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TSE:CNR

Canadian National R.R. (CNR.TO)

160.40
-0.56 (0.35%)
as of Jun 18, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
1168 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJun 18, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 45 opinions in the last 12 months.

Experts have mixed feelings about Canadian National Railway (CNR), largely viewing it as a solid long-term investment despite current challenges. The company is seen as having a unique and irreplaceable network, which is coupled with high barriers to entry and a decent dividend yield of around 2-2.7%. There is a consensus that CNR is benefiting from reduced capex after heavy investments, allowing it to accommodate growth with less immediate expenditure. However, the sentiment is tempered by concerns of a freight recession, tariffs, and a soft Canadian economy, leading some analysts to favor its competitor, CP. Overall, while the outlook includes potential volatility due to economic factors, CNR remains an attractive option for long-term investors looking for value amidst its current discounted valuation.

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Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Undervalued
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Similar
CP,CP
DON'T BUY

What will the US regulators and railways think about the proposed takeover of KSU? The bid is high, but fair. Would be lots of synergies in routes and overhead. Wouldn't be surprised if other US rails put in a bid. As a shareholder, you never like to see bidding wars. Will benefit from the move from road to rail. Pretty fully valued, especially for a company that's sensitive to GDP.

HOLD

CP rail still moves a fair bit of thermal coal, which is decreasing. CNR gets more of its revenue from metallurgical coal, which is increasing. Both provide only a small portion of revenues. They also move chemicals, lumber, autos. If you're betting on worldwide economic recovery for many years, as he is, you have to own the railroads. He's a bit nervous about the acquisition of KCS, but if that goes through, could be terrific. Incredible performers over the long term, and no reason this will stop. He owns CNR, but would have no problem holding CP. Keep holding.

BUY

CP buying Kansas City Southern today He owns CN as a core position. He could own both since it's a duopoly and both are good. CN already has a good presence in the U.S. so CP is adding to theirs. It's a good deal for CP and accretive, giving CP access to Mexico.

WEAK BUY

CP vs CN The CP stock split isn't an issue. He prefers CP in the short term. Late CEO Hunter Harrison turned CN around and his legacy remains as CN continues to reduce costs and do very well. Harrison didn't helm CP until later, around 2012, so CP is a bit behind. CP has good exposure shipping crude, and this business should pick up in summer as more people drive and burn gas during the reopening. He prefers CP which will deliver 10-15% returns vs. CN's 5-10% in the coming year.

BUY
Strong commodity prices are good for them as is the re-opening trend. It should be a positive tail wind for them and they should do well.
BUY

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. The company raised dividends and beat estimates. There is some concern for the economic recovery but there are no negative company developments. It is currently buyable but there is no rush to get in. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

COMMENT

It is quite expensive though it is good. Earnings dissapointed a little on guidance. EPS should grow at 11%. The name is trading at 23x 2021 earnings. CP may be a better buy in terms of valuation.

BUY ON WEAKNESS
Long owned this. Their Q4 results were in line, though guidance is slightly lower than expected. Free cash flow is good, though the dividend rose only 7% when the street expected 10%. The rails enjoy high barriers to entry, which is a plus. CNR boasts sustainable growth, which drives margins and free cash flow. In turn, they can buyback shares and keep raising their dividend. Has a diversified revenue stream.
COMMENT

Do a stop loss? CP has a better operating ratio, so he owns that instead. CP also has more exposure to commodities. Both have enjoyed good numbers last quarter and both trade at a decent PE. But headwinds: a possible slowdown in the global economy, and CN has more issues in the intermodal freight they haul. He's neutral about CNR. (He doesn't like stop losses.) He likes, doesn't love, this sector.

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 09/20, Up 21%) Cyclical, but also a grower. Very profitable, high 20% ROE. Part of critical freight infrastructure and backbone of the country. Efficient operator. Good shot at record earnings in 2021.
BUY
18x earnings. A great business right now. Competitive advantage on 3 coasts. More environmentally friendly than trucking. Sustainable growth, pricing power. Great balance sheet. Dividend will continue to increase. Should do well next year.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 09/20, Up 16%) A good day to buy this stock is any day that ends in "y". Your timeline for buying this is "forever". He's still buying today.
BUY

He owns CNR instead of CP. Some of the best businesses ever. Can increase prices, diversify. Hard to compete against them. E-commerce explosion has created backlogs. Good stocks to own going forward. Quality company, good management. Sees many years of good returns.

BUY
It is an incredibly well run company. It is hard to duplicate the business so they have pretty good pricing power, at least over the last little while. It is more environmentally friendly than trucking. It is a good buying opportunity for the future, He thinks they will continue to grow.
BUY

CNR-T vs. CP-T. It has always been a coin flip. He has always chosen CNR-T. You can't go wrong with either of them and they both continue to raise their dividends. He owns more CNR-T than CP-T.

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