Filed by Canadian Pacific Railway Limited
Pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act of 1933
and deemed filed pursuant to Rule 14a-6
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
Subject Company: Kansas City Southern
Commission File No. 001-04717
Date: August 10, 2021
The following is a transcript of Canadian Pacific Railway Limiteds investor conference call on August 10, 2021.
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
Canadian Pacific submits superior proposal to combine with Kansas City Southern
Company Participants
| Chris de Bruyn, Managing Director, Investor Relations & Treasury |
| John Brooks, Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer |
| Keith Creel, President & Chief Executive Officer |
| Nadeem Velani, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer |
Other Participants
| Amit Mehrotra, Analyst |
| Brandon Oglenski, Analyst |
| Chris Wetherbee, Analyst |
| Fadi Chamoun, Analyst |
| Konark Gupta, Analyst |
| Scott H. Group, Analyst |
| Tom Wadewitz, Analyst |
Presentation
Operator
Good morning, my name is Sylvia and I will be your conference operator today. At this time, I would like to welcome everyone to the Canadian Pacific Conference Call. The slides accompanying todays call are available at www.investor.cpr.ca. All lines have been placed on mute to prevent any background noise. After the speakers remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session. (Operator Instructions)
I would now like to introduce, Chris de Bruyn, Managing Director, Investor Relations and Treasury to begin the conference.
Chris de Bruyn
Thank you, Sylvia. Good morning everyone and thank you for joining us today. Before we begin, I want to remind you, this presentation contains forward-looking information. Actual results may differ materially. The risks, uncertainties and other factors that could influence actual results are described on slide two and in the press release filed with Canadian and US regulators.
Page 1 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
With me here in Calgary today is Keith Creel, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Nadeem Velani, our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, and John Brooks, Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer.
The formal remarks will be followed by Q&A. In the interest of time, wed appreciate if you limit your questions to one.
It is now my pleasure to introduce our President and CEO, Mr. Keith Creel.
Keith Creel
Thank you, Chris. Good morning. So thank you everyone for joining us this morning on such short notice. Im sure by now you had an opportunity to read our press release and you can tell by reading it that were extremely proud to be presenting the CP superior offer to the KCS board and shareholders today.
So I think, to put things in context lets start with whats new. The superior offer today values KCS, CAD300 per share. The KCS shareholders will receive 2.884 CP shares and CAD90 in cash in consideration for combining their company with Canadian Pacific. It offers an increased ownership to the KCS shareholders of 28% of the combined company, which is a more compelling opportunity for some long-term value creation that is unique in our CP - KCS combination.
You will note the synergies have increased, moved up from CAD782 billion in EBITDA growth synergies that we would achieve over three years. What gives us confidence to increase the synergies, take a look at this, weve been looking to this value in this combination what we can unlock for over a year now. This didnt just start yesterday or a couple of months ago. Rest assured, weve done our homework.
Weve done our diligence, the deep dives with the patents team and myself in our senior team that date back to last September consecutive meetings and of course during the month we were, Ill call it previously engaged. We had a very unique opportunity to engage, deep dive with customers themselves that led to very exciting opportunities to partner with and create additional revenue synergies.
The shippers have the conviction, they share the conviction with us, with the opportunities with the new markets at this proposal [ph] at our marks but the value is significant. Grain shippers, intermodal shippers, they are the primary drivers of the increased revenue synergies.
When we get to the Q&A,. John will be happy to dive into any of those details. But rest assured, this is the team that could back up from what we say were going to do. So when we committed it, we mean it, we mean to not only achieve it but to exceed it.
Lets focus on whats not new. Weve been at this a while as well. These facts have only become more compelling and we think clear. The strategic value of this, the combination
Page 2 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
and it being the only viable class one combination that can get approved in todays world. Its powerful.
Clear path, the deal value for the shareholder will get a voting trust approved now, so thats new, given before we started with our initial merger application, merger agreement with KCS. Its going to create the first U.S. - Mexican - Canadian rail network truly [ph] in the end and the only one thats truly [ph] in the end pro-competitive no overlap.
