CNI official logo CNI
CNI 1-star rating from Upturn Advisory
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) company logo

Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)

Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) 1-star rating from Upturn Advisory
$95.55
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PASS
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Upturn Advisory Summary

12/01/2025: CNI (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.

Upturn Star Rating

Upturn 1 star rating for performance

Not Recommended Performance

These Stocks/ETFs, based on Upturn Advisory, consistently fall short of market performance, signaling caution before investing.

Number of Analysts

5 star rating from financial analysts

32 Analysts rated it

Highly popular stock, broad analyst coverage, trusted insights, strong investor interest.

1 Year Target Price $109.61

1 Year Target Price $109.61

Analysts Price Target For last 52 week
$109.61 Target price
52w Low $90.48
Current$95.55
52w High $108.96

Analysis of Past Performance

Type Stock
Historic Profit -12.7%
Avg. Invested days 46
Today’s Advisory PASS
Upturn Star Rating upturn star rating icon
Upturn Advisory Performance Upturn Advisory Performance icon 2.0
Stock Returns Performance Upturn Returns Performance icon 1.0
Upturn Profits based on simulation icon Profits based on simulation
Upturn last close icon Last Close 12/01/2025

Key Highlights

Company Size Large-Cap Stock
Market Capitalization 60.07B USD
Price to earnings Ratio 18.26
1Y Target Price 109.61
Price to earnings Ratio 18.26
1Y Target Price 109.61
Volume (30-day avg) 32
Beta 0.91
52 Weeks Range 90.48 - 108.96
Updated Date 11/30/2025
52 Weeks Range 90.48 - 108.96
Updated Date 11/30/2025
Dividends yield (FY) 3.73%
Basic EPS (TTM) 5.25

Earnings Date

Report Date -
When -
Estimate -
Actual -

Profitability

Profit Margin 26.85%
Operating Margin (TTM) 41.56%

Management Effectiveness

Return on Assets (TTM) 7.77%
Return on Equity (TTM) 22.68%

Valuation

Trailing PE 18.26
Forward PE 16.5
Enterprise Value 73867833668
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.49
Enterprise Value 73867833668
Price to Sales(TTM) 3.49
Enterprise Value to Revenue 6.03
Enterprise Value to EBITDA 11.53
Shares Outstanding 615500000
Shares Floating 598136745
Shares Outstanding 615500000
Shares Floating 598136745
Percent Insiders 2.76
Percent Institutions 73.7

Icon representing Upturn AI-generated SWOT analysis summary Upturn AI SWOT

Canadian National Railway Company

Canadian National Railway Company(CNI) company logo displayed in Upturn AI summary

Company Overview

Company history and background logo History and Background

Canadian National Railway (CN) was founded in 1919 and evolved from various railways that had fallen into government hands. It has grown to become a crucial part of North American freight transportation, connecting Canada to the US and Mexico. It became a publicly traded company in 1995.

Company business area logo Core Business Areas

  • Freight Transportation: CN transports a wide range of goods, including grain, coal, petroleum and chemicals, forest products, intermodal containers, and automotive products.

leadership logo Leadership and Structure

Tracy Robinson is the President and CEO. The company has a board of directors and operates through various departments, including operations, marketing, and finance.

Top Products and Market Share

Product Key Offerings logo Key Offerings

  • Grain Transportation: CN is a major transporter of grain across the Canadian prairies and to export terminals. Market share varies but is estimated to be around 40-50% in Western Canada. Competitors include CPKC and truck transport.
  • Coal Transportation: CN transports coal from mines in Western Canada to ports for export and to power plants. Market share varies significantly based on geography and contracts, but is estimated to be around 25%. Competitors include CPKC and other regional railways.
  • Intermodal Transportation: CN transports shipping containers between ports and inland terminals, competing with trucking companies. Market share is estimated at 30% and competitors include truck companies and CPKC.
  • Petroleum and Chemical Transportation: CN transports petroleum and chemicals across North America. The market share varies by region and depends on long-term contracts. Competitors include truck and pipeline transport.

