Of course! Investing in Berkshire Hathaway through Fidelity is a popular choice for many investors. Here is a very lengthy, step-by-step guide to help you through the process.
A Comprehensive Guide to Buying Berkshire Hathaway Stock on Fidelity
Welcome, aspiring investor! Are you ready to potentially add a piece of Warren Buffett's legendary company to your portfolio? Buying Berkshire Hathaway stock can feel like a big step, but with a reliable brokerage like Fidelity and this detailed guide, you'll be well on your way. Let's break down the process into clear, manageable steps.
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| How To Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock Fidelity |
Step 1: Get Your Financial Ducks in a Row
Before you even think about hitting the "buy" button, you need to set up the foundation. This isn't just about having money; it's about having a plan. Do you have a Fidelity account? If not, that's your first order of business. If you do, great! You can skip ahead to the next step.
Sub-heading: Choosing the Right Account Type
Fidelity offers various account types, each with its own benefits.
Individual Brokerage Account: This is the most common type for investing. It's flexible, and you can withdraw funds at any time (though you'll owe taxes on any gains).
IRA (Individual Retirement Account): This is for long-term retirement savings. It offers significant tax advantages, but there are restrictions on when you can withdraw funds without penalties. Examples include a Traditional IRA or a Roth IRA.
Custodial Account: If you're looking to invest for a minor, this is the account you'll need.
Choosing the right account for your financial goals is crucial. Think about your investment horizon, tax situation, and liquidity needs.
Sub-heading: Opening and Funding Your Fidelity Account
If you don't have a Fidelity account yet, follow these simple steps to open one:
Visit the Fidelity Website: Navigate to the official Fidelity website and click on "Open an Account."
Select Your Account Type: Choose the account that best suits your needs, as discussed above.
Provide Your Information: You'll need to provide personal details like your Social Security number, date of birth, and contact information. You may also be asked for employment information.
Link Your Bank Account: To fund your brokerage account, you'll need to link it to your bank account. This can often be done instantly by logging in to your bank's portal through Fidelity's secure system, or by manually entering your bank's routing and account numbers.
Fund Your Account: Once linked, you can initiate a transfer of funds from your bank to your Fidelity account. An electronic fund transfer (EFT) can take 1-3 business days to settle, but Fidelity often allows you to trade with unsettled funds, which means you can start buying stocks almost immediately.
Step 2: Understand the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
QuickTip: Focus on one line if it feels important.
This is a critical step that many new investors might miss. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK) has two classes of stock: Class A and Class B. You need to know the difference before you buy.
Sub-heading: Class A (BRK.A) - The "Big Ticket" Share
The Class A shares are famous for their incredibly high price. As of late June 2025, one share of BRK.A is trading for over $729,000. These shares have never undergone a stock split, a decision made by Warren Buffett to attract long-term investors.
Ticker Symbol: BRK.A
Price: Extremely high, making it inaccessible for most retail investors.
Voting Rights: Each share has full voting rights.
Convertibility: Can be converted into Class B shares.
Sub-heading: Class B (BRK.B) - The Accessible Share
The Class B shares were created in 1996 to make the company's stock accessible to a wider range of investors. These shares are much more affordable and are the ones that most retail investors will buy.
Ticker Symbol: BRK.B
Price: Much more affordable, typically in the hundreds of dollars. As of late June 2025, one share of BRK.B is trading around $485.
Voting Rights: Carries significantly lower voting rights (1/10,000th of a Class A share).
Convertibility: Cannot be converted into Class A shares.
For the vast majority of individual investors, the choice is clear: you'll be buying the Class B shares (BRK.B). They offer ownership in the same great company, just at a more manageable price point.
Step 3: Research and Plan Your Purchase
Before you place your order, do a little homework. While Berkshire Hathaway is a well-known company, it's always smart to understand the fundamentals and decide on your investment strategy.
Sub-heading: Finding the Ticker Symbol and Price
Log in to your Fidelity account: Access your account on the Fidelity website or mobile app.
Search for the stock: In the search bar, type in the ticker symbol: BRK.B.
Check the current price: You will see the current market price, historical charts, news, and other financial data. Pay attention to the bid and ask prices to get an idea of the current market.
Sub-heading: Deciding How Much to Invest
QuickTip: Read actively, not passively.
Even with the more affordable Class B shares, you might not want to buy a full share. This is where fractional shares come in handy.
