Transportation

Buffett Keeps Riding The Reading Railroad (BNI)

Buffett_imageBurlington Northern Santa Fe Corp. (NYSE: BNI) does not have a new shareholder.  But Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK-A) did increase the size of the stake held in Burlington Northern.  In another unusual Buffett style move, this was not just a normal "let’s just buy some more of this one."

Warren Buffett and friends exercised options contracts on the vestingand expiration date of December 11 at $75.45 for some 2,217,500shares.  Buffett now holds 70,089,029 shares, or a stake of 20.47% inBurlington Northern.

This is via the National Indemnity Company subsidiary of BerkshireHathaway.  As reported on a Form 4 filed December 5, the "NICO"unit wrote a put option on December 3,  pursuant to which it isobligated to buy 2,325,000 shares of BNI Common Stock from Citibank,N.A. for an exercise price of $75.00 per share, if Citibank exercisesthe put option.

Shares closed up 0.2% today at $71.53.  The 52-week trading range is $68.31 to $114.58.

 

Jon C. Ogg
December 15, 2008

Want to Retire Early? Start Here (Sponsor)

Want retirement to come a few years earlier than you’d planned? Or are you ready to retire now, but want an extra set of eyes on your finances?

Now you can speak with up to 3 financial experts in your area for FREE. By simply clicking here you can begin to match with financial professionals who can help you build your plan to retire early. And the best part? The first conversation with them is free.

Click here to match with up to 3 financial pros who would be excited to help you make financial decisions.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.