Should I buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in 2025?

What is Berkshire Hathaway?

Note: EBITDA estimated based on profit margin and net income data.

How much is the Berkshire Hathaway stock?

The price of Berkshire Hathaway stock is rising this week. As of today, the current BRK.B stock price stands at $506.18 USD, reflecting a 0.61% gain over the past 24 hours and a slight decrease of 0.17% over the week. Berkshire Hathaway’s market capitalisation is now $1.092 trillion, with an average daily trading volume of 5,457,022 shares over the past three months.

A beta of 0.87 indicates lower volatility than the broader market. For NZ investors, this stability and scale may make Berkshire Hathaway a compelling option for a diversified long-term portfolio.

Our full analysis on the Berkshire Hathaway stock

Following a rigorous review of Berkshire Hathaway’s latest quarterly results and a detailed examination of the stock’s performance trajectory over the past three years, our proprietary models analyzing financial, technical, and market data—benchmarked against sector peers—highlight a compelling story of resilience and opportunity. Despite short-term volatility and leadership transition headlines, the company’s diversified structure and robust balance sheet reinforce its reputation as a defensive cornerstone in global equity markets. So, why might Berkshire Hathaway once again become a strategic entry point into the diversified financial and industrial sector in 2025?

Recent Performance and Market Context

Berkshire Hathaway’s Class B shares (BRK.B) have demonstrated remarkable strength, closing at USD $506.18 on 30 May 2025—a level just 7% off all-time highs and comfortably within the upper quadrant of its 52-week range ($403.33 – $542.07). Over the past year, the stock appreciated an impressive 25.26%, materially outperforming broad US and global indices, as well as most multi-line financial peers. This sustained momentum comes amid a macroeconomic backdrop marked by stabilising interest rates, incremental economic growth in the United States, and receding inflation—factors providing strong tailwinds for large, cash-generative conglomerates.

Notably, while Q1 2025 saw a temporary drop in operating earnings (down 14.1% YoY), this was largely attributable to sector-wide insurance volatility and unrealised investment losses rather than operational weakness. In fact, Berkshire’s net income over the trailing twelve months remains robust at $80.9 billion, underpinned by healthy underlying cash flows and consistent performance in its energy, railway, and industrial businesses.

Coupled with the well-telegraphed CEO succession from Warren Buffett to Greg Abel—set for the end of 2025—the market’s overall reaction has been measured and constructive. Far from detracting from the investment case, this transition underscores the company’s deep bench strength and culture of continuity.

Technical Analysis

Berkshire Hathaway appears to be consolidating after its strong run-up, offering favorable technical entry points for investors focused on both immediate support and medium-term upside. As of the end of May 2025, the key technical metrics present a neutral-to-bullish landscape:

• RSI (14-day): 41.39. This reading signals neutral conditions, indicating that the stock is neither overbought nor oversold, allowing for flexible positioning.
• MACD: -3.91. The MACD remains just below its signal line, suggesting that the consolidation phase may soon shift direction, especially as volatility has receded.
• 200-day Moving Average: $477.03. With the current price comfortably above this threshold, the long-term bullish trend remains intact.
• Golden Cross observed across major moving averages—historically a strong indicator of medium-term upward momentum.
• Recent price action shows a 38.2% pullback from 2025 highs per Fibonacci retracements, and ongoing consolidation within the $468-$492 support range, suggesting that downside appears limited.
• Major resistance levels at $521.41–$538 serve as near-term targets; a successful breakout above these could catalyze a new leg higher.

The net technical structure signals a reset—often a precursor to renewed accumulation and potential upside breakouts.

Fundamental Analysis

Berkshire Hathaway’s fundamental profile is underpinned by a rare alignment of size, strength, and adaptability:

• Revenue and Profitability: Over the past twelve months, revenues reached $371.29 billion—one of the largest among global conglomerates—with net income clocking in at $80.9 billion. The company maintains robust profit margins (21.79%) and strong returns on both assets (5.79%) and equity (13.19%), reflecting operating efficiency.
• Valuation: Trading at a trailing P/E of 13.49, Berkshire is attractively valued relative to its historical average and versus comparable blue-chip US stocks. The absence of a dividend is a conscious choice, maximizing capital reinvestment, and reinforcing long-term compounding for patient shareholders.
• Balance Sheet Strength: With record cash reserves at $347.68 billion, the company holds a formidable position to pursue opportunistic investments, withstand volatility, and return capital. Importantly, the debt/equity ratio of just 19.17% further mitigates risk and preserves financial optionality.
• Strategic Moat: Berkshire’s uniquely diversified structure—encompassing insurance, rail, energy, utilities, and a $259 billion equity portfolio (Apple, American Express, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chevron)—creates recurring, inflation-hedged cash flows. The conglomerate model enables superior allocation across cycles, insulating performance in uncertain macro environments.

The fundamentals, therefore, not only justify renewed interest at current levels but suggest potential for valuation expansion as catalysts unfold.

