Of course! Here is a very lengthy and detailed post with a step-by-step guide on how to purchase Berkshire Hathaway stock.
Ready to Invest with the Oracle of Omaha? Here’s Your Complete Guide to Buying Berkshire Hathaway Stock
Are you ready to join the ranks of investors who own a piece of one of the world's most successful and enduring companies? Buying a share of Berkshire Hathaway is more than just a transaction; it's an investment in a diversified portfolio of businesses and the wisdom of legendary investor Warren Buffett. If you've been wondering how to get started, you've come to the right place. Let's dive in!
Step 1: Understand What You're Buying – A Tale of Two Tickers
Before you even think about placing an order, the most critical first step is to understand the two different classes of Berkshire Hathaway stock available. This isn't like buying shares in a typical company where there's just one ticker. Berkshire Hathaway offers two distinct classes:
Class A (BRK.A): This is the original, and famously expensive, share. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.A is trading for an eye-watering price in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Class A shares come with full voting rights, granting one vote per share. Warren Buffett has famously said he will never split the Class A shares, believing the high price attracts long-term, like-minded investors who are less focused on short-term price fluctuations.
Class B (BRK.B): This class was created to make investing in Berkshire Hathaway accessible to a wider range of investors. As of late June 2025, a single share of BRK.B trades for around a few hundred dollars, making it significantly more affordable. While it represents a smaller ownership stake, it provides exposure to the same portfolio of businesses. The key difference, aside from price, is voting rights. A Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share. For most retail investors, the Class B shares are the practical and sensible choice.
So, the first question you need to ask yourself is: Which class is right for me? If you're a regular investor looking to add this legendary company to your portfolio without breaking the bank, the answer is almost certainly BRK.B.
Step 2: Choose and Open a Brokerage Account
You cannot buy Berkshire Hathaway stock directly from the company. You need a brokerage account, which is a type of investment account that allows you to buy and sell stocks and other securities. If you already have one, great! You can move on to the next step. If not, here's what to do:
Sub-heading: Picking the Right Platform
Not all brokerage accounts are created equal. You want to choose a reputable platform that is easy to use and offers access to US stocks. Here are some of the key factors to consider:
Fees and Commissions: Look for platforms that offer commission-free trading on US stocks. This means you won't pay a fee to buy or sell the shares.
Fractional Shares: If you're investing a smaller amount of money, a brokerage that offers fractional shares is a game-changer. This allows you to buy a portion of a share based on a dollar amount (e.g., you can buy $100 worth of BRK.B) instead of having to buy a whole share.
User Interface: A user-friendly app or website makes the process much smoother, especially for beginners.
Customer Support: Make sure the broker has reliable customer support in case you run into any issues.
Some popular platforms that offer access to US stocks and often have commission-free trading include Public.com, Robinhood, eToro, Interactive Brokers, and many more, depending on your location.
Sub-heading: The Account Opening Process
Opening an account is a straightforward process that typically involves these steps:
Sign up: Provide your personal details, including your name, address, and date of birth.
Verify your identity: You'll need to upload documents for KYC (Know Your Customer) verification, such as a PAN card, Aadhaar card, or passport.
Fund your account: Link your bank account to your brokerage account to deposit funds. You can typically do this through a bank transfer (ACH transfer), wire transfer, or sometimes even a debit card.
It's important to note that if you're an investor from India, you'll need to open an international trading account with a broker that provides access to US markets.
Step 3: Fund Your Account and Convert Currency
Once your brokerage account is open and verified, it's time to add money.
Depositing Funds: Transfer the amount you wish to invest from your bank account to your brokerage account. The time it takes for the funds to settle can vary, but it's usually a few business days.
Currency Conversion: Since Berkshire Hathaway stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and trades in US dollars (USD), your Indian Rupees (INR) will need to be converted to USD. Most international trading platforms handle this conversion for you, but it's crucial to be aware of the currency conversion fees and the exchange rate you are getting.
