What's the difference between Berkshire Hathaway class a and class b shares

The key differences between Berkshire Hathaway Class A and Class B shares are as follows:

1. Price: The most significant difference is the price. Class A shares are significantly more expensive than Class B shares. As of January 3rd, 2024, Class A shares were trading for $557,075 per share, while Class B shares were trading for $367.44. This makes Class A shares much more expensive and less accessible to a broader range of investors.
2. Voting Rights: Class B shareholders have significantly fewer voting rights than Class A shareholders. A single Class B share has 1/10,000th of the voting rights of a Class A share. This means that Class A shareholders have substantially more voting power and influence in the company's decision-making processes.
3. Convertibility: Class A shares can be converted into Class B shares at any time, but Class B shares cannot be converted into Class A shares. This means that Class A shareholders have the option to convert their shares into Class B shares to increase their liquidity, but Class B shareholders cannot increase their stake in Class A shares.
4. Performance: The performance of Class A and Class B shares is closely tied, as they represent equivalent ownership in the company. However, minor differences in performance can occur due to market demand and supply dynamics.
5. Market Accessibility: Due to the high price of Class A shares, they are largely inaccessible to most investors. In contrast, Class B shares are more affordable and are the only option for investors with limited financial resources.

In summary, while both classes of shares offer ownership in Berkshire Hathaway, the primary differences lie in price, voting rights, convertibility, and market accessibility.