How Much is a Class B Share of Berkshire Hathaway? A Comprehensive Guide
Hey there, aspiring investor! Ever wondered how you could get a piece of the legendary company run by the Oracle of Omaha, Warren Buffett, without needing to take out a second mortgage? You've come to the right place. We're talking about Berkshire Hathaway's Class B shares, the more accessible sibling to the famous, and incredibly expensive, Class A shares. Let's dive in and demystify the price and the process.
Step 1: Discover the Live Price and Why it Matters
First things first, let's address the most pressing question: how much is a Class B share of Berkshire Hathaway right now?
As of Friday, June 27, 2025, the share price for Berkshire Hathaway Class B (NYSE: BRK.B) is approximately $485.68.
This price is not static. It fluctuates throughout the trading day, just like any other stock on the stock market. You can think of this as a live auction, with the price constantly changing based on supply and demand. What's more important than the exact price at this very second is understanding why the price is what it is and how it has changed over time.
So, why does the price matter so much? The price is a reflection of the company's value, its performance, and investor sentiment. When you buy a share, you're buying a small piece of all of Berkshire Hathaway's businesses, from insurance to railroads to a vast portfolio of public stocks like Apple and Coca-Cola.
Step 2: Understand the Two Tiers: Class A vs. Class B
Before you jump in and buy, you need to know about the two types of Berkshire Hathaway shares: Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B). This is a crucial distinction.
2.1: The Incredibly Expensive Class A Share (BRK.A)
The Class A shares are the original shares of the company, and they are famously the most expensive stock in the world. As of today, the price of a single Class A share is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. We're talking about a price tag that can be well over $700,000! This astronomical price is intentional, as Warren Buffett wanted to discourage short-term speculation and attract long-term, value-oriented investors.
2.2: The Accessible Class B Share (BRK.B)
In 1996, to make the stock accessible to a wider range of investors, Berkshire Hathaway introduced the Class B shares. These shares are priced at a fraction of the Class A shares. The main differences are:
Price: As you've seen, the Class B shares are far more affordable, allowing everyday investors to own a piece of the company.
Voting Rights: A Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share. This is a significant difference, and it means that Class B shareholders have a minimal say in corporate decisions.
Conversion: Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares, but not the other way around. This keeps the Class A shares scarce and valuable.
Stock Splits: Class B shares have had a stock split in the past, while Class A shares have never split. This makes the B shares more accessible. The last split of the Class B shares was a 50-for-1 split in 2010.
So, if you're looking to invest a few hundred or a few thousand dollars, the Class B shares are your only practical option.
Step 3: The Step-by-Step Guide to Buying BRK.B
Ready to take the plunge? Here's your step-by-step guide to purchasing Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares.
3.1: Open a Brokerage Account
You can't buy shares directly from Berkshire Hathaway. You need a brokerage account, which is like a bank account for your investments. If you don't have one, you'll need to open one with a reputable broker. Look for a brokerage that offers:
Low or no commission fees: Many brokers now offer commission-free trading for stocks.
Access to US stocks: Since BRK.B is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE), make sure your broker provides access to US markets.
Fractional shares (optional but recommended): If you don't have enough to buy a whole share, some brokers allow you to buy a fraction of a share for a specific dollar amount.
3.2: Fund Your Account
Once your account is open, you need to transfer money into it. This can be done via a bank transfer, wire transfer, or other methods depending on your brokerage. Make sure you have enough funds to cover the purchase price of the shares you want to buy, plus any potential fees.
3.3: Search for the Stock
In your brokerage's platform, use the ticker symbol to find the stock. For Berkshire Hathaway Class B, the ticker is BRK.B. Don't accidentally search for BRK.A unless you have a small fortune to invest!
3.4: Place Your Order
Now for the exciting part!
Choose your order type: You'll typically have a few options:
Market Order: This is the most common and will execute your trade at the best available market price at that moment. This is great for quick trades, but the price might fluctuate slightly from when you hit the button.
