Fort worth, Nov 3 (THAINDIAN NEWS) Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway(NYSE:BRK.A) announced that it would buy the remaining 80% stake in railroad giant Burlington Northern Santa Fe(NYSE:BNI). Berkshire already had a 20% stake in the Burlington Northern before. This particular deal is estimated at approximately $44 billion, including $10 billion of outstanding BNSF debt, making it the largest acquisition in Berkshire Hathaway’s extravagant history.

Burlington stock soared 28% to $97.58 in afternoon trading, while shares of rival railroad operators including CSX Corp. (CSX 45.68, +2.84, +6.63%) , Union Pacific (UNP 59.01, +3.95, +7.17%) and Norfolk Southern (NSC 48.37, +1.74, +3.73%) , also gained.

“While cash provides flexibility and liquidity it’s effectively earning nothing right now,” said Justin Fuller, editor of Web site Buffettologist.com and a partner at Midway Capital Research & Management LLC. “It’s better for Berkshire to invest in a business like Burlington that will do better if the economy recovers.”

“Buffett is effectively buying Burlington at a trough-earnings valuation,” he said. ‘The business will also generate some cash for Berkshire and add a different business to its already diversified collection of operating subsidiaries’, Fuller added.

The company released a press statement, ‘“Our country’s future prosperity depends on its having an efficient and well-maintained rail system,” said Warren E. Buffett, Berkshire Hathaway chairman and chief executive officer. “Conversely, America must grow and prosper for railroads to do well. Berkshire’s $34 billion investment in BNSF is a huge bet on that company, CEO Matt Rose and his team, and the railroad industry.