Trains.com

Blackstone Group Launches Takeover Bid Of KCS

5914 views
97 replies
1 rating 2 rating 3 rating 4 rating 5 rating
  • Member since
    March 2003
  • From: Central Iowa
  • 6,898 posts
Posted by jeffhergert on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 8:52 PM

On another site, members are already dividing up how KCS will sold off.

Jeff

  • Member since
    June 2019
  • 313 posts
Posted by Juniata Man on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 8:49 PM

KCS under Pat Ottensmeyer has been a fairly customer focused railroad.  When a hedge fund becomes involved, you can pretty safely assume their interest will be to rake as much cash as quickly as possible and the customers be damned.

As noted over on TRAINS Newswire; rail customers are already having renewed service issues with several Class 1's whose focus is pleasing Wall Street rather than moving freight.  Having Blackstone running the hen house will almost certainly not do anything to make life better for KCS customers.

 


JPS1

  

Juniata Man
 Regardless; it's bad news for KCS customers. 

 

Why?

 

  • Member since
    May 2003
  • From: US
  • 25,275 posts
Posted by BaltACD on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 8:34 PM

rdamon
I thought they were landscapers..  :)

Didn't they say the same about BNSF?

Berkshire Hathaway is not a short term - take the profits and run type investor.  They are in the companies they invest in for the long term.

Never too old to have a happy childhood!

              

  • Member since
    July 2008
  • 2,325 posts
Posted by rdamon on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 8:13 PM

I thought they were landscapers..  :)

Didn't they say the same about BNSF?

  • Member since
    December 2001
  • From: Northern New York
  • 25,008 posts
Posted by tree68 on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:52 PM

JPS1
Why?

Amongst the terms used to describe Blackstone is "hedge fund."

Hedge funds tend to be described as: "a limited partnership of investors that uses high risk methods, such as investing with borrowed money, in hopes of realizing large capital gains.

 

LarryWhistling
Resident Microferroequinologist (at least at my house) 
Everyone goes home; Safety begins with you
My Opinion. Standard Disclaimers Apply. No Expiration Date
Come ride the rails with me!
There's one thing about humility - the moment you think you've got it, you've lost it...

  • Member since
    December 2018
  • 865 posts
Posted by JPS1 on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:39 PM

Juniata Man
 Regardless; it's bad news for KCS customers. 

Why?

  • Member since
    June 2019
  • 313 posts
Posted by Juniata Man on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:31 PM

Regardless; it's bad news for KCS customers.

  • Member since
    September 2003
  • 21,669 posts
Posted by Overmod on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:26 PM

I suppose it was only a matter of time...

  • Member since
    June 2007
  • From: Brooklyn Center, MN.
  • 702 posts
Blackstone Group Launches Takeover Bid Of KCS
Posted by Los Angeles Rams Guy on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 7:21 PM

I can't get the whole story out of the Wall Street Journal site but Blackstone Group (along with other investors) has now launched a formal takeover bid of Kansas City Southern after their initial attempt back in late July was rebuffed.  https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackstone-gip-make-takeover-bid-for-kansas-city-southern-11599073239?mod=hp_lista_pos1  

Tags: KCS
"Beating 'SC is not a matter of life or death. It's more important than that." Former UCLA Head Football Coach Red Sanders

Join our Community!

Our community is FREE to join. To participate you must either login or register for an account.

Search the Community

Newsletter Sign-Up

By signing up you may also receive occasional reader surveys and special offers from Trains magazine.Please view our privacy policy