Report: Private equity firms eye purchase of Kansas City Southern

A pair of large private-equity firms reportedly is exploring a purchase of Kansas City Southern. Blackstone Group Inc. and Global Infrastructure Partners are talking with banks as they consider a purchase of the Kansas City-based railroad, The Wall Street Journal reports. A deal could be valued at more than $21 billion, considering the market value and debt of Kansas City Southern, according to the report. Kansas City Southern is the smallest of the nation’s seven Class I railroads, with revenue…