Volume and Liquidity

Averaging 5.46 million BRK.B shares traded daily over the past three months, Berkshire Hathaway stands as one of the world’s most liquid large-cap stocks. This active volume profile supports efficient price discovery and assures investors—both institutional and retail—of reliable market entry and exit points without significant spread impact.

• Public float remains significant, with strong institutional participation and a well-diversified shareholder base. This enhances both stability and upside potential, as additional liquidity allows for dynamic re-rating in response to market catalysts.
• Liquidity characteristics are particularly attractive from a New Zealand investor perspective, given the added confidence in free trading and deep pool of market participants.

Catalysts and Positive Outlook

Several positive catalysts underpin the medium- and long-term outlook for Berkshire Hathaway:

• Leadership Transition: Greg Abel’s ascension to CEO is viewed positively by analysts, building on operational track records in Berkshire’s energy and non-insurance businesses. Buffett’s continued Chairmanship ensures strategic stability and confidence in stewardship.
• Unrivaled Cash Reserves: With $347.68 billion in cash, Berkshire is ideally positioned to capitalize on market dislocation, participate in large-scale M&A, or execute opportunistic share buybacks—a proven value creation strategy, especially if equity valuations become more attractive.
• Portfolio Optimisation: Active management and realignment of the $259 billion equity portfolio, with an eye toward next-wave technology, consumer, and energy investments, may lift returns beyond historic averages.
• ESG Progression: Berkshire’s increasing focus on ESG investments—particularly within utilities and renewables—broadens its appeal to a global base of long-term capital allocators, which is expected to drive incremental demand for the stock.
• Favorable Macro Landscape: A stabilizing economic cycle, anticipated interest rate pauses, and likely continued US economic resilience provide a tailwind for core insurance and financial subsidiaries. The conglomerate structure further hedges against sector-specific disruptions.

The convergence of these drivers not only positions Berkshire for stable compounding, but also introduces the possibility of outsized gains should macro or sectoral volatility create buying opportunities.

Investment Strategies

The current technical and fundamental environment presents multiple logical entry points for investors with varying time horizons:

Short-Term Positioning

• Near-term stabilization: With the RSI in neutral territory and consolidation at support zones ($468–$492), short-term traders may view current levels as a springboard for a retest of the upper resistance band ($521–$538).
• Catalyst anticipation: The upcoming CEO transition and potential portfolio moves could act as near-term volatility events, creating attractive trading windows.

Medium-Term Opportunities

• Momentum Re-accumulation: Bullish crossovers, positive moving average dynamics, and healthy volume all suggest the potential for renewed interest from institutional investors. A break above resistance could see the stock target the long-term consensus range of $526–$606, or the 30% upside scenario ($658).
• Earnings recovery: Likely insurance rebound and new investment themes are positioned to drive a return to growth over 2025.

Long-Term Outlook

• Compounding and defense: Berkshire’s proven ability to deliver above-market returns through decades—via disciplined capital deployment and resilience across cycles—remains unchanged. For investors building wealth across 5–10 years, the combination of a defensive moat, superior management, and a diversified asset base maintains strong appeal.
• Technical “reset”: Purchasing during consolidation phases—especially when backed by robust fundamentals—has historically yielded significant returns for patient investors.

Is It the Right Time to Buy Berkshire Hathaway?

In summary, Berkshire Hathaway stands as a model of operational robustness, financial resilience, and strategic flexibility. The company’s:

• Consistent revenue and profit growth,
• Fortress balance sheet with historic cash reserves,
• Forward-thinking approach to leadership transition,
• Competitive moat spanning multiple sectors, and
• Attractive valuation relative to peers

all underscore why this stock may be entering a new bullish phase. Recent consolidation and technical reset, together with imminent succession clarity and vast untapped financial optionality, mean the fundamentals justify renewed interest—especially for investors seeking both stability and upside in uncertain times.

Berkshire Hathaway’s rare blend of scale, quality, and opportunity seems to represent an excellent entry point for NZ investors looking to anchor global equities portfolios with exposure to best-in-class stewardship and diversified growth potential. As 2025 unfolds, the market’s attention will turn to how Berkshire’s world-class management leverages its cash war chest and broad operational base—presenting a strategic opportunity not to be underestimated.

How to buy Berkshire Hathaway stock in New Zealand?

Investing in Berkshire Hathaway shares has never been more accessible for investors in New Zealand. Using a regulated online broker, you can buy or trade BRK.B (Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares) securely, often from your desktop or mobile. There are two main approaches: classic spot buying (cash purchase) where you directly own shares, and trading via Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allows speculation on price movements without actual ownership. Both methods are straightforward and protected by strong regulatory frameworks. To help you find the best rates and features, a New Zealand broker comparison is available further down this page.

