Most Expensive Stock Right Now: Nominal Price vs. Market Value

In the world of equity markets, the term "expensive" is often used in two distinct ways. For some, it refers to a high valuation relative to earnings (P/E ratio), but for most general observers, it refers to the most expensive stock right now based on its nominal price per share. As of early 2025, the title of the world's most expensive stock belongs to Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A (BRK.A), which trades at a staggering price exceeding $700,000 per single share.

1. The Current Leader: Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRK.A)

Berkshire Hathaway’s Class A shares are legendary in the financial world. Unlike almost every other major corporation, the company’s chairman, Warren Buffett, has famously refused to split the Class A shares since the company's inception.

History and Pricing Strategy

The primary reason for the high price is Buffett’s philosophy of attracting long-term, high-quality shareholders rather than short-term speculators. By maintaining a high share price, the stock naturally filters out high-frequency trading and retail volatility. According to market data from January 2025, while the broader US indexes like the S&P 500 (^GSPC) have seen recent fluctuations due to macroeconomic shifts—such as the nomination of Kevin Warsh as Fed Chair—BRK.A remains a stable behemoth of value.

Class A vs. Class B Shares

To provide accessibility for retail investors, Berkshire Hathaway created Class B shares (BRK.B) in 1996. These shares represent 1/1500th of the ownership of a Class A share and trade at a fraction of the price, making them a staple in many retail portfolios and Bitget-related financial discussions regarding diversified asset allocation.

2. Other High-Priced Global Stocks

While Berkshire Hathaway holds the top spot, several other companies maintain share prices in the thousands of dollars. These companies typically share a common trait: a reluctance to undergo frequent stock splits.

• Lindt & Sprüngli AG (LISN): Often cited as the most expensive stock outside the US, the Swiss chocolatier’s registered shares trade for over $100,000 USD.
• NVR, Inc. (NVR): A major US homebuilder whose shares trade in the mid-thousands, driven by aggressive share buyback programs.
• Booking Holdings (BKNG): The travel giant behind brands like Priceline and OpenTable maintains a share price often exceeding $4,000.
• Seaboard Corporation (SEB): An agribusiness and transportation conglomerate with a low share float and a price point in the several-thousand-dollar range.

3. Factors That Create High Share Prices

The most expensive stock right now is rarely determined by a company's sector, but rather by corporate governance and historical performance.

Resistance to Stock Splits

Most companies (like Apple or Nvidia) split their shares when the price gets too high to remain "affordable" for retail traders. High-priced leaders avoid this to maintain a base of institutional and long-term individual investors. For instance, while Nvidia (NVDA) has seen its value skyrocket due to AI demand, it uses splits to keep its per-share price accessible to the average trader.

Historical Compounding and Buybacks

Decades of consistent earnings growth combined with share buybacks—which reduce the total number of shares outstanding—naturally push the price per share upward. As noted in January 2025 earnings reports, companies like ExxonMobil (XOM) and Chevron (CVX) focus on capital discipline and buybacks to enhance shareholder value, even if their nominal prices remain lower than Berkshire's.

4. Investing in the Most Expensive Stocks

The high price of a single share is no longer a barrier for the modern investor. Technological advancements in brokerage platforms have democratized access to these assets.

Fractional Shares

Many modern platforms now allow for the purchase of fractional shares. This means an investor can put $100 into Berkshire Hathaway Class A and own a tiny "slice" of that $700,000+ share. This shift has made nominal share price less relevant to actual market participation.

Index Funds and ETFs

Most high-priced stocks are components of major indexes. By holding an S&P 500 ETF or participating in diversified products on Bitget, investors gain indirect exposure to these high-value companies without needing to purchase a full share.

5. Market Cap vs. Share Price: A Vital Distinction

It is a common misconception that the most expensive stock right now is the most valuable company. Share price is simply the total market capitalization divided by the number of shares outstanding.

For example, a company with 1 million shares priced at $1,000 has a market cap of $1 billion. A company with 100 million shares priced at $20 has a market cap of $2 billion. In this scenario, the $20 stock represents a much larger and more "valuable" company. As of early 2025, companies like Apple and Nvidia have significantly larger market capitalizations than Berkshire Hathaway, despite having much lower nominal share prices.

For those looking to explore high-value assets and market trends, Bitget provides comprehensive tools and insights for the modern digital and traditional finance landscape.