Pending acquisition adds new risk category; six existing risk areas remain substantively unchanged.
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The mergers are subject to conditions, some or all of which may not be satisfied or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the mergers could have material adverse effects on our business — On July 28, 2025, the Company, Norfolk Southern, Ruby Merger Sub 1…
The mergers are subject to conditions, some or all of which may not be satisfied or completed on a timely basis, if at all. Failure to complete the mergers could have material adverse effects on our business — On July 28, 2025, the Company, Norfolk Southern, Ruby Merger Sub 1 Corporation, and Ruby Merger Sub 2 LLC, entered into an agreement and plan of merger (the merger agreement). The completion of the mergers (as defined in the merger agreement) is subject to a number of conditions, including, among others, the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals, which make the completion of the mergers and timing thereof uncertain. Also, either the Company or Norfolk Southern may terminate the merger agreement if the mergers have not been consummated by January 28, 2028, which is referred to as the end date (subject to an automatic extension in certain circumstances), except that this right to terminate the merger agreement will not be available to any party whose failure to perform any obligation under the merger agreement has been the primary cause of the failure of the mergers to be consummated on or before that date.
If the mergers are not completed, our ongoing business may be materially adversely affected and, without realizing any of the benefits of having completed the mergers, we will be subject to a number of risks, including the following:
In addition, if the mergers are not completed, we could be subject to litigation related to any failure to complete the mergers or related to any enforcement proceeding commenced against us to perform our obligations under the merger agreement, and whether or not any such litigation has any merit, the cost of defending such litigation may be significant. The materialization of any of these risks could adversely impact our ongoing business.
Similarly, delays in the completion of the mergers could, among other things, result in additional transaction costs, loss of revenues, or other negative effects associated with uncertainty about completion of the mergers.
The merger agreement contains provisions that limit our ability to pursue alternatives to the mergers, and, in specified circumstances, could require us to pay substantial termination fees to Norfolk Southern — The merger agreement contains certain provisions that restrict our ability to initiate, solicit, knowingly encourage, or, subject to certain exceptions, engage in discussions or negotiations with respect to, or approve or recommend, any alternative proposal.
In some circumstances, upon termination of the merger agreement in connection with an alternative proposal, we may be required to pay a termination fee of $2.5 billion to Norfolk Southern.
These provisions could discourage a potential acquiror of us or alternative merger partner that might have an interest in acquiring all or a significant portion of the Company or pursuing an alternative acquisition transaction with us from considering or proposing such a transaction, even if it were prepared to pay consideration with a higher per-share value than the per-share value proposed to be realized in the mergers. In particular, a termination fee, if applicable, could result in a potential acquiror of us or alternative merger partner proposing to pay a lower price to our shareholders than it might otherwise have proposed to pay absent such a fee.
If the merger agreement is terminated in accordance with its terms, and we or Norfolk Southern seek another business combination, we may not be able to negotiate a transaction with another party on terms comparable to, or better than, the terms of the merger agreement.
The mergers are subject to the receipt of the requisite regulatory approvals, which requisite regulatory approvals may never be obtained, therefore preventing completion of the mergers. In addition, in granting such approvals, regulatory authorities may impose conditions that could have a significant adverse effect on the Company, Norfolk Southern, or the combined company and the expected benefits of the mergers therefore preventing completion of the mergers — Before the mergers may be completed, the requisite regulatory approvals must have been obtained, including the approval, authorization, or exemption by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) of the mergers and other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement within the jurisdiction of the STB. The terms and conditions of the approvals that are granted may impose requirements, concessions, limitations, or costs or place restrictions on the conduct of the combined company’s business. Subject to the terms and conditions of the merger agreement, the Company and Norfolk Southern have each agreed to use their reasonable best efforts to take, or cause to be taken, all actions, and to do, or cause to be done, and to assist and cooperate with each other in doing, all things necessary, proper, or advisable to cause the conditions to closing set forth in the merger agreement to be satisfied and to consummate and make effective the mergers and the other transactions contemplated by the merger agreement prior to the end date, except that we are not required to take, or commit to take, or agree to or accept any “materially burdensome regulatory condition” (as