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

He owns both CN and CP Rail and they are ones to hold for the long term. Rail is still the cheapest way of transportation. The stocks are cheap enough to offer double digit growth over the next five years.

SELL

Always issues with weather or strikes. Buying back stock at a very poor price, so he was not happy with capital allocation.

PARTIAL BUY

Attractive entry point, valuation is quite a discount to CP. Decreased earnings guidance due to general economy plus potential strike. Start building a position. Well positioned to take on additional capacity.

WEAK BUY

Rail is the most efficient way to ship freight. In this higher inflationary environment he'd prefer a rail such as CNR or CP. CP is his preference. Wide moat, massive cost advantages to choosing this method of transport, tough to replace.

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TOP PICK
Stockchase Research Editor: Michael O'Reilly

CNR controls 19,500 miles of rail in Canada and the US and is intricate to the economy.  EPS grew 5% over the year in a trying market, now analysts expect double-digit annual growth over the next 5 years.  It trades at 18x earnings and supports 27% ROE.  We like that cash reserves are growing, while debt is aggressively retired and shares bought back.  We recommend setting a stop-loss at $141, looking to achieve $181 -- upside potential of 17%.  Yield 2.0% 

(Analysts’ price target is $180.71)
DON'T BUY
CNR vs. CP, for a TFSA.

His preference is CP, due to the recent acquisition of Kansas City; still has synergies to go, better offerings for customers. High barriers to entry. Just pulled back on earnings.

DON'T BUY

Cut to growth forecast is just a short-term thing. Over the long term, not too worried about the cyclicity of it. Prefers CP. 

BUY

Has fallen alot because of the sense that the economy is weakening, but rails have pricing power. Are higher operational expenses due to issues in Vancouver and are labour negotations. He sees these as short-term headwinds. Rails are a great, environmentally friendly business. There are only 5 major rail companies in North America, which is another plus.

WAIT

It has had a choppy sideways market. It tried to break out but the strike issues haven't helped. Wait to buy at $150.

TOP PICK

Recession-resistant business model. More conservative earnings growth outlook. Great long-term investment. Recent 10% price drop is a great time to average down or get in. Lagged peers in performance, but still strong free cashflow and better operating margins. Yield is 2.2%.

Last year, earnings increased 15% YOY despite revenue slump and economic uncertainty. Pullback is an opportunity. If all goes well, should see 10-15% EPS growth through to 2026. Ranks 9/10, with 16% price appreciation to $180.

(Analysts’ price target is $186.05)
BUY

Great business, likes rails. More environmentally friendly than trucking. Almost an oligopoly, can't build more rails. Falling because of a difficult commodity cycle, plus it's a cyclical in the face of slower economic growth. Worth buying at these levels. Executes well. Price competition with competitors no longer as cutthroat. 

BUY
Trevor Rose’s Insights - Trevor’s most-liked answers from 5i Research

CNR is now trading at 19X Forward P/E. In the 2Q, CNR’s revenue grew 7% to $4.33B, slightly missing the estimates of $4.38B and EPS of $1.84 missed estimates of $1.93. The operating results slightly missed expectations. The balance sheet has an OK net debt/EBITDA of 2.5x. The company continues to repurchase shares aggressively and pay healthy dividends. Overall, results missed expectations but management is still expected to compound diluted EPS in the range of 10%-15% over the 2024-2026 period along with a healthy ROIC. We think CNR’s long-term fundamentals remain intact.
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TOP PICK

Best in class business with excellent prospects. Assets very hard to replicate. Strong management team. Safe earnings that are very consistent. Business that is an essential service, that carries goods across the country. 

HOLD
The rails vs. TFII

TFII is up 17% YTD, so not much of a pullback. On a YTD basis, outperforming the railroads. He likes both those businesses. Canada has good geography for trucking and infrastructure. 

CNR is the laggard. CP is doing nicely. He still regrets not switching from CNR to CP. 

HOLD

It's traded in a lovely, rising range the past 10 years, but is now falling to the bottom of that channel. He'd hold on.

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