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Canadian National Railway (CNI) Competitors

Canadian National Railway logo
$127.15 +0.02 (+0.02%)
Closing price 07/31/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$127.50 +0.35 (+0.28%)
As of 07/31/2026 07:34 PM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

CNI vs. CSX, CNR, CP, ITW, and NSC

Should you buy Canadian National Railway stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Canadian National Railway with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Canadian National Railway include CSX (CSX), Core Natural Resources (CNR), Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CP), Illinois Tool Works (ITW), and Norfolk Southern (NSC).

How does Canadian National Railway compare to CSX?

CSX (NASDAQ:CSX) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior stock? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations, risk, dividends, institutional ownership and profitability.

73.6% of CSX shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.3% of CSX shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth.

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to CSX's net margin of 22.21%. CSX's return on equity of 24.98% beat Canadian National Railway's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
CSX22.21% 24.98% 7.61%
Canadian National Railway 26.92%22.22%8.12%

In the previous week, Canadian National Railway had 9 more articles in the media than CSX. MarketBeat recorded 32 mentions for Canadian National Railway and 23 mentions for CSX. Canadian National Railway's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat CSX's score of 0.23 indicating that Canadian National Railway is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
CSX
6 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
6 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
5 Very Negative mention(s)
Neutral
Canadian National Railway
20 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Canadian National Railway has lower revenue, but higher earnings than CSX. Canadian National Railway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than CSX, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
CSX$14.09B6.63$2.89B$1.7329.13
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.22$3.38B$5.6422.54

CSX currently has a consensus target price of $51.31, suggesting a potential upside of 1.82%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus target price of $137.40, suggesting a potential upside of 8.06%. Given Canadian National Railway's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Canadian National Railway is more favorable than CSX.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
CSX
1 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
18 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.65
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47

CSX has a beta of 1.21, suggesting that its share price is 21% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, suggesting that its share price is 4% less volatile than the broader market.

CSX pays an annual dividend of $0.56 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.1%. Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. CSX pays out 32.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 47.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. CSX has raised its dividend for 21 consecutive years and Canadian National Railway has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years.

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats CSX on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Canadian National Railway compare to Core Natural Resources?

Core Natural Resources (NYSE:CNR) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) are related companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, earnings, risk, profitability, media sentiment, valuation and dividends.

86.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.5% of Core Natural Resources shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Canadian National Railway has higher revenue and earnings than Core Natural Resources. Core Natural Resources is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian National Railway, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Core Natural Resources$4.23B0.95-$153.22M-$1.22N/A
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.22$3.38B$5.6422.54

Core Natural Resources has a beta of 0.15, meaning that its stock price is 85% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, meaning that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the broader market.

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to Core Natural Resources' net margin of -1.49%. Canadian National Railway's return on equity of 22.22% beat Core Natural Resources' return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Core Natural Resources-1.49% -1.69% -1.02%
Canadian National Railway 26.92%22.22%8.12%

In the previous week, Canadian National Railway had 27 more articles in the media than Core Natural Resources. MarketBeat recorded 32 mentions for Canadian National Railway and 5 mentions for Core Natural Resources. Core Natural Resources' average media sentiment score of 1.52 beat Canadian National Railway's score of 1.08 indicating that Core Natural Resources is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Core Natural Resources
4 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
0 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Very Positive
Canadian National Railway
20 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Core Natural Resources pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.5%. Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Core Natural Resources pays out -32.8% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 47.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Canadian National Railway has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Canadian National Railway is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Core Natural Resources presently has a consensus target price of $112.50, indicating a potential upside of 41.18%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus target price of $137.40, indicating a potential upside of 8.06%. Given Core Natural Resources' stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Core Natural Resources is more favorable than Canadian National Railway.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Core Natural Resources
1 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats Core Natural Resources on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Canadian National Railway compare to Canadian Pacific Kansas City?

