What Returns Could You Have Gained From a Warren Buffett Stock Tracker Investment a Decade Ago?

Warren Buffett, leading Berkshire Hathaway as its chief executive, stands among history’s most accomplished investment managers. Through decades of strategic acquisitions and disciplined capital allocation, he transformed a faltering textile manufacturer into a diversified conglomerate that has generated substantial wealth for long-term shareholders. Those early believers have seen their portfolios multiply significantly over time.

The transformation began when Buffett assumed control in 1965, immediately deploying capital into insurance operations including National Indemnity and GEICO. A key strategy involved leveraging the “float” — customer premiums held before claims are paid out — to fund additional investments. Today, Berkshire operates as an umbrella holding numerous wholly-owned subsidiaries, with Buffett announcing his planned retirement by year-end 2025, ensuring a smooth leadership transition.

Calculating Your Actual Position If You’d Tracked Berkshire Hathaway Stock Performance

What would $1,000 have become if deployed into Berkshire Hathaway securities a decade earlier? The company maintains two equity classes: A shares and B shares. Buffett historically resisted stock splits, believing high prices attract committed long-term investors. As A shares climbed to extraordinary valuations, the company eventually created the B class — offering lower per-share costs alongside reduced voting power.

A shares commanded approximately $227,000 per share around May 2015, making them inaccessible for modest investment amounts. B shares traded near $145.26 that same period, meaning your $1,000 allocation would have purchased roughly 6.9 shares.

Fast forward to May 2025: B shares reached $507.98 each. Your original 6.9-share position would now carry a market value around $3,505. This represents a meaningful appreciation, and importantly, Berkshire’s performance exceeded broader market indices across this decade-long span.

Evaluating Berkshire Hathaway as a Contemporary Investment Option

Assessing Berkshire Hathaway requires acknowledging its current complexity, particularly following Buffett’s impending departure. The company boasts an exceptionally curated portfolio of varied operating enterprises, commanding respect through its demonstrated investment discipline and operational excellence.

However, analyst perspectives diverge significantly. While some view the valuation as steep relative to intrinsic value calculations, others maintain bullish conviction. What’s undeniable: Berkshire’s performance has surpassed the S&P 500, and its substantial cash reserves combined with operational diversity position it as a defensive holding during market volatility.

The question for investors remains whether potential future gains justify current pricing — a consideration best approached with the patient, disciplined mindset that defined Buffett’s legendary career.