What are Expensive Shares?
As an investor, have you ever wondered which is the most expensive share in the world? The term “expensive” means different things to different types of stock market investors. For example, an experienced trader will label a stock as expensive if it trades in higher multiples (read PE ratio) than the industry average. On the other hand, a newcomer to the stock market considers the stock expensive if it trades for a few thousand rupees.
In this article, let’s take a detailed look at the most expensive shares in the world. If you are wondering whether any Indian stocks are featured in the list of the most expensive shares in the world, the answer is yes, and it is none other than MRF.
Here is a list of the 9 most expensive shares in the world:
Berkshire Hathway
Share price on 28/02/23 $4,59,970 or ~₹3.8 crores
For many years, Berkshire Hathaway shares are constantly ranked first in the list of most expensive shares in the world. A single share of Berkshire Hathaway, in which Warren Buffet has a majority holding, is trading for $4,59,970 or ~₹3.8 crores as of 28 Feb 2023.
Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, United States, Berkshire Hathaway is an American multinational holding company wholly owned by Duracell, Helzberg Diamonds, Long & Foster, GEICO, Dairy Queen, BNSF, Lubrizol, International, NetJets, Pampered Chef etc.
Berkshire Hathaway holds significant stakes in leading American companies like Kraft Heinz Company, Bank of America, American Express, Apple and Coca-Cola.
Its primary source of income comes from insurance, and it has a broad and diverse portfolio of subsidiaries and equity positions. Moreover, as fractional investing is allowed in the US, investors can buy a part of the share and become shareholders of such stocks. As a result, it is one of the most valued companies in the world, which comes as no surprise given that its CEO is legendary investor Warren Buffett.
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Lindt & Sprüngli
Share price on 28/02/23 -1,03,900 CHF or ~₹92 lakhs
Founded in 1845, Lindt & Sprüngli is a chocolate and confectionery manufacturing company headquartered in Kilchberg, Switzerland. The company manufactures and markets a variety of chocolate bars, desserts, liqueurs, and ice creams.
Lindt & Sprüngli markets its chocolates and confectionery products through speciality stores and retail outlets. The company’s products are marketed globally through its subsidiaries in North America, Europe, and Asia and international distributors across other regions.
The shares are listed on six Swiss exchanges. Each share of Lindt trades for 1,03,900 CHF or ~₹92 lahks as of 28 Feb 2023. The company is headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland. In the financial year 2022, the group reported sales of CHF 4.97 billion (~₹45,000 crores) through its vast network of distributors, subsidiaries, shops, and cafes spread across 120 countries worldwide.
Next PLC
Share price on 28/02/23 -GBP 6,888 or ~₹ 6.9 lahks
Founded in 1864, Next PLC is a British multinational clothing, footwear, and home products retailer headquartered in Enderby, UK. With over 700 stores in the UK, Next is the largest clothing retailer in the UK regarding sales. The company also operates over 200 stores across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Each share of Next Plc. trades at GBP 6,888 or ~₹ 6.9 lahks as of 28 Feb 2023. In the financial year 2022, the company reported revenue of $6.2 billion and pretax earnings of $1.1 billion. The company has over 500 stores in the UK and 200 across Europe and the Middle East.
NVR Inc
Share price on 28/02/23 – 5,198 USD or ~₹4.3 lahks
Founded in 1980, NVR Inc. (formerly North Virginia Homes Inc.) is a Fortune 500 company in home construction, mortgage banking, and title services headquartered in Reston, Virginia, United States.
As of 2022, the company is the fourth-largest homebuilding company in the US. Its shares are listed on NYSE with the ticker symbol of NVR, and each share trades at $5,198 or ~₹4.3 lahks as of 28 Feb 2023. The company reported an annual revenue of $10.52 billion and a net income of $1.72 billion in 2022.
The company primarily operates on the United States East Coast under the brand names Ryan Homes, NV Homes, and Heartland Homes brands. It builds homes in 35 metropolitan areas in fifteen states in the US.
Seaboard Corporation
Share price on 28/02/23 – USD 3,948 or ~Rs. 3,26,000 lakhs
Founded in 1918, Seaboard Corporation is a diversified multinational agribusiness and ocean transportation player headquartered in Merriam, Kansas. Its primary business in America includes the production and processing of pork and ocean transportation. Along with its subsidiaries, the company is also in the business of commodity merchandising, grain processing, sugar production, and electrical power generation internationally.
The company’s shares are traded on NYSE with ticker symbol SEB and each share trades at $3,948 or ~₹3,26,000 as of 28 Feb 2023. In 2022, the company reported net sales of $11.2 billion and net earnings of $580 million. The company is headquartered in Merriam, Kansas, United States, and employs around 13,000 people worldwide.
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Booking Holdings Inc.
