Of course! Here is a lengthy and detailed post on the number of shares in Berkshire Hathaway, with a step-by-step guide and answers to frequently asked questions.
How Many Shares are There in Berkshire Hathaway? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding BRK.A and BRK.B
Welcome, aspiring investor! Are you curious about one of the most famous companies in the world, the conglomerate helmed by the legendary Warren Buffett? You've landed on the right page. Berkshire Hathaway is known for its diverse portfolio of businesses and, perhaps most famously, its incredibly high share price for its Class A stock. But how many shares are actually out there? This guide will walk you through the fascinating details of Berkshire Hathaway's share structure, providing a step-by-step breakdown.
Step 1: Engage with the Fundamental Idea: It's Not Just One Share!
Before we dive into the numbers, let's clear up a common misconception. When people ask "how many shares are there in Berkshire Hathaway?", they often think of a single, unified stock. That's where the story gets interesting! Berkshire Hathaway, unlike most companies, has two classes of common stock: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B).
Think of it like a family. You have the elder sibling, Class A, which is the original stock with immense value and voting power. Then you have the younger sibling, Class B, created to be more accessible to a wider range of investors, with a much lower price and fewer voting rights. Which one sounds more like you? The high-roller who wants a piece of the original action, or the savvy investor who wants to get in on the Buffett magic without needing a massive budget?
Step 2: Deconstruct the Two Share Classes
To understand the total number of shares, we need to look at each class individually. The numbers for outstanding shares are constantly changing due to buybacks, conversions, and other corporate actions. We will use the most recently available data from official sources and financial filings.
Sub-heading 2.1: Class A Shares (BRK.A)
The Class A shares are the original Berkshire Hathaway stock. These are the shares that command a price so high it can feel out of reach for the average investor.
Key Characteristics:
Extremely High Price: The price per share is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. As of late June 2025, it's trading around $729,000 per share.
Significant Voting Rights: Each Class A share has the equivalent of 10,000 votes. This gives holders a significant say in company matters.
Never Split: Warren Buffett has famously refused to split the Class A stock. He believes the high price attracts investors who are focused on the long-term value of the company rather than short-term trading.
Convertible: A Class A share can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares at any time. However, the reverse is not possible.
How many are there? According to recent financial data, the number of Class A shares outstanding is relatively low. As of the first quarter of 2025, there are approximately 1.44 million Class A shares outstanding. This small number of shares is a key reason for their high value.
Sub-heading 2.2: Class B Shares (BRK.B)
The Class B shares were created in 1996 to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a broader audience, including retail investors and those who wanted to invest a smaller amount.
Key Characteristics:
Affordable Price: The price per share is a small fraction of the Class A share price. As of late June 2025, it's trading around $485 per share.
Lower Voting Rights: Each Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share.
Stock Split History: Unlike Class A, Class B shares have undergone a stock split. In 2010, they had a 50-for-1 stock split, which significantly lowered the price and made them even more accessible.
Not Convertible to Class A: You cannot convert a Class B share into a Class A share.
How many are there? The number of Class B shares is significantly higher than Class A. While exact numbers can fluctuate, recent data suggests there are over 1.3 billion Class B shares outstanding. In fact, a recent news report noted that Warren Buffett converted over 8,000 Class A shares into over 12 million Class B shares for a charitable donation.
Step 3: Calculate the Total and Understand the Equivalence
Now that we have the numbers for both classes, how do we get a total? It's not as simple as adding the two numbers together because of the different values and voting rights. The most common way to get a "total" is to think in terms of outstanding shares, or to convert everything to a Class B equivalent.
Sub-heading 3.1: Total Shares Outstanding
This is a straightforward addition of the two classes of shares.
Class A Shares: ~1.44 million
Class B Shares: ~1.3 billion
Total Outstanding Shares: Approximately 2.16 billion as of March 31, 2025. This number includes both share classes.
It's important to note that Berkshire Hathaway actively engages in share buybacks, which reduces the number of shares outstanding over time. This practice is a key part of Buffett's strategy and benefits existing shareholders by increasing their ownership stake in the company.
Sub-heading 3.2: The Conversion Ratio
The true measure of the total ownership is understanding the conversion ratio. One Class A share is convertible into 1,500 Class B shares. This ratio is crucial for understanding the equity and voting power of each share.
BRK.A to BRK.B Conversion: 1 BRK.A share = 1,500 BRK.B shares.
Let's do the math: If we convert all the Class A shares into Class B equivalents, the total would be:
1,440,000 (BRK.A shares) * 1,500 (conversion ratio) = 2,160,000,000 (2.16 billion) Class B equivalent shares.
Adding the outstanding Class B shares (~1.3 billion) to this equivalent would give you a total conceptual value of ownership.
Step 4: Monitor the Numbers
The number of outstanding shares is not a static figure. It changes due to various corporate activities, particularly Berkshire's aggressive share buyback program. To find the most up-to-date information, you should always consult official sources.
Where to find the latest data:
Berkshire Hathaway's Annual and Interim Reports: The company's official website provides links to its annual reports, 10-K filings, and quarterly earnings reports (10-Q filings). These documents contain the most accurate and recent information on the number of shares outstanding.
Financial Data Websites: Reputable financial websites and platforms often provide up-to-date data on outstanding shares, market capitalization, and other key metrics for both BRK.A and BRK.B.
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers to Your Burning Questions
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway shares?
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway shares through any online brokerage account. You can buy either the Class A (BRK.A) or Class B (BRK.B) shares, but the Class B shares are much more accessible due to their lower price. You can also purchase fractional shares of BRK.B through some platforms.
How to tell the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
The main differences are the price, voting rights, and convertibility. BRK.A is very expensive, has high voting rights, and can be converted to BRK.B. BRK.B is much cheaper, has limited voting rights, and cannot be converted to BRK.A.
How to understand why BRK.A stock has never split?
Warren Buffett believes that the high price of BRK.A attracts long-term, value-oriented investors who are not interested in short-term trading. He sees a stock split as potentially bringing in a more speculative investor base, which he wants to avoid.
How to find the latest number of outstanding shares?
The most reliable source for the latest number of outstanding shares is Berkshire Hathaway's official financial filings, such as their quarterly 10-Q and annual 10-K reports, which are available on the company's website.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway if you can't afford a full BRK.A share?
The Class B shares (BRK.B) were created for this exact purpose. They offer a more affordable entry point into the company. You can also invest through a mutual fund or ETF that holds Berkshire Hathaway stock.
How to convert Class A shares to Class B shares?
If you own Class A shares, you can convert them to Class B shares through your brokerage firm. The conversion ratio is 1 Class A share for 1,500 Class B shares.
How to interpret Berkshire Hathaway's share buyback program?
A share buyback program reduces the total number of outstanding shares, which increases the ownership stake of remaining shareholders in the company. Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger believe in buying back shares when the stock is trading at a discount to the company's intrinsic value.
How to calculate the market capitalization of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can calculate the market capitalization by multiplying the total number of outstanding shares (for both classes) by their respective share prices. For example, (Number of BRK.A shares * BRK.A price) + (Number of BRK.B shares * BRK.B price).
How to find the history of Berkshire Hathaway stock splits?
The Class A shares have never split. The Class B shares underwent a 50-for-1 stock split in January 2010. You can find more details on this history on financial news and data websites.
How to understand Warren Buffett's personal ownership of Berkshire Hathaway shares?
As of a recent news report, Warren Buffett's personal stake in Berkshire Hathaway consists of a combination of Class A and Class B shares. He gradually donates his shares to charitable foundations.
