If you’re looking at your brokerage account and wondering why there’s a stock that costs as much as a luxury suburban home, you’ve probably stumbled upon Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A. Most people see that number and assume it’s a glitch. It isn't.
As of January 13, 2026, a single Class A share of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) is trading for roughly $742,300.
Yeah, you read that right. Nearly three-quarters of a million dollars for one share.
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But here’s the thing: you don't actually have to be a multi-millionaire to own a piece of Warren Buffett’s empire. Most regular investors look toward the Class B shares (BRK.B), which are currently sitting around $495.24. It’s the same company, just a very different "entry fee."
How Much Is a Share of Berkshire Hathaway Right Now?
Prices change by the second when the market is open, but the gap between the two classes is intentional. Buffett famously refused to split the Class A stock for decades. He wanted "long-term" investors, not people looking to make a quick buck on a penny stock. He basically used the high price as a filter to keep the day traders out.
The Class A vs. Class B Breakdown
Honestly, it gets a little technical, but the math is pretty solid.
One Class A share is roughly equivalent to 1,500 Class B shares in terms of economic value. However, the voting rights aren't a 1:1 match. A Class B share only carries 1/10,000th of the voting power of a Class A share. Unless you’re planning on staged a boardroom coup against Greg Abel (the CEO who took the reins after Buffett), those voting rights probably don't matter to you much.
The "Baby Berkshires" (Class B) were created in 1996. Before that, if you wanted in, you had to pony up the full price. By creating the B shares, the company allowed smaller investors—and even those using fractional shares—to get a seat at the table.
Why the Price Tag is So High
Most companies split their stock. When Apple or Tesla gets too "expensive," they split the shares 5-for-1 or 10-for-1 so the price per share looks smaller.
Berkshire doesn't play that game with Class A.
Since 1965, the price has grown from about $19 to over $740,000. That is a mind-blowing return. If you had put $1,000 into Berkshire back then, you'd be looking at a portfolio worth millions today. The "sticker shock" is actually just a side effect of decades of compounding without a reset button.
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What You’re Actually Buying
When you buy a share, you aren't just betting on a ticker symbol. You’re buying a massive conglomerate that owns:
- GEICO (The insurance giant)
- BNSF Railway
- Dairy Queen (Yes, the Blizzard people)
- Duracell
- Fruit of the Loom
And then there's the stock portfolio. Berkshire owns massive chunks of Apple, American Express, and Coca-Cola. They’ve recently been leaning more into tech too, holding significant positions in Alphabet (Google) and Amazon.
Is It Still a Good Buy in 2026?
Some people worry that the "Buffett Premium" is gone now that the leadership has transitioned. Greg Abel has been running the energy side for years, and the culture of the company is pretty much set in stone.
The company is sitting on a massive pile of cash—over $380 billion at last check. That’s a "safety net" that most companies can only dream of.
The Risks to Consider
Nothing is a sure thing. If the insurance market takes a hit from a series of massive natural disasters, GEICO and Berkshire’s reinsurance arms feel it. If the US economy slows down, the BNSF railway moves less freight.
Also, Berkshire doesn't pay a dividend. Never has. Buffett always believed he could reinvest that money better than you could. If you need a stock that pays you every quarter to cover your bills, this isn't the one. You only make money here when the share price goes up.
How to Get Started
If you want to own a piece of this, you’ve basically got three paths.
- The Class B Route: At around $495, most people can save up for a full share or two through a standard brokerage like Fidelity or Schwab.
- Fractional Shares: If $495 is still too steep, many apps like Robinhood or Public let you buy $5 or $10 worth of BRK.B. You get the same percentage gains, just on a smaller scale.
- The Index Fund Way: If you own an S&P 500 index fund (like VOO or SPY), you already own Berkshire. It's one of the largest components of the index.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Check your current exposure: Look at your 401(k) or IRA. If you have an S&P 500 fund, you're likely already "in" Berkshire Hathaway.
- Compare the classes: If you are a high-net-worth investor, remember that Class A shares can be converted into 1,500 Class B shares at any time, but you cannot convert B into A.
- Monitor the cash pile: Keep an eye on the quarterly earnings reports. How Berkshire spends that $300B+ cash hoard in 2026 will dictate the stock's direction for the next decade.
Ultimately, whether you pay $500 or $740,000, you're betting on a business model that prizes "boring" profitability over flashy trends. That's how it grew from a failing textile mill into the most expensive stock in history.