Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP)
A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 12, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
$126.19IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT
CP
Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd.
$92.39IndustrialsDelayed quote: Aug 12, 2026, 11:30 AM EDT
Total return — CNI vs CP
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCNI +142.7% (+9.3%/yr)CP +246.8% (+13.2%/yr)CP compounded faster over this window
CNI CP
CNI vs CP: by the numbers
- •CP is the larger company ($81.22B vs $76.33B market cap).
- •CNI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (22.60 vs 27.44 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CNI converts more revenue to profit (26.92% vs 18.86% net margin).
- •CP grew revenue faster over the past five years (20.89% vs 2.73% CAGR).
- •CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.07% vs 0.74%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNI | CP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 22.60 | 27.44 |
| Forward P/E | 15.37 | 17.52 |
| P/S ratio | 6.02 | 5.10 |
| P/B ratio | 4.97 | 2.48 |
| EV / EBITDA | 14.99 | 16.47 |
| FCF yield | 3.32% | 2.11% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNI | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.43% | 59.84% |
| Operating margin | 37.54% | 37.20% |
| Net margin | 26.92% | 18.86% |
| ROE | 22.25% | 9.18% |
| ROIC | 8.90% | 5.09% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNI | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.07% | 0.74% |
| Payout ratio | 47.41% | 20.75% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNI | CP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.73% | 20.89% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.99% | 3.04% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.98% | 12.22% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 5.35% | 5.39% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or CP?
- CNI has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 22.60 and CP at 27.44. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CNI or CP?
- Over the past five years, CP grew revenue faster — CNI at a 2.73% CAGR versus CP at 20.89%.
- Does CNI or CP pay a bigger dividend?
- CNI yields 2.07% and CP yields 0.74% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNI or CP more profitable?
- CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 26.92% versus CP at 18.86%.
- How have CNI and CP total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNI delivered 9.19% and CP delivered 13.09% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Canadian National Railway P/E ratioCanadian Pacific Kansas City P/E ratioCanadian National Railway dividend yieldCanadian Pacific Kansas City dividend yieldCanadian National Railway ROECanadian Pacific Kansas City ROECanadian National Railway operating marginCanadian Pacific Kansas City operating marginCanadian National Railway revenue growthCanadian Pacific Kansas City revenue growthCanadian National Railway free cash flowCanadian Pacific Kansas City free cash flow
Canadian National Railway & Canadian Pacific Kansas City appear in these rankings
Figures are sourced from reported fundamentals and the latest end-of-day price. This comparison is informational only and is not investment advice. Past performance does not predict future results. See our methodology. Compiled by TGMCharts Research · data verified August 12, 2026.