Along with that insightful cover article in the July TRAINS, another magazine has sounded off on American Railroading: in particular, the BNSF.
Take a look on page 24 of the July SMART MONEY magazine for a two-column discussion of the BNSF’s health and prospects, which author Reshma Kapadia considers most promising.
My only gripe is the reference to “so-called intermodal” operations on the BNSF. Since “Intermodal” has been term-of-art for what–thirty-five years? I don’t think the BNSF abuses the term, 'tho certainly different railroads do put slightly different constructions on the content of the intermodal mode.
So nice to be considered an important industry and not a relic by the general public! [:)] [8D] [:p] [:)]
If you happen to watch CNBC…NS and BNSF are consistently regarded as stock “buys” and highly regarded among the financial set. UP is also considered a good stock. CSX unfortunately has not been mentioned too much…having peaked in price just before the Conrail split and subsequent selloff of Sealand segments.
If oil continues to spike the RRs will become better & better buys as the truckers will constantly be increasing prices. In the last 2 days alone oil is up $1.50 per barrel. I’m sure in just a few short weeks that spike will be reflected at the pump. [:(][V]
Such active response! I love it! And such great advice; I can always use it.
[:I] Alas, I have no cable, so I don’t get CNBC. I do get “Motley Fool” as a free website, and they have certainly been bullish on BNSF (BNI in New York Stock Exchange Abbreviations), also Norfolk Southern (NSC) to a lesser extent.
Most of all, the Fool often praises Canadian National (CNI) and has had good things to say about Genesee Wyoming (GWR), the latter for those who can indulge in a non-dividend-paying security.
I’m no expert, but there seem to be two theories: My broker never misses a chance to say, “The best time to invest is when you have the money”; but there’s the pessimistic side (mine) that says things like "I could’a had Kansas City Southern (KSU) for $3.50 two years ago!! [|)][:(][8]
One way to get a company’s insight on itself is to ask for their 2004 Annual Report (almost always with the SEC-required form 10K bound in) If a person has the money to buy a stock, then he or she can legitimately claim to be a potential investor.
When I approcahed the subject that way, CNI sent me a very dynamic 2004 A.R. with lots of photos and a bound first-quarter (of 2005) update. [:)] BNI fairly deluged me with a VERY layman-friendly A.R. (showing inside a typical American kitchen how BNSF is responsible for consumer goods, forest products, etc.); also a system map! Bless you, Mr. Rose, even if I do disagree with your decision to “swoosh” all the rolling stock.[:D]
Norfolk also sent a very friendly A.R. and materials on how their dividends can be automatically reinvested in further shares of stock (This doesn’t relieve the taxpayer of paying taxes on dividends but does force him/her into making regular purchases of stock–and when the price is low, when we are least apt to DECIDE to buy more stock–a fixed amount of money buys more shares!). I also got a very heads-up and beautiful A.R. from Kansas CIty Southern.