Buffett buys a $27bn train set

Warren Buffet is spending $26.6bn on Burlington Northern Santa Fe, one of the largest US railroad operators that his holding company Berkshire Hathaway doesn't already own.

Warren Buffett has just "struck the biggest deal of his life", said the FT. He's forking out $26.6bn (£16.2bn) for 77.4% of Burlington Northern Santa Fe. The firm is one of the largest US railroad operators that his holding company Berkshire Hathaway doesn't already own. It's a "a very solid businessthat will do well if the economy does well", said Buffett, "and I believe the economy will do well". His previous biggest deal was his 1998 $18bn General Re acquisition.

What the commentators said

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