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Canadian National Railway Co (CNI)



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Upturn Advisory Summary
04/07/2025: CNI (1-star) is currently NOT-A-BUY. Pass it for now.
Analysis of Past Performance
Type Stock | Historic Profit -19.11% | Avg. Invested days 37 | Today’s Advisory PASS |
Upturn Star Rating ![]() ![]() | Upturn Advisory Performance ![]() | Stock Returns Performance ![]() |
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Key Highlights
Company Size Large-Cap Stock | Market Capitalization 61.18B USD | Price to earnings Ratio 19.57 | 1Y Target Price 115.01 |
Price to earnings Ratio 19.57 | 1Y Target Price 115.01 | ||
Volume (30-day avg) 1529924 | Beta 0.83 | 52 Weeks Range 92.58 - 129.39 | Updated Date 04/6/2025 |
52 Weeks Range 92.58 - 129.39 | Updated Date 04/6/2025 | ||
Dividends yield (FY) 2.57% | Basic EPS (TTM) 4.93 |
Earnings Date
Report Date - | When - | Estimate - | Actual - |
Profitability
Profit Margin 26.09% | Operating Margin (TTM) 39.95% |
Management Effectiveness
Return on Assets (TTM) 7.72% | Return on Equity (TTM) 21.61% |
Valuation
Trailing PE 19.57 | Forward PE 17.39 | Enterprise Value 76081836678 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.59 |
Enterprise Value 76081836678 | Price to Sales(TTM) 3.59 | ||
Enterprise Value to Revenue 6.29 | Enterprise Value to EBITDA 12.41 | Shares Outstanding 627324032 | Shares Floating 610237440 |
Shares Outstanding 627324032 | Shares Floating 610237440 | ||
Percent Insiders 2.64 | Percent Institutions 74.7 |
Analyst Ratings
Rating 3.58 | Target Price 120.11 | Buy 8 | Strong Buy 6 |
Buy 8 | Strong Buy 6 | ||
Hold 18 | Sell 1 | Strong Sell - | |
Strong Sell - |
Upturn AI SWOT
Canadian National Railway Co

Company Overview
History and Background
Canadian National Railway (CN) was founded in 1919, nationalized from several failing railways. It was privatized in 1995 and has since become a major North American railway, focusing on freight transport and logistics.
Core Business Areas
- Rail Freight: Transporting various commodities including grain, coal, petroleum, chemicals, forest products, and intermodal containers. Rail Freight accounts for bulk of CN revenue.
- Intermodal: Moving goods in containers and trailers between ports, terminals, and customer locations.
- Other: Includes services such as transloading and distribution.
Leadership and Structure
Tracy Robinson (President and CEO) leads CN. The company operates with a functional organizational structure, dividing responsibilities among various departments such as operations, finance, marketing, and sales.
Top Products and Market Share
Key Offerings
- Grain: Transport of grains from western Canada to ports and markets. CN is a major player in grain transport. Competitors include CP, BNSF, and trucking companies. Market share data is variable and difficult to obtain precisely, but grain is a significant revenue driver.
- Intermodal: Container shipping between ports (Vancouver, Prince Rupert, Halifax) and inland terminals. Intermodal transportation is a fast growing segment. Competitors include CP, trucking companies. Market share is competitive and varies by route.
- Coal: Transport of coal for power generation and export. Competitors include CP, BNSF, and trucking companies. Market share data is variable and difficult to obtain precisely.
Market Dynamics
Industry Overview
The railway industry is characterized by high capital costs, regulatory oversight, and competition from trucking and other modes of transportation. It's crucial for moving bulk commodities and intermodal freight efficiently.
Positioning
CN is one of the largest railways in North America, known for its extensive network connecting the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Its key competitive advantage is its single-line access from the Pacific ports to the U.S. Midwest.
Total Addressable Market (TAM)
The total addressable market for freight transport in North America is estimated to be in the hundreds of billions of dollars. CN captures a significant portion of this market, but faces intense competition.
Upturn SWOT Analysis
Strengths
- Extensive network reach
- Efficient operations
- Strong intermodal business
- Experienced management team
- Single line haul advantage
Weaknesses
- High capital intensity
- Dependence on commodity prices
- Vulnerability to economic cycles
- Labor relations
Opportunities
- Growing intermodal demand
- Infrastructure investments
- Expansion into new markets
- Technological advancements (e.g., automation)
Threats
- Competition from trucking
- Economic downturns
- Regulatory changes
- Environmental concerns
- Geopolitical Instability
Competitors and Market Share
Key Competitors
- UNP
- CSX
- NSC
- CP
Competitive Landscape
CN has a strong position due to its transcontinental network and efficient operations. However, it faces intense competition from other major railways, particularly in the eastern and western regions.
Major Acquisitions
TranX
- Year: 2022
- Acquisition Price (USD millions): 500
- Strategic Rationale: Expanding intermodal network and service offerings.
Growth Trajectory and Initiatives
Historical Growth: CN has experienced steady growth driven by increased freight volumes and operational improvements. Growth has been impacted by economic conditions and commodity price fluctuations.
Future Projections: Analyst projections suggest continued growth, driven by intermodal demand and infrastructure investments. Growth is expected to be moderate but sustainable.
Recent Initiatives: Recent initiatives include investments in infrastructure, technology adoption (e.g., automation), and expansion of intermodal facilities.
Summary
Canadian National Railway is a strong player in the North American rail freight industry, benefiting from its extensive network and efficient operations. While the company faces competition and is susceptible to economic fluctuations, its focus on intermodal growth and infrastructure investments positions it for continued success. Key challenges include managing capital intensity and adapting to changing regulatory environments. Overall, CN is a solid company with a positive outlook, but requires continuous improvements to maintain leadership.
Similar Companies

CP

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd



CP

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd

CSX

CSX Corporation



CSX

CSX Corporation

NSC

Norfolk Southern Corporation



NSC

Norfolk Southern Corporation

UNP

Union Pacific Corporation



UNP

Union Pacific Corporation
Sources and Disclaimers
Data Sources:
- Company Filings (SEC/SEDAR)
- Analyst Reports
- Industry Publications
- Company Website
Disclaimers:
This analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Market conditions and company performance can change rapidly. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
AI Summarization is directionally correct and might not be accurate.
Summarized information shown could be a few years old and not current.
Fundamental Rating based on AI could be based on old data.
AI-generated summaries may have inaccuracies (hallucinations). Please verify the information before taking action.
About Canadian National Railway Co
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 24671 | Website https://www.cn.ca |
Full time employees 24671 | Website https://www.cn.ca |
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. It serves automotive, coal, fertilizers, temperature controlled cargo, forest products, dimensional, grain, metal and minerals, petroleum and chemicals, consumer goods, and third party logistics applications. Canadian National Railway Company was incorporated in 1919 and is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
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