Have you ever looked at the stock market and wondered about the companies that have not only stood the test of time but have also become synonymous with success? One name almost certainly comes to mind: Berkshire Hathaway. Led for decades by the legendary investor Warren Buffett, this company is a titan in the financial world. But if you've ever tried to look up its stock price, you might have been a bit shocked.
Let's dive in and demystify the price of Berkshire Hathaway stock, explore why it's structured the way it is, and give you a step-by-step guide on how you can potentially become a shareholder in this iconic company.
Step 1: Understand the Two Classes of Berkshire Hathaway Stock
First things first, let's clear up a common point of confusion. Berkshire Hathaway has two distinct classes of common stock, and their prices are vastly different. It's like comparing a Rolls-Royce to a Honda Civic – both are cars, but they serve different purposes and come with wildly different price tags.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, and famously expensive, class of stock. It's known for its astronomical price per share, which is a direct result of Warren Buffett's long-held philosophy of not splitting the stock. He believes that a high share price discourages short-term speculation and attracts long-term, value-oriented investors who think like business owners. Each Class A share comes with full voting rights.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B): This class was created in 1996 to make the stock more accessible to the average investor. It is a fraction of the price of the Class A shares and, as a result, has a fraction of the voting rights. Specifically, each Class B share carries 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share. This is the stock most individual investors buy.
So, when you ask "how much is Berkshire Hathaway stock price," you need to specify which class you're talking about!
Step 2: Check the Current Stock Price
Now that you know there are two different classes, let's look at the actual numbers. As of the end of the trading day on Friday, June 27, 2025:
Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A) closed at a price of approximately $729,000 per share.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) closed at a price of approximately $485.50 per share.
Please note: Stock prices fluctuate constantly throughout the trading day. These numbers are a snapshot in time. For the most up-to-the-minute price, you should always check a reliable financial news source or your brokerage account.
Step 3: Dive Deeper into the Price Differences
Why the massive difference? It all boils down to the history and structure of the company.
Sub-heading: The Class A Journey: No Splits, Just Growth
For decades, Warren Buffett refused to split the Class A shares. While many companies split their stock to make it more affordable and liquid (meaning easier to buy and sell), Buffett saw this as a move for short-term traders, not long-term investors. He wanted to attract shareholders who believed in the company's long-term value and were willing to hold on for years, if not decades. This philosophy has resulted in a stock price that has compounded over time to an astonishing level.
Sub-heading: The Class B Story: Making it Accessible
The creation of the Class B stock was a direct response to a demand from investors who wanted to own a piece of the legendary company but couldn't afford the exorbitant price of a single Class A share. The Class B shares underwent a 50-for-1 stock split in 2010 to facilitate the acquisition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe railroad, making them even more accessible.
Step 4: Explore How to Buy the Stock
So, you're interested in becoming a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder? Here's a step-by-step guide to buying the stock.
Sub-heading: Open a Brokerage Account
This is the fundamental first step. You cannot buy stock directly from Berkshire Hathaway. You need a brokerage account with a firm that allows you to buy and sell stocks. If you don't have one, you can easily open an account with an online brokerage. Many offer a simple, user-friendly interface.
Sub-heading: Fund Your Account
Once your account is open, you need to transfer money into it. This can typically be done via a bank transfer, wire transfer, or linking your bank account.
Sub-heading: Decide Which Class to Buy
For most individual investors, the Class B (BRK.B) shares are the only practical option due to their much lower price. The Class A shares are primarily for institutional investors or high-net-worth individuals.
Sub-heading: Place Your Order
Search for the ticker symbol: In your brokerage platform, search for BRK.B.
Choose your order type: You'll typically have two main options:
Market Order: This buys the stock at the best available price at that moment. It's the simplest and fastest way to buy.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay. Your order will only be executed if the stock price drops to that level.
Specify the quantity: You can buy a certain number of shares or, if your brokerage offers it, you can buy a fractional share for a specific dollar amount (e.g., you can buy $100 worth of BRK.B stock).
Submit the order: Once you've reviewed your order, click "buy" or "submit."
Remember, this is not financial advice. Always do your own research and consider your own financial situation and risk tolerance before making any investment decisions.
Step 5: Understand the Investment Philosophy
When you buy Berkshire Hathaway stock, you're not just buying a stock; you're buying into a unique investment philosophy.
Sub-heading: A Diversified Portfolio of Great Businesses
Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate that owns a wide range of companies, from GEICO insurance and BNSF railway to Dairy Queen and Duracell. The company's portfolio also includes significant stakes in publicly traded companies like Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express. When you buy a share of Berkshire Hathaway, you are essentially investing in a diversified portfolio of well-managed, profitable businesses.
Sub-heading: The Power of Long-Term Compounding
Warren Buffett's philosophy is centered on the power of compounding. By holding on to quality businesses for the long term and reinvesting their earnings, he has built a massive conglomerate. The company famously does not pay a dividend, instead using the profits to acquire more businesses or buy back its own shares, which benefits shareholders in the long run.
This commitment to long-term value creation is a key reason why the stock has performed so well over decades.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to frequently asked questions about Berkshire Hathaway stock:
How to find the real-time Berkshire Hathaway stock price? You can find the real-time stock price for both BRK.A and BRK.B on major financial websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or your own brokerage platform.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A stock? To buy Class A stock (BRK.A), you need a brokerage account and sufficient capital to purchase a single share, which is typically hundreds of thousands of dollars. The process is the same as buying any other stock, but the price is a significant barrier for most.
How to buy a fractional share of Berkshire Hathaway stock? Many modern brokerages offer fractional share trading. You can simply specify a dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., $100) and the brokerage will buy a corresponding fraction of a share of BRK.B for you.
How to understand the difference in voting rights between BRK.A and BRK.B? Each BRK.A share has one vote, while each BRK.B share has 1/10,000th of a vote. This structure ensures that existing long-term shareholders maintain control and influence over the company's direction.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway has ever had a stock split? The Class A shares (BRK.A) have never had a stock split. The Class B shares (BRK.B) had a 50-for-1 stock split in 2010.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway if you can't afford a single share? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway by purchasing fractional shares through a brokerage that offers this service, or you can invest in an index fund or ETF that holds Berkshire Hathaway as a component. The S&P 500 index, for example, includes BRK.B.
How to track Berkshire Hathaway's historical stock price? Historical stock price data and charts can be found on financial websites like Macrotrends, Nasdaq, and others. These charts show the remarkable growth of both Class A and Class B shares over time.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway stock between classes? Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares, but not vice versa. This conversion option provides liquidity for Class A holders.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays a dividend? Berkshire Hathaway has famously never paid a dividend. Warren Buffett believes in reinvesting all of the company's earnings back into the business to generate more value for shareholders.
How to research Berkshire Hathaway's financial performance? You can find the company's annual and quarterly reports on its investor relations website. This is the best place to find detailed information on its revenue, earnings, and asset holdings.