Those are key attributes impacts that are undeniable that speak to our deal certainty and our value certainty for the shareholder.
The strategic rationale that drives it, benefits are undeniable, the shipment of the supply chain, the significant value its going to unlock for the CP and the KCS shareholder again is undeniable.
We got the two fastest growing platforms over the last three years coming together, still would be the smallest class one, but itd be the most relevant, the most compelling from a value to the shipper as well as the value to the shareholder and a value to the U.S. rail network short term and long term.
So that deal certainty has been formalized. Again the STB has approved our trust. If you think about whats transpired over the last several months, very public developments, whether its the present executive order, the STBs position about protecting competition, all to me support the facts of our combination given that it truly is pro-competition.
Theres not a (inaudible) winners and losers, its all about winners, its all about about new opportunities, new growth, new competition that gets injected into the class one space that puts these two railways combined on a level playing field to be able to compete head-to-head with Canadian National, head to head in lines with UP in the West, with BN in the West.
It truly is a value creating opportunity for all stakeholders. And also, youll note that in our proposal, we maintained our prudent balance sheet which is a key element. Ive said before and Ill say this again today, the last thing, were going to do with this company is be irresponsible with our balance sheet and not be able to, once these companies are put together, be able to realize the true value.
Were going to be able to invest them. Were going to be able to maintain our investment grade. Were going to be able to maintain the strength of our balance sheets, so that we can endure in good times and in bad and realize the value of this opportunity.
So now lets talk about why now. The, why now, the last two weeks, since we filed our proxy statement, weve had a lot of opportunity to engage with the KCS shareholders. Weve heard it loud and clear shareholders want certainty, thats critically important, thats what this deal offers, value certainty and deal certainty. They want an alternative proposal,
Page 3 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
a deal that can actually be consummated so that they can actually realize the value. So deal certainty today is always going to be greater than deal certainty tomorrow.
The use of our trust, its not a certainty forever and a lot can change in seven months time.
So waiting until February, 2022, by staying on the sideline and then allowing the scheduled KCS shareholder vote to occur without an alternative is not in anyones best interest. And we feel, when the KCS Board names are offered superior, we will be in a position to close in trust in a relatively short period of time.
And think about the executive order, think about Amtrak considerations, think of all of the letters of opposition that all highlight BNIs competitive problems associated with the other proposed transaction, now is the time.
This is a real offer, its a serious offer, its a certain offer and its a superior offer. Superior today and even more so tomorrow. You think about the facts matter, if you think about what this company has done with CP and this team, weve got a track record of growth thats led the industry. Not only led the industry in growth, but at the same time led the industry in margin improvement.
In CP, the partnership youve got an opportunity to partner with industry bes,t the alternatives based on the track record, not because I say so but just looking at those same facts, its industry worse. There is tons of non-regulatory risk, there are tons of execution risk. The greatest part of this deal is in execution certainty.
An opportunity, a unique opportunity to combine with the talent team with KCS, and the talent team in CP, to be able to actually realize this long-term value for the shareholders.
Simply said, its just a better team, together better railroaders together.
The track record, again if you think about shareholder value, what its been able to produce if you compare the two, its undeniably compelling. Again, an industry best performance from a three-year, five-year, ten-year view versus an industry worse performance.
And that matters, very strong operating performance. Its a differentiated value creation thats undeniable and again it gets to doing what you say youre going to do. This team delivers results.
We also have leadership stability. As we announced, when we first announced this deal several months ago, Ive extended my commitment to stay at CP for at least an additional five years and I have hand-picked this leadership team to deliver the results not because I say it, but its because what weve done.
Page 4 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
This leadership team is in place, weve got the strongest bench in the industry and were here to see the merger through not to approval, but through approval, most importantly through realizing the synergies that were committing to the KCS shareholders as well as to the CP shareholders.
So what now, I think its important that the shareholders speak up. They need to vote, no to the same deal and yes to differ, they need to let the KCS Board know that they feel that our CP proposal is truly a superior proposal.
