CNI
NEUTRAL
$114.6
Live
Canadian National Railway Company · NYSE
Target $116.39
(+1.6%)
$90.74
52W Range
$115.15
At a glance
Key valuation, profitability, growth, and risk metrics.
Updated Apr 25, 2026
Market cap
$70.07B
P/E
20.69
ROE
22.1%
Profit margin
27.3%
Debt/Equity
1.0
Dividend yield
2.29%
AI Analysis
AI-powered fundamental assessment
Confidence
85%
CNI presents a stable financial profile with a Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 and an absent Altman Z-Score, indicating a 'stable' but not 'strong' health trajectory. While the company boasts exceptional operating margins (42.41%) and a strong ROE (22.15%), it is currently trading at a significant premium to its Graham Number ($56.63), though it remains below its growth-based intrinsic value ($133.51). The disconnect between sluggish revenue growth (2.4%) and a high PEG ratio (2.52) suggests the stock may be overvalued relative to its current growth rate. Overall, CNI is a high-quality industrial compounder currently facing valuation headwinds and mediocre short-term financial momentum.
Key Strengths
Exceptional operating margins of 42.41% indicating high efficiency
Strong Return on Equity (ROE) of 22.15%
Consistent earnings growth (11.4% YoY) outpacing revenue growth
Sustainable dividend profile with a conservative 46.9% payout ratio
Dominant market position within the railroad industry
Key Risks
Low liquidity indicated by a current ratio of 0.67
Stagnant revenue growth (2.4% YoY) limiting organic expansion
High PEG ratio (2.52) suggesting overvaluation relative to growth
Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 suggests lack of strong fundamental improvement
Technical trend score (10/100) indicates potential bearish momentum despite recent price gains
AI Fair Value Estimate
Based on comprehensive analysis
$121.5
+6.0% above current price
Performance Snowflake
Multi-dimensional analysis across 5 key categories
Overall
61
Strong
45
55
80
50
75
AI Verdict
Stable Quality, Expensive Valuation
Key drivers: High profitability margins, Low revenue growth, Premium valuation vs Graham Number
Confidence
90%
Value
45/100
P/E of 20.69 is moderate, but PEG suggests growth does not justify the current multiple.
Positives
- Trading below growth-based intrinsic value
Watchpoints
- Price is double the Graham Number ($56.63)
- High PEG ratio of 2.52
Future
55/100
Growth is driven by efficiency and cost management rather than top-line expansion.
Positives
- Positive earnings growth trend
- Strong analyst buy recommendation
Watchpoints
- Very low YoY revenue growth (2.4%)
Past
80/100
Proven track record of operational stability and earnings delivery.
Positives
- Consistent earnings beats over 25 quarters
- Strong 1-year price performance (+19.6%)
Watchpoints
- Long-term 5Y change (+15.4%) is modest for the sector
Health
50/100
Financial health is acceptable for a capital-intensive railroad but lacks strength.
Positives
- Manageable Debt/Equity ratio of 1.00
Watchpoints
- Piotroski F-Score of 4/9 is only 'Stable'
- Current ratio (0.67) and Quick ratio (0.40) are low
Dividend
75/100
Dividend is well-covered by earnings and sustainable.
Positives
- Healthy payout ratio (46.9%)
- Consistent dividend rate
Watchpoints
- Yield (2.29%) is not particularly high for a value play
Stock Price & Analyst Targets
Real-time price movements and analyst price targets
Current Price
$114.6
Analyst Target
$116.39
Upside/Downside
+1.6%
Multi-Horizon Performance vs Peers
Price momentum across 5Y → 1W horizons for CNI and closest competitors.
Updated 2026-04-24
| Company | 5Y | 3Y | 1Y | 6M | 1M | 1W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
Primary
|
+15.4% | +2.8% | +19.6% | +21.0% | +12.5% | +3.9% |
|
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Peer
|
+29.2% | +14.8% | -7.4% | -1.7% | -1.5% | -0.6% |
|
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
Peer
|
+81.5% | +40.8% | +1.0% | +6.7% | -1.6% | -1.1% |
|
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Peer
|
+26.9% | +62.3% | +47.8% | +14.3% | +13.3% | +6.2% |
|
RSG
Republic Services, Inc.
Peer
|
+120.4% | +68.9% | +1.2% | -14.9% | -5.1% | +2.0% |
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
Primary
5Y
+15.4%
3Y
+2.8%
1Y
+19.6%
6M
+21.0%
1M
+12.5%
1W
+3.9%
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
Peer
5Y
+29.2%
3Y
+14.8%
1Y
-7.4%
6M
-1.7%
1M
-1.5%
1W
-0.6%
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
Peer
5Y
+81.5%
3Y
+40.8%
1Y
+1.0%
6M
+6.7%
1M
-1.6%
1W
-1.1%
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
Peer
5Y
+26.9%
3Y
+62.3%
1Y
+47.8%
6M
+14.3%
1M
+13.3%
1W
+6.2%
RSG
Republic Services, Inc.
Peer
5Y
+120.4%
3Y
+68.9%
1Y
+1.2%
6M
-14.9%
1M
-5.1%
1W
+2.0%
Positive values indicate cumulative gains over the specified period. Comparables pulled from the same sector to highlight whether momentum is stock-specific or industry-wide.
