TSE:CNR

Canadian National R.R. (CNR.TO)

168.35
-0.96 (0.57%)
as of Sep 9, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
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Investor Insights
star iconSep 9, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 31 opinions in the last 12 months.

Canadian National R.R. (CNR) is viewed as a high-quality transportation business with strong fundamentals, evident from revenue increases and raised earnings outlook, although it faces challenges from competition, trade uncertainties, and economic cycles. Experts highlight a mixed outlook, with a preference for patience as recovery in freight volumes and GDP growth is anticipated, despite experiencing a freight recession lasting several years. Some analysts express concern over CNR's reduced guidance and external trade pressures, while others view it as an attractive long-term investment due to its irreplaceable network and historical resilience. Valuations have contracted, making it appealing for new investments at current levels, especially given its dividend yield and buyback history, despite volatile market conditions influenced by geopolitical events and economic shifts.

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Consensus
Mixed
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Valuation
Undervalued
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Similar
CP
BUY ON WEAKNESS
They did guide down due to lower volumes of crude and coal by rail. The stock has had a bit of a lift. He is still modelling 10% earnings growth for next year. If you think the economy is good going forward, this would be a good time to buy. He thinks you will be able to buy it cheaper.
BUY
He is seeing a rebound so some of these railroads are breaking out of multi-year channels they have been in which is not what you would see if the economy is slowing. You are starting to see some revisions up in earnings estimates.
BUY
Moving sideways since April. Incredibly good buy here. It's basically Canada in a stock. A bit of cyclicality. You never have to worry about it. It's a buy when it's down 16-17%. No proper Canadian portfolio should be without it.
DON'T BUY
He’s looked at it a little while ago. They are in the business of hauling tons of things. Total tonnage of haul hasn’t increased very much recently. Net, the amount hasn’t changed. They have increased prices, which you can’t do forever. It is a well-run business, but it could run into a wall when they can’t increase efficiency and price. Expensive at close to 20 times.
BUY
It is a core holding for him. It started picking up when we got good vibes about China/US talks. Buy it now if you plan to hold it for any length of time.
PARTIAL SELL
The train conductors are set to strike. He purchased it in '08/'09. He has been selling it this year. He sold half his position. They are the most efficient railroad in North America. This is a candidate to use to raise some cash.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
The rail companies are both carriers. There’s been crop problems in Western Canada so their grain moving operation is down. They are also general economy stocks, though it’s trading with high multiple right now. He wouldn’t add to positions right now. The stock will be hit if the economy slows.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 13/19, Up 16%) Rails have consolidated and enjoy high barriers to entry. Sustainable growth allows them to increase margins and cash. It's cyclical, but now the rails are a great place to be.
HOLD

CP-T vs. CNR-T. He owns CP-T and not CNR-T although both are excellent. He prefers Canadian rails to US rails. Both just reported modest volume headwinds but CNR-T had to cut their guidance and CP-T did not. The cuts are transitory in nature for both but over the next couple of years CP-T is positioned better to navigate through these volume headwinds.

BUY

CNR-T vs. CP-T. He is optimistic with respect to the rails. You get about 3/4ths of your lift when the industry picks up. CNR-T is slightly better than CP-T but the difference is not massive.

BUY
His model price is $147.54. $96 is a definite buy level. Likes it.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Best railroad in North America. All rails are under pressure because freight volumes are declining. Trade wars are hurting the trade flows. Recent valuation got stretched. 28-29% ROE. If it gets around $110, you can jump in with both hands. Great company, respects management, oligopoly.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Will it bounce back quickly? All rails have pulled back over fears of a slowing economy. Shipping volumes in things like coal have slowed. Rails are soft industrials, meaning less cyclical than, say, mining. She's been buying on dips. Or you can hold onto it. Crude by rail will continue to benefit them. A well-run company that's investing in tech to increase efficiency.
BUY ON WEAKNESS
Take profits? It's a cyclical and has been sideways since April then recently dipped down. Rail traffic has fallen 5-6%, but this regularly happens to the rails. This decline will set you up to add to your existing position. CN has built parallel rail lines to combat bad winter weather. Accumulate this stock slow but surely over time.
HOLD
Rail stocks have been under pressure because they move the economy's goods and there is a slowdown in manufacturing. In the near term it looks like it could be soft. He thinks it is the best managed and best run railroad in North America.
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