Calgary Alberta - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) today announced it has submitted a superior proposal to acquire Kansas City Southern (KCS) in a stock and cash transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately US$31 billion [1], offering KCS stockholders an alternative recognizing the premium value of KCS while providing more regulatory certainty.
 
The proposed transaction, which has the unanimous support of the CP Board of Directors, values KCS at US$300 per share, representing a 34 percent premium [2], based on the CP closing price on 9 Aug 2021 and KCS unaffected closing price on 19 Mar 2021.
 
Following the closing into a voting trust, common shareholders of KCS will receive 2.884 CP common shares and US$90 in cash for each share of KCS common stock held.
 
The proposed transaction includes the assumption of US$3.8 billion of outstanding KCS debt.
 
This superior proposal represents improved terms to those agreed to in the CP/KCS merger agreement entered into on 21 Mar 2021 that are substantially similar to those in the CN merger agreement, but offers significantly higher regulatory certainty than the proposed CN merger, and significantly higher value than our previously agreed combination.
 
[1] Except where noted, all figures are in U.S. dollars.
 
[2] Based on KCS closing share price of US$224.16 as of 19 Mar 2021 and CP closing share price of C$91.50 (at 1.2565 FX rate) as of 9 Aug 2021.
 
The full text of the 10 Aug 2021 letter to the KCS Board of Directors outlining the proposal is below:
 
Board of Directors
c/o Pat Ottensmeyer
Kansas City Southern
427 West 12th Street
Kansas City Missouri 64105
 
Dear Members of the Kansas City Southern (KCS) Board of Directors:
 
On behalf of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP), I am pleased to submit the following revised offer for CP to combine with KCS.
 
As we have stated previously, we understood and respected the KCS Board of Directors' decision to explore the path to a transaction with Canadian National Railway Company (CN) in the exercise of its fiduciary duties.
 
Nevertheless, CP has always believed that CN's deal was not executable, and an attempt to dismantle the unique, pro-competitive, deal that CP and KCS had agreed upon.
 
We remain confident that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) will ultimately reject CN's proposal to use a voting trust and prove that the proposed CN merger is not a viable transaction.
 
At the time of CN's offer in May, we chose to not make a revised offer because we believed that engaging in a bidding war with CN would have been value destructive to CP shareholders, and we continue to stand by that decision as having been the right one.
 
However, we believe that now is the right time for us to re-engage with KCS, as the regulatory uncertainty of the proposed CN merger has placed KCS stockholders in the unfortunate position of having to vote on the proposed CN merger, and as a consequence of approving such proposal, eliminate KCS's ability to consider superior offers, all the while not having any level of certainty with respect to whether the STB will approve CN's use of a voting trust.
 
We are excited to provide KCS stockholders a significantly more attractive alternative to this situation, this opportunity to turn down the CN merger proposal and once again pursue a combination of CP and KCS, a more certain transaction which offers compelling short-term and long-term value that is actually achievable, already has the benefit of STB approval to use a voting trust, and is in our view, the only viable Class 1 merger.
 
Unlike a combination with CN, a CP/KCS combination will be transformational in a positive manner for the railroad industry and will serve the best interests of our respective customers, shareholders, other stakeholders, and the North American economy.
 
This end-to-end combination, with a focus on growth, would also ensure the viability of KCS's full network going forward, without the need to address issues related to overlap as in the proposed CN merger.
 
Bringing together CP and KCS, two railroads that have been keenly focused on providing quality service to customers, will unlock the full potential of our networks and our people, and KCS stockholders will have the benefit of participating in the upside of our combined company's growth.
 
Today, well over two months following your agreement with CN, KCS stockholders are being asked to vote in favor of a transaction that has yet to receive STB approval for closing into voting trust, and offers them only risk and uncertainty.
 
During the course of our recent engagement with your stockholders, the most frequent questions we have faced have been (1) will CP be there when the proposed CN merger fails, and (2) what will CP be prepared to offer KCS stockholders.
 
It is understandable that the KCS stockholders, being presented with a transaction that is highly unlikely to close, are eager to understand CP's actionable alternative.
 
In response to the concerns raised by the KCS stockholders, we believe that it is imperative that KCS management, the KCS Board of Directors, and the KCS stockholders understand the CP alternative.
 
The Offer
 
The terms of our Offer are set forth below:
 
1. Holders of KCS common stock will receive 2.884 CP common shares and US$90 in cash for each share of KCS common stock held, representing a value of approximately US$300 per common share based on CP closing market price as of 9 Aug 2021. This represents an increase of US$25 per KCS share over the offer price at the time of our previously agreed combination and a 34 percent premium to KCS's unaffected price based on the KCS closing share price of US$224 as of 19 Mar 2021. Holders of KCS preferred stock will continue to receive US$37.50 in cash for each share of KCS preferred stock held.
 