Spot Buying

Spot (cash) buying means purchasing Berkshire Hathaway shares directly on the stock market, making you the legal owner of those shares. With New Zealand brokers, you typically pay a fixed commission per order—this usually ranges from NZD $3 to $10 depending on the provider.

Example

For example, if the current Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) share price is ~$506 NZD (converted from USD for illustration), with a NZD $1,000 investment you could buy approximately 1.97 shares (1.97 × $506 = $997), including a brokerage fee of around $5.
✔️ Gain scenario:
If the BRK.B share price increases by 10%, your shareholding would be worth roughly $1,100 NZD (1.97 shares × $557 = ~$1,100).
Result: +$100 gross gain, or +10% return on your initial investment.

Trading via CFD

CFD trading lets you speculate on Berkshire Hathaway’s share price movements without physically owning the stock. Instead, you enter into a contract with the broker. This method can boost both potential gains and losses through leverage, but also comes with additional costs: you pay a spread (the difference between buy/sell prices) and overnight financing if you hold positions open for multiple days.

Example

Say you invest $1,000 in a CFD on BRK.B shares with 5x leverage, giving you $5,000 of market exposure.
✔️ Gain scenario:
If BRK.B rises by 8%, your position gains 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: +$400 gain on a $1,000 stake (fees and possible overnight charges not included in this calculation).
Note: Leverage also magnifies potential losses, so prudent risk management is essential.

Final Advice

Before buying Berkshire Hathaway stocks or trading CFDs, always compare brokers’ fees, platforms, and conditions. Your best choice depends on your investment goals: spot buying suits long-term holders seeking ownership and dividends, while CFDs may appeal to active traders targeting short-term moves with leverage. You’ll find a handy broker comparator further down this page to support your decision, so you can invest in Berkshire Hathaway with confidence and clarity.

Our 7 tips for buying Berkshire Hathaway stock

The latest news about Berkshire Hathaway

Berkshire Hathaway shares have remained stable over the past week, posting only minimal price variation. During the last seven days, BRK.B shares dipped just 0.17%, reflecting notably reduced volatility and a clear consolidation pattern above the critical 200-day moving average of $477.03. Technical indicators remain neutral, with the RSI at 41.39 and the recent “golden cross” pattern across major moving averages suggesting continued underlying positive momentum. This stability, combined with low beta (0.87), positions Berkshire as a defensive holding, a key factor appreciated by institutional investors globally—including those in New Zealand’s superannuation and KiwiSaver schemes.

Analyst sentiment remains positive long-term, citing strong fundamentals and strategic continuity amid Buffett’s well-structured succession plan. Warren Buffett’s official announcement that Greg Abel will assume the CEO role by the end of 2025 has removed much succession-related uncertainty. With Buffett staying as Chairman, analysts expect the company’s conservative and value-oriented investment philosophy to remain intact. For New Zealand investors and analysts, this signals confidence in Berkshire’s stable governance and long-term orientation—qualities essential for funds looking for durable growth and low volatility international allocation.

Berkshire Hathaway boasts record cash reserves, providing resilience and opportunity in the current market environment. As of the end of May 2025, the company reported a historic $347.68 billion in cash and equivalents, equipping it to weather economic shocks and capitalize on future investment opportunities. This liquidity buffer is especially significant for Kiwi investors in a period of heightened global financial uncertainty, as Berkshire’s capacity for large-scale portfolio adjustments or defensive positions can protect and potentially enhance international portfolio returns.

The company's core fundamentals remain robust, with a diversified business model and impressive long-term performance metrics. Despite Q1 2025 operating earnings coming in 14.1% below prior-year levels due to insurance segment weakness and investment volatility, Berkshire reported trailing twelve-month revenue of $371.29 billion and net income of $80.9 billion. These results, paired with a 21.79% profit margin, 13.19% return on equity, and prudent debt-to-equity ratio of 19.17%, underpin the company’s reputation as a global value stalwart and a consistent favorite among New Zealand’s institutional and retail investors seeking overseas exposure.

Berkshire Hathaway’s shares remain accessible to New Zealand investors and are widely held through local retirement schemes and global ETFs. BRK.B’s listing on the NYSE ensures liquidity and international accessibility, while its absence of a dividend simplifies tax treatment for New Zealand holders—capital gains, rather than foreign withholding taxes, are the primary consideration. Berkshire’s inclusion in major global index funds and superannuation allocations, often favored for its defensive business mix and proven track record, supports continued NZ investor interest and positions the stock as a cornerstone in diversified global portfolios.

FAQ

P. Laurore

Finance expert

Co-founder of HelloSafe and holder of a Master's degree in finance, Pauline has recognised expertise in personal finance, which she uses to help users better understand and optimise their financial choices. At HelloSafe, Pauline plays a key role in designing clear, educational content on savings, investments and personal finance. Passionate about financial education, Pauline strives, with every piece of content she oversees, to provide reliable, transparent and unbiased information for independent and informed financial management. To this end, she has tested over 100 trading platforms to help internet users make the right choices.