what is brk b stock — Berkshire Hathaway Class B

Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B) — Overview

If you are asking what is brk b stock, this article answers that question clearly and practically. BRK.B is the Class B common stock of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker BRK.B. It offers investors a lower‑priced share class representing an ownership stake in Warren Buffett’s diversified conglomerate, with proportionally reduced voting rights versus Class A shares.

This guide explains what is brk b stock and walks through company background, the history of the B shares, trading and ticker information, differences with Class A, key market metrics, ownership, corporate actions, investment considerations, how to buy BRK.B (including Bitget-enabled services), governance implications, tax basics, notable news that moves the share price, and suggested sources for up‑to‑date data.

Company background

Berkshire Hathaway is a large diversified holding company with operating businesses and a significant marketable securities portfolio. Its operations span insurance and reinsurance, freight railroads, utilities and energy, manufacturing, retail, and a sizeable publicly traded equity portfolio.

The company historically used a dual-share class structure to provide distinct access levels and voting weights for different investor groups. Class A shares (BRK.A) carry full voting rights and trade at very high per-share prices. Class B (BRK.B) was created to give smaller or retail investors more affordable access to Berkshire’s economics while limiting dilution of control and retaining the company’s governance framework.

History of BRK.B

Berkshire introduced Class B shares in 1996 to make ownership more accessible to small investors. The primary goals were increased affordability and better divisibility while preserving the control characteristics of Class A stock.

Since creation, BRK.B has been used as the common trading vehicle for most public investors. Corporate actions over the years — including stock splits, adjustments to conversion ratios between classes, and occasional share repurchases — have affected the precise relationship between A and B shares. Notably, Berkshire executed a 50‑to‑1 split of BRK.B in 2010 (while adjusting conversion provisions) to make the B shares more tradable and to facilitate acquisitions and compensation denominated in shares.

The B class has sometimes been used for transactions such as spinouts, employee compensation, or acquisition currency at scales appropriate for retail or small institutional counterparties.

Ticker, exchange and trading

BRK.B trades on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol BRK.B. In public markets, BRK.B commonly serves as the more liquid and affordable trading vehicle compared with BRK.A, and it typically has much higher daily trading volume and greater fractional accessibility.

Because Class A shares are priced far higher per share, most investors and fund managers trade BRK.B when they want exposure to Berkshire without buying one or more expensive BRK.A share(s). BRK.B’s liquidity profile and daily volume make it the practical on‑ramp for most market participants seeking Berkshire exposure.

Differences between Class A (BRK.A) and Class B (BRK.B)

Economic ownership ratio

Class B shares represent a substantially smaller economic interest per share than Class A shares. The company has established fixed conversion relationships over time so that each BRK.A share corresponds to a specific number of BRK.B shares for economic equivalence. This ratio has changed with corporate actions, so investors should verify the current conversion ratio in Berkshire’s charter and recent filings.

Voting rights

BRK.B carries only a fraction of the voting power of a BRK.A share. Class B was structured to limit voting dilution while enabling broader ownership. This design preserves the governance control associated with Class A holders.

Convertibility

Under company provisions, one Class A share can be converted into a set number of Class B shares, but the conversion is effectively one‑way. This convertibility allows an A holder to increase share divisibility when desired. The practical implication is that investors who want BRK.B’s economics without the high per‑share price can convert A shares into B shares, but converting B back to A is restricted by the charter.

Price and accessibility

BRK.B provides affordability and finer divisibility for retail investors. Where BRK.A trades at very high nominal prices per share, BRK.B’s lower per‑share price makes it easier to build positions and trade without fractional share services. In markets or brokerages that support fractional shares, BRK.B plus fractional trading improves accessibility further.

Key metrics and market data

Investors commonly consult the following market data for BRK.B: historical and real‑time price, market capitalization, price‑to‑earnings ratio (P/E), earnings per share (EPS), 52‑week high/low range, average and daily trading volume, and institutional ownership breakdown.

As of December 31, 2025, according to reporting synthesized from The Motley Fool and Yahoo Finance, Berkshire’s market capitalization was approximately $1.1 trillion, and BRK.B’s intraday price examples reported around $498.53. The same reporting highlighted a 52‑week range near $440.10 to $542.07 and average daily volume figures in the low millions. These figures are illustrative and change daily; readers should check current data on market data platforms or brokerage terminals.

When studying valuation, investors often examine consolidated book value per share, operating earnings from primary subsidiaries, and the marketable securities portfolio valuation, all of which feed into intrinsic value analysis for the conglomerate.

Ownership and major holders

BRK.B ownership is a mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, ETFs that hold Berkshire as a position, and individual retail investors. Institutional filings such as Form 13F reveal which investment managers hold significant BRK.B positions.

Berkshire’s internal portfolio — its sizable equity stakes in large public companies — in turn shapes the company’s balance sheet and public perception. Berkshire also holds a large cash and short‑term investments position that influences how investors and markets view the company’s capacity for opportunistic buying.

To identify current major holders, consult the latest SEC 13F filings and Berkshire’s own proxy statements and annual reports for disclosures about director and officer holdings.

Dividends, splits and corporate actions

Berkshire Hathaway has a long history of not paying a cash dividend. The company has stated that it prefers to reinvest earnings and use surplus capital for acquisitions or share repurchases rather than pay regular dividends.

Historically, Berkshire enacted splits and adjustments to ensure BRK.B remains accessible. For example, past stock splits and charter amendments established conversion ratios and share class features. Share repurchases are another corporate action Berkshire has used selectively to manage the share count and return capital to shareholders when repurchases are attractive relative to other uses of cash.

