Coming soon: single shares of BRK.A

By: Ray Pellecchia

File Under: NYSE

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Starting 25 January -- a week from tomorrow, kids -- NYSE will change the unit of trade in Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.A) to one share, from the current 10-share unit. BRK.B will continue to trade in 10-share units.

According to our memo on the subject, this will enable all orders to be exposed to the published quote, and both BRK.A and BRK.B will now route to competing market centers as per Reg. NMS.

The memo includes information about what will happen to pending GTC orders in BRK.A; if you've got one, check it out.

So now I can buy a single share of Berk A, eh? That got me thinking, what else can you buy for that money (about $127,000 a share yesterday). A quick bit of Googling revealed you can:

-- Pick up this 2006 Bentley Continental, with: "Pwr Lock Pwr Window A/C Rear Defrost Side Air Bags Power Tilt Steering ABS Brakes Electronic Damping Control Maintenance Records CD Changer - OEM - 6.00 Heated Rear Seats Warranty Books Auto-Suspension On-Board Computer Parking Distance Control Security System Sunshade - Power Trip Counter Power Mirrors Power Trunk/Liftgate Woodgrain Interior Package Xenon Headlights Pwr Steering Pwr Seats - Both Cruise Ctl AM/FM Radio Dual Air Bags Power Telescopic Steering Owner's Manual Directional Stability Control Memory Seat Heated Seats Dual Air Conditioning Navigation System HomeLink Fog Lamps US EPA Label Heated Mirrors Traction Control Trip Computer Floor Mats Cooled Seats Steering Wheel Audio Control Power Folding Mirrors."

For $127,000, I'm sure glad they throw in the floor mats.

-- Or, perhaps this inlaid cherry desk bookcase, "which experts believe was probably made in Maysville, Kentucky, around 1790-1810. The piece, also called a Hepplewhite butler's desk with bookcase, is possibly by a Mason County school of design. It has extensive inlay including four eagles with a "liberty" cap. The desk was owned by Revolutionary War soldier George Carlyle, who immigrated to Woodford County, Kentucky, in 1779."

-- There's also this 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath house in Seagoville, Texas, "formal dining, plus a 1 car garage, just waiting for new owners. The pride in ownership in this home will be noticed the minute you walk in the door. There are ceramic tile floors in the kitchen, dining area, family room, hallway, and baths. There are French doors that open onto the covered patio, crown molding, can lighting, custom paint, ceiling fans, and 2 blinds through out. The kitchen offers an electric range, ceramic tile backsplash, a breakfast bar, and 2 pantrys. The master bath offers a jetted tub to relax in after a long day, a separate 12 x 12 tiled shower, his and her sinks and walk in closets. The patio is covered which makes this a great back yard for family barbecues. For backyard privacy you will have an 8 foot fence with metal post. For the extra things you need to store there will be a storage building for you also. There are 2 water heaters, zoned heat and air, plus the roof was replaced in 2005. You don't want to miss this adorable home."

Me, I think I'd opt for the Berk A. If you want to forward me the $127 grand, I'll be happy to test out the single-share system and report back the results.

From Tahiti.

Today in NYSE History
17 Jan. 1946 -- The Federal Reserve Board set margin requirements at 100 percent, temporarily eliminating all margin trading.