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TSE:CNR

Canadian National R.R. (CNR.TO)

176.85
+0.45 (0.26%)
as of Aug 20, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
1167 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconAug 20, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 35 opinions in the last 12 months.

Canadian National R.R. (CNR) has faced challenges including reduced guidance, strikes, and external issues affecting volumes, leading to a drop in stock valuation. Despite these obstacles, experts express optimism about its long-term prospects, citing its substantial network, good free cash flow, and a history of share buybacks. Concerns over trade tariffs and economic cycles continue to loom, but many expect that once such uncertainties are resolved, CNR could benefit significantly. The company's competitive advantages, such as high barriers to entry and pricing power, make it a potentially attractive investment, especially as valuations have adjusted lower recently. Overall, while current conditions reflect some pessimism, the long-term outlook remains positive as CNR is anticipated to remain a vital player in the transportation sector.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Undervalued
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Similar
CP,CP
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.

DON'T BUY

He buys rangebound stocks like one tranche at a time. He just bought one tranche of CNR, because it seemed oversold and is approaching support, but shares may be breaking down now. If this doesn't bounce soon, he will sell.

WEAK BUY

Enjoys a duopoly, so the market will always give this a high forward PE. But CNR is capital-intensive. Better to look at free cash flow as a metric. The current price will be okay if you buy and hold this long term. The dividend is low at 2.3%.

BUY

Excellent company with legacy assets that are impossible to replicate. Very strong business with good outlook. Would recommend buying and holding. 

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Under $150 it's starting to get interesting. Can't go too wrong at these valuations, though a cheaper opportunity may arise in a recession.

Disconnect in terms of valuation and performance between CNR and CP is enticing. CP is trading a lot more expensively around 21-22x PE. Whereas CNR is trading more cheaply by comparison and by historical standards. Cyclical. Attractive dividend yield of over 2%.

(Analysts’ price target is $180.25)
HOLD

Doesn't have a problem with it. But with the threat of tariffs, there might be a better opportunity elsewhere. See his Top Picks.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Would buy on this pullback. It enjoys an oligopoly, but the economy softened more than the company expected this year. The strike was also a headwind. Operations are doing well. CNR forecast that the goods market would be in a recession this year and they were right, so their comps may improve going forward if demand increases. 

HOLD
Sell CNR to buy BNS (down 3% today)?

No. He'd stick with CNR. CNR is part of a true duopoly in Canada. Its infrastructure is extremely difficult to replicate. If there's a resurgence in transportation, this name will do well. Can outperform the overall market over the long term. It won't be a tremendous investment, but it will do better than BNS over the next 3-5 years.

Banks have had a good run, so best to be a bit cautious now. 

Post-election in the US, prospects for the US economy and domestic manufacturing will be good for the transportation sector as a whole. With rails in the US, this name can benefit.

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