Berkshire Hathaway stock: BRK.A vs BRK.B and what moves it
Berkshire Hathaway has one of the most expensive single shares in the world, and a second share class that most people actually trade. Here's why.
This page explains how the stock tends to move. It isn't a recommendation to buy or sell it.
At a glance
| Item | Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A and BRK.B) |
|---|---|
| What it is | A holding company that owns whole businesses (insurance, a railroad, energy) and big stakes in public companies |
| Where it trades | New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). Class A = BRK.A, Class B = BRK.B |
| Indexes it's in | BRK.B is in the S&P 500. Not in the Dow or the Nasdaq-100 |
| Earnings | Usually on a Saturday morning: early May, early August, early November, and late February with the yearly letter |
| What moves it most | Insurance results, the economy, its huge cash pile, buybacks, leadership news |
| How it tends to move | Usually one of the calmer large-company charts |
| Regular hours | 9:30 am–4:00 pm ET, plus pre-market and after-hours sessions |
What the company does
Berkshire owns dozens of businesses outright. The big ones include GEICO and other insurers, the BNSF railroad and Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
It also owns large stakes in well-known public companies, and it holds a very large pile of cash. Warren Buffett ran it for 60 years. Greg Abel became CEO on January 1, 2026, and Buffett stayed on as chairman. Read Warren Buffett's story for the history.
BRK.A or BRK.B?
Class A shares have never been split, so one share costs a very large amount. Class B shares were created so more people could own a piece.
One A share is worth the same as 1,500 B shares. B shares have much smaller voting rights. Most traders use BRK.B because the price per share is far smaller, so sizing is easier.
What moves it
- Operating earnings. Profit from its actual businesses. This is the number Berkshire itself tells people to watch. See Earnings report.
- Investment gains and losses. Accounting rules make Berkshire count the ups and downs of its stock holdings in net profit. So headline profit can swing wildly in a quarter with no real change in the businesses.
- Insurance. Big storms and disasters can hit insurance results.
- The economy. A railroad, energy firms and many consumer businesses all feel the US economy.
- Cash and buybacks. How it uses its cash, including buying back its own shares.
- Leadership news. With the handover to Abel, investors watch every change in how the company is run.
When it's busiest
- Monday after a Saturday report: the reaction shows at the Monday open.
- 9:30–10:30 am and 3:00–4:00 pm ET: the usual open and close rush.
- The annual meeting: usually the first Saturday in May, in Omaha.
US stock hours stay 9:30 am–4:00 pm ET all year.
Its personality
- Slow and steady most days. Many businesses in many industries smooth out the swings.
- Weekend news. Reports land when the market is closed. That can mean a Gap on Monday.
- No dividend. Berkshire keeps its profits inside the company instead of paying a Dividend.
- Small daily ranges. Turning points can be close together. Be patient on the daily chart.
Reading it with our method
Use the daily or weekly chart. On a calm stock, small charts can look like noise. Mark the last places price turned around and find the direction.
On your entry chart, only a candle body closing past a level counts.
Stop first, size second. Example on BRK.B: your stop is $9 away and your plan risks $90. That's $90 ÷ $9 = 10 shares. Use the position size calculator. A math example, not a promise. Losses are always possible.
Common mistakes
- Reading only net profit. It swings with the stock market. Operating earnings tell you more about the businesses.
- Mixing up A and B. Levels on BRK.A are 1,500 times higher. Pick one chart.
- Thinking "Buffett's company" means it can't fall. It can, and it has. Use the same stop and size rules as any stock.
- Missing the Saturday report. Check the date before holding over a weekend.
Questions
What's the difference between BRK.A and BRK.B?
Both own the same company. One Class A share equals 1,500 Class B shares in value, but A shares carry far more votes. B shares cost much less each, so they're easier to buy in small amounts.
Why does Berkshire report earnings on Saturdays?
Berkshire puts out its results on Saturday mornings so people can read them before the market opens on Monday. The yearly letter to shareholders also comes out on a Saturday in late February.
Does Berkshire Hathaway pay a dividend?
No. Berkshire keeps its profits to buy businesses, invest, or buy back its own shares.
Who runs Berkshire Hathaway now?
Greg Abel became CEO on January 1, 2026. Warren Buffett stayed on as chairman.
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