The only deal that can be realized, the only deal that has deal certainty and that is in the best interest of all shareholders and all stakeholders.
So that said, let me start with my prepared comments and well save the balance of the time for Q&A.
Questions And Answers
Operator
Thank you. (Operator Instructions)
Your first question comes from the line of Chris Wetherbee from Citi.
Q - Chris Wetherbee
Yeah. Hey, thanks, and good morning. The most important question, I guess on my mind, is your thoughts on the difference between your deal and Canadian Nationals offer. So you moved up substantially, youre still below on the dollar value that CN deal and I understand that the regulatory dynamic that youre thinking about here. But when youre asking shareholders to pause on the CN deal and consider yours, I guess what are the most compelling reasons to kind of move forward? It still seems like there is a meaningful financial gap there. So what do you think are the key point for KSUs shareholders to consider, just thinking about voting on potentially both deals?
A - Keith Creel
I think the key point, Chris, is there is not a meaningful gap if the deal is not achievable, if its not realized. We said from the beginning the facts are bad, I call it fools gold. Say the same thing today, it could be CAD350, if its not achievable. If you cant get the deal approved, how does the shareholder ever realize the value?
So you can promise, the sun and the moon and the stars but if you dont have deal certainty and if youve got bad facts that drive that deal certainty, its fraught with risk. And I dont think any of us, any shareholder could deny the world around us and the environment that were in and the regulatory risk that that deal entails. At the end of the day the KCS shareholders got to decide if theyre willing to take on that kind of risk, for that kind of deal, quite frankly, I dont believe, I didnt believe then and I dont believe
Page 5 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
today that it will ever get approved by the STB because they have bad facts. Not because I say so, because the fact say so.
So, again, Im not going to negotiate against some illusory value thats put out on the table, thats just simply a (Inaudible). You know I said it then and I say it today, truly just put out there to create a destructive value,tTo misguide and mislead the shareholder and make them think that they can realize this. And the fact is if you go back and look at whats been said, now what weve said, look at what the alternative has said and whats true about the facts and what the regulator said and what the world has said and how important competition is. And if you have anti-competitive facts you can get around that.
I dont care how much money you throw at to try to buy away the bad fact, which is what was done, they still remain versus our deal, which is the only deal class one combination that can get approved.
The trust is approved. Its not because I say so, its because its happened.
We have the trust approval. We have the best team in the industry. We have a track record with proven results. We put CAD300 on the table, thats compelling today and its even more compelling tomorrow. So there is an opportunity for those that want to sell in short-term value to realize that value and there is an even more compelling opportunity for the long-term shareholder to participate in a very unique combination with a unique team partnered with KCSs talented team that can create a very unique outcome that will be unparalleled in this industry.
And then finally the nation itself, The US rail network, the industry overall, this combination is a stabilizing combination for the industry. It creates capacity to grow, it creates opportunities for customers. It creates opportunities for competition. Its just compelling. So at the end of the day, a CAD20 delta - CAD25 delta and again, I can imagine that if CN has to respond today, if the KCS Board of Directors deem this superior today, they throw more money to buy facts but it doesnt change the facts and if you cant realize the value, its sort of like throwing mud on the wall and just seeing what sticks. Its not going to stick.
Q - Chris Wetherbee
Okay, thanks for the color. Appreciate it.
A - Keith Creel
Thank you, Chris.
Operator
Your next question comes from the line of Tom Wadewitz from UBS.
Q - Tom Wadewitz
Page 6 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
Yeah, good morning. Keith, I wanted to ask you about, you have the waiver and the voting trust approval, which are obviously significant. How much does this depend on what STB comes out and says and CN voting process, they come out and say yes, then is there still a path for you where you say well weve got the waiver, so thats still a significant delta. It seems like that STB decision on CN voting trust is still a pretty big factor. So how would you view that and kind of the potential path depending on how they rule on the CN voting trust?
