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
COMMENT

She likes the rails but would like to see more consistency in the quarterly reports and more momentum. The dividend is 2 1/2% which is not great. There is upside in the fundamentals and it should turn around for the long term. It scores 6 out of 10 on the value scale.

WEAK BUY

Sold late last year, due to worries partly on tariffs and partly on management's ability to create value. Didn't like that it was buying back stock using debt, or yo-yo projections (up) versus guidance (down). Heavy capex business. Growth hasn't been there with pandemic, tariffs, inflation.

Probably some good value here. If you have a long-term investment horizon, not the worst idea to have a 1-2% position in the Canadian rails and just leave it alone. Doesn't have a strong conviction either way right now on CNR vs. CP.

DON'T BUY

He got stopped out, broke support. Can't be all that bullish on it until it returns to above $150.

WATCH

Something she's looking at now. Higher yield, lower valuation. Has come up significantly in the past week or two with the market run. If it went back down to $125, she'd definitely be interested. Stable, not easily replicable. Consistent cashflow that supports the dividend. Still the cheapest way to transport goods. Prefers it to CP.

PARTIAL BUY

Is watching it after falling to current levels. The rails track GDP levels. CN boasts a slightly lower PE and higher ROE than CP, but are paying much more in price-to book than CP, but you get more. Overall, it evens out slightly in CP's favour. You can buy some shares now and more if it falls further.

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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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.

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