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AVGO vs. BRK.A: Broadcom vs. Berkshire Hathaway Stock Comparison

How do Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.

Company Profile

Broadcom (AVGO) is classified in the Information Technology sector (Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment), whereas Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) belongs to Financials (Financial Services) — their GICS classifications point to very different parts of the market.

Company profile comparison for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
Profile ItemAVGOBRK.A
NameBroadcom Inc.Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Class A
Country/RegionUnited StatesUnited States
GICS SectorInformation TechnologyFinancials
GICS Industry GroupSemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentFinancial Services
GICS IndustrySemiconductors & Semiconductor EquipmentFinancial Services
GICS Sub-IndustrySemiconductorsMulti-Sector Holdings
Market Capitalization1,702.71 billion USD1,081.75 billion USD
CurrencyUSDUSD
ExchangeNasdaqNYSE
Listing DateAugust 6, 2009March 17, 1980
Security TypeCommon StockCommon Stock

Price Performance

Cumulative Growth

AVGO
BRK.A
GSPC
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Growth of a $10,000 investment over the past five years. Adjusted for dividends and splits.

Trailing Returns

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Trailing total returns for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A). Returns over one year are annualized.

Calendar-Year Returns

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Calendar-year total returns for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A). Each bar is that year's total return, measured year-end to year-end.

Performance Metrics

Price performance metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Total Return (1Y)17.78%1.56%
Total Return (3Y, Annualized)62.01%11.87%
Total Return (5Y, Annualized)51.19%11.90%

Risk Profile

Drawdown History

AVGO
BRK.A
GSPC
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A), with S&P 500 (GSPC) for reference: Drawdown from the running peak over the past five years. Each line shows the decline from its prior peak; 0% marks a new high.

Return Distribution

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Distribution of monthly total returns for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A). Each bar is the share of months whose return fell in that 5% bucket.

Risk Metrics

Broadcom (AVGO) has an aggressive beta of 1.46, indicating higher sensitivity to broad-market moves, while Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) is defensive at 0.60 and tends to be less market-sensitive — they sit on opposite ends of the beta spectrum.

Broadcom (AVGO) is heavily traded at around 25.85M shares per day, whereas Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) is thinly traded at only 192 — larger orders in the latter may face more price impact or wider spreads, depending on market conditions.

Risk profile metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Volatility (1Y, Annualized)48.19%14.27%
Beta (5Y)1.460.60
Max Drawdown (5Y)-41.15%-25.98%
Avg. Volume (3M)25.85M192

Risk-Adjusted Performance

Risk-Return Positioning

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AVGO and BRK.A are plotted by 1-year volatility (risk) and 1-year return. Each dashed Capital Allocation Line uses that stock's own industry median.

Risk-Adjusted Metrics

Risk-adjusted metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Sharpe Ratio (1Y)0.28-0.17
Sortino Ratio (1Y)0.42-0.25

Profitability

ROE (TTM)

Broadcom (AVGO) at 44.25% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 12.12% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for AVGO.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

44.25%

Max
53.94%
AVGO
44.25%
Q3
20.35%
Median
9.12%
Q1
-3.10%
Min
-21.32%

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

12.12%

Max
48.53%
Q3
22.35%
Median
12.81%
BRK.A
12.12%
Q1
4.46%
Min
-20.25%
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their ROE against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Net Margin (TTM)

Broadcom (AVGO) at 42.94% retains a top-quartile share of revenue as profit, ahead of Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 22.30%, which keeps about the industry-typical share.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

42.94%

Max
55.91%
AVGO
42.94%
Q3
23.05%
Median
9.86%
Q1
0.00%
Min
-34.50%

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

22.30%

Max
67.68%
Q3
29.96%
BRK.A
22.30%
Median
16.31%
Q1
4.62%
Min
-30.67%
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their net margin against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Operating Margin (TTM)

Broadcom (AVGO) at 54.31% turns sales into operating profit above its industry’s benchmark range, while Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 32.56% operates around its industry’s norm.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

54.31%

AVGO
54.31%
Max
48.99%
Q3
23.49%
Median
14.56%
Q1
-0.14%
Min
-31.62%

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

32.56%

Max
96.23%
Q3
52.59%
BRK.A
32.56%
Median
28.34%
Q1
11.37%
Min
-46.55%
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their operating margin against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Profitability Metrics

Profitability metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
ROE (TTM)44.25%12.12%
ROA (TTM)15.30%6.01%
Net Margin (TTM)42.94%22.30%
Operating Margin (TTM)54.31%32.56%
Gross Margin (TTM)75.52%--

Growth

Revenue Growth

Broadcom (AVGO) at 23.87% is around its peer norm for revenue growth, while Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at -3.23% drops into the bottom quartile, signaling weaker demand or pricing momentum.

