2025-04-08
Even in 2025, the stock market continues to showcase companies with remarkable per-share pricing, a sign not only of market value but of investor confidence and unique corporate strategies.
So, which stock holds the title for the most expensive globally? It remains Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A), but let's explore what that truly means.
1) Strategic Refusal of Stock Splits
Berkshire's policy of never splitting Class A shares has kept its price exclusive. This limits accessibility but also ensures shareholders are long-term investors rather than short-term traders.
By contrast, companies like Apple and Tesla have split shares multiple times to make them more affordable for retail investors.
2) Warren Buffett's Legacy & Stability
Buffett's consistent value-driven philosophy of buying undervalued companies, holding for decades, and avoiding speculation cements investor trust.
His reputation has built a strong "moat" of loyalty around Berkshire, making its shares particularly attractive to conservative long-term investors.
3) Value-Oriented and Diversified Business Model
Berkshire isn't just a holding company; it's an empire. With wholly owned subsidiaries such as GEICO, BNSF Railway, and Berkshire Hathaway Energy, alongside major stakes in Apple, Coca-Cola, and American Express, it generates reliable cash flow.
This diversified exposure insulates the company against sector downturns.
4) Cash Hoard & Flexibility
As of late August 2025, Berkshire Hathaway's market capitalisation stands at a staggering $1.06 trillion. This cements its position among the largest public companies globally (ranking 7th by market cap as of mid-2025).
A significant contributor to its financial resilience is its cash and liquidity reserve. In 2025, it had exceeded $320 billion, granting it unparalleled flexibility in times of market stress.
| Rank | Company & Ticker | Approx. Price per Share (2025) | Notable Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A) | $734,405 | No stock splits → exclusive, long-term investor base. |
| 2 | NVR Inc. (NVR) | $8,213 | Limited shares, strong execution in homebuilding. |
| 3 | Booking Holdings Inc. (BKNG) | $5,721 | Market dominance in global travel platforms. |
| 4 | AutoZone Inc. (AZO) | $4,111 | Leading aftermarket auto parts retailer. |
| 5 | Seaboard Corporation (SEB) | $3,686 | Diverse agribusiness/conglomerate with limited float. |
| 6 | MercadoLibre Inc. (MELI) | $2,431 | Latin America's dominant e-commerce and fintech player. |
| 7 | Markel Group Inc. (MKL) | $1,992 | Niche insurance holding company with strong book value. |
| 8 | First Citizens BancShares (FCNCA) | $1,988 | Strategic growth and impressive financial performance. |
| 9 | White Mountains Insurance Group (WTM) | $1,863 | Focused insurance/reinsurance operations. |
| 10 | Fair Isaac Corporation (FICO) | $1,416 | Leader in credit scoring and analytics tools. |
A few notes to keep in mind:
These prices represent the most recent market valuations for 2025, providing an updated overview of the highest-priced stocks.
Other companies, such as Lindt & Sprüngli AG (CHF ~118,800), are excluded here due to limited U.S. market pricing data, despite being long regarded as high-priced stocks.
Despite their notoriety, high per-share prices do not necessarily indicate superior fundamentals. They're often the byproduct of structural decisions such as avoiding stock splits.
Stock price alone is not a reliable indicator of value. A more accurate metric is market capitalisation, i.e., share price multiplied by total shares outstanding. A lower-priced stock with more shares can still hold greater market value.
Moreover, share splits often lower prices for branding, not value, making high prices more symbolic than substantive.
Because it has never split its Class A shares, as Buffett's philosophy favours shareholder longevity over accessibility.
No. Real value comes from fundamentals, not nominal share price. Examine a company's total business rather than its short-term shares.
Only if their investment goals or cash flow parameters can't accommodate fractional holdings.
In conclusion, while Berkshire Hathaway's Class A remains the most expensive stock in the world by a wide margin, the real takeaway for investors is to look beyond the price tag.
Focus on quality, strategy, and available tools like fractional shares to access high-value equities.
Disclaimer: This material is for general information purposes only and is not intended as (and should not be considered to be) financial, investment or other advice on which reliance should be placed. No opinion given in the material constitutes a recommendation by EBC or the author that any particular investment, security, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.
