How Much a $1,000 Investment in Berkshire Hathaway Is Worth Today

Investing in individual companies can sometimes feel like a gamble, but certain stocks have proven their value over time. One of the most talked-about examples is Berkshire Hathaway—Warren Buffett’s legendary conglomerate. If you had taken a chance on Berkshire Hathaway just 10 years ago, how much would that $1,000 investment be worth today? In this detailed analysis, we’ll break down Berkshire Hathaway’s 10-year growth, compare it to other assets, and offer key insights into why Berkshire Hathaway remains a compelling choice for long-term investors.

Understanding Berkshire Hathaway: A Financial Powerhouse

Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A; BRK.B) is world-renowned for its prudent management and impressive investment portfolio. Warren Buffett, often called the “Oracle of Omaha,” took the helm decades ago and transformed what was once a struggling textile company into one of the largest holding companies on the planet.

Diversified Portfolio: Berkshire’s holdings span insurance, railroads, utilities, finance, consumer goods, tech, and more.
Proven Management: Decades of consistent outperformance under Buffett and partner Charlie Munger.
Strong Annual Performance: Historically, Berkshire has outperformed the S&P 500 over long periods.

What If You Had Invested $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway 10 Years Ago?

Let’s get straight to the numbers: if you had invested $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway stock in May 2015, how much would your investment be worth by May 2025?

Berkshire Hathaway Stock Performance (2015–2025)

Over the past decade, Berkshire Hathaway has continued its steady climb. In May 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (BRK.B)—the shares most accessible to retail investors—traded around $143 per share. By May 2025, after navigating bull markets, bear markets, and global crises, BRK.B climbed to approximately $400 per share.

Initial Share Price (May 2015): ~$143
Share Price (May 2025): ~$400
Shares Purchased with $1,000 in 2015: Approximately 6.99 shares ($1,000 / $143)
Total Value in 2025: 6.99 shares x $400 = $2,796

That’s a nearly threefold increase in your original investment, with an approximate gain of 179.6% in just 10 years. It’s important to note that these figures do not include dividends, as Berkshire Hathaway famously does not pay dividends, preferring to reinvest earnings into the business.

Berkshire Hathaway’s Growth vs. Other Investments

How does Berkshire’s performance stack up to alternative investment opportunities like the S&P 500, high-yield savings accounts, or gold?

S&P 500: The S&P 500 delivered a total return (including dividends) of about +222% from 2015 to 2025, meaning a $1,000 investment would now be worth around $3,220.
High-Yield Savings Account: These would have offered cumulative returns far less, often under 20% over a decade. $1,000 would grow to about $1,200.
Gold: Gold’s value fluctuated substantially, but between 2015 and 2025, its total return hovered closer to 70%, making $1,000 turn into about $1,700.

Berkshire Hathaway delivered strong returns, competing closely with the broader market and easily beating conservative options like savings accounts and gold.

Key Reasons for Berkshire Hathaway’s Enduring Success

Berkshire Hathaway’s steady appreciation isn’t an accident. Several distinguishing traits set it apart from typical stocks:

Diversification: Their investment in wide-ranging industries shields Berkshire from downturns in any one sector.
Capital Allocation: Buffett’s legendary skill in buying undervalued companies and assets has paid off year after year.
Financial Discipline: Conservative use of leverage and an aversion to risky debt.
Reinvestment: Rather than paying dividends, Berkshire reinvests earnings to fuel further growth—compounding returns for shareholders.

While some investors may prefer the immediate gratification of dividends, long-term holders benefit from the power of this reinvestment strategy.

Recent Moves: Berkshire’s Evolving Portfolio

Berkshire Hathaway is not static. In recent years, Buffett & Co. have invested aggressively in technology (notably Apple), energy, Japanese trading houses, and even made strategic moves in the financial sector.

Apple: Now one of Berkshire’s largest holdings, Apple stock has contributed billions in gains.
Energy: Substantial investments in oil, alternative energy, and utilities.
International Expansion: Stakes in leading Japanese businesses show a willingness to look beyond the U.S.

These strategic bets demonstrate why Berkshire continues to thrive and adapt, even as original core holdings age.

Should You Still Invest in Berkshire Hathaway Today?

If you’re considering buying Berkshire Hathaway now, you might wonder whether there’s still upside ahead. Despite the company’s long track record, some investors worry about succession planning (Warren Buffett is in his 90s), market cycles, or future outperformance.

Why Berkshire Hathaway Remains a Solid Choice

Experienced Team: Berkshire has a deep bench of investment professionals ready to guide the company after Buffett and Munger.
Strong Balance Sheet: Billions in cash reserves provide flexibility for opportunistic investments or downturn protection.
Long-Term Focus: Modern Berkshire remains a disciplined investor, avoiding hype-driven trends and focusing on long-term value.

While no stock is without risks, Berkshire’s stability, leadership, and adaptability continue attracting buy-and-hold investors looking for growth and peace of mind.

Lessons from a Decade with Berkshire Hathaway

Here’s what investors can learn from Berkshire Hathaway’s 10-year run:

Patience Pays: Short-term market drops hurt, but long-term holding rewards disciplined investors.
Diversification is Powerful: A single company with exposure to many industries offers resilience and steady growth.
Reinvestment Grows Wealth: Forgoing dividends in favor of reinvestment can supercharge portfolio growth—especially when managed by proven capital allocators.

The takeaway? Compounding takes time, but over a decade, the rewards become undeniable.

How to Invest in Berkshire Hathaway

New investors interested in following in Buffett’s footsteps have two main share classes to choose from:

Class A (BRK.A): The original, premium class. These shares trade at hundreds of thousands of dollars per share and are typically held by institutions or high-net-worth individuals.
Class B (BRK.B): Launched to make Berkshire accessible to everyone. These shares have all the same underlying assets and track performance closely, trading at a fraction of the Class A price (often under $400 per share).

For most retail investors, BRK.B is the practical choice to get exposure to Berkshire Hathaway’s legendary portfolio.

How to Buy Berkshire Hathaway Shares

Open a brokerage account online (Fidelity, Charles Schwab, Robinhood, etc.).
Search for the ticker symbol “BRK.B.”
Decide how many shares (or fractional shares) you wish to purchase.
Review your order and complete the transaction.

It’s that simple—and you’ll join millions of investors enjoying Berkshire’s compounding power.

Final Thoughts: Berkshire Hathaway’s Legacy & The Power of Compounding

A $1,000 investment in Berkshire Hathaway 10 years ago would have grown to nearly $2,800 today. While this slightly trails the S&P 500’s total return, it far outclasses most alternatives, offering sleep-well-at-night security and robust management. For investors willing to buy and hold through market cycles, Berkshire Hathaway continues to exemplify what patient, intelligent investing can achieve.

Legendary Leadership
Diversified Business Model
Consistent Outperformance
Reinvestment Strategy

If you’re looking for a single company to anchor your long-term portfolio—or a proven stock to help teach you the power of compounding—Berkshire Hathaway is a strong contender. As Buffett himself says: Our favorite holding period is forever.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always conduct your own research or consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.