2. This Offer is subject to the execution of a merger agreement on terms substantially as set forth in the draft merger agreement attached as Annex A hereto (the Merger Agreement, and the transactions contemplated thereby, the Transaction).
 
3. The cash portion of the consideration will be funded through a combination of cash-on-hand and approximately US$9.5 billion in new debt. In connection with this Offer, we are submitting commitment letters, by and among CP, as covenantor, and Canadian Pacific Railway Company, as borrower, and Bank of Montreal and Goldman Sachs Lending Partners LLC, as commitment parties (the Commitment Parties), together with the redacted fee letter related thereto, in each case executed on behalf of the Commitment Parties, and which are attached as Annex B hereto.
 
4. In connection with KCS's termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of 21 May 2021, by and among CN, Brooklyn Merger Sub, Inc. and KCS (the CN Agreement) in accordance with the terms thereof in order to accept this Offer and enter into the Merger Agreement, upon receiving satisfactory evidence of KCS having paid, or having caused to be paid, the Company Termination Fee and CP Termination Fee Refund (as such terms are defined in the CN Agreement) pursuant to and in accordance with the terms of the CN Agreement as in effect on the date hereof, CP will advance or cause to be advanced to KCS an amount equal to the aggregate amount of the Company Termination Fee and the CP Termination Fee Refund (the latter constituting a refund and return by CP of the Company Termination Fee received by CP from KCS on the termination of the prior merger agreement between CP and KCS).
 
Benefits of CP's Offer for KCS Stockholders
 
Our Offer, which is based solely on publicly available information, represents improved terms to those we had agreed to in our previously agreed combination that are substantially similar to those in the CN Agreement, but offers significantly higher regulatory certainty than the proposed CN merger, and considerably higher value than our previously agreed combination.
 
We believe that our Offer is superior to the proposed CN merger due to the greater regulatory and value certainty it provides KCS stockholders.
 
CP has a clear path to closing with STB voting trust approval (a condition CN has still not been able to satisfy) already in-hand.
 
Furthermore, the STB has affirmed that the pro-competitive CP/KCS combination would be evaluated under the pre-2001 STB merger rules, unlike the CN/KCS combination which would be scrutinized under the more stringent STB merger rules adopted in 2001.
 
The new rules were designed to address the exact kinds of threats to competition and other issues posed by a CN/KCS combination, and they place a "heavier burden on merger applicants to show that a major rail combination is consistent with the public interest."
 
KCS stockholders should not assume that there is any certainty of value in the proposed CN merger given the level of uncertainty as to whether the STB voting trust approval, or final approval of the combination will be obtained by CN, especially in view of President Biden's recent executive order on "Promoting Competition in the American Economy", and the fundamental anticompetitive issues raised by the proposed CN merger that would exist immediately upon the closing of the Proposed CN Merger into voting trust due to, among other things, the overlapping and parallel character of CN's and KCS's routes.
 
On the other hand, our Offer presents a compelling strategic combination of CP and KCS, two railroads whose networks you joined us in describing as "a perfect and natural fit", to form the first U.S.-Mexico-Canada rail network that is truly end-to-end and pro-competitive with no overlap, and which, in our view, is the only viable Class 1 combination.
 
We remain eager and committed to bringing together the two best performing Class 1 railroads for the past three years on a revenue growth basis.
 
We have extensive experience in successfully integrating acquired businesses, and a strong track record of realizing synergies, and our similar cultures, shared focus on safety, and collective commitment to providing significant positive impacts for our respective employees, customers, communities, and shareholders have not changed.
 
CP's leading management team has consistently outperformed CN and delivered superior results for its shareholders.
 
CP's proven track record of performance and its record as the safest Class 1 railroad for 15 consecutive years will serve KCS well.
 
We will, in turn, benefit from your leadership and expertise as we grow sustainably, together.
 
We are confident that, together with your experienced and talented team, we will be able to continue that success in a combination of CP and KCS to the benefit of both sets of shareholders.
 
Following the closing of the Transaction, KCS stockholders would own approximately 28 percent of the combined company (reflecting a 3 percent increased ownership as compared to our previously agreed combination).
 
Our combined company would be well positioned for growth, bringing together the two railroads with the highest 3-year revenue CAGR and generating increased annual synergies of US$1 billion within three years.
 
We recognize that you may not wish to take action with respect to our Offer in advance of your upcoming Special Meeting of Stockholders to vote on the proposed CN merger, however, as indicated above, we believe it is important that you and your stockholders fully understand our Offer in advance of your stockholder vote.
 