Whole Shares: If you want to buy a specific number of shares (e.g., 1 or 2), you'll need enough money in your account to cover the cost of the shares and any trading fees (Fidelity offers $0 commission on online stock trades).
Fractional Shares: Fidelity allows you to buy a portion of a share. This is a fantastic option if you only have a certain amount of money to invest, say $100 or $500, and want to allocate it to Berkshire Hathaway.
Step 4: Place Your Trade on the Fidelity Platform
Now for the exciting part! You're ready to buy the stock. The process is straightforward whether you're on the website or the mobile app.
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Sub-heading: Placing a Market Order
A market order is the simplest way to buy a stock.
Click "Trade": On the stock's page, find the "Trade" or "Buy" button.
Select "Buy": Make sure the action is set to "Buy."
Choose "Shares" or "Dollars":
If you want to buy a specific number of shares, select "Shares" and enter the quantity (e.g., 2).
If you want to invest a specific amount of money, select "Dollars" and enter the amount (e.g., $200). This is how you buy fractional shares.
Select "Market Order": This order type will execute your trade at the best available market price immediately. Be aware that the price may fluctuate slightly between when you place the order and when it is executed.
Review and Place Order: Before you finalize the trade, you'll see a confirmation screen with all the details. Double-check the ticker symbol (BRK.B), the quantity, and the total cost. If everything looks correct, click "Place Order."
Sub-heading: Placing a Limit Order
A limit order gives you more control over the price you pay.
Follow steps 1-3 from above.
Select "Limit Order": Instead of a "Market Order," choose "Limit Order."
Enter Your Limit Price: You will need to enter the maximum price you are willing to pay per share. For example, if BRK.B is trading at $485, you might set a limit of $480.
Set the "Time in Force": This tells the system how long your order should be active. A common option is "Day," which means the order will expire at the end of the trading day if it isn't filled. "Good 'til Canceled" (GTC) keeps the order active for up to 180 days.
Review and Place Order: Review your order, including the limit price, and then place the trade. Your order will only be executed if the stock's price drops to or below your limit price.
Step 5: Confirmation and Tracking Your Investment
After placing your order, you'll receive a confirmation. You can view your newly purchased shares in your Fidelity account portfolio. Congratulations! You are now a part-owner of Berkshire Hathaway!
You can track your investment's performance, view its value, and access company news and research directly on the Fidelity platform.
Tip: Take a sip of water, then continue fresh.
10 Related FAQ Questions
1. How to open a brokerage account with Fidelity?
To open a brokerage account with Fidelity, visit their website, select 'Open an Account,' choose 'Brokerage Account,' and follow the on-screen prompts to provide your personal and financial information. It's a quick online process that usually takes only a few minutes.
2. How to fund my Fidelity brokerage account?
You can fund your account by linking your bank account and initiating an electronic fund transfer (EFT). You can also use a debit card for a one-time payment or set up a recurring contribution from your bank account.
3. How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway on Fidelity?
The ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class B is BRK.B. For the Class A shares, it's BRK.A. You can type either one into the search bar on the Fidelity website or app to find the stock.
4. How to decide between Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B stock?
For most individual investors, the Class B (BRK.B) shares are the only realistic option due to the prohibitively high price of the Class A shares. The Class B shares offer fractional ownership in the same company at a much more affordable price.
5. How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway on Fidelity?
QuickTip: Reread for hidden meaning.
On the trade ticket, instead of selecting "Shares," select the "Dollars" option. You can then enter the specific dollar amount you wish to invest (e.g., $100), and Fidelity will automatically calculate the fraction of a share you can purchase.
6. How to place a market order on the Fidelity app?
On the stock's quote page in the app, tap "Trade," select "Buy," enter the number of shares or dollars, choose "Market Order," and then review and submit your trade.
7. How to place a limit order on Fidelity?
When you are on the trade screen, select "Limit Order" from the "Order Type" dropdown menu. Enter the maximum price you are willing to pay per share and choose the time duration for which the order should remain active.
8. How to know if my trade for Berkshire Hathaway stock was successful?
You will receive a confirmation message after your order is executed. The purchased shares will also appear in your portfolio within your Fidelity account.
9. How to view my investment's performance on Fidelity?
Log in to your account and go to your portfolio or holdings page. You will see a breakdown of your investments, including the performance of your Berkshire Hathaway stock.
10. How to get help from Fidelity if I have issues?
You can contact Fidelity's customer support through their website, by phone, or by visiting a local investor center. They have a robust support system to help with account-related questions and trading issues.
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