Investment considerations

Why investors buy BRK.B

Investors choose BRK.B for several reasons: to gain exposure to Berkshire’s diversified operating businesses and large public equity holdings; to own stock in a firm historically managed under Warren Buffett’s value‑oriented approach; and to access Berkshire’s economics at a more affordable per‑share price than BRK.A. For many, BRK.B is the practical way to follow Berkshire’s long‑term investment philosophy without the high entry price of BRK.A.

Valuation and analysis

Valuing a conglomerate like Berkshire requires attention to consolidated financials, intrinsic value assessments of operating subsidiaries, and the marketable securities portfolio. Analysts look at intrinsic value per share, book value, return on equity of core businesses, cash on the balance sheet, and the composition and valuations of major equity stakes.

One key consideration is the conglomerate discount: public markets sometimes value diversified holding companies at a lower multiple than a sum‑of‑parts estimate might suggest. Investors should also monitor management actions, cash deployment strategies, and changes in the composition of the marketable securities portfolio.

Risks

Primary risks include concentration in major holdings, management transition risk, and business‑cycle exposure across Berkshire’s operating subsidiaries. Berkshire’s decisions — such as large sales from its equity portfolio — can materially affect reported results and market perceptions.

Other risks are market‑level: valuation compression during broad market selloffs, interest rate changes affecting Berkshire’s insurance float economics, and regulatory or operational risks at large operating subsidiaries.

How to buy BRK.B

To buy BRK.B, open an account with a licensed broker or a brokerage service that provides access to NYSE‑listed equities. Search the ticker BRK.B and submit an order using your preferred order type (market, limit, stop). Review commission or fee schedules, settlement rules, and margin policies before trading.

If your brokerage supports fractional shares, you can buy partial BRK.B shares to fit position sizing. For investors using Bitget’s integrated brokerage or stock trading services, search BRK.B on the Bitget trading interface or through Bitget‑enabled brokerage partners and follow the platform’s order flow to place trades. Bitget Wallet is the recommended wallet option in Bitget’s ecosystem for web3 interactions, though standard brokerage accounts are required for NYSE stock settlement.

Remember to confirm trading hours, order routing, and available liquidity when placing larger transactions.

Corporate governance and voting implications for shareholders

Because BRK.B carries a reduced voting stake per share, holders of Class B shares have proportionally less influence over corporate governance matters relative to Class A shareholders. In material corporate events, Class A holders retain significant voting power.

BRK.B holders can exercise their votes as described in Berkshire’s proxy materials. In specific situations, holders of A shares may convert to B shares for increased divisibility. For matters that require shareholder action, review the company’s proxy statement and voting procedures, which outline how different classes vote and how shareholders can participate in annual meetings.

Tax considerations

BRK.B is a U.S. equity and subject to U.S. tax rules for dividends (if paid) and capital gains. For U.S. investors, taxable events include sale of shares and receipt of dividends, each subject to the applicable tax treatment based on holding period and tax bracket. Non‑U.S. investors should consider withholding tax rules and treaty benefits.

This article does not provide tax advice. Consult a qualified tax professional about your specific circumstances and the tax treatment of BRK.B holdings.

Notable events and news

Market‑moving events for BRK.B commonly include Berkshire’s quarterly and annual financial filings, major portfolio changes announced in SEC filings (including 13F disclosures), statements or transitions in senior management, and macroeconomic developments that affect Berkshire’s insurance float, interest income, or operating subsidiaries.

As of December 31, 2025, according to reporting by The Motley Fool and Yahoo Finance, Berkshire Hathaway had built a record cash and short‑term investments position approaching $400 billion. That reporting noted that Berkshire’s marketable securities portfolio had been trimmed in recent years, with net sales totaling roughly $184 billion over the prior three years and substantial reductions in large positions such as Apple and Bank of America. The same coverage indicated Berkshire’s market capitalization near $1.1 trillion and illustrative BRK.B trading prices in the high $400s per share range on sample days.

The coverage emphasized that Buffett’s accumulation of cash and Treasuries signals a cautious posture about current market valuations, and that management anticipated a handover to successor leadership at the start of 2026. Those developments are the kind of corporate and portfolio news that historically moves BRK.B’s price.

When following news, pay attention to Berkshire’s Form 10‑K and Form 10‑Q filings, the company’s annual report to shareholders, and Form 13F disclosures that show quarterly changes in the marketable securities portfolio. These documents provide quantifiable, verifiable data about holdings, cash, and recent transactions.

See also

• Berkshire Hathaway Class A (BRK.A)
• Warren Buffett
• Holding company investing
• How to read SEC filings (Form 10‑K, 10‑Q, 13F)
• Major portfolio holdings (for example, Berkshire’s historical large positions)

References and sources

This article draws on major financial coverage and filings. Suggested sources for current data and deeper reading include company filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, major financial news outlets, and market data platforms. Examples of widely used references: Investopedia, Yahoo Finance, CNBC, MarketWatch, The Motley Fool, and Berkshire Hathaway’s official shareholder communications and SEC filings.

As of December 31, 2025, the article referenced reporting from The Motley Fool and market data reported by Yahoo Finance for contextual figures such as Berkshire’s estimated cash pile and market capitalization.

Further exploration

If you want to track BRK.B prices, view filings, or place trades, consider opening a brokerage account that supports NYSE trading or use Bitget’s integrated brokerage services where available. For web3 wallet needs tied to Bitget features, Bitget Wallet is recommended. Explore Bitget’s trading tools and educational resources to stay informed while reviewing official filings for the most authoritative numbers.

This article aimed to answer the question 'what is brk b stock' with a practical overview and pointers for where to find updated, verifiable data.