Canadian National Railway reports developments for a North American freight railroad that moves natural resources, manufactured products and finished goods across a network linking Canada's coasts with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast. Recurring updates cover operating and financial results, grain movement, customer safety programs for regulated products, dividends, share repurchases, debt-market registration activity, shareholder voting matters and regulatory engagement affecting rail competition.
CN has announced a strategic plan, 'Full Speed Ahead – Redefining Railroading,' targeting an additional C$700 million in operating income by optimizing operations and maintaining a 57% operating ratio for 2022. The company plans a 17% capital expenditure relative to revenue, reflecting strong network conditions. CN will resume its share repurchase program with C$1.1 billion remaining. Expected EPS growth is around 20%, and capital investments projected at C$3 billion, with free cash flow anticipated between C$3.0 to C$3.3 billion for 2021.
Kansas City Southern (NYSE: KSU) announced its Board's determination that the acquisition proposal from Canadian Pacific Railway (TSX: CP, NYSE: CP) as of September 12, 2021, is a "Company Superior Proposal". Consequently, KCS terminated its existing merger agreement with Canadian National Railway (TSX: CNI, NYSE: CNI). The new CP merger terms include $90 in cash and 2.884 CP shares for each KCS common stockholder, and $37.50 in cash for preferred stockholders. KCS will pay a $700 million breakup fee to CN, which will be reimbursed by CP upon closing, subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.
On September 15, 2021, CN (CNI) announced it will receive USD$1.4 billion in termination fees from Kansas City Southern (KSU) after KCS terminated their merger agreement. This includes a USD$700 million Company Termination Fee and a USD$700 million CP Termination Fee Refund. While CN is disappointed by the termination, it acknowledges the evolving U.S. regulatory landscape has created uncertainty for Class I mergers. CN remains committed to pursuing profitable growth and will outline its strategic priorities in the near future.
CN (TSX: CNR, NYSE: CNI) acknowledges TCI Fund Management Limited's intent to requisition a shareholder meeting on September 13, 2021. While CN has yet to receive the formal requisition, it plans to review and respond accordingly. CN operates a vast 19,500-mile rail network, essential for transporting over 300 million tons of goods annually across North America, contributing significantly to economic and community prosperity.
TCI Fund Management plans to requisition a special shareholder meeting for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) to refresh its Board of Directors by nominating four experienced independent candidates. TCI criticizes the current board for lacking railroad operational expertise and points to underperformance. The nominees, including Jim Vena, are expected to bring necessary skills for enhancing operational and financial performance. TCI advocates for a low-carbon approach in the rail industry, emphasizing the need for a focus on operational excellence to foster growth.
Kansas City Southern (KSU) announced that its Board of Directors has deemed Canadian Pacific's (CP) revised proposal a "Company Superior Proposal" compared to its current merger agreement with Canadian National Railway Company (CNI). The proposal includes exchanging each share of KSU common stock for 2.884 shares of CP and $90 in cash, with KSU preferred stockholders receiving $37.50 in cash. KSU plans to terminate its agreement with CNI and may accept CP's offer pending negotiation rights for CNI.
TCI Fund Management has retained Kingsdale Advisors to advise on halting Canadian National Railway's (CNI) pursuit of Kansas City Southern (KCS) and to upgrade its board of directors. TCI, owning over 5% of CN valued at $4 billion, plans to requisition a special meeting to nominate new directors and appoint a new CEO. TCI criticizes CN’s recent actions as reckless, suggesting the board lacks railroad expertise and has mismanaged the KCS bid, risking financial and reputational damage. TCI proposes Jim Vena as a suitable CEO candidate to improve operational performance.
org value="NYSE:KSU"Kansas City Southern (KCS) announced that its Board of Directors is engaging in discussions with org value="Toronto:CP"Canadian Pacific Railway (CP) regarding CP's unsolicited acquisition proposal valued at $300 per KCS share. This proposal could potentially be deemed a "Company Superior Proposal" under KCS’s merger agreement with org value="Toronto:CNI"Canadian National Railway (CNI), which offers $325 per share. However, KCS remains bound by the CN merger agreement and asserts no assurance of a finalized transaction with CP.
Kansas City Southern (KSU) has adjourned its Special Meeting of Stockholders originally scheduled for September 24, 2021, to vote on the proposed merger with CN (CNI). The meeting will now take place at 9:00 a.m. Central Time, with stockholders of record as of July 1, 2021, allowed to vote. The KCS Board of Directors is committed to evaluating options in the best interest of the company and its shareholders.
Further information about the merger process is available through the respective SEC filings by both companies.
Kansas City Southern (KSU) announced an unsolicited acquisition proposal from Canadian Pacific Railway (CP), reiterating terms similar to a previous proposal made on August 10, 2021. The offer includes 2.884 shares of CP and $90 in cash for each KCS common share, with preferred stockholders receiving $37.50 in cash. The KCS Board will evaluate this proposal in light of its existing agreement with CN, which offers $325 per share of KCS stock. Financial advisors involved are BofA Securities and Morgan Stanley, with multiple legal counsels aiding KCS.