CNI
IndustrialsCanadian National Railway Company · Railroads · $70B
What is Canadian National Railway Company?
Canadian National Railway is one of North America's largest freight rail operators, moving goods across a vast network spanning Canada and the United States.
CN generates revenue by hauling a diverse mix of freight — from petroleum and grain to automotive products and forest goods — across roughly 19,500 route miles of track. Beyond rail, the company offers intermodal services, automotive logistics, transloading, and freight forwarding, serving exporters, importers, retailers, farmers, and manufacturers.
Incorporated in 1919 and headquartered in Montreal, Canada, CN has grown into a transcontinental freight backbone.
- Bulk commodities rail transport (grain, coal, metals)
- Petroleum and chemicals freight
- Intermodal and automotive logistics
- Freight forwarding and transportation management
Is CNI a Good Stock to Buy?
UQS Score rates CNI as Good overall, reflecting a balanced but mixed fundamental profile.
CNI's Quality pillar stands out relative to many industrial peers, supported by its extensive, hard-to-replicate rail network. Valuation is rated Attractive, suggesting the market may not be fully pricing in the company's durable asset base.
Growth and Risk are both rated Weak, pointing to limited near-term expansion momentum and meaningful headwinds that investors should weigh carefully.
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Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.
Does CNI pay dividends?
Yes — Canadian National Railway Company pays a dividend.
CNI pays a regular dividend, consistent with its long history as a cash-generative infrastructure operator. The dividend reflects management's confidence in stable freight volumes and the company's ability to return capital to shareholders over time.
When does CNI report earnings?
Canadian National Railway reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US- and TSX-listed equities.
CN's recent results have reflected the broader freight cycle, with volume trends tied closely to North American industrial and agricultural activity. Revenue mix across commodity segments can shift meaningfully with commodity prices and trade flows.
For the most recent quarter's results, visit Canadian National Railway's investor relations page directly.
CNI Price History
+8.6% over 5Y
Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.
What if I invested in Canadian National Railway Company?
Based on Canadian National Railway Company's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Canadian National Railway do?
Canadian National Railway hauls freight across a transcontinental network covering Canada and the United States. Its cargo mix includes grain, petroleum, coal, metals, forest products, and intermodal containers, serving a wide range of industries.
Does CNI pay dividends?
Yes, CNI pays a regular dividend. The company has a long track record of returning capital to shareholders, supported by relatively stable freight cash flows. Check CN's investor relations page for the current dividend rate and payment schedule.
When does CNI report earnings?
CNI reports on a quarterly basis. For exact upcoming dates, refer to Canadian National Railway's investor relations page, which publishes the official financial calendar.
Is CNI a good stock to buy?
UQS Score rates CNI as Good overall. Its Quality pillar and Attractive Valuation label are positives, but Weak Growth and Risk ratings indicate meaningful challenges. Investors should review the full pillar breakdown before drawing conclusions.
Is CNI overvalued?
UQS Score's Valuation pillar rates CNI as Attractive, suggesting the stock may be reasonably priced relative to its fundamental profile. Full valuation metrics are available to Pro members.
Is CNI a long-term quality investment?
CNI's long-term quality profile is anchored by its irreplaceable rail network and consistent dividend history. However, Weak Growth and Risk ratings in the UQS framework are factors worth monitoring for investors with a long horizon.
What sector does CNI belong to?
CNI is classified in the Industrials sector, specifically within freight transportation. Rail operators like CN are considered critical infrastructure businesses due to the high barriers to entry in building and maintaining track networks.
What is CNI's market cap bracket?
Canadian National Railway is a large-cap company, placing it among the bigger publicly traded railroads in North America and reflecting its scale as a major infrastructure operator.
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Pro Analysis
CNI — Score History
| Date | UQS | Quality | Moat | Growth | Risk | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2026 | 56.6 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 38.3 | 36.8 | 78.4 | -0.1 |
| May 22, 2026 | 56.7 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 39.0 | 36.8 | 78.6 | 0.0 |
| May 21, 2026 | 56.7 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 39.1 | 36.8 | 78.5 | -0.1 |
| May 20, 2026 | 56.8 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 39.1 | 36.8 | 79.0 | -0.2 |
| May 19, 2026 | 57.0 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 39.7 | 36.8 | 79.5 | 0.0 |
| May 17, 2026 | 57.0 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 39.7 | 36.8 | 79.8 | -0.1 |
| May 16, 2026 | 57.1 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 40.0 | 36.8 | 79.8 | 0.0 |
| May 15, 2026 | 57.1 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 40.0 | 36.8 | 79.6 | -0.1 |
| May 13, 2026 | 57.2 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 40.5 | 36.8 | 80.0 | -0.2 |
| May 12, 2026 | 57.4 | 72.4 | 54.0 | 40.8 | 36.8 | 80.5 | +0.1 |
CNI — Pillar Breakdown
Quality
— 72.4/100 (25%)Canadian National Railway Company shows solid profitability with healthy returns on capital and reasonable margins.
How effectively capital is deployed to generate returns.
Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.
Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.
Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.
Asset productivity — how much gross profit each dollar of assets generates.
Free cash flow relative to market value.
Growth
— 38.3/100 (20%)Canadian National Railway Company shows steady but unspectacular growth, typical for mature companies.
Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.
Compound annual revenue growth rate over 3 years.
Year-over-year earnings per share growth.
Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.
Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.
Risk
— 36.8/100 (15%)Canadian National Railway Company has some risk factors including moderate leverage or solvency concerns.
Debt levels relative to earnings capacity.
Total debt relative to shareholder equity.
Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.
Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.
Valuation
— 78.6/100 (15%)Canadian National Railway Company appears attractively valued relative to its earnings, cash flows, and sector peers.
Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.
How many years of FCF the market cap represents.
P/E relative to earnings growth — lower is more attractive.
Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.
Moat
— 54/100 (25%)Canadian National Railway Company possesses some competitive advantages but faces meaningful competition. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CNI.
Score Composition
Financial Data
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How is the CNI UQS Score Calculated?
The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Canadian National Railway Company is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.
Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.
Moat (25%) assesses Canadian National Railway Company's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.
Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.
Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.
Valuation (15%) measures whether Canadian National Railway Company is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.
Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.