Zacks Research Has Bearish Outlook for TSE:CNR Q3 Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research has lowered its Q3 2025 earnings forecast for Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR) to $1.84 per share from the previous estimate of $1.96.
• The company recently announced a quarterly dividend of $0.8875 per share, yielding 2.8% with a payout ratio of 36.54%.
• Canadian National Railway's stock has seen varied analyst ratings, with one sell, eight hold, eight buy, and two strong buy ratings, and a consensus target price of C$155.79.

Canadian National Railway (TSE:CNR - Free Report) NYSE: CNI - Zacks Research decreased their Q3 2025 EPS estimates for shares of Canadian National Railway in a report issued on Monday, August 4th. Zacks Research analyst M. Basu now expects that the company will post earnings of $1.84 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.96. The consensus estimate for Canadian National Railway's current full-year earnings is $8.26 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Canadian National Railway's FY2025 earnings at $7.62 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.91 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.03 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $8.12 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.30 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.33 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $9.16 EPS.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$123.00 to C$121.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. TD Securities dropped their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$168.00 to C$165.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, July 23rd. UBS Group lifted their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from C$172.00 to C$174.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Friday, May 2nd. Argus raised shares of Canadian National Railway to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Finally, National Bank Financial cut shares of Canadian National Railway from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eight have assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Canadian National Railway has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of C$155.79.

Canadian National Railway Stock Performance

Canadian National Railway stock traded up C$0.26 during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching C$127.33. 979,228 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,361,469. The firm has a market capitalization of C$79.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.77, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.38 and a beta of 0.65. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$138.66 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$141.17. Canadian National Railway has a 12 month low of C$126.91 and a 12 month high of C$164.53. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 107.59, a current ratio of 0.64 and a quick ratio of 0.58.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, Director Susan C. Jones bought 1,520 shares of Canadian National Railway stock in a transaction on Thursday, July 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$130.96 per share, for a total transaction of C$199,065.28. Also, Director Shauneen Elizabeth Bruder acquired 7,600 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, July 24th. The shares were bought at an average cost of C$131.40 per share, with a total value of C$998,624.04. In the last three months, insiders have acquired 9,747 shares of company stock worth $1,285,138. 2.64% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Canadian National Railway Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 9th. Shareholders of record on Monday, September 8th will be issued a dividend of $0.8875 per share. This represents a $3.55 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.8%. Canadian National Railway's payout ratio is currently 36.54%.

About Canadian National Railway

Canadian National's railway spans Canada from coast to coast and extends through Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2019, CN delivered almost 6 million carloads over its 19,600 miles of track. CN generated roughly CAD 14 billion in total revenue by hauling intermodal containers (25% of consolidated revenue), petroleum and chemicals (21%), grain and fertilizers (16%), forest products (12%), metals and mining (11%), automotive shipments (6%), and coal (4%).