Transnet financing aids big locomotive buy

South Africa’s Transnet said Monday, March 2, 2015 it has concluded financing to acquire 1,064 locomotives, estimated to cost $4.3 billion, for its Transnet Freight Rail subsidiary, which were ordered from four suppliers one year ago.

Analyst: GE/Alstom deal strengthens Alstom’s competitive position

According to analyst Eshna Basu of The Motley Fool, “the General Electric-Alstom deal could create the world’s largest rail equipment maker.” Basu’s analysis follows GE’s multi-billion-dollar purchase of Alstom’s power business last month—a deal that includes Alstom’s acquisition of GE Transportation’s signaling and communications business.

GE seeks to acquire Alstom energy business, would leave Transport sector alone

General Electric, having given up on its efforts to acquire Ansaldo STS from Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica, is reportedly in negotiations with Alstom over a $13 billion takeover of the French company’s energy business, and is said to have the support of Alstom’s majority shareholder Bouygues, a French construction and engineering contractor, which holds a 29% stake. Alstom reportedly approached GE.