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This summary was created by AI, based on 48 opinions in the last 12 months.

Canadian National Railway (CNR) is viewed as a critical player in the North American transportation infrastructure, operating within an oligopoly alongside Canadian Pacific Railway (CP). Opinions are mixed; while many analysts highlight the company’s strong business model and essential role in logistics between Canada and the U.S., concerns have emerged regarding recent challenges such as labor strikes and adverse weather affecting performance. The recent downturn in stock price has made the stock more attractive, prompting some experts to suggest it may be a good time to purchase. Many appreciate CNR's dividend growth and long-term stability, although fears of rising costs and increased competition due to the CP-Kansas City merger cast a shadow over its prospects. Overall, CNR is seen as a solid long-term investment, particularly for those interested in steady growth and income through dividends.

Consensus
Hold
Valuation
Fair Value
WAIT

Negatively impacted by trade. Economically sensitive. Likes the business. Margins and cashflow are great for the rails. Constructive longer term, once tariff issues get sorted. He prefers CP.

TOP PICK

It's been a struggle holding this for years. The dividend continues to grow. With more trade, will be more transport by rails which is 300% more efficient than truck. Trades at a cheap 17x PE. Add some now, more later. If we don't trade with the US, we will be shipping to the coasts to export abroad.

(Analysts’ price target is $172.72)
WAIT
CP vs. CNR

CP has more catalysts from the Kansas City merger, and a better growth rate. Both are getting more attractive. If we get the all clear on the economy, both names will be decent entry points. Though optimistic, he's still a bit afraid, and wouldn't step in just yet.

HOLD

Critical piece of the supply chain. Still remains a dominant player in the vast network linking Canada and the US. Rough Q4 from labour strikes and extreme weather. Yield ~3.4%.

Stable, long-term asset, but facing margin headwinds from rising costs and lower productivity. Increased competition from CP-KSU merger.

SELL

Small position. Not a great-looking chart. Thinking of selling. A potential candidate to raise cash in his portfolio.

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This is a Panic-proof Portfolio opinion which is available only for Premium members

Curated by Michael O'Reilly since 2020.
1550+ opinions with 4.81 rating (one of the best performing expert).

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 03/24, Down 8.9%)Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O’Reilly

Our PAST TOP PICK with CNR has triggered its stop at $141.  To remain disciplined, we recommend covering the position at this time.  

WEAK BUY
Investor in 20s, for the long term.

As part of the CP/CNR oligopoly, it will always make money. Not even AI can make rails obsolete anytime soon. Very capital intensive -- operating costs, unionized workers, equipment. So FCF as percentage of revenue is not that amazing. Even with pullback today, still trades ~18-20x PE. Not overly expensive, but not cheap either.

Probably OK if you have a long-term view and want reasonable stability, grow as fast as the economy, get some efficiencies along the way, and collect the dividend. But it's not for him.

BUY
CNR vs CP

Owns both, core holdings. No one's building any more rails. Cheaper to ship commodities by rail than any other way. If an economic slowdown, traffic and volumes will slow down but it's still a pretty steady business. 

If the trade war goes on, everything gets more expensive and these two will be impacted negatively. But these events are always temporary. Trade wars are not good for inflation or the economy with US mid-term elections only 2 years away. He's trusting that rational minds will prevail.

WATCH

Stock didn't perform the way he wanted it to, he sold. Fundamentals weren't going in the right direction. Warned on earnings many times. Bought back stock with debt. Cashflow not strong. Stock's fallen a lot, could be interesting to a new buyer, as he's bullish on the stock and on rails long term.

BUY
Long-term hold for teenager's TFSA?

Good idea. Together, CP and CNR have a duopoloy within Canada plus operations in the US. Rails have not performed that well this past year. Company guiding to high-single to double-digit topline growth. Tariffs won't impact directly, but risk is that economic slowdown would affect volumes. Trading ~18x forward PE, and wide discount to CP.

DON'T BUY

He holds CP, which has excellent management and the most unique footprint of any rail in NA. Tariff uncertainty impacts CP the most, but he decided to hold on and buy a bit more if it does get hit.

DON'T BUY
CNR vs. CP

Chart for CP looks better and fundamentals work. When those 2 factors go hand in hand, it's quite compelling. CP has outperformed CNR.

DON'T BUY
Negative impact from US tariffs.

The names on this list are plenty. Start with the industrials, for instance. He's a big fan of BBD.B, but they make everything here in Canada.

An aerospace name like CAE, the rails, auto components like LNR and MG.

HOLD

Stunning appreciation over 10 years. CP is the better choice, cheaper on price to growth. Potential tariff headwinds right now. Trades ~19x 2025, yet only growing at 10.7%. Not for new $$. If you already own, keep, will be fine over time. Sell calls to cash in on higher stock price.

WEAK BUY

Overhang on this name and CP because of tariff talk and what that would do to the shipment of goods across the border, a potential headwind to watch. Add and hold for the next 10-30 years, as rails will continue to be an important mode of transportation across NA.

Showing 1 to 15 of 1,279 entries

Canadian National R.R.(CNR-T) Rating

Ranking : 5 out of 5

Star iconStar iconStar iconStar iconStar icon

Bullish - Buy Signals / Votes : 22

Neutral - Hold Signals / Votes : 9

Bearish - Sell Signals / Votes : 9

Total Signals / Votes : 40

Stockchase rating for Canadian National R.R. is calculated according to the stock experts' signals. A high score means experts mostly recommend to buy the stock while a low score means experts mostly recommend to sell the stock.

Canadian National R.R.(CNR-T) Frequently Asked Questions

What is Canadian National R.R. stock symbol?

Canadian National R.R. is a Canadian stock, trading under the symbol CNR-T on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CNR-CT). It is usually referred to as TSX:CNR or CNR-T

Is Canadian National R.R. a buy or a sell?

In the last year, 40 stock analysts published opinions about CNR-T. 22 analysts recommended to BUY the stock. 9 analysts recommended to SELL the stock. The latest stock analyst recommendation is . Read the latest stock experts' ratings for Canadian National R.R..

Is Canadian National R.R. a good investment or a top pick?

Canadian National R.R. was recommended as a Top Pick by on . Read the latest stock experts ratings for Canadian National R.R..

Why is Canadian National R.R. stock dropping?

Earnings reports or recent company news can cause the stock price to drop. Read stock experts’ recommendations for help on deciding if you should buy, sell or hold the stock.

Is Canadian National R.R. worth watching?

40 stock analysts on Stockchase covered Canadian National R.R. In the last year. It is a trending stock that is worth watching.

What is Canadian National R.R. stock price?

On 2025-04-16, Canadian National R.R. (CNR-T) stock closed at a price of $136.65.