growth without a massive capital outlay.
You want the flexibility to buy or sell a smaller portion of your holdings without having to sell a multi-hundred-thousand-dollar share.
You are comfortable with limited voting rights, as your primary goal is investment growth.
Step 4: Choose Your Investment Method
Once you've decided on the class of stock, you need a way to buy it. You can't just walk up to Warren Buffett and hand him cash. You need a brokerage account.
Open a Brokerage Account: If you don't already have one, you'll need to open an investment account with a reputable stock brokerage firm. This can be an online platform like Zerodha (in India), Robinhood, Charles Schwab, Fidelity, or any other platform that allows you to buy US-listed stocks.
Fund Your Account: Deposit money into your brokerage account. Make sure you have enough funds to cover the cost of the stock and any associated fees.
Search for the Stock: Use the ticker symbol to find the stock on the brokerage's platform. For Berkshire Hathaway, you'll search for BRK.A or BRK.B.
Consider Fractional Shares: Many modern brokerages offer the ability to buy "fractional shares." This means you can invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) and own a portion of a share, even if the full share price is much higher. This is an excellent option for those who want to invest in BRK.A without having hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Step 5: Place Your Order
This is the final step in the process.
Choose Your Order Type: The two most common order types are:
Market Order: This buys the stock at the best available price right now. It's simple and quick, but the price might be slightly different from what you saw moments ago due to market fluctuations.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you're willing to pay. Your order will only be executed if the stock's price falls to or below your specified limit. This gives you more control over the price, but your order might not be filled if the price doesn't drop.
Specify the Quantity: Enter the number of shares or the dollar amount you want to invest.
Submit the Order: Hit the "buy" or "submit order" button, and congratulations, you are now a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway!
Remember to conduct your own research on the company's financials and performance before making any investment decisions.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to find the live price of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can find the live price of Berkshire Hathaway stock by searching for its ticker symbols, BRK.A and BRK.B, on financial websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, or your brokerage platform.
How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock? To buy a fractional share of BRK.A, you need a brokerage that supports fractional share trading. You simply specify the dollar amount you want to invest instead of the number of shares.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway from outside the US? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway from anywhere in the world by opening an international brokerage account that allows you to trade US-listed stocks.
How to check the voting rights of Class A vs. Class B shares? A Class A share has the equivalent of 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share. The Class A shares have full voting rights, while the Class B shares have a fraction of the voting power.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B shares? You can convert Class A shares (BRK.A) into Class B shares (BRK.B) at any time through your brokerage. The conversion ratio is 1 BRK.A to 1,500 BRK.B.
How to receive Berkshire Hathaway's annual report? Berkshire Hathaway's annual report, including Warren Buffett's famous letter to shareholders, is available for free on the company's official website.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting? To attend the annual shareholder meeting, you need to be a shareholder of either Class A or Class B stock. You will receive information on how to register and attend from the company or your brokerage.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends? Berkshire Hathaway has a well-known policy of not paying dividends. Warren Buffett prefers to reinvest the company's earnings back into the business or use them for acquisitions.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance? You can research Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance by reviewing their quarterly and annual reports (10-Q and 10-K filings) on the SEC's EDGAR database or on the company's investor relations website.
How to compare Berkshire Hathaway's stock performance to the S&P 500? You can compare Berkshire Hathaway's stock performance to the S&P 500 by using charting tools on financial websites, which allow you to overlay the stock's price chart with the S&P 500 index.
