(The Associated Press circulated the following on February 11, 2010.)
OMAHA, Neb. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. shareholders are getting ready to vote on selling their railroad to Warren Buffett’s company.
The Thursday morning vote is the last major hurdle for Berkshire Hathaway Inc.’s $26.3 billion acquisition of the Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad.
Berkshire agreed last fall to pay $100 per share in cash and stock for the 77.4 percent of BNSF shares that it didn’t already own. The purchase will be the largest ever for Buffett’s Omaha, Neb.-based company.
Two-thirds of BNSF’s shareholders, besides Berkshire, must approve the deal for it to go forward, but the deal is expected to be approved.