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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their Revenue Growth across different time periods.

EPS Growth

Broadcom (AVGO) at 287.80% clears its industry range for EPS growth, a much stronger earnings trajectory than Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at -24.78%, which is closer to a typical peer reading.

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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their EPS Growth across different time periods.

Growth Metrics

Growth metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Revenue Growth (YoY)23.87%-3.23%
Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR)24.38%20.59%
EPS Growth (YoY)287.80%-24.78%
EPS Growth (3Y CAGR)21.60%--

Financial Strength

Current Ratio (MRQ)

Broadcom (AVGO) shows current ratio of 2.50; Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) doesn’t get one — Financial Services balance sheets aren’t split into current and non-current buckets, so short-term liquidity there is judged through regulatory measures instead.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

2.50

Max
9.75
Q3
5.29
Median
3.43
AVGO
2.50
Q1
2.22
Min
1.03

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

--

BRK.A
--
Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): BRK.A’s current ratio is not assessed under the Financial Services industry convention, so the chart shows available visual context for AVGO only.

Debt / Equity (MRQ)

Broadcom (AVGO) shows debt-to-equity ratio of 0.60; for Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) the ratio is set aside — in Financial Services, balance-sheet leverage is part of the business model itself, so capital-adequacy measures do the job this ratio does elsewhere.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.60

Max
1.44
Q3
0.65
AVGO
0.60
Median
0.18
Q1
0.04
Min
0.00

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

--

BRK.A
--
Max
--
Q3
--
Median
--
Q1
--
Min
--
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): BRK.A’s debt-to-equity ratio is not assessed under the Financial Services industry convention, so the chart shows available visual context for AVGO only.

Financial Strength Metrics

Financial strength metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Current Ratio (MRQ)2.50--
Debt / Equity (MRQ)0.60--
Net Debt / EBITDA0.68--

Dividends

Dividend Yield (TTM)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) pays no dividend (yield 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Broadcom (AVGO) reports a yield of 0.73%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

0.73%

Max
0.78%
AVGO
0.73%
Q3
0.33%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

0.00%

Max
16.20%
Q3
6.48%
Median
1.42%
BRK.A
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their dividend yield against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) pays no dividend (payout 0.00%) — it may be reinvesting, using buybacks, or simply not returning cash through dividends. Meanwhile Broadcom (AVGO) reports a payout of 32.40%, ranking against industry peers normally.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

32.40%

Max
45.89%
AVGO
32.40%
Q3
18.55%
Median
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

0.00%

Max
219.05%
Q3
87.87%
Median
25.19%
BRK.A
0.00%
Q1
0.00%
Min
0.00%
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their payout ratio against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Dividend Metrics

Dividend metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
Dividend Yield (TTM)0.73%0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)32.40%0.00%

Valuation

P/E Ratio (TTM)

Both Broadcom (AVGO) at 45.65 and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 12.71 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

45.65

Max
142.60
Q3
88.42
Median
46.07
AVGO
45.65
Q1
31.85
Min
9.81

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

12.71

Max
47.57
Q3
25.61
Median
16.38
BRK.A
12.71
Q1
10.13
Min
2.08
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Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their P/E ratio against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

P/S Ratio (TTM)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 2.81 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Broadcom (AVGO) at 19.11 sits in the pricier quartile — AVGO costs more per dollar of sales.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

19.11

Max
35.86
AVGO
19.11
Q3
16.42
Median
7.35
Q1
3.30
Min
0.01

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

2.81

Max
10.51
Q3
5.11
Median
2.99
BRK.A
2.81
Q1
1.50
Min
-0.63
Loading chart…
Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their P/S ratio against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

P/B Ratio (MRQ)

Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) at 1.45 is valued about in line with its industry on P/B ratio, while Broadcom (AVGO) at 17.11 carries an above-peer premium to book — AVGO is pricier on assets.

AVGO

Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment industry group

17.11

Max
22.43
AVGO
17.11
Q3
11.36
Median
5.19
Q1
2.75
Min
0.04

BRK.A

Financial Services industry group

1.45

Max
7.79
Q3
3.77
Median
1.71
BRK.A
1.45
Q1
0.89
Min
-1.05
Loading chart…
Broadcom (AVGO) vs. Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A): A comparison of their P/B ratio against their respective Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment and Financial Services industry group benchmarks.

Valuation Metrics

Valuation metrics for Broadcom (AVGO) and Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A)
MetricAVGOBRK.A
P/E Ratio (TTM)45.6512.71
P/S Ratio (TTM)19.112.81
P/B Ratio (MRQ)17.111.45
Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM)1.79%--