Berkshire Hathaway will assume full ownership of railroad group Burlington Northern Sante Fe at a cost of $US26bn ($A29bn). The deal suggests that Berkshire founder and investment guru Warren Buffett is banking on both an improved outlook for the US economy and continued growth of rail freight transport. The market responded favourably to the deal, with US transport stocks rising by five per cent on 3 November 2009.

Publication Date: 5 November 2009

BURLINGTON NORTHERN SANTE FE CORPORATION
BERKSHIRE HATHAWAY INCORPORATED
THE GOLDMAN SACHS GROUP INCORPORATED
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
MOODY'S INVESTORS SERVICE INCORPORATED
STANDARD AND POOR'S 500 INDEX

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