Introduction
When people search for the most expensive stocks, they often want to know which companies have the highest price for a single share. While a high share price can make a stock look unusually valuable, it does not automatically mean the company is the largest or best investment.
As of September 2026, Berkshire Hathaway Class A remains far ahead of other widely traded U.S. stocks by individual share price. Recent market data also places NVR, Seaboard, AutoZone, and First Citizens BancShares among the highest-priced shares.
In this guide, we will look at some of the most expensive stocks, explain what makes their prices so high, and show why investors should look beyond the number printed next to a stock ticker.
What Is Share Price?
A share price is the current market price of one share of a publicly traded company.
For example, if a company has a share price of $500, buying one whole share would cost approximately $500 before fees and other costs. The price changes throughout the trading day as buyers and sellers interact.
However, share price alone does not tell you how large a company is. A company with a $2,000 share price could be worth less overall than a company whose shares trade at $200.
Featured snippet answer:
What is share price? Share price is the amount investors currently pay to buy one share of a publicly traded company. It is different from the company’s total market value.
10 Most Expensive Stocks by Share Price
The following companies are examples of some of the highest-priced publicly traded U.S. shares. Prices move constantly, so the ranking can change from one trading session to another.
| Rank | Company | Ticker | Approx. Share Price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Berkshire Hathaway Class A | BRK.A | $761,245 |
| 2 | NVR | NVR | $6,088 |
| 3 | Seaboard Corporation | SEB | $4,285 |
| 4 | AutoZone | AZO | $2,890 |
| 5 | First Citizens BancShares | FCNCA | $2,158 |
| 6 | White Mountains Insurance Group | WTM | $2,072 |
| 7 | MercadoLibre | MELI | $1,912 |
| 8 | Berkshire Hathaway Class B | BRK.B | ~$506 |
| 9 | Markel Group | MKL | ~$1,772 |
| 10 | Sandisk | SNDK | ~$1,703 |
*Prices are approximate and based on recent September 2026 market data; stock prices can change throughout each trading session.
1. Berkshire Hathaway Class A
Berkshire Hathaway Class A is in a category of its own among the highest priced stocks. Recent September data shows BRK.A trading around $761,000 per share.
One important reason is that Berkshire has historically avoided splitting its Class A shares. As a result, the value accumulated over decades remains concentrated into each individual Class A share.
2. NVR
NVR is a major U.S. homebuilding company and is another notable high-priced stock. It recently closed around $6,088 per share.
Its high share price does not mean NVR is larger than every company with a lower stock price. Instead, the number of shares outstanding and the company’s overall market capitalization must also be considered.
3. Seaboard Corporation
Seaboard Corporation has historically maintained a very high per-share price. Its operations span areas including agriculture, food production, transportation, and related businesses.
Recent market lists placed Seaboard above $4,000 per share.
4. AutoZone
AutoZone is one of the best-known companies among high-priced retail stocks. Its shares have traded in the thousands of dollars per share, putting it firmly among the most expensive stock listings.
A company’s decision not to split its shares can have a major effect on its quoted share price.
5. First Citizens BancShares
First Citizens BancShares is a financial services company whose stock also trades at a relatively high per-share price. Recent market data placed it above $2,000 per share.
The company’s high share price should not be confused with its overall market value or future investment potential.
Why Are Some Stocks So Expensive?
There are several reasons a company can have a high individual share price.
Stock Splits Matter
A stock split divides existing shares into multiple shares. For example, a 2-for-1 split turns one $1,000 share into two $500 shares.
The investor’s total value does not automatically increase because of the split. The number of shares and price per share simply change.
Companies that rarely or never split their shares can therefore develop very high nominal prices over many years.
Share Count Makes a Difference
The largest share price does not necessarily belong to the company with the largest market capitalization.
Market capitalization is generally calculated by multiplying the company’s share price by its outstanding shares.
This means a company with a $5,000 share price could have a smaller overall valuation than a company with a $500 share price if the second company has many more shares outstanding.
Highest Stock Price Today vs. Best Investment
It is important to separate two ideas: having the highest stock price today and being a good investment.
A stock can have a very high per-share price but still face business risks, valuation concerns, industry challenges, or weak future growth.
Likewise, a stock with a much lower share price can represent a very large and profitable company.
Investors should consider factors such as:
- Revenue and earnings growth
- Profit margins
- Debt levels
- Free cash flow
- Market capitalization
- Valuation ratios
- Competitive advantages
- Industry conditions
- Management quality
- Long-term growth prospects
Looking only at the price of one share gives you an incomplete picture.
Why Berkshire Hathaway Has Such a Large Share Price
Berkshire Hathaway Class A provides one of the clearest examples of why share price can be misleading.
Recent data shows BRK.A trading around $761,245 at the September 10, 2026 market close.
Berkshire has maintained its Class A share structure rather than repeatedly splitting the stock. This has allowed its per-share price to become exceptionally high over time.
Berkshire also has a Class B share class, which provides investors with a much lower-priced alternative to Class A shares.
The key lesson is simple: a high share price does not automatically mean a stock is overpriced.
Are High-Priced Stocks Better Than Low-Priced Stocks?
No. A higher share price does not automatically make a company better.
For example, a $100 stock can be more valuable as an investment than a $5,000 stock depending on the company’s fundamentals, valuation, growth prospects, and risks.
This is why experienced investors usually examine the complete financial picture instead of ranking companies purely by their share prices.
If your goal is to compare companies, market capitalization and valuation metrics are generally more useful starting points than share price alone.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most expensive stock?
Berkshire Hathaway Class A is currently the most expensive widely traded U.S. stock by individual share price, with recent September 2026 data showing it around $761,000 per share.
What is the highest priced stock?
The highest-priced stock by nominal per-share value is Berkshire Hathaway Class A. Its exceptionally high price is largely related to its share structure and long history without a traditional stock split.
Does a high stock price mean a company is expensive?
Not necessarily. A stock’s per-share price does not tell you whether the company is overvalued. Market capitalization and valuation measures provide a more useful picture.
Why don’t companies with expensive stocks split their shares?
Companies may choose not to split shares for various reasons. Some prefer to maintain a particular shareholder structure, while others simply do not consider a split necessary.
Can beginners buy expensive stocks?
Yes, depending on the brokerage and market. Some brokers offer fractional shares, allowing investors to purchase a portion of a high-priced stock instead of buying one complete share.
Conclusion
The most expensive stocks are interesting because their individual share prices can reach thousands—or, in Berkshire Hathaway’s case, hundreds of thousands—of dollars. But share price alone should never be used to judge whether a company is valuable, affordable, or suitable for an investment portfolio.
Berkshire Hathaway Class A remains the standout example, while companies such as NVR, Seaboard, AutoZone, and First Citizens BancShares also have exceptionally high share prices.
If you’re researching high-priced stocks, compare market capitalization, financial performance, valuation, growth potential, and risk alongside the share price. This gives you a much clearer view of what a stock is actually worth.
