Amid a North-American-wide slump in traffic volume, falling prices for railroad-transported commodities like coal and oil, and an economy that appears to be increasingly unstable, Canadian Pacific, the second publicly traded Class I to report fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 financials, fell short of analyst expectations, based largely on a nosedive in net income, despite reporting record earnings per share and an improved operating ratio.
Pershing Square Capital Management founder William Ackman reportedly is selling roughly US$800 million of his investment in Canadian Pacific Railroad, or roughly 5.9 million shares.
Reaction to the fight for control of Canadian Pacific seems to depend on whether the person reacting is a railfan or an investor.
The stage has been set for Canadian Pacific’s annual shareholders meeting on May 17, where hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management will attempt a takeover of CP and replace the railroad’s president, Fred Green, and board of directors with its own candidates.
Hedge fund Pershing Square Capital Management, led by activist investor William Ackman, said Thursday it has held “productive” discussions with Canadian Pacific Railway.
