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CN’s Acquisition of Iowa Northern Approved by STB

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(Neutral)
Rhea-AI Sentiment
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CN (NYSE: CNI) has received approval from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) for its acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR). The integration can begin as early as February 13, 2025, combining IANR's 175 route miles with CN's nearly 20,000-mile rail network.

The merger will enable single-line service connecting grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets to CN's North American network. The combination aims to provide customers and local businesses along the IANR network with enhanced market access and growth opportunities.

This strategic acquisition represents an important step in CN's growth plan, focusing on expanding network capabilities and improving rail service for customers, farmers, and supply chain partners.

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Positive

  • Expansion of network by 175 route miles
  • Enhanced single-line service capabilities for key commodities
  • Strategic growth in U.S. market presence
  • Improved market access for customers along IANR network

Negative

  • None.

News Market Reaction – CNI

+0.03%
1 alert
+0.03% News Effect

On the day this news was published, CNI gained 0.03%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

MONTREAL, Jan. 14, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) is pleased to announce that the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) has approved CN’s acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR).

The decision allows CN to combine IANR’s 175 route miles with CN’s nearly 20,000-mile rail network as early as February 13, 2025. A combined CN-IANR will offer single-line service to better connect grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets to CN’s North American network. Customers and local businesses along the IANR network will benefit from new optionality to respond to the needs of their existing markets and accelerate growth in new markets.

“We recognize and thank the STB for its commitment to a rigorous process that has yielded the right outcome. We look forward to welcoming the team at Iowa Northern Railway into our CN family of railroaders, and we are carefully preparing for a successful integration. We are excited to grow our network, offering customers, farmers and our supply chain partners with single-line access to new markets. This is an important step in our growth plan, reinforcing our commitment to providing customers with exceptional rail service and powering the economy.”

  • Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN

“I am honored by the STB’s approval of Iowa Northern joining together with CN. This combination is a milestone in my 55-year career. I am proud of what Iowa Northern’s employees and customers have built and their important role in Iowa’s economy. I am also excited about the benefits of our combination for customers, employees, and the communities we serve.”

  • Daniel Sabin, Chairman at Iowa Northern Railway

CN Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements by CN included in this news release constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. CN cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “assumes,” “outlook,” “plans,” “targets,” or other similar words. Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement.

About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.

About Iowa Northern Railway
The Iowa Northern, based in Waterloo, is a critical transportation network in Iowa, facilitating high levels of economic development for the communities it serves. The company has been long regarded as one of the country’s premier and fastest-growing independent shortline railroads led by the Sabin family.

Contacts: 
MediaInvestment Community
Jonathan AbecassisStacy Alderson
Director, Public Affairs andAssistant Vice-President
Media RelationsInvestor Relations
(438) 455-3692
(514) 399-0052
media@cn.cainvestor.relations@cn.ca
  

FAQ

When will CN's acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway be completed?

The acquisition can be completed as early as February 13, 2025, following STB approval.

How many route miles will CNI add through the Iowa Northern Railway acquisition?

The acquisition will add 175 route miles to CN's existing nearly 20,000-mile network.

What markets will benefit from the CNI-Iowa Northern Railway merger?

The merger will benefit grain, fertilizer, renewable fuels, and industrial markets by providing enhanced single-line service access to CN's North American network.

What regulatory body approved CNI's acquisition of Iowa Northern Railway?

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) approved the acquisition.

How will the CNI-Iowa Northern merger benefit local businesses?

Local businesses will gain new optionality to serve existing markets and accelerate growth in new markets through enhanced network access.
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