Step 4: Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part! With your account funded and ready to go, you can search for and purchase the stock.
Sub-heading: Searching for the Stock
In your brokerage's search bar, simply type in the ticker symbol: BRK.B. You'll see the company's name, Berkshire Hathaway Inc., and its current share price.
Sub-heading: Choosing Your Order Type
When you go to buy the stock, you'll be presented with different order types. The two most common are:
Market Order: This is the simplest option. A market order executes your trade at the best available market price right now. This is a good choice if you want to buy the stock immediately and are not concerned about a slight price fluctuation.
Limit Order: A limit order gives you more control. You set a specific price at which you are willing to buy the stock. For example, if BRK.B is trading at $485, you can set a limit order to buy it at $480. Your order will only be executed if the stock price drops to that level. This is a good option if you want to be more precise with your entry price.
Sub-heading: Deciding on the Quantity
Here's where fractional shares come in handy. You can either:
Buy by Shares: Enter the number of shares you want to buy (e.g., 1 share of BRK.B).
Buy by Dollars: Enter the amount of money you want to invest (e.g., $200). The brokerage will then purchase the corresponding fraction of a share for you.
Step 5: Confirm and Monitor Your Investment
Once you've entered all the details, review your order and click "Buy" or "Place Trade." Congratulations, you are now a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
After the purchase, your new shares will appear in your portfolio. It's wise to keep an eye on your investment, but remember the Warren Buffett philosophy: Berkshire Hathaway is a long-term investment, a marathon, not a sprint. Avoid the temptation to check the price every five minutes. The value of your investment will fluctuate, but the focus is on the company's long-term growth.
10 Related FAQ Subheadings
How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway stock?
The ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway Class A is BRK.A, and for Class B, it is BRK.B.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway?
You can purchase fractional shares through a brokerage that offers this feature, such as Robinhood or Public.com. Instead of buying a whole share, you enter a dollar amount you wish to invest, and the platform buys a corresponding fraction of a share for you.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in India?
Indian investors can purchase Berkshire Hathaway stock by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that allows access to US markets. You will need to complete KYC verification and fund the account with US dollars.
How to choose between Class A and Class B Berkshire Hathaway stock?
For most individual investors, Class B (BRK.B) is the practical choice due to its much lower share price. Class A (BRK.A) is prohibitively expensive for most, and the primary benefit is the full voting rights, which are not a significant factor for the average investor.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway stock is a good investment?
Evaluating any stock requires research. You should look at the company's fundamentals, like its revenue, earnings, and debt. For Berkshire Hathaway, it's also about understanding its diverse portfolio of subsidiary companies and the management's long-term investment philosophy. It is always recommended to consult a financial advisor before making any investment decisions.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting?
As a shareholder of either Class A or Class B stock, you are entitled to attend the famous Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, often referred to as "Woodstock for Capitalists," held in Omaha, Nebraska, USA.
How to sell Berkshire Hathaway stock?
Selling Berkshire Hathaway stock is just as easy as buying it. You log into your brokerage account, find your position in BRK.B (or BRK.A), and place a "sell" order. You can use a market order to sell immediately or a limit order to sell at a specific price.
How to check the current price of Berkshire Hathaway stock?
You can check the live stock price on financial news websites like Google Finance, Yahoo Finance, Bloomberg, or directly on your brokerage platform by searching for the ticker symbol, BRK.A or BRK.B.
How to convert my Class A shares to Class B shares?
Each Class A share is convertible into 1,500 Class B shares at any time, at the holder's option. However, this conversion privilege does not extend in the opposite direction, meaning you cannot convert Class B shares into Class A shares.
How to find out if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends?
Berkshire Hathaway has a long-standing policy of not paying dividends. Instead, Warren Buffett and his team reinvest the company's earnings back into the business, which they believe generates a better return for shareholders over the long term.