Berkshire Hathaway Stock B Stock: A Guide to BRK.B

Introduction to Berkshire Hathaway Class B (BRK.B)

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. is a global powerhouse and diversified holding company headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska. While originally a textile manufacturer, it was transformed by Warren Buffett into a massive conglomerate that owns various businesses in insurance, rail transportation, and energy. To many investors, berkshire hathaway stock b stock, often referred to by its ticker symbol BRK.B, represents the most accessible way to participate in the company's long-term growth.

The "Baby Berkshire" shares were introduced in 1996. At the time, the original Class A shares (BRK.A) were trading at prices that made them inaccessible to most individual investors. The creation of Class B shares was specifically designed to provide retail accessibility and to discourage the formation of high-fee unit trusts that would have acted as proxies for the stock. Today, BRK.B is a staple in many retail portfolios and is a significant component of the S&P 500 index.

Stock Comparison: Class A (BRK.A) vs. Class B (BRK.B)

When looking at berkshire hathaway stock b stock, it is essential to understand how it differs from the original Class A shares. The primary differences lie in price, voting rights, and conversion rules.

• Price and Accessibility: Class A shares have never undergone a stock split, leading to a price tag that often reaches hundreds of thousands of dollars per share. Class B shares, following a 50-for-1 split in 2010, trade at a fraction of that cost, making them liquid and easy to trade for smaller accounts.
• Voting Rights: Class B shares possess significantly less voting power than Class A. Specifically, a Class B share has 1/200th of the voting rights of a Class A share.
• Conversion Mechanism: Shareholders holding Class A stock have the right to convert their shares into an equivalent amount of Class B stock at any time. However, the reverse is not allowed; Class B shares cannot be converted into Class A.

Financial Performance and Recent Portfolio Moves

As of early 2026, market data indicates that Berkshire Hathaway continues to navigate a shifting economic landscape. According to reports from Yahoo Finance and Benzinga dated January 2026, Berkshire Hathaway disclosed a significant new stake in UnitedHealth Group (UNH). In the second quarter of the previous year, the conglomerate purchased approximately 5,039,564 UNH shares.

This move was seen as a classic value play by Warren Buffett, as UNH had faced headwinds due to antitrust investigations and cyberattacks. However, recent quarterly results for UNH have been disappointing, with shares trading near $283.43, leaving the position under some pressure. Despite these short-term fluctuations, Berkshire's strategy remains focused on long-term intrinsic value rather than chasing tech-heavy volatility.

In terms of broader performance, Berkshire Hathaway gained 11.5% in 2025. While this was a solid return, it trailed the S&P 500's 16.6% gain for the same period. As investors rotate out of high-valuation tech stocks (the "Magnificent Seven") and into value sectors like healthcare and energy, berkshire hathaway stock b stock often acts as a barometer for market sentiment toward the "value" side of the trade.

Core Business Segments and Equity Holdings

The strength of berkshire hathaway stock b stock is derived from its two-pillar structure: wholly-owned subsidiaries and a massive equity portfolio.

Wholly-Owned Subsidiaries: Berkshire owns GEICO (insurance), BNSF Railway, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy. These businesses provide steady cash flow (float) that the company uses to fund further investments. The insurance segment, in particular, is the engine that drives the conglomerate's capital allocation strategy.

Equity Portfolio: In addition to UNH, Berkshire holds massive stakes in public companies like Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, and Bank of America. These holdings allow the company to benefit from the growth of other industry leaders while maintaining a diversified risk profile.

Leadership Transition and the "Buffett Premium"

A significant factor currently influencing berkshire hathaway stock b stock is the leadership transition. Warren Buffett stepped down as CEO at the end of 2025, marking the end of a multi-decade era. The reins have been handed to Greg Abel, who is now tasked with managing the company's "elephant-sized" cash mountain.

Abel is already making strategic moves, such as planning an exit from the company's position in Kraft Heinz. Investors are closely watching for the next 13F filing to see how Abel’s management style differs from Buffett's. The "Buffett Premium"—the extra valuation the market gave the stock due to Buffett’s reputation—is being tested as the market evaluates Abel’s ability to allocate capital effectively during market downturns.

Market Technicals and Trading Information

For those interested in trading berkshire hathaway stock b stock, it is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol BRK.B. It is also available through various international tickers and depositary receipts in global markets. The stock typically exhibits a lower beta than tech-heavy indices, often serving as a "safe haven" during periods of high market volatility.

Investors often use the Price-to-Book (P/B) ratio as a primary metric for valuing Berkshire, as the company historically used this metric to guide its share buyback program. As the market experiences a "grand rotation" from tech into value in 2026, Berkshire's massive cash reserves and diversified holdings position it as a critical asset for defensive-minded investors.

For those looking to explore other asset classes or diversify their digital portfolios, platforms like Bitget provide tools for tracking broader market trends. While Berkshire Hathaway focuses on traditional value, staying informed through Bitget Wiki can help you bridge the gap between traditional finance and the evolving Web3 ecosystem.

See Also

• Warren Buffett & Charlie Munger: The architects of the Berkshire philosophy.
• Value Investing: The strategy of buying securities at a discount to their intrinsic value.
• S&P 500 Index: The benchmark where BRK.B holds a significant weight.
• Holding Company Structure: How diversified conglomerates operate.