Canadian Pacific RailCP.TOPARTIAL BUYJun 19, 2025Stock price when the opinion was issued
As of Sep 10, 2026. Market Open.
Likes that it's the only rail that seamlessly connects Canada, US, and Mexico. Competitors can't compete against that network. Built for the theme of nearshoring. Steady growth. About 12% earnings growth through 2028. Lots of upside to the 2023 merger -- higher margins, cashflow, and market share.
Easing of trade tensions could unlock greater freight volumes. Rising 200-day MA, share price well above. Yield is 0.86%.
Likes them for the longer term. Businesses are 100+ years old, will be around for the next 100 years. Can be hit by trade, tariffs, harvests, wildfires, labour unrest -- it's all just noise. Value-added services to customers. Much cheaper than to transport by road. Long-term growth rates are not super high, about 4-5%.
Last time he looked, a large language model couldn't replace a railroad ;)
All rails are suffering a recession, but is it over? Rails are cyclical to the Canadian economy. She feels were getting closer to a recession. She prefers CN to CP because of PE and dividend. CP's valuation reflects the Kansas City merger and its synergies, so higher. She owns no rails. She would buy CN on a dip.
The KSU acquisition gives them an advantage with its entire North American footprint. Seeing signs that entire NA freight market is tightening. Industrial side of the economy seems to be doing well, much of it due to both fiscal and AI data centre spending in USA and Canada.
Should benefit from higher commodity prices. At inflection point of strong quarterly results. A long-term hold. Yield is 0.92%.
In the midst of ongoing trade discussions, near-shoring is where we're going. Only single line in NA that runs from Canada-US-Mexico -- this is a major win for efficiency. It also has east-west, which helps with Atlantic-Pacific trade.
If energy prices are going to remain elevated, rails are much more competitive than trucking. Sector broke out in January, this pullback is a great entry point. Big cash-generating business, in early stages of a structural change. Yield is 0.83%.
Both are really good, monopoly-type businesses. On timing, don't do either right now. Tariff inflation hasn't happened yet, but it will. As that causes economic problems, it will affect the economically sensitive names. The NA economy is vulnerable right now.
That said, his preference is definitely CP. Now that it includes Mexico, its footprint is so unique. Growth profile gives them more upside on earnings, which provides a buffer during economic weakness. Both trade at less than 20x PE, but CP is more compelling, along with its phenomenal management team. An OK buy here, but be prepared to buy more if it does get hit. Perhaps buy 1/2 a position now, and then the other half later whether it goes up or down.