A - Keith Creel
Well, I mean, obviously our offer is based on the belief, fundamental belief that their facts cant get approved, their fact wont lead to their trust being approved. Thats the thesis, thats what we stated from the beginning in our double down and triple-down, it just gives what it is. I understand the facts. It leads to me holding one outcome which is denying the trust. Based on the facts, if competition matters then everything thats happened since we announced this deal its not said competition matters less, it said competition matters more.
And then add on the additional points that not only do you have to provide competition, preserve and enhance, you also need to make sure while you do that youre protecting passenger service. In todays world Amtrak matters. Its always mattered at CP for the last five years, not because its happened by mistake because we prioritized running our freight business in treating Amtrak as a partner and giving them the service that they pay for and deserve.
So we have a solid track record with doing that with Amtrak versus again those facts dont come to the same conclusions when you look at CNs track record. Its just, again, I dont think that thats going to be an outcome. However, if it were then, the only thing I could say is Id be shocked based on the facts and Id have to believe what they had to say and why they approved the trust and assess it myself at that time. Thats the only comment I can make.
Q - Tom Wadewitz
So there could be a path that you would just have to assess and see what they said if they did approve a CN voting trust?
A - Keith Creel
Well, no, if they approve the team voting trust, heres the other things that dont change. Im not going to get into a bid anymore, we put a very compelling value on the table, if CN is prepared to pay CAD325 and theyve got a trust approved or CAD350 whatever they respond, you have to see how they might respond, thats not a place I am prepared to go to, Tom, Im just not going to do that.
Again, Im not going to impair this company, Im not going to jeopardize this companys future. Were going to make solid disciplined business decisions. Were going to protect our balance sheet. And in that case, if that were to happen, youre going to see one
Page 7 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
railroad that not only will compete but is extremely capable if competing just as we have in the past and were going to continue to drive significant value for our shareholders.
Im not going to destroy value, chasing something thats reckless, Im just not going to do that, thats not going to be part of the legacy, Ill leave at this company or in this industry.
Q - Tom Wadewitz
Great, thanks for the time, Keith.
Operator
Your next question comes from Fadi Chamoun from BMO Capital Markets.
Q - Fadi Chamoun
Good morning.
A - Keith Creel
Good morning, Fadi.
Q - Fadi Chamoun
It sounds like you had some engagement with few shareholders probably over the facts, just reading from your comment earlier. How much of this offer educated by those discussion? Im just wondering, if you have a good feel about whats going to being expected out there and have you had many initial feedback or commentary from KCS management or board at this point?
And maybe just kind of to tag on, can you explain where the additional synergies come from a mix? Im suspecting coming from the top line side, but that little bit more specifics around that as well? Thank you.
A - Keith Creel
Yes, be happy to, Fadi. So let me tackle the first part and Ill let John dive in for the color on the synergies. So youre right, we have had numerous meetings particularly with shareholders, very active conversations. What I took away from those conversations is that excitement and a desire to realize the value. Value realization, to be able to actually have a deal come to the point that the trust to realize their consideration. So, that matters, getting the money and then the money itself, obviously we took and have received feedback from the shareholders. We think this number will be received extremely well. Obviously, its based on CNs inability to get their trust approved. We think that the KCS shareholder will see its not in their best interest to get locked into a deal thats fraught with huge regulatory risk without the benefit of knowing if the trust is even approved.
And when the KCS Board of Directors look at this in that light, even if that trust does not get approved, it is undeniable value. So we think this is going to be received extremely
Page 8 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
well, that is based on our discussions, we feel good about it, because of the value it creates, the synergies that have been developed with the hard work that John and his team in the meetings with customers and we feel good about the number. We feel good about the value and certainly those additional synergies in the value creates with the KCS shareholder and the CP shareholder both now and in the future make us feel good about justifying the CAD300 number.
So, John, over to you to provide a bit of color if you can on additional growth opportunities.
