It’s often said that investing in Berkshire Hathaway is like buying into an exchange-traded fund (ETF). Both offer diversification across industry sectors. ETFs are typically passively managed to track a benchmark index, whereas Berkshire Hathaway actively acquires both stocks and businesses. As you explore whether or not investing in Berkshire Hathaway is a good idea for you, it can help to get some hands-on help from a financial advisor.
How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock With a Brokerage Account
One way to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock is to open an online brokerage account and use it to purchase the shares you want. This can be a fairly simple and straightforward process that may vary slightly based on what brokerage you decide to use. The general steps to buying Berkshire Hathaway stock with a brokerage account are:
Step 1: Choose What Type of Shares You Want
Berkshire Hathaway stocks trade on the New York Stock Exchange. The company offers two types of shares: Class A and Class B. Berkshire’s Class A shares (BRK-A) are significantly more expensive than Class B shares (BRK-B). This is because they have never split, despite the price being in the six figures now. Buffett actually created Class B shares so that his company would be within reach of small investors. Originally, they sold at 1/30 the price of Class A shares. But in 2010, they did a 50-to-1 split, so that Class B shares were selling at 1/1,500 the price of Class A shares.
As of March 2025, Class A shares traded for $788,000 while Class B shares traded for $523.
Step 2: Select a Brokerage
Once you know which Berkshire shares you can afford, you’ll need to select a brokerage. Some brokerages offer in-person or phone support, while others operate exclusively through online platforms or mobile apps. When you’re comparing brokerages, keep an eye out for commissions charges for stock trades and any significant minimum investment requirements.
Brokerage Comparison
| Brokerage Firm | Trading Fees | Minimum | Best For |
| Merrill Edge Read Review | $0 for online trades; $29.95 for rep-assisted trades | $0 | – Bank of America account holders – Customer support users |
| Schwab Read Review | $0 for online trades; $25 for broker-assisted trades | $0 | – Online traders – Customers who value support |
| Robinhood Read Review | $0 for online trades | $0 | – Mobile/online traders – Self-sufficient investors |
Step 3: Fund Your Account
Now that you’ve selected your brokerage, it’s time to fund your account. Before buying shares, you’ll need to transfer money from your bank to your brokerage account. Whatever your brokerage account balance is becomes how much money you can spend on investments.
Step 4: Buy Berkshire Hathaway Shares
Once your account is funded, it’s time to invest in Berkshire Hathaway. Most brokers offer two ways to place trades: market orders and limit orders. IUse a market order if you’re comfortable with the current price for the number of shares you want. A limit order, on the other hand, allows you to set a specific price that Berkshire shares must reach before your account triggers a purchase.
How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Stock With a Financial Advisor
Although costlier than an online brokerage account, a financial advisor can be a great alternative for newbie investors or individuals who don’t have time to manage an account personally. More than advising you on when or whether to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock, an advisor can help you build an investment portfolio that aligns with your risk tolerance and goals.
Investors often overlook this holistic approach, but the rewards of working with an experienced professional can be substantial. For example, a SmartAsset analysis estimates that investors working with advisors earn annual returns between 4.56% and 7.57% after inflation and fees—an annual premium of 2.39% to 2.78% compared to those without an advisor.
Working with a financial advisor can make the process of buying shares more hands-off and streamlined. This is because your financial advisor will generally manage all of your finances so they will actually go out and buy the shares, or have a brokerage buy the shares, on your behalf. All you have to do is sign the paperwork your financial advisor gives you so that they can act on your behalf, provide them access to your funds, and then give them the go-ahead to make the purchase.
But remember: what your advisor can do depends on the terms of your agreement.
Berkshire Hathaway Stock Overview
A holding company is a business that owns many other companies, and Berkshire Hathaway is the cream of the crop. Warren Buffett, aka the Oracle of Omaha, and his team are always looking for new stocks to bring into Berkshire’s group of holdings. If you invest in Berkshire Hathaway, you’re likely someone who trusts Buffett’s decision-making.
Many investors view Berkshire Hathaway as one of the most stable and diversified companies in the market. It operates as a holding company, meaning it owns controlling or significant stakes in dozens of “blue-chip” stocks across various sectors.
Its holdings span insurance, energy, railroads, consumer goods and financial services. Its wide range of subsidiaries and public stock holdings makes it functionally similar to a diversified ETF—but with active management led by Buffett and his longtime partner, Greg Abel, who is slated to succeed Buffett.
Overview of Companies That Berkshire Hathaway Owns Partly or Wholly
| Banks and Financial Services | – American Express – Bank of America – Bank of New York Mellon – Mastercard – Moody’s Corporation – Visa |
| Food and Beverage Companies | – Coca-Cola – Kraft-Heinz |
| Retail Services and Technology | – Amazon – Apple – Kroger – Verisign, Inc. |
| Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals | – DaVita Inc. |
Berkshire Hathaway Financial Profile
As of March 2025, Berkshire Hathaway has a market capitalization exceeding $1.14 trillion, ranking it among the largest public companies in the world. At the end of 2024, Berkshire Hathaway owned $272 billion in marketable equities, including major stakes in companies like Apple, Bank of America, Coca-Cola and American Express. Its wholly owned subsidiaries include Geico, BNSF Railway and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Berkshire’s financial strength is bolstered by its massive reserves in cash, cash equivalents and U.S. Treasury Bills—$212.5 billion at the end of 2024. This liquidity allows the company to make opportunistic investments during market downturns. Long-term investors are often drawn to Berkshire for its strong balance sheet, consistent profitability, and disciplined capital allocation strategy.
Bottom Line
You can buy Berkshire Hathaway stock through a brokerage or with help from a financial advisor. It’s the investment choices that are more difficult. Berkshire’s Class A stock is often out of reach for smaller investors due to its high price. If you can’t afford roughly $788,000 for one share, you should consider the company’s Class B shares. Alternatively, you could try fractional share investing.
Tips on How to Choose a Financial Advisor
- Finding a qualified financial advisor doesn’t have to be hard. SmartAsset’s free tool matches you with financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you’re ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.
- To prepare for your initial meeting, take a look over our questions to ask a financial advisor. They will provide key information you need to make your final decision. Pay close attention to the advisor’s regulatory past, as well as how they’re compensated.
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