CP Shareholders Overwhelmingly Support Proposed CP-KCS Merger Agreement
On December 8, 2021, Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) announced that shareholders overwhelmingly approved the issuance of shares to Kansas City Southern (KCS) stockholders, marking a significant step towards their merger. The ordinary resolution for up to 277,960,197 CP shares received a 99.91% approval. The merger, with an enterprise value of approximately $31 billion, aims to create a unified rail network across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Pending regulatory approvals, the deal may close on December 14, 2021, benefiting economic growth and enhancing transportation options.
- 99.91% approval for share issuance from CP shareholders indicates strong support for merger.
- The merger aims to create the first U.S.-Mexico-Canada rail network, enhancing market capabilities.
- Enterprise value of approximately $31 billion represents a strategic expansion opportunity.
- Potential integration challenges post-merger might pose risks to operational efficiency.
- Regulatory approval processes may cause delays impacting the timeline for merger completion.
CALGARY, AB, Dec. 8, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) ("CP") today announced that its shareholders voted overwhelmingly in favour of the issuance of CP common shares to Kansas City Southern ("KCS") common stockholders in connection with the proposed CP-KCS combination.
"The shareholder approvals today are a key step on our path to this once-in-a-lifetime partnership to create the first U.S.-Mexico-Canada rail network," said Keith Creel, CP President and Chief Executive Officer. "This is a transformative opportunity for CP, for KCS, and for the North American economy."
CP shareholders voted on two items of business at Wednesday's special meeting of shareholders. The first was an ordinary resolution ("Share Issuance Resolution") to approve the issuance of up to 277,960,197 CP common shares as the share consideration under the terms of the merger agreement. The second was a special resolution ("Name Change Resolution") to approve an amendment to CP's articles of incorporation to change its name to Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited, a change contingent upon the approval by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board ("STB") of the proposed CP-KCS combination.
The results of the vote are as follows:
% Votes For | % Votes Against | |
Share Issuance Resolution | ||
Name Change Resolution |
"The overwhelming support our shareholders have given today to the transaction is critical to making this combination a reality," Creel added. "In the coming days, we will be working to complete the steps required to close into the voting trust, and in the months ahead we look forward to participating in the STB's comprehensive regulatory review. Following receipt of STB approval and consummation of CP control, Canadian Pacific Kansas City will add new capacity to the U.S. rail network, create new competitive transportation options, support North American economic growth, and deliver other important benefits to customers, employees, and the environment."
As previously announced on Sept. 15, 2021, CP has agreed to acquire KCS in a stock and cash transaction representing an enterprise value of approximately
On Sept. 30, 2021, the STB confirmed that it approved the use of a voting trust for the transaction. The conditions to closing into voting trust include receipt of approval from the shareholders of both companies along with the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions, including receipt of Mexican regulatory approvals.
Required Mexican regulatory approvals were received last month and a special meeting of KCS stockholders to vote on the merger agreement is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. Provided the transaction is approved by KCS stockholders on Friday, the transaction is expected to close into trust two business days later on Dec. 14, 2021. At the closing into trust, KCS common stockholders will receive 2.884 CP shares and
On Nov. 23, 2021, the STB formally accepted the CP-KCS control application and issued a procedural schedule. The STB's review of CP's proposed control of KCS is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Additional information regarding the combination can be found in the management proxy circular dated Nov. 1, 2021, which has been filed with both Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, including with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").
For information on the benefits of a CP-KCS combination, visit FutureForFreight.com.
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1 Except where noted, all figures are in U.S. dollars. | |
2 Based on KCS closing share price of |
Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release includes certain forward looking statements and forward looking information (collectively, FLI) to provide CP and KCS shareholders and potential investors with information about CP, KCS and their respective subsidiaries and affiliates, including each company's management's respective assessment of CP, KCS and their respective subsidiaries' future plans and operations, which FLI may not be appropriate for other purposes. FLI is typically identified by words such as "anticipate", "expect", "project", "will", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "intend", "target", "believe", "likely" and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be FLI.
Although we believe that the FLI is reasonable based on the information available today and processes used to prepare it, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and you are cautioned against placing undue reliance on FLI. By its nature, FLI involves a variety of assumptions, which are based upon factors that may be difficult to predict and that may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these FLI, including, but not limited to, the following: the timing and completion of the transaction and the combination of CP and KCS, including receipt of regulatory and shareholder approvals and the satisfaction of other conditions precedent; interloper risk; the realization of anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction and the timing thereof; the success of integration plans; the focus of management time and attention on the transaction and other disruptions arising from the transaction; changes in business strategy and strategic opportunities; the actions and decisions of applicable regulatory bodies, including the STB; estimated future dividends; financial strength and flexibility; debt and equity market conditions, including the ability to access capital markets on favourable terms or at all; cost of debt and equity capital; potential changes in the CP share price which may negatively impact the value of consideration offered to KCS shareholders; the ability of management of CP, its subsidiaries and affiliates to execute key priorities, including those in connection with the transaction; general Canadian, U.S., Mexican and global social, economic, political, credit and business conditions; risks associated with agricultural production such as weather conditions and insect populations; the availability and price of energy commodities; the effects of competition and pricing pressures, including competition from other rail carriers, trucking companies and maritime shippers in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico; North American and global economic growth; industry capacity; shifts in market demand; changes in commodity prices and commodity demand; uncertainty surrounding timing and volumes of commodities being shipped via CP and KCS; inflation; geopolitical instability; changes in laws, regulations and government policies, including regulation of rates; changes in taxes and tax rates; potential increases in maintenance and operating costs; changes in fuel prices; disruption in fuel supplies; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings or other types of claims and litigation; compliance with environmental regulations; labour disputes; changes in labour costs and labour difficulties; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; transportation of dangerous goods; timing of completion of capital and maintenance projects; sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out business plans; services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations; currency and interest rate fluctuations; exchange rates; effects of changes in market conditions and discount rates on the financial position of pension plans and investments; trade restrictions or other changes to international trade arrangements; the effects of current and future multinational trade agreements on the level of trade among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico; climate change and the market and regulatory responses to climate change; ability to achieve commitments and aspirations relating to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and other climate-related objectives; anticipated in-service dates; success of hedging activities; operational performance and reliability; customer, shareholder, regulatory and other stakeholder approvals and support; regulatory and legislative decisions and actions; the adverse impact of any termination or revocation by the Mexican government of Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V.'s Concession; public opinion; various events that could disrupt operations, including severe weather, such as droughts, floods, avalanches and earthquakes, and cybersecurity attacks, as well as security threats and governmental response to them, and technological changes; acts of terrorism, war or other acts of violence or crime or risk of such activities; insurance coverage limitations; material adverse changes in economic and industry conditions, including the availability of short and long-term financing; and the pandemic created by the outbreak of COVID-19 and its variants, and resulting effects on economic conditions, the demand environment for logistics requirements and energy prices, restrictions imposed by public health authorities or governments, fiscal and monetary policy responses by governments and financial institutions, and disruptions to global supply chains.
