Hey there! So, you're curious about one of the most famous and unique stocks in the world: Berkshire Hathaway. Excellent choice! Understanding its share structure is key to appreciating Warren Buffett's distinctive approach to investing. It's not as simple as just one ticker symbol, but don't worry, we'll break it down for you step-by-step.
Step 1: Get to Know the Two Classes of Shares
Did you know that Berkshire Hathaway has two distinct classes of shares? It's not like a typical company with just one type of stock. This is the most crucial part of understanding their share count. Before we dive into the numbers, let's understand why this is the case.
Think of it like a luxury car and a regular sedan from the same company. They are both cars, they both get you from point A to point B, and they are both made by the same manufacturer. However, they have different price points, features, and target audiences. Berkshire's two share classes, Class A and Class B, are similar.
Let's explore the details of each class.
Sub-heading: Class A Shares (BRK.A)
These are the original shares, the "Cadillac" of the Berkshire Hathaway stock world. They are the ones that have reached a truly astonishing price per share, often making headlines.
What are they? Class A shares, traded under the ticker symbol BRK.A, are the most expensive and powerful shares. They have been intentionally kept at a high price by Warren Buffett to attract long-term investors who share his philosophy of buy-and-hold investing. He believes this high price weeds out short-term speculators.
Why are they so valuable? Each Class A share represents a specific, substantial portion of ownership in Berkshire Hathaway, giving the holder significant voting rights. As of recent data, there are only a small number of these shares outstanding.
Recent numbers: As of late June 2025, there are approximately 1.44 million Class A shares outstanding.
QuickTip: Check if a section answers your question.
Sub-heading: Class B Shares (BRK.B)
These are the more accessible, "everyman" shares.
What are they? Class B shares, traded under the ticker symbol BRK.B, were created in 1996 to make the stock more affordable for individual investors. At that time, mutual funds were trying to create their own "mini-Berkshire" funds by buying a single A share and then selling tiny pieces of it. To prevent this and provide a direct, low-cost option for retail investors, Buffett created the B shares.
What's the difference? The key difference is the price and the voting power.
Price: The B shares are priced at a fraction of the A shares.
Voting Rights: One Class B share has a voting right equal to 1/1,500th of a Class A share.
Convertibility: Importantly, Class B shares can never be converted into Class A shares. However, Class A shares can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares. This is a one-way street!
Recent numbers: As of the first quarter of 2025, there are approximately 2.16 billion Class B shares outstanding. This is a much larger number than the Class A shares, as they are the ones most frequently traded by individual investors.
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| How Many Shares Are In Berkshire Hathaway |
Step 2: Understand the Total Share Count and its Dynamics
Now that you know about the two types of shares, let's put it all together to understand the total count.
Total Shares Outstanding: To get a complete picture of the total shares outstanding, you need to combine the two classes. While the numbers are often reported in a consolidated manner, it's the breakdown that truly matters.
The Conversion Factor: Remember that one Class A share is equivalent to 1,500 Class B shares in terms of economic interest. So, to calculate a total equivalent share count, you could convert all the Class A shares into B shares.
Calculation: (Number of Class A shares * 1,500) + Number of Class B shares.
Using the recent figures: (1.44 million * 1,500) + 2.16 billion = 2.16 million + 2.16 billion. This is roughly 2.16 billion equivalent Class B shares. This demonstrates just how dominant the B shares are in terms of volume.
Why does the number change? The number of shares outstanding isn't a static figure. Berkshire Hathaway engages in share repurchases, also known as stock buybacks, when they believe the stock is trading below its intrinsic value. This reduces the total number of shares outstanding, which in turn increases the value of each remaining share. This is a core part of Buffett's capital allocation strategy.
Step 3: The Stock Split That Wasn't (and the one that was)
Berkshire Hathaway's Class A shares have never had a traditional stock split. This is a deliberate and well-known strategy by Warren Buffett.
QuickTip: Read step by step, not all at once.
The story of the split: The creation of the B shares in 1996 was essentially a de facto split, providing a lower-priced alternative without affecting the Class A shares. The Class B shares, however, did have a stock split.
The 2010 Split: On January 21, 2010, the Class B shares underwent a 50-for-1 stock split. This was done to facilitate Berkshire's acquisition of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad. This split made the shares even more accessible to the average investor.