defined in the merger agreement). For purposes of the foregoing, “reasonable best efforts” includes, among others, (i) proposing, negotiating, committing to, and effecting, by consent decree, hold separate order, or otherwise, the sale, divestiture, license, hold separate, or disposition of any and all of the share capital or other equity interest, assets, products, or businesses of the Company or of Norfolk Southern and its subsidiaries and (ii) otherwise taking or committing to take any actions that after the first effective time (as defined in the merger agreement) would limit our freedom of action with respect to, or our ability to retain, or otherwise agreeing to any restriction, requirement, or limitation with respect to our assets, products, or businesses, in each case as may be required in order to avoid the entry of, or to effect the dissolution of, any injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order that would otherwise have the effect of preventing or delaying the closing. The STB and other regulatory and governmental authorities may impose requirements, concessions, and other conditions on the granting of such approvals. If such regulatory and governmental authorities seek to impose such requirements, concessions, or conditions, lengthy negotiations may ensue among such authorities, the Company and Norfolk Southern. Such requirements, concessions, and conditions and the process of obtaining regulatory approvals could have the effect of delaying completion of the mergers and such requirements, concessions, and conditions may not be identified or satisfied for an extended period of time. Such requirements, concessions and conditions may also impose additional costs or limitations on the combined company following the completion of the mergers and the parties have agreed to accept such requirements, concessions, and conditions, even if significant, subject to the agreed-upon materially burdensome regulatory condition limitation in favor of us. These requirements, concessions, and conditions may therefore reduce the anticipated benefits of the mergers, including synergies, which could also have a significant adverse effect on the combined company’s business and cash flows and results of operations, and we cannot predict what, if any, requirements, concessions, and conditions may be required by regulatory or governmental authorities whose approvals are required. The requisite regulatory approvals may not be obtained at all, may not be obtained in a timely fashion, and may contain conditions on the completion of the mergers. In January 2026, the STB announced its finding that the major merger application filed by the Company and Norfolk Southern was incomplete, as a result of which the STB rejected the application without prejudice. The decision does not result in the dismissal of the mergers, and the Company is permitted to file a revised application, which will commence a new review by the STB for completeness. If we experience further delays as a result of the STB’s review process or we are unable to obtain other regulatory approvals on a timely basis, any such delays may increase our costs and reduce the anticipated benefits of the mergers, which could also have a significant adverse effect on the combined company’s business.
In addition, under existing law, our railroad competitors and customers, Norfolk Southern’s railroad competitors and customers, and other interested parties may intervene to oppose the STB application or seek protective conditions in the event approval by the STB is granted, which might affect the decision of the STB, delay the approval process, or reduce the anticipated benefits of the mergers. Furthermore, if the STB does not provide final approval or imposes conditions on its approval in a final order, and the Company and Norfolk Southern decide to appeal such final order from the STB, any such appeal might not be resolved for a substantial period of time after the entry of such order by the STB.
The Company and Norfolk Southern are each subject to business uncertainties and contractual restrictions while the mergers are pending, which could adversely affect both our business and operations and the combined company’s business and operations — In connection with the pendency of the mergers, some customers, suppliers, and other persons with whom the Company or Norfolk Southern has a business relationship have or may delay or defer certain business decisions or terminate, change, or renegotiate their relationships with us or Norfolk Southern, as the case may be, as a result of the mergers, which could negatively affect our or Norfolk Southern’s respective revenues, earnings, and cash flows, as well as the market price of our common stock, regardless of whether the mergers are completed.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, each of the Company and Norfolk Southern is subject to certain restrictions on the conduct of its business prior to completing the first merger (as defined in the merger agreement), which may adversely affect its ability to execute certain of its business strategies, including, in the case of Norfolk Southern, the ability in certain cases to enter into or amend contracts, acquire or dispose of assets, incur indebtedness, incur capital expenditures, settle litigation, amend organizational documents, declare dividends, enter new business lines, and invest in third parties. Such limitations could adversely affect each party’s businesses and operations prior to the completion of the mergers.
Each of the risks described above may be exacerbated by delays or other adverse developments with respect to the completion of the mergers.