Limit Order: This allows you to set a maximum price you are willing to pay. For example, if the stock is at $485 and you only want to pay $480, you can set a limit order. Your trade will only go through if the price drops to or below your limit.
Enter the amount: Decide how many shares you want to buy. If your broker offers fractional shares, you can also specify the dollar amount you want to invest (e.g., "I want to invest $100 in BRK.B").
Review and Submit: Double-check your order to ensure everything is correct, and then submit it.
3.5: Monitor Your Investment
Congratulations! You are now a shareholder of Berkshire Hathaway. After the trade is executed, you can monitor the performance of your investment through your brokerage account. Keep in mind that Warren Buffett and his team are known for their long-term, buy-and-hold philosophy, so this isn't a stock you typically buy for quick gains.
Step 4: Consider the Big Picture
Investing isn't just about the price of a stock today. It's about the company's fundamentals and its long-term prospects.
4.1: Berkshire's Holdings
Berkshire Hathaway is a conglomerate, a collection of different businesses. Some of its notable holdings include:
Wholly-owned subsidiaries: GEICO, BNSF Railway, and a number of utility and manufacturing companies.
A massive stock portfolio: This includes significant stakes in companies like Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola, and American Express.
4.2: No Dividends, But Share Buybacks
Berkshire Hathaway does not pay a dividend. This is a key point for income investors. Warren Buffett prefers to reinvest the company's earnings back into the business or use them for share buybacks, which he believes is a more efficient use of capital and increases the value for remaining shareholders.
4.3: Analyst Opinion
As of now, many analysts have a "Moderate Buy" consensus on BRK.B, with an average price target that suggests a potential upside from the current price. However, remember to do your own research and not just rely on analyst ratings.
10 Related FAQ Questions
Here are some quick answers to common questions about investing in Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares:
How to check the live price of Berkshire Hathaway Class B? You can check the live price by searching for the ticker symbol BRK.B on any major financial news website, stock market app, or your brokerage's trading platform.
How to buy Berkshire Hathaway Class B from India? To buy BRK.B from India, you need to open an international brokerage account that allows you to trade US stocks. You can then fund the account and place an order using the BRK.B ticker.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway Class B with a small amount of money? You can invest with a small amount of money by using a brokerage that offers fractional share investing. This allows you to buy a portion of a share for a specific dollar amount, such as $50 or $100.
How to convert Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares to Class A shares? You cannot convert Class B shares to Class A shares. The conversion only works in one direction: Class A can be converted into Class B.
How to find the historical performance of BRK.B? You can find the historical performance of BRK.B on financial data websites like Macrotrends, Nasdaq, or your brokerage's charting tools, which provide interactive charts and historical data.
How to know if a Berkshire Hathaway Class B stock split is coming? While the company has split its Class B shares once in the past, there is no guarantee of a future split. Any potential split would be announced by the company. You can stay informed by following financial news and Berkshire Hathaway's investor relations announcements.
How to determine if it is a good time to buy BRK.B? To determine if it's a good time to buy, you should analyze the company's financial health, its valuation (e.g., its P/E ratio), its competitive position, and your own investment goals. Many investors see BRK.B as a long-term holding.
How to see Berkshire Hathaway's dividend history? Berkshire Hathaway, both Class A and Class B, has a policy of not paying dividends. You can check dividend history on financial websites, but you will find that the payout is $0.00.
How to understand the difference between Berkshire Hathaway's Class A and B shares? The key differences are price (A is extremely expensive, B is affordable), voting rights (A has 10,000 times more voting power than B), and convertibility (A can be converted to B, but not vice-versa).
How to see what companies Berkshire Hathaway holds in its stock portfolio? Berkshire Hathaway discloses its stock holdings in regulatory filings, specifically the 13F filing with the SEC, which is released quarterly. You can find this information on the SEC's website or on financial news sites that track institutional holdings.