A - John Brooks
So Fadi, as Keith explained in the opening remarks, weve been at this for better part of a year, and particularly in the last five months since we announced the initial agreement with the KCS. Weve been deep in discussions with a number of customers on both sides, certainly our existing customers and what it can do to to reshape and change their business and the lanes and opportunities. But equally as important with the KCS customers and some of the new market reach will create place like port of [ph]Norland [0:30:49] and what that does to our not only domestic intermodal service but international service and down the level road, down in the Mexico and I can tell you on two fronts. Number one, the outpouring that we received from customers wanting to put together the two smallest railroads as Keith said, in a unique end-to-end combination and what that unlocks from scope and scale that frankly compete head to head better against the UPs, the BNs, the CNs matters. These customers, the outpouring for diversification of their book was strong, let alone that outcrying for the best operating railroad in the industry.
To provide service to compete head to head in these key lanes created a lot of momentum and excitement. I think the other point you have to think about is the support, weve received directly from the KCS shipper in terms of their ability to grow their own share in key markets by overlaying our products and our service, our customer experience into their business. It was a significant eye opener certainly as we go in deeper and looking at these synergies.
So specifically, I see the ag space, we knew it was going to be a big opportunities, but certainly the feedback is above and beyond that. Specifically corn in the Mexico, we had very conservative share opportunities initially. Weve increased that and then the intermodal space be create that third or fourth competitive option in the north, south lane. The feedback weve received from frankly our cross-border retail customers and what that to bring to the table with USNCA and more near shoring was quite compelling and again that intermodal area is an area, as I said upfront. I think we were conservative on the outset. So weve increased that opportunity, not only with existing customers but, so what we see in truck conversion and frankly barge conversion under this new railroad. I hope that helps.
Q - Fadi Chamoun
Yes, thank you.
Page 9 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
Operator
Your next question comes from Amit Mehrotra from Deutsche Bank.
Q - Amit Mehrotra
Well, thanks operator. Good morning, everybody. Keith, very simple question, why is paying 40 times free cash flow 30 times earnings a good deal for CP shareholder? I think there are a lot of CP shareholders on this call that love you, love the management team. You guys have created incredible amount of value showed a lot of financial discipline. So itd be helpful to - even looks like youre capitalizing the synergies fully in this price target and a pricing and Id love to get your perspective on how you think about it from a financial perspective. And then, youve talked about the overlap in CN and Kan Cities network is, having anti-competitive negative implications for competition.
CN has recently noted that many of the lanes are moving actually from five to six down to four to five, which still leaves a lot of competition. And when you actually look at the lanes that are moving from two to one, its significantly lower and they can address that be divestitures, obviously thats a key component of why youre so confident in a voting trust being rejected. Wondering if you can just expand on that and provide your perspective as well? Thank you.
A - Keith Creel
I dont know if I can keep up with all that, I was actually taking notes on that.
Q - Amit Mehrotra
I can repeat it if you want.
A - Keith Creel
Lets. Im sorry.
Q - Amit Mehrotra
I can repeat the question, if you want. The second part, later if youd like.
A - Keith Creel
Yeah. Lets just start with the most important one upfront and thats the value question. There is CAD16 billion of value creation opportunity with these synergies. You combine these networks, the power of these two together ending in the markets that reach. Weve got a very strong origin network, theyve got a very strong destination network. Youre going to uniquely frigate a combination that connects three countries and all the trade that occurs today and all the trade and the investment that it will unlock for tomorrow. So there are 16 billion reasons that our shareholders should care about this. Were talking about double-digit accretion in a matter of three years when you realize the synergies, thats an unparalleled opportunity for the CP shareholder. So I look forward to deep engagement with our CP shareholders. We have done some of that already obviously,
Page 10 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
were going to do more of that today and were going to do more were going to do more of that tomorrow, it is compelling. When we announced this deal back in I guess it was March of this year, all the days seem to run together anymore and it feels more compelling today. So I do not think that we will have any challenges at all in getting this deal approved and supported by the majority of our CP shareholders.