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (NYSE:CP) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, institutional ownership, dividends, valuation, media sentiment, analyst recommendations and risk.

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to Canadian Pacific Kansas City's net margin of 25.02%. Canadian National Railway's return on equity of 22.22% beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Canadian Pacific Kansas City25.02% 9.05% 4.90%
Canadian National Railway 26.92%22.22%8.12%

Canadian Pacific Kansas City presently has a consensus price target of $108.60, suggesting a potential upside of 22.21%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus price target of $137.40, suggesting a potential upside of 8.06%. Given Canadian Pacific Kansas City's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities analysts plainly believe Canadian Pacific Kansas City is more favorable than Canadian National Railway.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
11 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.87
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47

In the previous week, Canadian Pacific Kansas City had 6 more articles in the media than Canadian National Railway. MarketBeat recorded 38 mentions for Canadian Pacific Kansas City and 32 mentions for Canadian National Railway. Canadian National Railway's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat Canadian Pacific Kansas City's score of 0.72 indicating that Canadian National Railway is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
16 Very Positive mention(s)
4 Positive mention(s)
11 Neutral mention(s)
4 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Canadian National Railway
20 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Canadian Pacific Kansas City has a beta of 1.1, indicating that its stock price is 10% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the broader market.

72.2% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.0% of Canadian Pacific Kansas City shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Canadian National Railway has higher revenue and earnings than Canadian Pacific Kansas City. Canadian National Railway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Canadian Pacific Kansas City, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Canadian Pacific Kansas City$10.79B7.29$2.96B$3.1128.57
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.22$3.38B$5.6422.54

Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays an annual dividend of $0.78 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.9%. Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Canadian Pacific Kansas City pays out 25.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 47.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Canadian National Railway has raised its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Canadian National Railway is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats Canadian Pacific Kansas City on 11 of the 20 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Canadian National Railway compare to Illinois Tool Works?

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) and Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the superior business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, profitability, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings and media sentiment.

Canadian National Railway presently has a consensus target price of $137.40, suggesting a potential upside of 8.06%. Illinois Tool Works has a consensus target price of $281.25, suggesting a potential downside of 2.18%. Given Canadian National Railway's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, equities analysts plainly believe Canadian National Railway is more favorable than Illinois Tool Works.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47
Illinois Tool Works
5 Sell rating(s)
7 Hold rating(s)
1 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
1.69

80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 79.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are owned by institutional investors. 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Illinois Tool Works shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Canadian National Railway has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Illinois Tool Works. Canadian National Railway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Illinois Tool Works, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.22$3.38B$5.6422.54
Illinois Tool Works$16.04B5.16$3.07B$11.0326.07

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to Illinois Tool Works' net margin of 19.39%. Illinois Tool Works' return on equity of 101.72% beat Canadian National Railway's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Canadian National Railway26.92% 22.22% 8.12%
Illinois Tool Works 19.39%101.72%19.64%

Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Illinois Tool Works pays an annual dividend of $6.44 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.2%. Canadian National Railway pays out 47.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Illinois Tool Works pays out 58.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Canadian National Railway has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years and Illinois Tool Works has increased its dividend for 55 consecutive years. Illinois Tool Works is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

In the previous week, Illinois Tool Works had 24 more articles in the media than Canadian National Railway. MarketBeat recorded 56 mentions for Illinois Tool Works and 32 mentions for Canadian National Railway. Canadian National Railway's average media sentiment score of 1.08 beat Illinois Tool Works' score of 1.07 indicating that Canadian National Railway is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Canadian National Railway
20 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Illinois Tool Works
33 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
16 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, indicating that its stock price is 4% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Illinois Tool Works has a beta of 1, indicating that its stock price has a similar volatility profile to the broader market.

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats Illinois Tool Works on 10 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Canadian National Railway compare to Norfolk Southern?