We request that you promptly take formal action on our Offer at the earliest receipt of the STB's denial of CN's voting trust or a reasonable period of time prior to your stockholders' meeting to approve the proposed CN merger on 19 Aug 2021.
 
In closing, we remain truly excited about once again pursuing this once-in-a lifetime partnership together and remain committed to everything this opportunity presents.
 
These two companies have long, proud histories, and an even brighter future, together.
 
Respectfully yours,
 
- President and Chief Executive Officer Canadian Pacific Railway Limited.
 
CP Proxy Statement for KCS stockholder meeting
 
CP has filed a proxy statement asking stockholders to vote "AGAINST" the proposed CN/KCS combination at the KCS special meeting of stockholders on 19 Aug 2021 so that KCS's stockholders avoid being locked into the CN/KCS deal and unable to consider other, better, options.
 
Regulatory Review
 
CP continues to pursue its application process for a potential acquisition of KCS so that the STB can review the pro-competitive CP/KCS combination without undue delay.
 
Importantly, the STB has already approved CP's use of a voting trust and affirmed KCS' waiver from the new rail merger rules it adopted in 2001 because a CP/KCS combination is truly end-to-end, pro-competitive, and the only viable Class 1 combination.
 
Review of the CN voting trust by the STB remains pending, and the STB has already determined a CN/KCS combination would be reviewed under the new merger rules, the first time a Class 1 combination has been evaluated under that regulatory system.
 
CP/KCS: The Only Viable Class 1 Combination
 
A CP/KCS combination would be a positive step toward more competition, not less, in the freight rail industry and would be better for Amtrak.
 
It brings more competition among railways and protects obligations to passenger service.
 
A CP/KCS combination offers all the same benefits, and more, to rail shippers and the supply chain as a CN/KCS combination, with none of the detriments or the need to enforce promises through more regulation.
 
A CP/KCS combination:

• Creates single line routes to all the markets that a CN/KCS network would reach;
   
  
• Brings new competition to and from Upper Midwest markets dominated by BNSF or UP that CN/KCS cannot address;
   
  
• Creates new competition versus CN that CN/KCS actually eliminates;
   
  
• Has a route network that does not funnel all of its traffic through the congested Chicago area;
   
  
• Unlocks new capacity for Amtrak passenger service, rather than interfering with passenger service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans and south of Chicago.

A CP/KCS combination would enhance competition, create new and stronger competitive single-line options against existing single-line routes, while taking trucks off the highway.
 
A CP/KCS combination would maintain all existing freight rail gateways and maintain competition in the Baton Rouge to New Orleans corridor, while creating new north-south lanes between Western Canada, the Upper Midwest, and the Gulf Coast and Mexico.
 
CP is willing to host intercity passenger rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge, an outcome with far more operational flexibility and less risk to Louisiana taxpayers.
 
CP has consistently received an A rating from Amtrak, leading the industry for the previous five years-plus, in its annual host railroad report card recognizing its industry-leading, on-time, performance record.
 
CP is also the first Class 1 railroad to complete 100 percent certification of its Amtrak schedules.
 
Similarly, a CP/KCS transaction would diminish the pressure for downstream consolidation by preserving the basic six-railroad structure of the North American rail network, two in the west, two in the east, and two in Canada, each with access to the U.S. Gulf Coast.
 
By contrast, a CN/KCS transaction would fundamentally disrupt this balance.
 
For information on the benefits of a CP/KCS combination, visit FutureForFreight.com.
 
Advisors
 
BMO Capital Markets and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Canadian Pacific.
 
Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, Bennett Jones LLP, and the Law Office of David L. Meyer are serving as legal counsel to Canadian Pacific.
 
Creel-Garcia-Cuellar, Aiza y Enriquez, S.C. is serving as Mexican legal counsel to Canadian Pacific.
 
Stinson LLP is serving as FCC regulatory counsel to Canadian Pacific.
 
Evercore is serving as the Canadian Pacific Board's financial advisors and Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP is serving as the Board's legal counsel.
 
Conference Call for Investment Community
 
CP will host an investor conference call today, 10 Aug 2021, at 08:00 Eastern Time to discuss this announcement.
 
A live webcast of the call and the replay will be available on the CP website at investor.cpr.ca.
 
To listen to the live conference call, dial (877) 325-0004 in the U.S. or (873) 415-0269 internationally.
 
A conference call replay will be available on 10 Aug 2021 at 11:00 Eastern Time.
 
To access the replay, dial (800) 585-8367 or (416) 621-4642 and reference the passcode 1857048.
 
Author unknown.