A - Nadeem Velani
Amit, if I can just add, Nadeem. For years, our shareholders have been very supportive of our execution and the one push back is we wish you had a larger asset base to apply your execution on and your ability to drive value growth in top line due that at a low marginal cost and generate return on invested capital that are closer to 17%. So we cant just take on assets at at any cost and weve been disciplined. I think weve shown, weve been disciplined throughout this process, but we think given the synergies that Keith mentioned, that John touched upon that this asset base in combining these networks is going to grow a lot of value for customers, for communities that we operate in and shareholders both CPs existing shareholders and the KCS shareholder for the long term, in terms of how were going to drive value.
So, it doesnt come cheap and I think thats fair. But nothing good cheap comes in this world. So were very excited about the potential and very confident in our ability to drive value long term.
A - Keith Creel
Yeah. And what is the second part was about the trust, do you mind repeating that?
Q - Amit Mehrotra
Yes, sure. It was just about, youve obviously characterize the CN and Kansas City combination is anti-competitive, some of the points on the other side is that when you look at it only by lane basis a lot of the competition, maybe moving from five or six options down to four to five options and the real two to one outcomes as much lower, which can be addressed by divestitures.
Obviously you guys have done significant amount of work on this, I want to get your perspective as you look at kind of the combination, how many are actually two going into one, how many are four, five going to something a little bit lower that may not pose as much of a competition issue?
A - Keith Creel
I think the key thing that weve got to focus on, these are undeniable facts and we can get into the details, because youre talking about hundreds of shippers that lose options I would suggest that losing option matters to the shipper whether its at I dont have five anymore, I only have four or I dont have three anymore only have two. Thats the definition of loss of competition, loss of competitive alternatives. And the shipper decides, not the CN, not the KCS, not the CP if theyve lost competition and the facts lead you to that decision. Heres the other very undeniable fact that I think people have lost here. The CN - KCS combination must meet the public interests standard both in the trust
Page 11 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
approval as well as the merger application and public interest as defined by the mandate of the STB about the regulations say which were put in place in 2001, this is the very first deal under those new rules. It clearly says to need public interest you not only have to protect, you have to enhance competition certain a game of just increasing competitive options.
Its not keeping score of winners and losers and debits and credits, which CN has led people to believe that it is. Those facts will not be in my assessment at the STB. So its not a matter of just keeping score. Does it protect all existing competitive alternatives for the shipper today, the answer is unequivocally no, it does not.
Just by divesting more lines says that it does not. And thats not even truly a divestiture. So I mean we keep spinning in circles around this. Im a fact based person. Im trying to make disciplined decisions and when youre looking at that deal and what it represents and I understand that deal, quite frankly as well if not better than some of the people that are Canadian National.
I know that network like the back of my hand. I understand those customers, Im an operating officer I worked there, I worked there longer than I work at CP. I cut my teeth on the Illinois Central Railroad as an operating officer. I drove the change. I was part of the team that created the value at Canadian National.
I understand what Im talking about. This isnt just being and Im just, again, its all fact based stuff, if somebody will take the time to go back and just read the regulations if the STB takes their action based on what the regulations and what the facts say and I believe wholeheartedly they will, theyre going to do whats best for the US rail network, whats best for the customers interest, whats best for the industrys interest and those facts of CN, KCS did not lead to a favorable outcome from the STB based on those facts. Its just again undeniable.
Q - Amit Mehrotra
Okay, thats very clear. Thank you for the taking the time. Appreciate it.
A - Keith Creel
Thank you, appreciate the questions.
Operator
Your next question comes from Brandon Oglenski from Barclays.
Q - Brandon Oglenski
Hey, good morning. This is David on for Brandon. Just a quick question, as you guys have up to your estimates of synergies and seem to have good confidence in your own outlook. How did you land on this leverage level as the right leverage level for the offer versus maybe going with something more aggressive?
Page 12 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
A - Nadeem Velani
Yes. We just wanted to keep the absolute debt in line with our voting trust approval. We didnt feel that we wanted to, to Keiths point earlier, take on additional leverage arguably its conservative, but we are conservative by nature. So thats the approach we took.