We caution that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive and is made as of the date hereof. Additional information about these and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties can be found in reports and filings by CP and KCS with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, including any proxy statement, prospectus, material change report, management information circular or registration statement filed, or to be filed, in connection with the transaction. Reference should be made to "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Forward Looking Statements" in CP's and KCS's annual and interim reports on Forms 10-K and 10-Q. Due to the interdependencies and correlation of these factors, as well as other factors, the impact of any one assumption, risk or uncertainty on FLI cannot be determined with certainty.
Except to the extent required by law, we assume no obligation to publicly update or revise any FLI, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. All FLI in this news release is expressly qualified in its entirety by these cautionary statements.
About Canadian Pacific
Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit www.cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR
About KCS
Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., Kansas City Southern (KCS) (NYSE: KSU) is a transportation holding company that has railroad investments in the U.S., Mexico and Panama. Its primary U.S. holding is The Kansas City Southern Railway Company, serving the central and south central U.S. Its international holdings include Kansas City Southern de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., serving northeastern and central Mexico and the port cities of Lázaro Cárdenas, Tampico and Veracruz, and a 50 percent interest in Panama Canal Railway Company, providing ocean-to-ocean freight and passenger service along the Panama Canal. KCS' North American rail holdings and strategic alliances with other North American rail partners are primary components of a unique railway system, linking the commercial and industrial centers of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. More information about KCS can be found at www.kcsouthern.com.
Additional Information About the Transaction and Where to Find It
CP has filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form F-4, which includes a proxy statement of KCS that also constitutes a prospectus of CP. The registration statement has been declared effective. CP has filed with the SEC its prospectus and KCS has filed with the SEC its definitive proxy statement in connection with the proposed transaction, and the KCS proxy statement is being sent to the stockholders of KCS seeking their approval of the merger-related proposals. CP also filed a management proxy circular in connection with the transaction with applicable securities regulators in Canada and the management proxy circular was sent to CP shareholders in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws. INVESTORS, STOCKHOLDERS AND SHAREHOLDERS OF KCS AND CP ARE URGED TO READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS, AND MANAGEMENT PROXY CIRCULAR, AS APPLICABLE, AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC OR APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGULATORS IN CANADA IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), AS THEY CONTAIN AND WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT KCS, CP, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The registration statement and proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed by CP and KCS with the SEC, when filed, will be available free of charge at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. In addition, investors and shareholders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus, management proxy circular and other documents which have been or will be filed with the SEC and applicable securities regulators in Canada by CP online at www.investor.cpr.ca and www.sedar.com, upon written request delivered to CP at 7550 Ogden Dale Road S.E., Calgary, Alberta, T2C 4X9, Attention: Office of the Corporate Secretary, or by calling CP at 1-403-319-7000, and will be able to obtain free copies of the proxy statement/prospectus and other documents filed with the SEC by KCS online at www.investors.kcsouthern.com, upon written request delivered to KCS at 427 West 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64105, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or by calling KCS's Corporate Secretary's Office by telephone at 1-888-800-3690 or by email at corpsec@kcsouthern.com.
You may also read and copy any reports, statements and other information filed by KCS and CP with the SEC at the SEC public reference room at 100 F Street N.E., Room 1580, Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-732-0330 or visit the SEC's website for further information on its public reference room. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to appropriate registration or qualification under the securities laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
Participants in the Solicitation of Proxies
This news release is not a solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction. However, under SEC rules, CP, KCS, and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction. Information about CP's directors and executive officers may be found in its 2021 Management Proxy Circular, dated March 10, 2021, as well as its 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and applicable securities regulators in Canada on Feb. 18, 2021, available on its website at www.investor.cpr.ca and at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov. Information about KCS's directors and executive officers may be found on its website at www.kcsouthern.com and in its 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on Jan. 29, 2021, available at www.investors.kcsouthern.com and www.sec.gov. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above. Additional information regarding the interests of such potential participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the transaction are included in the proxy statement/prospectus, management proxy circular and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC and applicable securities regulators in Canada when they become available.
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SOURCE Canadian Pacific
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