Ready to dive into the world of Warren Buffett's empire? You've come to the right place to understand the fascinating and often misunderstood topic of Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares. Let's get right into it!
Step 1: Get Ready to Challenge Your Perceptions of Stock Ownership
Have you ever looked at the stock market and thought, "Wow, that stock is expensive!"? Well, Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares, traded under the ticker symbol BRK.A, take that to an entirely new level. They are famous for their astronomical price per share, a direct result of Warren Buffett's steadfast refusal to split the stock. This is a crucial first step in understanding the whole picture. So, let's start by acknowledging that this is not your typical stock, and its unique structure is a core part of its identity.
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| How Many Berkshire Hathaway Class A Shares Are There |
Step 2: Unveiling the Number of Class A Shares
Now for the main question: how many Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares are there?
The number of outstanding Class A shares is surprisingly low, and it's a number that has been gradually decreasing over time due to the company's consistent share repurchase program. This is a key part of Buffett's strategy to increase the intrinsic value for remaining shareholders.
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As of the latest available data, which reflects information up to the first quarter of 2025, there are approximately 1.44 million outstanding shares of Berkshire Hathaway Class A common stock.
It's important to understand that this is a dynamic number. Companies regularly buy back their own stock, and Berkshire Hathaway, under Buffett's leadership, has been a significant buyer of its own shares. This means the number of outstanding shares can fluctuate. To get the most precise, up-to-the-minute figure, you would need to consult Berkshire Hathaway's official financial reports, such as their quarterly and annual filings with the SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission).
Step 3: Understanding the Two Classes of Shares
To fully grasp the scarcity of BRK.A shares, you must also understand their counterpart: the Class B shares (ticker: BRK.B). This is a vital distinction.
Sub-heading: Class A (BRK.A) - The Unsplit Behemoth
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Key Characteristics:
Extremely High Price: The price per share is a testament to the company's long-term growth and its unique no-split policy. As of late June 2025, the price per share is over $700,000! This high price, according to Buffett, helps attract long-term investors who share his buy-and-hold philosophy.
Superior Voting Rights: Each Class A share has 10,000 times the voting power of a Class B share. This gives Class A shareholders significant control over the company's decisions.
Convertibility: Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time. This conversion is a one-way street, which we'll discuss next.
Sub-heading: Class B (BRK.B) - The Accessible Alternative
Key Characteristics:
Accessible Price: Created in 1996, the Class B shares were introduced to make Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors, particularly individual retail investors who couldn't afford a single Class A share. The price is a fraction of the Class A share, making it far more affordable. As of June 2025, the price is around $500 per share.
Lower Voting Rights: As mentioned, each Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share.
No Conversion Back: You cannot convert a Class B share back into a Class A share. This is a critical point. The conversion is designed to allow Class A shareholders to access the liquidity and lower price point of the B shares if needed.
Stock Split History: While Class A has never split, Class B shares underwent a significant 50-for-1 stock split in 2010. This was a strategic move to facilitate Berkshire Hathaway's acquisition of Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) by offering BRK.B shares as part of the deal.
As of late 2024 and early 2025, there are over 2 billion Class B shares outstanding, a stark contrast to the small number of Class A shares. This difference highlights the company's two-tiered stock structure and its intentional design to cater to different investor types.
Step 4: The Logic Behind the Un-Split
Why would a company like Berkshire Hathaway intentionally keep its stock price so high that it’s out of reach for most people? This is one of the most interesting aspects of the company's corporate philosophy.
It Attracts Long-Term Investors: Warren Buffett believes that the high share price acts as a filter, attracting investors who are focused on long-term value creation and are not interested in short-term trading or speculation. This "self-selection" process helps build a shareholder base that is aligned with Buffett's own investment horizon.
It Discourages Speculation: A lower share price can lead to more volatility and short-term trading. By keeping the price high, Buffett discourages this kind of activity and encourages a more stable, long-term share register.
It Reinforces the Buy-and-Hold Philosophy: The high price is a constant reminder of the company's core principle: invest for the long term and let compounding work its magic.
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Step 5: How the Number of Shares Changes Over Time
The number of shares outstanding isn't a static figure. For BRK.A, it has been on a downward trend.
Share Buybacks: Berkshire Hathaway has a well-known policy of buying back its own shares when they are trading at a price below their intrinsic value. This reduces the number of outstanding shares, which in turn increases the ownership stake of the remaining shareholders and can boost metrics like earnings per share. This is a direct benefit to long-term shareholders.
Conversions: The conversion of Class A shares to Class B shares also reduces the number of A shares.
The takeaway here is that the number of Class A shares is a reflection of a deliberate corporate strategy, not just market forces.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How to find the most up-to-date number of Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares? You can find the most current and official number of outstanding shares in Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly (10-Q) and annual (10-K) reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Financial data websites and stock market platforms also provide this information, but it's always best to check the official source for the most accurate figures.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares? Due to the high price, investing in a full Class A share is not feasible for most individuals. However, if you have a brokerage account with sufficient funds, you can purchase them like any other stock. A more common and practical approach for most investors is to purchase the much more affordable Class B shares (BRK.B).
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How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway? Many modern brokerage platforms, such as Fidelity, Charles Schwab, and others, offer fractional share investing. This allows you to purchase a portion of a share based on a dollar amount you specify (e.g., you can buy $100 worth of BRK.A). This is a game-changer for retail investors who want exposure to high-priced stocks like BRK.A.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares to Class B? You can convert Class A shares to Class B shares through your brokerage firm. The conversion ratio is 1 Class A share to 1,500 Class B shares. You would simply instruct your broker to perform the conversion on your behalf.
How to calculate the market capitalization of Berkshire Hathaway? The market capitalization is calculated by multiplying the total number of outstanding shares of both classes by their respective share prices. For example, (Number of BRK.A shares x BRK.A price) + (Number of BRK.B shares x BRK.B price).
How to understand the difference between Class A and Class B shares? The main differences are price, voting rights, and convertibility. Class A is expensive with high voting rights and is convertible to Class B. Class B is affordable with lower voting rights and is not convertible back to Class A.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway Class A has ever had a stock split? No, the Class A shares have never had a stock split. Warren Buffett has consistently and famously opposed it.
How to understand why Warren Buffett doesn't split BRK.A? Buffett's primary reason is to attract and retain long-term, value-oriented shareholders who are aligned with his investment philosophy. He believes the high price deters short-term speculators.
How to track the share buybacks of Berkshire Hathaway? You can track the share buyback activity by reviewing the company's financial statements, specifically the Statement of Cash Flows and the Statement of Changes in Equity, which are included in their 10-Q and 10-K filings.
How to know the value of one Class A share in terms of Class B shares? As a result of the 2010 stock split, one Class A share is convertible into 1,500 Class B shares.
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