Share price on 28/03/23 – 2524 USD
Booking Holdings Inc. is an American Travel Technology Company that ranks 216th in the Fortune 500 list in terms of revenue. The company owns and operates travel and travel metasearch engine websites in about 40 languages across 200 countries, such as Booking.com, Agoda.com, Kayak.com, Cheapflights, Rentalcars.com, Momondo, and OpenTable, to name a few.
The company generates most of its revenues from commissions on hotel and flight bookings and advertising.
Markel Corporation
Share price on 28/02/23 – 1329.86 USD
Founded in 1930, Markel Corporation is a global holding company for insurance, reinsurance, and investment operations. The company is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, and its principal business markets and underwrites speciality insurance products. In addition, through its group company Markel Ventures, the company allocates capital for investment in opportunities beyond insurance.
Here is a list of the 5 Most Expensive Shares in India
MRF
Share price on 28/02/23 – Rs.85,256
Madras Rubber Factory (MRF) is one of India’s most visible and popular tyre manufacturers (thanks to its quality products and strategic ad placements). And also the most expensive share in India. Each share of MRF trades at ₹85,256 as of 28 Feb 2023, and the all-time high level is ₹96,000.
To keep the speculators away and reduce stock volatility, the company board has refrained from going for a stock split to reduce the MRF share price. The high price of MRF shares ensures investors with long-term horizons invest in the shares. In the last 10 years, MRF share price has given a CAGR return of 22.25%.
Page Industries
Share price on 28/02/23 – Rs.37,970
Page Industries is a Bengaluru headquartered company founded in 1994. It holds exclusive Jockey International Inc. USA licenses for manufacturing, distribution, and marketing all Jockey products in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, UAE, Qatar, and Oman. It also has exclusive licensees from Speedo International (England) for the manufacturing, distribution, and marketing of Speedo Products in India and Nepal.
Each share of Page Industries trades at a price of ₹37,970 as of 28 Feb 2023, and the all-time high level is ₹54,349. In the last 10 and 5 years, Page Industries’ share price has given a CAGR return of ~28% and ~12%, respectively, to its investors.
Honeywell Automation India Limited
Share price on 28/02/23 – Rs.34,487
Honeywell Automation is a leading provider of integrated automation and software solutions to US industries. It first entered India in 1984 as Tata Honeywell Ltd., a joint venture with Tata Group, with each partner owning 39.54% of the company. Honeywell Asia Pacific later purchased Tata Group’s stake and exited the JV in 2004.
Each share of Honeywell Automation India Limited (HAIL) trades at a price of ₹34,487 as of 28 Feb 2023, and its all-time high level is ₹44,347. In the last 10 and 5 years, HAIL’s share price has given a CAGR return of 29.48% and 15%, respectively, to its investors.
Shree Cement
Share price on 28/02/23 – Rs. 26088
Shree Cement is the third-largest cement manufacturer in India and sells its product under the brand names Bangur, Jung Rodhak, and RockStrong Cement. The company was incorporated in 1979 in Jaipur and went public in 1984. Its head office is located in Kolkata.
Each share of Shree Cement trades at a price of ₹26,088 as of 28 Feb 2023, and its all-time high level is ₹31,748. In the last 10 and 5 years, Shree Cement share price grew at a CAGR of 20% and 9%, respectively.
3M India
Share price on 28/02/23 – Rs. 22,889
3M India is a subsidiary of parent 3M USA, and it set up its shop in India in 1987. The company primarily manufactures and sells safety & industrial products, consumer, automotive, healthcare, transportation, etc. It has a diverse portfolio of products with manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Pune, and an R&D centre in Bengaluru. One of the popular products from 3M goes by the brand name Scotch Brite.
Each share of 3M India trades at a price of ₹22,889 as of 28 Feb 2023, and its all-time high level is ₹29,602. In the last 10 and 5 years, the 3M India share price has grown at a CAGR of 20% and 2%, respectively.
Closing thoughts about the most expensive shares in the world
All the above stocks feature among the most expensive shares in the world and India for two reasons. Firstly they are fundamentally sound companies. Many of the companies listed above are market leaders in the industry in which they operate. Secondly, there has been no split in their shares, except for one or two in the list.
Due to their high share prices, such high-quality stocks may be beyond the reach of many investors at this stage. However, the good news is that many such stocks are still available in the Indian market for reasonable valuations.
FAQs
Which is the most expensive share in the world?
The most expensive share in the world is of Berkshire Hathaway, a company owned by Warren Buffet. Each share of Berkshire Hathaway trades for $4,59,970 or ~₹3.8 crores as of 28 Feb 2023.
Which is the most expensive share in India?
Madras Rubber Factory (MRF) is the most expensive share in India. Each share of MRF trades at a price of ₹85,000 crores as of 28 Feb 2023.
Why is MRF share price so high?
MRF has been able to maintain high-profit margins and return on equity ratios. And the company board has kept the equity base small and avoided stock splits and bonuses to reduce the MRF share price.
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