Transport i infrastruktura · 02/04/2010
Railroad Cost of Capital-2009
The Board is instituting a proceeding to determine the railroad industry's cost of capital for 2009. The decision solicits comments on the following narrow issues: (1) The railroads' 2009 current cost of debt capital; (2) the railroads' 2009 current cost of preferred equity capital (if any); (3) the railroads' 2009 cost of common equity capital; (4) how the change in BNSF Railway Company's (BNSF's) share prices from November 2009 through December 2009, following the announcement of BNSF's acquisition by Berkshire Hathaway Inc., should be considered in calculating the 2009 cost of common equity capital; and (5) the 2009 capital structure mix of the railroad industry on a market value basis. Comments should focus on the various cost of capital components listed above using the same methodology followed in Railroad Cost of Capital--2008, Ex Parte No. 558 (Sub-No. 12) (STB served Sept. 25, 2009).