What Is the Most Expensive Stock by Share Price?
Unpack the true meaning of a high stock share price. Explore leading examples and the underlying reasons, understanding its significance in investment.
Understanding what makes a stock “expensive” is a common point of curiosity for many investors. While a high price per share might seem daunting, a company’s true value extends beyond this single number. This article clarifies what an expensive stock means, identifies companies with high per-share prices, and explores the factors contributing to these figures.
Defining “Expensive” Stock
An “expensive” stock refers to a company with a high price per individual share, which is the dollar amount an investor pays for one unit of equity. While this metric is straightforward, it can be misleading when assessing a company’s overall worth or investment potential.
A more comprehensive measure of a company’s size and value is its market capitalization, or “market cap.” This figure is calculated by multiplying the current share price by the total number of outstanding shares. For instance, a company with a lower share price but a very large number of shares in circulation could have a significantly higher market capitalization than a company with a high share price but fewer shares.
Current Most Expensive Stocks
As of mid-2025, Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A (BRK.A) consistently holds the distinction of having the highest share price globally. Its Class A shares have traded in a range, reaching approximately $692,600 to $711,480 per share. Berkshire Hathaway is a multinational conglomerate holding company with diverse investments across various sectors, including insurance, railroads, and manufacturing.
Another company known for its high individual share price is NVR Inc. (NVR), a prominent homebuilding and mortgage banking company. NVR’s shares have been priced around $7,760.68. Seaboard Corporation (SEB) also features among the stocks with substantial per-share values, with its shares trading at approximately $3,168.6 to $3,309.8. Seaboard operates as a diversified agribusiness and transportation conglomerate.
Factors Contributing to High Share Prices
Several factors contribute to high per-share stock prices. One primary reason is the historical avoidance of stock splits. Many companies, such as Berkshire Hathaway, have intentionally chosen not to split their shares, allowing the price of each individual share to increase organically over decades as the company’s value grows.
This decision often reflects a desire to attract long-term investors rather than short-term traders. Companies with high share prices typically demonstrate strong financial performance and consistent growth over extended periods. Their profitability and expanding operations drive demand for their shares, pushing the price upward.
Additionally, some of these companies, like Berkshire Hathaway and Seaboard Corporation, are structured as holding companies or conglomerates. Their value is derived from a diverse portfolio of underlying businesses, which can contribute to an appreciating share price.
Understanding Share Price in Context
A high share price alone does not necessarily indicate a superior investment or a “better” company. Market capitalization provides a more accurate representation of a company’s overall size and total value. While a high per-share price might make a stock less accessible for individual investors, fractional share investing has mitigated this barrier, allowing investors to buy portions of expensive shares.
A stock’s price is merely one data point. Investment decisions should be based on a comprehensive analysis of a company’s financial health, growth prospects, industry position, and overall valuation, rather than solely on the nominal price of a single share. Understanding the underlying factors and broader market metrics provides a more informed perspective.