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Last updated November 3, 2009: 12:30 PM ET --- The major U.S. equity indices are trading lower Tuesday as investors continue to worry about economic recovery despite Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) announcing its decision to buy one of the nation's largest railroads, Burlington Northern Santa Fe (NYSE:BNI). The Commerce Department said orders to U.S. factories rebounded in September after dropping in August. Orders rose 0.9% in September, ahead of the consensus estimates for an increase of 0.8%. Investors are watching the Federal Reserve, which began a two-day policy meeting today on interest rates. The central bank isn't expected to take any action on interest rates but investors are waiting to hear what the Fed has to say about the economic state. In corporate news, Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.A) said it is paying $100 per share for Burlington Northern (NYSE:BNI) in a deal valuing the railroad at $34 billion. Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) announced it would cut up to 7% of its global work force and streamline its business structure to save up to $900 million next year. Burlington Northern (NYSE:BNI) shares rose 28.3% after Berkshire Hathaway announced its decision to buy the railroad company. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is trading 0.32% lower at 9,758.30, the S&P500 is down 0.08% at 1,042.07, and the Nasdaq Composite is down 0.18% at 2,045.59.

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