About Canadian National Railway Company (CNR)
Canadian National Railway Company is a Railroads company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada. CNR has been publicly traded since 1996, giving it 30+ years of trading history.
Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) has been publicly traded since 1996, making it a 30-year-old public company. It operates in the Railroads industry within the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada and employs approximately 23,839 people. With a market capitalization of C$88 billion, CNR is a large established company.
CNR trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately C$88 billion. The company employs approximately 23,839 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- C$144.01
- Market Cap
- C$88.05B
- 52-Week High
- C$154.63
- 52-Week Low
- C$126.11
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Railroads
CNR Investment Performance
CNR has gained 6.8% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a C$1,000 investment in CNR would have grown to C$1,095, representing a 9.5% total return. Since its IPO in 1996, a C$1,000 investment would now be worth C$51,255.
C$1,000 Invested in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR)
How much would C$1,000 invested in CNR be worth today?
What would C$1,000 invested in CNR 1 year ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) in 2025 would be worth C$1,055 as of March 2026, representing a +5.5% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in CNR 3 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) in 2023 would be worth C$966 as of March 2026, representing a -3.4% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in CNR 5 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) in 2021 would be worth C$1,095 as of March 2026, representing a +9.5% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in CNR 10 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) in 2016 would be worth C$2,147 as of March 2026, representing a +114.7% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in CNR at IPO be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) at IPO would be worth C$51,255 as of March 2026, representing a +5025.4% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 29+ years (352 months), Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) has averaged a monthly return of +1.30% with a median return of +1.25%. The stock had 212 positive months (60%) and 140 negative months (40%). The best month in CNR's history was January 2001 with a +25.7% return, while the worst was November 2008 at -13.9%. Historically, July tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.4%), and August the weakest (-1.0%).
CNR's longest winning streak was 12 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 4 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2001 with a cumulative return of +61.6%, and the worst was 2002 at -12.2%.
Annual Returns
Over 30 years of trading history, Canadian National Railway Company (CNR) has delivered an average annual return of +15.53% with a median return of +17.11%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +14.23%. The stock posted gains in 22 years (73%) and losses in 8 years (27%).
CNR's best year was 2001 with a +75.07% gain, while the worst was 2002 at -13.89%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 6, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. CNR achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 18 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 2 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +6.75% | C$134.90 | C$144.01 |
| 2025 | -4.60% | C$141.40 | C$134.90 |
| 2024 | -10.53% | C$158.04 | C$141.40 |
| 2023 | +5.67% | C$149.57 | C$158.04 |
| 2022 | +5.47% | C$141.80 | C$149.57 |
| 2021 | +12.88% | C$125.63 | C$141.80 |
| 2020 | +21.30% | C$103.56 | C$125.63 |
| 2019 | +18.29% | C$87.55 | C$103.56 |
| 2018 | -0.77% | C$88.23 | C$87.55 |
| 2017 | +16.60% | C$75.67 | C$88.23 |
| 2016 | +18.97% | C$63.60 | C$75.67 |
| 2015 | -1.73% | C$64.72 | C$63.60 |
| 2014 | +34.01% | C$48.30 | C$64.72 |
| 2013 | +36.26% | C$35.44 | C$48.30 |
| 2012 | +14.74% | C$30.89 | C$35.44 |
| 2011 | +22.96% | C$25.12 | C$30.89 |
| 2010 | +17.72% | C$21.34 | C$25.12 |
| 2009 | +30.76% | C$16.32 | C$21.34 |
| 2008 | -2.24% | C$16.70 | C$16.32 |
| 2007 | -5.35% | C$17.64 | C$16.70 |
| 2006 | +8.91% | C$16.20 | C$17.64 |
| 2005 | +29.06% | C$12.55 | C$16.20 |
| 2004 | +35.88% | C$9.24 | C$12.55 |
| 2003 | +27.87% | C$7.22 | C$9.24 |
| 2002 | -13.89% | C$8.39 | C$7.22 |
| 2001 | +75.07% | C$4.79 | C$8.39 |
| 2000 | +17.61% | C$4.07 | C$4.79 |
| 1999 | -2.84% | C$4.19 | C$4.07 |
| 1998 | +20.08% | C$3.49 | C$4.19 |
| 1997 | +31.13% | C$2.66 | C$3.49 |
CNR Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Canadian National Railway Company as an investment
Valuation
CNR currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 19.0, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 16.4 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 4.1. The price-to-sales ratio is 5.1.
Dividends
Canadian National Railway Company pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.54%. This translates to C$3.66 per share annually. The payout ratio of 47% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
CNR has a beta of 0.95, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is C$126.11 to C$154.63, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 20 analyst opinions, CNR has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of C$153.05 suggests 6.3% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: CNR
What sector is CNR in? ▼
CNR operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Railroads industry.
How has CNR performed historically? ▼
Over 30 years of trading history, CNR has posted gains in 22 years (73% of the time). The best year was 2001 with a +75.1% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in CNR? ▼
You can invest in CNR through any brokerage account that offers access to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold CNR.
Does CNR pay dividends? ▼
Canadian National Railway Company pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.54%. This translates to C$3.66 per share annually. The payout ratio of 47% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Canadian National Railway Company do? ▼
Canadian National Railway Company is a Railroads company operating in the Industrials sector. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
What sector is CNR in? ▼
CNR operates in the Industrials sector, specifically in the Railroads industry.
When did CNR go public? ▼
Canadian National Railway Company went public in 1996, making it a 30-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would C$1,000 invested in CNR 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in CNR five years ago would be worth approximately C$1,095 today, representing a 9.5% return.
How much would C$1,000 invested in CNR 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in CNR ten years ago would be worth approximately C$2,147 today, representing a 114.7% total return over the decade.
What is CNR's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, CNR has returned -3.4%. A C$1,000 investment would have grown to C$966.
How much would C$1,000 invested in CNR at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested C$1,000 in CNR at its IPO in 1996, it would be worth approximately C$51,255 today, a 5,025.4% return over 30 years.
Does CNR pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Canadian National Railway Company pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.54%, which is C$3.66 per share annually.
What is CNR's market cap? ▼
Canadian National Railway Company has a market capitalization of C$88 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is CNR's P/E ratio? ▼
CNR has a trailing P/E ratio of 19.0 and a forward P/E of 16.4, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is CNR a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 20 opinions, CNR has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is C$153.05.
Last updated: 3/15/2026