TSE:CNR

Canadian National R.R. (CNR.TO)

176.19
+0.09 (0.05%)
as of Jul 10, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
1170 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJul 11, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 40 opinions in the last 12 months.

Canadian National R.R. (CNR) appears to be navigating a challenging economic landscape marked by a prolonged freight recession and external pressures such as tariffs and geopolitical tensions. Experts suggest that while the rail network enjoys irreplaceable assets and pricing power, the current cyclical downturn in the economy is impacting volumes and investor confidence. Many analysts view CNR as more attractively valued than its peers, particularly given its recent stock price decline which is seen as an opportunity to accumulate shares for the long term. Despite mixed short-term performance predictions, the majority of experts believe in the resilience of CNR's business model, its historical share buybacks, and dividend growth as indicators of potential recovery when overall economic conditions improve. The consensus leans towards a wait-and-see approach, with recommendations to consider averaging into positions on dips.

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Consensus
Neutral
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Valuation
Undervalued
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Similar
CP,CP
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.
HOLD
He likes them and owns it for clients. If you want to move things by rail there are only two companies -- the definition of an oligopoly with strong price control. The threat of an oncoming recession only offsets some of the need to move commodities. He thinks it will do just fine as a hold.
HOLD
Railways are in good condition. He doesn't see transport will be depressed even with a recession. However, it's now at a high multiple and their yields aren't exciting. He would focus on cashflow more.
DON'T BUY
Not interested in transportations at the moment. Shipping metrics are questionable. Breaking down on the charts. Between January - May is optimal holding period. Technicals are rolling over.
DON'T BUY
He doesn't like them now. Terrific businesses, but are fully valued with minimal upside. Of the two, he prefers CN, but only a little. Buy them when the market slows down. You can pick away at both of them in the coming year--you have time.
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