Norfolk Southern (NYSE:NSC) and Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) are both large-cap industrials companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their valuation, analyst recommendations, earnings, media sentiment, dividends, profitability, risk and institutional ownership.

Norfolk Southern presently has a consensus target price of $348.00, indicating a potential upside of 3.60%. Canadian National Railway has a consensus target price of $137.40, indicating a potential upside of 8.06%. Given Canadian National Railway's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Canadian National Railway is more favorable than Norfolk Southern.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Norfolk Southern
0 Sell rating(s)
15 Hold rating(s)
7 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.32
Canadian National Railway
0 Sell rating(s)
9 Hold rating(s)
8 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.47

Canadian National Railway has higher revenue and earnings than Norfolk Southern. Canadian National Railway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Norfolk Southern, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Norfolk Southern$12.18B6.19$2.87B$11.7228.66
Canadian National Railway$12.38B6.22$3.38B$5.6422.54

Norfolk Southern has a beta of 1.27, suggesting that its share price is 27% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Canadian National Railway has a beta of 0.96, suggesting that its share price is 4% less volatile than the broader market.

Canadian National Railway has a net margin of 26.92% compared to Norfolk Southern's net margin of 21.02%. Canadian National Railway's return on equity of 22.22% beat Norfolk Southern's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Norfolk Southern21.02% 18.21% 6.34%
Canadian National Railway 26.92%22.22%8.12%

In the previous week, Norfolk Southern had 5 more articles in the media than Canadian National Railway. MarketBeat recorded 37 mentions for Norfolk Southern and 32 mentions for Canadian National Railway. Norfolk Southern's average media sentiment score of 1.12 beat Canadian National Railway's score of 1.08 indicating that Norfolk Southern is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Norfolk Southern
27 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
7 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Canadian National Railway
20 Very Positive mention(s)
3 Positive mention(s)
5 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

75.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 80.7% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.1% of Norfolk Southern shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 2.4% of Canadian National Railway shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Norfolk Southern pays an annual dividend of $5.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 1.6%. Canadian National Railway pays an annual dividend of $2.67 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Norfolk Southern pays out 46.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Canadian National Railway pays out 47.3% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Canadian National Railway has increased its dividend for 3 consecutive years. Canadian National Railway is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

Canadian National Railway beats Norfolk Southern on 13 of the 19 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding CNI and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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CNI vs. The Competition

MetricCanadian National RailwayGround Transportation IndustryIndustrials SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$77.04B$20.25B$10.61B$23.71B
Dividend Yield2.10%2.01%120.66%4.20%
P/E Ratio22.5441.2127.5831.01
Price / Sales6.222.40310.8513.91
Price / Cash16.3141.1024.1431.71
Price / Book4.872.934.474.62
Net Income$3.38B$944.84M$610.22M$1.07B
7 Day Performance-1.84%-2.40%0.25%0.35%
1 Month Performance6.03%-1.11%-2.63%-0.19%
1 Year Performance36.99%15.78%12.04%19.11%

Canadian National Railway Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
CNI
Canadian National Railway
4.2959 of 5 stars
$127.15
+0.0%
$137.40
+8.1%
+36.1%$77.04B$12.38B22.5423,839
CSX
CSX
4.4197 of 5 stars
$50.29
+0.2%
$51.31
+2.0%
+41.8%$93.09B$14.09B29.0523,000
CNR
Core Natural Resources
4.2226 of 5 stars
$79.74
-1.7%
$112.50
+41.1%
+7.6%$4.02B$4.16BN/A4,850
CP
Canadian Pacific Kansas City
4.2906 of 5 stars
$89.04
+1.0%
$108.60
+22.0%
+20.9%$78.69B$15.45B28.5919,479
ITW
Illinois Tool Works
4.3438 of 5 stars
$286.66
+1.0%
$279.69
-2.4%
+12.4%$82.44B$16.47B25.9843,000

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This page (NYSE:CNI) was last updated on 8/1/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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