Historical Performance Trends
Long-term financial metrics and growth patterns
Revenue & Net Income
Profit & Operating Margins
Return on Equity (ROE)
Quarterly Revenue Growth
Historical data shows last 12 quarters (3 years)
Valuation Metrics
Key valuation ratios and pricing indicators
P/E Ratio
20.69
Forward P/E
17.9
PEG Ratio
2.52
P/B Ratio
4.46
P/S Ratio
4.05
EV/Revenue
5.28
EV/EBITDA
10.08
Market Cap
$70.07B
Profitability
Profit margins and return metrics
Profit Margin
27.28%
Operating Margin
42.41%
Gross Margin
56.67%
ROE
22.15%
ROA
7.7%
Growth
Revenue and earnings growth rates
Revenue Growth
+2.4%
Earnings Growth
+11.4%
Q/Q Revenue Growth
+2.43%
Q/Q Earnings Growth
+8.9%
Financial Health
Balance sheet strength and liquidity metrics
Debt/Equity
1.0
Moderate
Current Ratio
0.67
Weak
Quick Ratio
0.4
Poor
Cash/Share
$0.57
Financial Statement Flow
Interactive flow visualization showing how money moves through the company Q4 2025
Revenue
$4.5B
Gross Margin
43.9%
Op. Margin
38.8%
Net Margin
28.0%
Total Assets
$58.6B
Liabilities
$37.0B
Equity
$21.6B
Debt/Equity
1.71x
Operating CF
$2.2B
CapEx
$-1.2B
Free Cash Flow
$1.0B
FCF Yield
45%
Quarterly Earnings History
EPS performance vs analyst estimates
2026-04-29
$N/A
2026-01-30
$2.03
+2.5% surprise
2025-10-31
$1.83
+3.2% surprise
2025-07-22
$1.87
-0.1% surprise
Industrials Sector Comparison
Comparing CNI against 396 companies in the Industrials sector
(30 bullish, 136 neutral, 230 bearish)
P/E Ratio
20.69
This Stock
vs
81.87
Sector Avg
-74.7%
(Discount)
Return on Equity (ROE)
22.15%
This Stock
vs
-24.31%
Sector Avg
-191.1%
(Below Avg)
Profit Margin
27.28%
This Stock
vs
6.58%
Sector Avg
+314.6%
(Superior)
Debt to Equity
1.0
This Stock
vs
2.86
Sector Avg
-65.0%
(Less Debt)
Revenue Growth
2.4%
This Stock
vs
82.27%
Sector Avg
-97.1%
(Slower)
Current Ratio
0.67
This Stock
vs
3.21
Sector Avg
-79.1%
(Weaker)
Similar Companies
Peer comparison within the same industry
| Company | AI Rating | Market Cap | P/E | ROE | Profit Margin | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
|
NEUTRAL | $70.07B | 20.69 | 22.1% | 27.3% | $114.6 | |
|
ITW
Illinois Tool Works Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $71.16B | 23.64 | 91.7% | 19.1% | $243.97 | Compare |
|
EMR
Emerson Electric Co.
|
NEUTRAL | $72.17B | 31.66 | 9.4% | 12.7% | $127.58 | Compare |
|
NSC
Norfolk Southern Corporation
|
BEARISH | $72.19B | 25.19 | 19.2% | 23.6% | $321.44 | Compare |
|
RSG
Republic Services, Inc.
|
NEUTRAL | $64.95B | 31.17 | 18.2% | 12.8% | $209.8 | Compare |
CNI
Canadian...
NEUTRAL
Mkt Cap
$70.1B
P/E
20.7
ROE
22.1%
Price
$114.6
Recent Insider Trading
Insider buy and sell transactions from the last 6 months
| Date | Insider | Position | Transaction | Shares | Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-04-01 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 58,874 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 140,603 | - |
| 2026-03-31 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 58,874 | $6,001,026 |
| 2026-03-30 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 142,305 | - |
| 2026-03-30 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 140,603 | $14,365,689 |
| 2026-03-27 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 107,845 | - |
| 2026-03-27 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 142,305 | $14,396,712 |
| 2026-03-26 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 130,961 | - |
| 2026-03-26 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 107,845 | $10,975,385 |
| 2026-03-26 | Bruder, Shauneen Elizabeth | Director of Issuer | Acquisition in the public market at price 101.80 p | 620 | $63,115 |
| 2026-03-25 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 143,587 | - |
| 2026-03-25 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 130,961 | $13,254,824 |
| 2026-03-24 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 144,680 | - |
| 2026-03-24 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Purchase | 143,587 | $14,532,727 |
| 2026-03-23 | Canadian National Railway Co | Issuer | Stock Award | 169,446 | - |
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-04-01
58,874 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-31
140,603 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-31
58,874 shares
·
$6,001,026
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-30
142,305 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-30
140,603 shares
·
$14,365,689
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-27
107,845 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-27
142,305 shares
·
$14,396,712
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-26
130,961 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-26
107,845 shares
·
$10,975,385
Bruder, Shauneen Elizabeth
Director of Issuer
2026-03-26
620 shares
·
$63,115
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-25
143,587 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-25
130,961 shares
·
$13,254,824
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-24
144,680 shares
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-24
143,587 shares
·
$14,532,727
Canadian National Railway Co
Issuer
2026-03-23
169,446 shares
Insider transactions can signal confidence or concerns about company prospects
Wall Street Analysts
Professional analyst ratings and price targets
Consensus
BUY
12 analysts
B of A Securities
2026-04-09
Neutral
Buy
Bernstein
2026-03-31
Market Perform
Market Perform
Barclays
2026-03-27
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
RBC Capital
2026-02-02
Outperform
Outperform
Citigroup
2026-02-02
Buy
Buy
Stephens & Co.
2026-02-02
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Evercore ISI Group
2026-02-02
In-Line
In-Line
Barclays
2026-01-15
Equal-Weight
Equal-Weight
Citigroup
2026-01-08
Buy
Buy
CIBC
2025-11-28
Neutral
Outperformer
Past News Coverage
Recent headlines mentioning CNI from our newsroom.
Newest → oldest
No matching news yet.