How Much is Berkshire Hathaway? A Comprehensive Guide to Understanding and Investing in the Oracle of Omaha's Empire
Hello there! Are you ready to dive into the world of one of the most famous and successful companies on the planet? If you've ever heard of Warren Buffett, you've heard of Berkshire Hathaway. This isn't just a company; it's a financial titan, a sprawling conglomerate of businesses, and an investment vehicle unlike any other. But the question on everyone's mind is: how much is Berkshire Hathaway?
The answer isn't as simple as a single number. It's a fascinating blend of different stock classes, a colossal market capitalization, and a rich history of value creation. Let's break it down, step by step, so you can truly understand the value of this incredible enterprise.
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| How Much Is Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 1: Discovering the Two Sides of the Same Coin
Did you know that Berkshire Hathaway has two different types of shares? Yes, that's right! This is one of the most unique aspects of the company, and it’s a crucial detail to grasp. Before we talk about the price, we need to know which share we are talking about.
Sub-heading: Class A Shares (BRK.A) - The "Big Kahuna"
The Class A shares, traded under the ticker symbol BRK.A, are legendary for their astronomical price. These are the original shares, and Warren Buffett has famously refused to split them, believing that a high share price encourages long-term investors who are serious about their commitment.
As of the market close on June 28, 2025, the price of one single share of Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock was around $730,939.90. Yes, you read that correctly. A single share costs more than a luxury car in many parts of the world. This makes it the most expensive stock in the United States.
Why is it so expensive? The price is a reflection of the company's long-term growth and its policy of never splitting the stock. This has allowed the share price to grow unchecked, reflecting the compounding power of Berkshire's businesses and investments over decades.
Voting Rights: Each Class A share comes with a significant amount of voting power, giving holders a strong say in company decisions.
Sub-heading: Class B Shares (BRK.B) - The Accessible Entry Point
To make the company's stock more accessible to the average investor, Berkshire Hathaway introduced Class B shares in 1996, with the ticker symbol BRK.B. These are often referred to as the "baby B's" and are a much more affordable option.
As of the market close on June 28, 2025, the price of one Class B share was around $485.77. This is a far cry from the Class A price and allows everyday investors to own a piece of this iconic company without needing a small fortune.
Price Ratio: The price of a Class B share is approximately 1/1,500th of the price of a Class A share, though this can fluctuate slightly due to market dynamics. This means that if you own 1,500 Class B shares, their value is roughly equal to one Class A share.
Voting Rights: The key difference is in the voting rights. A Class B share has only 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share. This ensures that the original investors and insiders maintain control over the company's direction.
Step 2: Understanding Berkshire Hathaway's Total Value (Market Capitalization)
Tip: The middle often holds the main point.
Now that you know the price of a single share, let's look at the bigger picture: the company's total value. This is known as market capitalization, and it's a measure of the company's size.
Sub-heading: The Power of a Trillion-Dollar Empire
To calculate the market capitalization, you multiply the current stock price by the total number of outstanding shares. Berkshire Hathaway has a massive market capitalization, making it one of the largest companies in the world.
A Trillion-Dollar Company: As of late June 2025, Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalization is a staggering figure, hovering around $1 trillion. This places it among an elite group of companies with a trillion-dollar valuation.
What does this value represent? It's not just the stock price; it's the combined value of all the companies Berkshire Hathaway owns outright (like GEICO, BNSF Railway, and Dairy Queen) and its massive portfolio of publicly traded stocks (including significant holdings in Apple, Bank of America, and Coca-Cola). The market cap reflects the market's confidence in the value of all these businesses and Warren Buffett's investment prowess.
Step 3: A Step-by-Step Guide on How to Invest in Berkshire Hathaway
So, you've seen the prices and you're interested in investing. Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to get you started.
Sub-heading: Your Investment Journey Begins Here
Step 3.1: Open a Brokerage Account
You can't buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You need a brokerage account. This is a special type of account that allows you to buy and sell stocks and other investments. You can open one with a traditional brokerage firm or an online platform. The process is generally straightforward and involves providing some personal information and verifying your identity.
Step 3.2: Fund Your Account
Once your brokerage account is set up, you'll need to deposit money into it. You can do this through various methods, such as a bank transfer (ACH transfer), a wire transfer, or even a check. Make sure you have enough funds to purchase at least one share of the Class B stock.
QuickTip: Skim fast, then return for detail.
Step 3.3: Choose Your Share Class
This is where your understanding from Step 1 comes in handy. You need to decide whether you want to buy Class A shares (BRK.A) or Class B shares (BRK.B).
For most individual investors, the Class B shares (BRK.B) are the only practical option. The price of a Class A share is simply too high for many.
Some brokerages offer fractional shares, which allow you to buy a portion of a share. This can be a great option if you want to invest in BRK.A but don't have hundreds of thousands of dollars to spare. You can, for example, invest $500 and own a fraction of a BRK.A share. Check with your brokerage to see if they offer this feature.
Step 3.4: Place Your Order
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Now for the exciting part! Log into your brokerage account and search for the stock using its ticker symbol: BRK.A for Class A or BRK.B for Class B.
Choose your order type: A market order will buy the stock at the best available price right away. A limit order allows you to set a specific price you're willing to pay, and the order will only execute if the stock hits that price. For long-term investors, a market order is often sufficient, but a limit order can be useful if you're trying to get a specific entry price.
Specify the quantity: Enter the number of shares you want to buy or the dollar amount you want to invest (if buying fractional shares).
Review and submit: Double-check all the details of your order and hit the "buy" or "submit" button.
Congratulations! You now own a piece of Berkshire Hathaway.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some common questions about Berkshire Hathaway and its stock:
How to find the current stock price of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can find the real-time stock price of both BRK.A and BRK.B on financial news websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Nasdaq, and Bloomberg. Just search for the ticker symbol.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
Tip: Read in a quiet space for focus.
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock from India by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that offers access to US stocks. You can also invest indirectly through Indian mutual funds and ETFs that have exposure to global stocks.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
Many modern brokerage platforms, such as Stash, Fidelity, and Charles Schwab, offer fractional share investing. You can simply specify the dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., $100) instead of the number of shares.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class A to Class B?
You can convert a BRK.A share into 1,500 BRK.B shares at any time. This conversion is one-way; you cannot convert BRK.B back into BRK.A. This process is typically handled through your brokerage.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without a brokerage account?
While it's not possible to buy the individual stock without a brokerage account, you can invest indirectly by purchasing mutual funds or ETFs that hold Berkshire Hathaway shares in their portfolio.
How to understand the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
The primary differences are the price, voting rights, and convertibility. BRK.A is very expensive and has high voting power, while BRK.B is affordable and has limited voting power. BRK.A can be converted to BRK.B, but not the other way around.
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
How to check Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalization?
The market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the stock price by the number of outstanding shares. You can easily find this number on any major financial data website.
How to find Berkshire Hathaway's dividend history?
Berkshire Hathaway has a unique policy: it does not pay dividends. Warren Buffett believes that reinvesting the company's earnings back into the business is the best way to create value for shareholders. So, there is no dividend history to check.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway is a good investment for me?
Before investing, you should always do your own research. Consider your investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. While Berkshire Hathaway has a history of strong performance, past returns do not guarantee future results.
How to follow Berkshire Hathaway's annual shareholder meeting?
The annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting is a major event in the financial world. You can typically watch a live stream of the meeting and read transcripts and summaries online on financial news websites or the company's official website.
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