Uncertainties associated with the mergers may cause a loss of management personnel and other key employees, and the Company and Norfolk Southern may have difficulty attracting and motivating management personnel and other key employees, and combining cultures between the two companies could be challenging, which could adversely affect the future business and operations of the combined company — The Company and Norfolk Southern are dependent on the experience and industry knowledge of their respective management personnel and other key employees to execute their business plans. The combined company’s success after the completion of the mergers will depend in part upon our ability, and Norfolk Southern’s ability, to attract, motivate, and retain key management personnel and other key employees as well as develop a singular culture framed in the strategy of Safety, Service, and Operational Excellence. Prior to completion of the mergers, our current and prospective employees, and Norfolk Southern’s current and prospective employees, may experience uncertainty about their roles within the combined company following the completion of the mergers, which may have an adverse effect on our ability, and Norfolk Southern’s ability, to attract, motivate, or retain management personnel and other key employees. In addition, no assurance can be given that the combined company will be able to attract, motivate, or retain management personnel and other key employees of the Company and Norfolk Southern to the same extent that the Company and Norfolk Southern have previously been able to attract or retain employees.
We may and have been a target of securities class action and derivative lawsuits that could result in substantial costs and may delay or prevent the mergers from being completed, whether or not such lawsuits have any merit — Securities class action lawsuits and derivative lawsuits are often brought against public companies that have entered into merger agreements. Even if the lawsuits are without merit, defending against or otherwise resolving these claims can result in substantial costs and divert management time and resources. An adverse judgment could result in monetary damages, which could have a negative impact on our liquidity and financial condition. Additionally, if a plaintiff is successful in obtaining an injunction prohibiting completion of the mergers, then that injunction may delay or prevent the mergers from being completed, or from being completed within the expected timeframe, which may adversely affect our business, financial position, and results of operation.
Completion of the mergers may trigger change in control or other provisions in certain agreements to which Norfolk Southern or its subsidiaries are a party, which may have an adverse impact on the combined company’s business and results of operations — The completion of the mergers may trigger change in control and other provisions in certain agreements to which Norfolk Southern or its subsidiaries are a party. If the Company and Norfolk Southern are unable to negotiate waivers of those provisions, the counterparties may exercise their rights and remedies under the agreements, potentially terminating the agreements or seeking monetary damages. Even if the Company and Norfolk Southern are able to negotiate waivers, the counterparties may require a fee for such waivers or seek to renegotiate the agreements on terms less favorable to Norfolk Southern or the combined company. Any of the foregoing or similar developments may have an adverse impact on the combined company’s business and results of operations.
The combined company may be unable to successfully integrate the businesses of the Company and Norfolk Southern and realize the anticipated benefits of the mergers — The success of the mergers will depend, in part, on the combined company’s ability to successfully combine the businesses of the Company and Norfolk Southern, which currently operate as independent public companies, and realize the anticipated benefits, including synergies, cost savings, innovation, and operational efficiencies, from the combination. If the combined company is unable to achieve these objectives within the anticipated time frame, or at all, the anticipated benefits may not be realized fully, or at all, or may take longer to realize than expected and the value of its common stock may be harmed. Additionally, as a result of the mergers, rating agencies may take negative actions against the combined company’s credit ratings, which may increase the combined company’s financing costs, including in connection with any financing of the mergers.
The mergers involve the integration of Norfolk Southern’s business with our existing business, which is a complex, costly, and time-consuming process. Neither the Company nor Norfolk Southern have previously completed a transaction comparable in size or scope to the mergers. The integration of the two (2) companies may result in material challenges, including, without limitation:
Many of these factors will be outside of the combined company’s control and any one of them could result in delays, increased costs, decreases in the amount of expected revenues, and diversion of management’s time and energy, which could materially affect the combined company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.
The Company and Norfolk Southern have operated, and until completion of the mergers will continue to operate, independently. The Company and Norfolk Southern are currently permitted to conduct only limited planning for the integration of the two (2) companies following the mergers and have not yet determined the exact nature of how the businesses and operations of the two (2) companies will be combined after the mergers. The actual integration may result in additional and unforeseen expenses, and the anticipated benefits of the integration plan may not be realized.
