Topic: How To Invest

Q: Pat: What are the odds that within a couple of years we will see CP Rail and CSX Transportation shaking hands. Could be a good fit, and there is one common denominator—Hunter Harrison just left CP and joined CSX. Thanks.

Article Excerpt

A: CP Rail, $212.10, symbol CP on Toronto (Shares outstanding: 147.7 million; Market cap: $30.7 billion; www.cpr.ca), did discuss a potential merger with U.S. railway CSX Transportation (symbol CSX on New York) in early 2015. CSX had previously spurned a 2014 merger attempt by the company. At the same time as CP’s most recent takeover bid, it was also planning another merger, with U.S.-based railway Norfolk Southern Corp. (New York symbol NSC). Ultimately, Norfolk rejected CP’s offer of roughly $30 billion U.S. in cash and shares. In addition, U.S. transportation regulators probably would have blocked any deal no matter how the companies had structured the transaction. Hunter Harrison resigned as CEO of CP Rail earlier this year to take the same position with CSX. He may well want to re-examine a merger with CP, but such a deal would also face considerable regulatory challenges. These may be lessened somewhat by the new Republican administration of U.S. President Donald Trump and a Republican majority…