Ready to invest? With a new Presidency soon underway, a lot of people are looking to get back into the markets with some stock purchases. The most expensive publicly traded stock per share right now is Berkshire Hathaway, valued at almost a quarter of a million dollars, and it makes the cut year after year. Other expensive stocks include Markel, Seaboard Corp, Priceline, AutoZone, Google/Alphabet, Amazon, and Cable One.
As with any list showcasing the most expensive stock picks, there are going to be changes – monthly, if not daily. But for the most part, many of the companies on this list are in the top ten year after year. Read on to find out how much these stocks are and why they’re always the most expensive stocks.
10 of the Most Expensive Stocks You Can Buy
These stocks will cost you. All prices are as of December 20th, 2016.
1. Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE: BRK.A)
This Omaha, Nebraska brand is home to the “Oracle” Warren Buffett. While as much of a cultural phenomenon as an investment platform, the Berkshire Hathaway stock is an experience that goes beyond just the monetary benefits. If you can afford the price, you can part of an exclusive family of investors that wholly owns GEICO, BNSF Railway, Lubrizol, Dairy Queen, Fruit of the Loom, Helzberg Diamonds, FlightSafety International, Pampered Chef, and NetJets. It also has a good chunk of Heinz, as well as a minority interest in American Express, The Coca-Cola Company, Wells Fargo, IBM and Restaurant Brands International. If you want to expand your investing horizons to cover just about every consumer market out there, partnering with Buffett will do just that – at a price. Without a doubt this is the most expensive stock out there.
Price per share: $248,810.00
Learn more at the Berkshire Hathaway website.
54 years later, Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway crosses $250,000 a share https://t.co/7bkEBtkfbv
— CNBC (@CNBC) December 13, 2016
2. Seaboard Corp (NYSE:SEB)
This company has a deep history in the grain industry. This a diverse multinational agribusiness and transportation conglomerate touches many different industries, including pork production and processing, sugar production, electrical power generation, and marine merchandising with integrated operations in several industries. In the United States, the company mainly engages in pork production and processing and ocean transportation. It has a 50% non-controlling interest in Butterball, but other than this one niche, it is not typically a recognized as a household name.
Price per share: $4,140.00
Learn more at the investor section of the Seaboard website.
3. NVR (NYSE:NVR)
Over 365,000 homeowners have helped build the NVR empire, and that’s one of the reasons its stock is priced so high. Serving 15 states and their 25 metro areas, it has built homes under the names Ryan Homes, NVHomes, Rymarc Homes, Fox Ridge Homes and Heartland Homes. It is also in the mortgage business, giving shareholders a chance at owning stock in two major investing markets.
Price per share: $ 1,657.09
Learn more about NVR’s stocks at their investor relations site.
4. Priceline (NASDAQ: PCLN)
Remember when Priceline just handled travel on one website (and employed Shatner to peddle its services?) It has since grown to become “The Priceline Group” and includes the six brands Booking.com, priceline.com, agoda.com, KAYAK, Rentalcars.com and OpenTable. While we know of it as an American brand, it actually does most of its bookings internationally. It is considered the biggest online travel agency worldwide, according to Motley Fool.
Price per share: $1498.16
Learn more at the Priceline investor relations website.
5. Markel (NYSE: MKL)
This large holding company started back in 1930 and currently holds one of the highest stock price records. It has several lines of insurance business, including property/casualty, global marine coverage, and global business solutions. It also has a large reinsurance arm. Much of the money it makes is reinvested through its venture segment, which continues to grow the business in diverse areas worldwide.
Price per share: $900.99
Learn more at the Markel investor relations site.
6. Google/Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ: GOOGL)
When Google rebranded as Alphabet last year, the direction of branding and financial planning for the company changes. The NASDAQ letters didn’t, however. And while Google is up at the top of the list of the most expensive stock offerings, it still has some room to grow.
Price per share: $814.25
Learn more at the Alphabet/Google investor relations page here. They also record their calls and meetings for the press and shareholders via their YouTube channel.
7. AutoZone
AutoZone isn’t as big as Advance Auto Parts, but that doesn’t stop the 2nd-largest auto parts and services provider from going big with stock prices. In addition to selling big, trusted brands of about anything you need for consumer and commercial car maintenance and repair, they have a large private label selection, manufactured by Bosch. The trusted service and expansion of store locations (currently 5,000+) has helped earn its place it today’s stock market.
Price per share: $806.54
Learn more at the AutoZone investor relations page.
8. Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN)
With the holiday shopping season at peak, and Amazon adding new features and services almost every week, it’s no surprise that the mega online retailer is hitting its stride with high stock prices. When you buy an Amazon share, you are investing in cloud storage, music, movies, TV, shopping, books, electronics, and so much more. Someone hoping to become a very diversified investor can touch a little of everything with this all-in-one retail investment.
Price per share: $771.85
Learn more at the Amazon investor relations website.
9. Intuitive Surgical, Inc. (NASDAQ:ISRG)
Creator of the game-changing Da Vinci technique for robotic surgery, Intuitive Surgical is growing fast. Its procedures are found in clinics nationwide, and as more and more applications are approved for the method, sales can only be expected to grow. Open-heart surgery, urology procedures, and thoracic care are just a few of the areas being revolutionized by the new developments. Investors looking to get into medical tech have been flocking to this company, even though it is not quite the most expensive stock.
Price per share: $634.00
Learn more at the Intuitive Surgical, Inc. investor relations website.
10. Cable One (NYSE:CABO)
With over $807 million in sales annually, Cable One has become a force to be reckoned with in the entertainment industry. It services 664,000 customers in 19 states, and was named one of the top five cable companies to work for. It sits among the top ten cable companies, but its stock is priced far above the rest.
Price per share: $616.00
Learn more at the Cable One investor relations page.
Honorable mentions:
These didn’t quite make the cut, depending on the day. They are still rather pricey as stock picks go:
- Disney: $105.76
- Apple: $117.08
- Facebook: $119.37
What does it mean to own the most expensive stock in the world? It depends on who you ask. Remember, that price is not as important as value when it comes to purchasing anything – including stocks. Berkshire Hathaway, for example has never split their stocks into smaller shares in the history of their existence, meaning stocks are priced high, but still hold their same value as if they were split into smaller, more affordable stocks. And cheap stocks doesn’t mean they aren’t valuable, either. It simply has a different structure set up so that more people can get into ownership at a lower level of commitment.
Very few of us will be Berkshire Hathaway shareholders, and that was by design. If you can’t get into one of the most expensive stocks in the world, there are plenty of value-based opportunities to invest.