Q - Brandon Oglenski
Thanks, Nadeem.
Operator
Your next question comes from Konark Gupta from Scotiabank.
Q - Konark Gupta
Good morning and thanks for taking my question. So maybe just a follow-up to a previous question. So, can STB require you to resubmit the voting trust application at all considering the new [inaudibnle] information they got? And how do you see the whole process, if, lets say STB rules on CNs voting trust before August 19th? Thanks.
A - Keith Creel
I cant and Im not going to see for the STB what I do know though is that our trust has been approved based on our facts. Even today point being [inaudible about leverage our facts have not changed, they became even more compelling just this past weekI mean I think it was a week ago the STB made it ruling that confirm that our trust approval and that our merger application is still alive and well and confirming our ability to use discovery to compel KCS in the absence of a partnership to provide us the information thats necessary to complete our application, so they could be submitted in a timely fashion in compliance with the regulations and in fact in the absence of full cooperation. We have approval to submit an incomplete application. So I would say that unequivocally again Im not speaking for the STB, Im just judging this on facts, our deal, our trust approval is a lot of deal certainty certainly exists. And what was the second question?
Q - Konark Gupta
So, just curious if STB comes out before, August 19 and opines rules on CNs voting trust, how do you see or foresee the whole process evolve?
A - Keith Creel
Well, again, Id have to see what they say assuming that were correct in our assessment that its going to be a no then obviously it solidifies the compelling nature of the value that we put on the table as well as deal certainty.
Q - Konark Gupta
Thanks.
Page 13 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
A - Keith Creel
Thank you.
Operator
Your next question comes from Scott Group from Wolfe Research.
Q - Scott H. Group
Morning, guys. So Keith, if youre so sure about the STB rejecting CN, KCS, why not just wait six months and not spend another CAD3 billion? And then maybe just separately, Im curious is your hope here that the KCS Board just decides to break the CN deal and select your offer or is it more so your hope that the KCS shareholders are just going to reject the CN deal with the vote and that will save the break fees?
A - Keith Creel
Im not focused on break fees, I am focused on value creation. Scott, when you say that. Then the point about why not just wait if I am so sure, the way they set this up, theyre prepared to have a vote in the absence of the trust ruling. Theyre not waiting for the trust ruling, so that alternative is not on the table.
The reality is if that vote goes forward with no alternative on the table and I know that because the KCS shareholders have told me that, they have no choice but to say yes, Scott, you know that and I know that. So Im not going to wait until February in the absence of an alternative. I know what the outcome of the vote would be and then Im putting this companys ability to create this very unique value at risk.
There is no certainty in February of 22 Ill get a chance to make a compelling offer again. A lot can happen between now and then. What I know to be true is we have deal certainty its undeniable this is compelling value in this combination together uniquely because of the facts is even more compelling.
With a team that has an ability to actually execute, you dont have the regulatory risks, you dont have the risk tied to getting actually realizing the value and you certainly dont have the execution risk. To me, I believe that message matters to the KCS shareholders in spite of what some of the naysayers might say. And Id say that says act now and thats what exactly what were doing and I firmly believe its the exact right thing to do. I mean period, I dont know how better to explain it.
Q - Scott H. Group
Okay. Thank you, guys.
A - Keith Creel
Thank you, Scott.
Page 14 of 15
Company Name: Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd
Company Ticker: CP CN Equity
Date: 2021-08-10
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the allotted time for questions and answers.
I will now turn the call back to Mr. Keith Creel.
A - Keith Creel
Well, listen again, thank you for your time on such short notice. Were going to turn our attention to engaging with CP shareholders today, KCS shareholders. Weve got a lot of exciting details to talk about and we look forward to those engagements before the day ends tomorrow. We will have met and shared our convictions and our thoughts and receive feedback from over 50% of the KCS shareholders. So weve got a pretty compelling opportunity to share these compelling facts.
Have a great day and well talk soon.
Operator
Ladies and gentlemen, this concludes todays conference. You may now all disconnect.