Step 4: How to Purchase a Share of Berkshire Hathaway
So, you're inspired and want to buy a share? Excellent! Here's a step-by-step guide.
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Sub-heading: Option A: Buying Class B Shares (BRK.B)
This is the most common and practical option for most investors.
Open a Brokerage Account: If you don't have one already, you'll need to open an account with a stock brokerage firm. This can be a traditional broker or an online platform like Zerodha, Upstox, or an international brokerage that allows you to invest in US stocks.
Fund Your Account: Transfer money into your brokerage account.
Search for the Ticker: In the brokerage platform, search for the ticker symbol BRK.B.
Place Your Order:
Choose your order type: A market order will buy the shares at the current market price. A limit order allows you to specify a maximum price you're willing to pay. For long-term investors, a market order is often sufficient.
Decide on a dollar amount or number of shares: Many modern platforms allow for fractional shares, so you can invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., $100) instead of having to buy a whole share. This is a game-changer for high-priced stocks like BRK.B.
Confirm and Submit: Review your order and submit it. Congratulations, you are now a Berkshire Hathaway shareholder!
Sub-heading: Option B: Buying Class A Shares (BRK.A)
Tip: Take notes for easier recall later.
This is only for the highly committed investor with a significant amount of capital.
Follow Steps 1-3 from Option A: The process is the same.
Check Your Wallet! Be prepared to pay a very high price per share.
Place Your Order: The process is identical, but the monetary commitment is immense.
Remember: The price of Class A shares is substantial, and for the vast majority of investors, the Class B shares offer the same economic exposure to Berkshire's underlying businesses without the astronomical price tag.
Step 5: Stay Informed and Think Long-Term
Now that you're a shareholder, what's next?
Follow the News: Keep an eye on Berkshire Hathaway's news releases and annual reports.
Watch the Annual Meeting: Tune into the annual shareholder meeting, where Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger (before his passing) answered questions from investors. It's a masterclass in business and investing.
Embrace the Philosophy: Remember why you invested in the first place. Berkshire Hathaway is a long-term play, not a day trading stock.
10 Related FAQs: Quick Answers
Here are some common questions you might have after reading this post.
Tip: Highlight sentences that answer your questions.
How to check the current share count for Berkshire Hathaway? You can find the latest share count in Berkshire Hathaway's quarterly and annual financial reports, which are available on their investor relations website. Financial news websites like Morningstar, Yahoo Finance, and Bloomberg also provide this data.
How to convert Class B shares to Class A shares? You can't. The conversion is a one-way street: Class A can be converted into Class B, but not the other way around.
How to find the value of one Class A share in terms of Class B shares? One Class A share is equivalent to 1,500 Class B shares in terms of economic interest. You can multiply the current price of one BRK.B share by 1,500 to get a rough idea of the equivalent price.
How to know if a Berkshire Hathaway stock split will happen? Warren Buffett has famously been against splitting the Class A shares. The B shares have split once in 2010. While another split is not impossible, it is highly unlikely under Buffett's leadership, as he believes the high price of Class A shares attracts a certain type of long-term investor.
How to buy fractional shares of Berkshire Hathaway? Many modern brokerage platforms, especially online ones, offer the ability to buy fractional shares. This means you can invest a specific dollar amount (e.g., ₹5,000) and own a fraction of a BRK.B share, making it accessible to any budget.
How to attend the Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting? The annual meeting is held in Omaha, Nebraska. Shareholders can request a credential to attend. It is also live-streamed online, so anyone can watch it from anywhere in the world.
How to invest in Berkshire Hathaway if I'm not a US citizen? You can invest from India by opening an international trading account with a brokerage that offers access to US markets. This will allow you to buy BRK.B shares.
How to know if Berkshire Hathaway pays dividends? Berkshire Hathaway famously does not pay dividends. Instead, Warren Buffett and his team believe in reinvesting all the company's earnings back into the business or for acquisitions, which they believe creates more value for shareholders in the long run.
How to find out Warren Buffett's personal share count? Warren Buffett's holdings are a matter of public record and are disclosed in regulatory filings. As of a recent donation, he holds a significant number of both Class A and B shares.
How to understand the difference in voting rights between Class A and B shares? Each Class A share has 10,000 times the voting rights of a Class B share. This is a significant difference and reflects the power of the original, high-priced shares.
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