Berkshire Hathaway’s 10-Year Journey: How $1,000 Grew into a Golden Nest Egg

Ten years ago, Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway was already a titan of the investment world. But how would a modest $1,000 investment have fared over the past decade? Let’s crunch the numbers—and uncover the lessons that could still make you rich.

The Starting Line: May 2015

On May 10, 2015, Berkshire Hathaway Class B shares (BRK.B) closed at $132.04 per share. A $1,000 investment would have bought you 7.58 shares (calculated using the annual close price for simplicity, as daily data for that exact date wasn’t available).

The Decade in Motion: Volatility, Value, and Buffett’s Edge

Over the next decade, Berkshire navigated a world of market turmoil—from the 2020 pandemic crash to inflation spikes and geopolitical chaos. Yet, by May 10, 2025, BRK.B shares had climbed to $515.81, a 291% increase from their 2015 closing price.

Here’s how that $1,000 investment would have fared:
- Initial Investment: $1,000 (7.58 shares)
- Final Value: $3,906 (7.58 shares × $515.81)
- Total Return: 290% (including no dividends—Berkshire doesn’t pay them, so gains come purely from price appreciation).

Why the Upside? The Buffett Playbook

Buffett’s strategy of buying undervalued assets and holding them for decades paid off. Berkshire’s portfolio includes giants like Coca-Cola, Apple, and the railroad Burlington Northern, which all grew steadily despite market dips.

Even in 2022, when the S&P 500 fell 19%, Berkshire’s investments in insurance and infrastructure—stable cash generators—shielded it from the worst of the sell-off.

Lessons for Investors

1. Stay the Course: Buffett famously said, “Be fearful when others are greedy, and greedy when others are fearful.” Those who held through 2020’s crash (when BRK.B fell nearly 30%) were rewarded as shares rebounded 45% by 2021.
2. Quality Over Fads: While crypto and meme stocks hyped up, Berkshire’s boring-but-solid businesses (railroads, utilities) outperformed.
3. Time is Your Ally: Compounding works miracles. At 9% annual growth (Berkshire’s average over the decade), $1,000 becomes $2,367 in 10 years—but Berkshire’s actual 14% annualized return (290% total) beat that.

The Elephant in the Room: Is This the New Normal?

Berkshire’s future hinges on Buffett’s successors and the company’s ability to adapt to tech-driven markets. While its legacy businesses remain strong, younger investors might argue that tech stocks or ETFs offer better growth.

But here’s the kicker: No S&P 500 ETF (SPY) matched Berkshire’s decade-long returns. SPY rose just 145% over the same period—half of Berkshire’s gain.

Conclusion: A Golden Rule for Generations

Investing $1,000 in Berkshire Hathaway a decade ago turned into $3,906—a testament to Buffett’s disciplined value investing. The takeaway? Quality, patience, and a willingness to ignore short-term noise can turn small sums into life-changing wealth.

As Buffett once said, “Our favorite holding period is forever.” For those who heeded that advice, the past 10 years proved it’s not just a slogan—it’s a strategy that works.