Market Dynamics

industry overview logo Industry Overview

The railway industry is cyclical and influenced by economic growth, commodity prices, and trade volumes. Key trends include increased focus on safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Positioning

CN is one of the largest and most efficient railways in North America, known for its extensive network and operational capabilities. Its competitive advantage is its unique three-coast network, connecting the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coasts.

Total Addressable Market (TAM)

The North American freight rail market is estimated at over $80 billion annually. CN is positioned to capture a significant portion of this TAM due to its extensive network and diverse cargo offerings.

Upturn SWOT Analysis

Strengths

  • Extensive network
  • Three-coast connectivity
  • Efficient operations
  • Strong financial performance
  • Diversified freight portfolio

Weaknesses

  • Vulnerability to economic cycles
  • Exposure to commodity price fluctuations
  • Dependence on labor relations
  • Competition from trucking

Opportunities

  • Growing demand for intermodal transportation
  • Expansion into new markets
  • Technological advancements (e.g., automation)
  • Increased infrastructure spending
  • Government support for sustainable transportation

Threats

  • Economic downturn
  • Increased competition
  • Regulatory changes
  • Environmental concerns
  • Supply chain disruptions

Competitors and Market Share

Key competitor logo Key Competitors

  • CP (CP)
  • UNP (UNP)
  • NSC (NSC)
  • CSX (CSX)

Competitive Landscape

CN's main advantage is its three-coast network, while competitors like CP are focused on other regions. Each competitor has different strengths in terms of network density, commodity specialization, and customer relationships.

Major Acquisitions

BC Rail

  • Year: 2004
  • Acquisition Price (USD millions): 1000
  • Strategic Rationale: Expanded CN's network in British Columbia and enhanced access to natural resources.

Growth Trajectory and Initiatives

Historical Growth: CN has grown consistently through acquisitions, infrastructure investments, and operational improvements.

Future Projections: Analysts typically project modest revenue growth for CN, driven by increased freight volumes and pricing. Profitability is expected to be maintained through cost control measures.

Recent Initiatives: CN is investing in technology and infrastructure to improve efficiency and capacity. Recent initiatives include expanding intermodal terminals and upgrading rail lines.

Summary

Canadian National Railway is a robust player in the North American rail industry. Its three-coast network provides a key competitive advantage, supporting a diverse freight portfolio. While vulnerable to economic cycles and commodity price fluctuations, CN has a solid track record of growth and dividend payouts. Continued investment in technology and infrastructure will be critical for future success and maintaining its competitive edge.

Similar Stocks

Sources and Disclaimers

Data Sources:

  • CN's investor relations website
  • Company Filings
  • Industry Reports
  • Financial News Providers

Disclaimers:

This analysis is based on publicly available information and general industry knowledge. It is not financial advice and should not be used as the sole basis for investment decisions. Actual results may vary.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization accuracy disclaimer AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.

Information icon for Upturn AI Summarization data freshness disclaimer Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.

Information icon warning about Upturn AI Fundamental Rating based on potentially old data Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.

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About Canadian National Railway Company

Exchange NYSE
Headquaters Montreal, QC, Canada
IPO Launch date 1996-11-26
President, CEO & Director Ms. Tracy A. Robinson
Sector Industrials
Industry Railroads
Full time employees 24237
Full time employees 24237

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and related transportation businesses in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, transloading and distribution, logistics parks, customs brokerage, and trucking. It offers door-to-door services, import and export dray, and interline services, as well as specialized services, comprising flatbed trucks, on-deck mobile transport trays, expedited cargo, and permit/overweight services; and supply chain services. The company serves automotive, coal, fertilizers, temperature controlled cargo, forest products, dimensional, grain, metal and minerals, petroleum and chemicals, consumer goods, and third party logistics applications. It track, maintenance, and strategic infrastructure initiatives for the safe movement of goods and support long-term sustainable growth in Minnesota and across CN's network. The company was incorporated in 1919 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.