This transcript may not be 100 percent accurate and may contain misspellings and other inaccuracies. This transcript is provided as is, without express or implied warranties of any kind. Bloomberg retains all rights to this transcript and provides it solely for your personal, non-commercial use. Bloomberg, its suppliers and third-party agents shall have no liability for errors in this transcript or for lost profits, losses, or direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, special or punitive damages in connection with the furnishing, performance or use of such transcript. Neither the information nor any opinion expressed in this transcript constitutes a solicitation of the purchase or sale of securities or commodities. Any opinion expressed in the transcript does not necessarily reflect the views of Bloomberg LP. © COPYRIGHT 2021, BLOOMBERG LP. All rights reserved. Any reproduction, redistribution or retransmission is expressly prohibited.
Page 15 of 15
Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This transcript includes certain forward-looking statements and forward looking information (collectively, FLI). FLI is typically identified by words such as anticipate, expect, project, 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: changes in business strategies and strategic opportunities; 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; the ability of management of CP, its subsidiaries and affiliates to execute key priorities; general North American 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 and the U.S.; 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; 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 CPs budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out CPs business plan; services and infrastructure; the satisfaction by third parties of their obligations to CP; 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 and the U.S.; climate change and the market and regulatory responses to climate change; anticipated in-service dates; success of hedging activities; operational performance and reliability; regulatory and legislative decisions and actions; 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; and the pandemic created by the outbreak of COVID-19 and resulting effects on CPs business, operating results, cash flows and/or financial condition, as well as 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 with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. Reference should be made to Risk Factors and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Forward-Looking Statements in CPs annual and interim reports on Form 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 transcript is expressly qualified in its entirety by these cautionary statements.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) has filed a definitive proxy statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to be used to solicit votes of the stockholders of Kansas City Southern, a Delaware corporation (KCS), against the proposal to adopt the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of May 21, 2021 (the CN Merger Agreement), by and among Canadian National Railway Company, a Canadian corporation (CN), Brooklyn Merger Sub, Inc., a Delaware corporation and a direct wholly owned subsidiary of CN, and KCS. Additionally, in furtherance of CPs proposed transaction with KCS and subject to future developments, CP (and, if a negotiated transaction is agreed, KCS) may file one or more proxy statements, registration statements, prospectuses or other documents with the SEC or applicable securities regulators in Canada. This transcript is not a substitute for any proxy statement, registration statement, prospectus or other document CP and/or KCS may file with the SEC or applicable securities regulators in Canada in connection with the proposed transaction.
INVESTORS AND STOCKOLDERS OF KCS ARE URGED TO READ THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT, ALONG WITH ANY FUTURE PROXY STATEMENT(S) AND OTHER PROXY MATERIALS, REGISTRATION STATEMENT(S), PROSPECTUS(ES) AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC OR APPLICABLE SECURITIES REGULATORS IN CANADA CAREFULLY IN THEIR ENTIRETY IF AND WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT KCS, CP, THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED BY THE CN MERGER AGREEMENT, CPS PROPOSED TRANSACTION WITH KCS AND RELATED MATTERS AND DEVELOPMENTS. THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT ALSO INCLUDES INFORMATION ABOUT THE IDENTITY OF THE PARTICIPANTS IN CPS PROXY SOLICITATION AND A DESCRIPTION OF THEIR DIRECT OR INDIRECT INTERESTS THEREIN.
THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC ARE AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE ON THE SECS WEB SITE AT WWW.SEC.GOV. IN ADDITION, INVESTORS AND STOCKHOLDERS MAY OBTAIN FREE COPIES OF THE DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT AND OTHER MATERIALS FILED WITH THE SEC ONLINE AT INVESTOR.CPR.CA, OR UPON REQUEST TO CPS PROXY SOLICITOR, INNISFREE M&A INCORPORATED, AT (212) 750-5833 OR TOLL-FREE AT (877) 456-3442.
No Offer or Solicitation
This transcript 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.