The future results of the combined company may be adversely impacted if the combined company does not effectively manage its expanded operations following the completion of the mergers — Following the completion of the mergers, the size of the combined company’s business will be significantly larger than the current size of our business. The combined company’s ability to successfully manage this expanded business will depend, in part, upon management’s ability to design and implement operational, managerial, financial, and strategic initiatives that address not only the integration of two (2) independent stand-alone companies, but also the increased scale and scope of the combined business with its associated increased costs and complexity. There can be no assurances that the combined company will be successful or that it will realize the expected operating efficiencies, cost savings, and other benefits currently anticipated from the mergers.
The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses related to the completion of the mergers and the integration of the Company and Norfolk Southern — The combined company is expected to incur substantial expenses in connection with the completion of the mergers and the integration of the Company and Norfolk Southern. There are a large number of processes, policies, procedures, operations, technologies, and systems that must be integrated, including purchasing, accounting and finance, sales, payroll, pricing, revenue management, marketing, and benefits. In addition, our business and Norfolk Southern’s business will continue to maintain a presence in Omaha, Nebraska and Atlanta, Georgia, respectively. The substantial majority of these costs will be non-recurring expenses related to the mergers (including any financing of the mergers), facilities, and systems consolidation costs. The combined company may incur additional costs to retain employees and/or maintain employee morale and to attract, motivate, or retain management personnel and other key employees. We will also incur transaction fees and costs related to formulating integration plans for the combined business, and the execution of these plans may lead to additional unanticipated costs. Additionally, as a result of the mergers, rating agencies may take negative actions with regard to the combined company’s credit ratings, which may increase the combined company’s financing costs, including in connection with any financing of the mergers. These incremental transaction and merger-related costs may exceed the savings the combined company expects to achieve from the elimination of duplicative costs and the realization of other efficiencies related to the integration of the businesses, particularly in the near term, and in the event there are material unanticipated costs.
The combined company’s indebtedness may limit its flexibility and increase its borrowing costs — The combined company’s consolidated indebtedness may have the effect of, among other things, increasing borrowing costs. In addition, the amount of cash required to service the indebtedness levels will be greater than the amount of cash flows required to service the indebtedness of the Company or Norfolk Southern individually prior to completion of the mergers. The level of indebtedness could also reduce dividend payments, share repurchases, and other activities and may create competitive disadvantages relative to other companies with lower debt levels. The combined company may be required to raise additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, or other general corporate purposes. The combined company’s ability to arrange additional financing or refinancing will depend on, among other factors, its financial condition and performance, as well as prevailing market conditions, the terms of third party debt financing incurred in connection with the consummation of the mergers (if any), and other factors beyond its control. There can be no assurance that the combined company will be able to obtain additional financing or arrange refinancing on terms acceptable to it or at all, and any such failure could materially adversely affect its operations and financial condition.
The financing arrangements that the combined company will enter into in connection with the mergers may, under certain circumstances, contain restrictions and limitations that could significantly impact the combined company’s ability to operate its business — We expect to incur significant new indebtedness in connection with the mergers. We also expect that the agreements governing the indebtedness that the combined company will incur in connection with the mergers will contain covenants that, among other things, may, under certain circumstances, place limitations on the dollar amounts paid or other actions we or the combined company can or will be able to take.
In addition, the combined company will likely be required to comply with a leverage covenant as set forth in these agreements.
The combined company’s ability to comply with the leverage covenant in future periods will depend on its ongoing financial and operating performance, which in turn will be subject to economic conditions and to financial, market, and competitive factors, many of which are beyond the combined company’s control. The ability to comply with this covenant in future periods will also depend on the combined company’s ability to successfully implement its overall business strategy and realize the anticipated benefits of the mergers, including synergies, cost savings, innovation, and operational efficiencies.
Various risks, uncertainties, and events beyond the combined company’s control could affect its ability to comply with the covenants contained in its financing agreements. Failure to comply with any of the covenants in its existing or future financing agreements could result in a default under those agreements and under other agreements containing cross-default provisions. A default would permit lenders to accelerate the maturity of the debt under these agreements and to foreclose upon any collateral securing the debt. Under these circumstances, the combined company might not have sufficient funds or other resources to satisfy all of its obligations. In addition, the limitations imposed by financing agreements on the combined company’s ability to incur additional debt and to take other actions might significantly impair its ability to obtain other financing.
Source filings: Find the 2026 10-K for UNP on SEC EDGAR · Find the 2025 10-K for UNP on SEC EDGAR