How Much is One Share of Berkshire Hathaway? A Step-by-Step Guide to Understanding and Investing in a Legendary Company
Thinking about investing in Warren Buffett's legendary company, Berkshire Hathaway? You've come to the right place! Before we dive into the numbers, let's get one thing straight: you're not just buying a stock; you're buying a piece of one of the most successful and diverse conglomerates in the world. From insurance to railways, and from candies to utilities, Berkshire Hathaway owns a vast portfolio of businesses. So, are you ready to explore how you can own a piece of this empire? Let's get started!
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| How Much Is One Share Of Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 1: Understand the Two Types of Shares
This is a crucial first step, and it's where many people get a little confused. Berkshire Hathaway has two distinct classes of stock, each with a very different price tag.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares (BRK.A): This is the original stock and it's famous for its sky-high price. As of the market close on June 27, 2025, one share of BRK.A was trading at approximately $730,939.90 USD. Yes, you read that correctly. A single share is worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. These shares carry one vote per share and have never been split. They are often seen as a symbol of the company's long-term value and stability.
Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (BRK.B): Created in 1996 to be more accessible to a wider range of investors, these shares are a fraction of the price of the Class A shares. As of the market close on June 27, 2025, one share of BRK.B was trading at approximately $485.50 USD. These shares have a fraction of the voting rights (1/10,000th of a Class A share) and a fraction of the economic interest. However, they represent ownership in the exact same company and its portfolio of businesses.
So, if you're looking to invest in Berkshire Hathaway, the Class B shares (BRK.B) are almost certainly the ones you will be buying.
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Step 2: Check the Current Market Price
The prices mentioned above are from a specific point in time. Stock prices fluctuate every day the market is open. So, how do you find the current price?
Financial News Websites: Head to any major financial news website like Bloomberg, Reuters, or The Wall Street Journal.
Stock Market Platforms: Use a stock trading app or a brokerage website like Zerodha, Groww, or Fidelity.
Search Engines: Simply search for "BRK.A stock price" or "BRK.B stock price" on Google or your preferred search engine.
Remember, the price you see will be the real-time price during market hours.
Step 3: Learn Why the Price is So High (BRK.A)
Have you ever wondered why the Class A share price is so incredibly high? It's all about a decision made by Warren Buffett and his team. They have a philosophy of retaining earnings and reinvesting them back into the business rather than paying dividends or splitting the stock. This approach allows the company to grow its value over time without diluting shareholder equity. This has created a situation where a single share of the original stock has appreciated exponentially over decades. It's a testament to the power of compounding and a unique corporate philosophy.
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Step 4: Choose Your Investment Method
Now that you know the price and the different share classes, let's talk about how you can actually buy a share.
Sub-heading: Direct Purchase through a Brokerage Account
This is the most common way to buy stocks. You will need to open a brokerage account with a platform that allows you to trade on U.S. stock exchanges.
Open a Brokerage Account: Choose a reputable brokerage firm. If you're in India, you can use international brokerages or Indian brokerages that offer U.S. stock trading.
Fund Your Account: Transfer money from your bank account to your brokerage account. Make sure you understand any currency conversion fees.
Search for the Ticker Symbol: On your brokerage platform, search for BRK.B.
Place Your Order: You can place a "market order" (to buy at the current best price) or a "limit order" (to buy at a specific price you set).
Consider Fractional Shares: If even the price of a BRK.B share is a bit steep for your budget, many modern brokerages offer fractional shares. This allows you to invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) and own a fraction of a share. This has made investing in high-priced stocks like Berkshire Hathaway accessible to everyone.
Sub-heading: Invest through an ETF or Mutual Fund
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If you want exposure to Berkshire Hathaway but don't want to buy the individual stock, you can invest in a fund that holds it in its portfolio.
Index Funds & ETFs: Many popular index funds and ETFs that track the S&P 500 or other broad market indices will include Berkshire Hathaway as a holding, given its massive market capitalization.
Mutual Funds: Some actively managed mutual funds may also have a position in Berkshire Hathaway.
This method gives you diversification and passive exposure to the stock without the need to buy it directly.
Step 5: Consider the Long-Term Perspective
Warren Buffett is famous for his long-term, buy-and-hold investing philosophy. He often says, "Our favorite holding period is forever." When you invest in Berkshire Hathaway, you are not just buying a stock for a quick gain. You are investing in a company that is built on a foundation of sound management, a strong balance sheet, and a diversified portfolio of durable businesses. It's an investment for the long haul, so be prepared to hold onto it and watch it grow over time.
10 Related FAQ Questions
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How to check the live price of Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can check the live price by searching for the ticker symbols BRK.A and BRK.B on any financial news website, brokerage platform, or even a simple search on Google.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway? Many modern brokerage platforms, especially those that cater to retail investors, offer the option to buy fractional shares. Look for a feature that allows you to invest a specific dollar amount instead of a number of shares.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway from India? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway from India by opening an international brokerage account or an account with an Indian brokerage that provides access to U.S. markets. You will need to complete KYC and follow the LRS guidelines set by the RBI.
How to find the ticker symbol for Berkshire Hathaway? The ticker symbol for the Class A shares is BRK.A and for the Class B shares is BRK.B.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends? Berkshire Hathaway does not pay a dividend. Warren Buffett's philosophy is to reinvest all of the company's earnings back into its businesses to create more value for shareholders.
How to understand the difference between Class A and Class B shares? Class A shares (BRK.A) are the original, very expensive shares with full voting rights. Class B shares (BRK.B) were created to be more affordable, have fewer voting rights, but represent a stake in the same company.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class A shares? Technically, you can buy Class A shares through a brokerage account, but given the extremely high price, it is not practical for most individual investors. The process is the same as buying any stock, but you will need a significant amount of capital.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway without buying the stock directly? You can invest in Berkshire Hathaway indirectly by buying an index fund or an Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF) that holds BRK.B in its portfolio.
How to find the 52-week high and low for Berkshire Hathaway stock? You can find the 52-week high and low prices on any stock charting platform or financial news website. These figures show the highest and lowest prices the stock has traded at over the past year. For BRK.A, the 52-week high is around $812,855 and the low is around $607,955. For BRK.B, the 52-week high is around $542 and the low is around $403.
How to learn more about Berkshire Hathaway's business? You can learn more by reading the company's annual reports and quarterly filings, listening to Warren Buffett's annual shareholder meetings, and following financial news related to the company and its subsidiaries.
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