New York (HedgeCo.Net) -The much anticipated annual meeting of railroad operator CSX took an odd turn when results of Board elections were kept from the media and CSX head Michael Ward abruptly ended the meeting.

The elections were a subject of great debate, after months of pressure brought on by hedge funds TCI and 3G Capital Partners, who during a 6-month long proxy battle nominated a dissident slate for the 12-member board.

According to CSX, results weren’t readily available because they were “too close to call.” The hedge funds believed that they won at least two seats and maybe four, said Snehal Amin, founding partner of TCI. The hedge funds declared it was a “victory for all shareholders.”

"Our proxy advisors are trying to figure out with large financial institutions whether they changed their votes," Amin said, referring to the shareholders. "Hopefully not enough changed their minds to affect the outcome."

The proxy battle was sparked by the hedge funds’ desire to elect those with experience in the railroad industry to the board, something they say the current board lacks. Hedge funds like TCI and 3G are known for pushing for strategic change within companies to fuel high returns for shareholders.

Ward, who has resisted the hedge funds advances, repeated his position to the crowd gathered in New Orleans. "CSX has a disciplined management that favors building lasting shareholder value. The board sets aggressive goals and holds management accountable for achieving them."

To which Amin shared his view, “We believe CSX can and should be the best railroad in America. [Our candidates] have real railroad experience, they know the right questions to ask and have the economic incentives to do so."

CSX says the results of the vote will be announced on July 25^th at the company’s headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida.

Julie Scuderi
Senior Editor for HedgeCo.Net
Email: julie@hedgeco.net

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