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 September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CNI vs CP

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CNI +136.7% (+9.0%/yr)CP +216.4% (+12.2%/yr)CP compounded faster over this window
100200300Start $10020182020202220242026$237$316
CNI CP

CNI vs CP: by the numbers

  • •CP is the larger company ($76.40B vs $73.15B market cap).
  • •CNI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (21.65 vs 28.18 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CNI converts more revenue to profit (26.92% vs 25.04% net margin).
  • •CP grew revenue faster over the past five years (12.34% vs 2.73% CAGR).
  • •CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.14% vs 0.77%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNICP
P/E ratio21.6528.18
P/S ratio5.746.90
P/B ratio4.742.33
EV / EBITDA14.4116.90
FCF yield3.48%2.40%

Profitability

MetricCNICP
Gross margin44.43%53.42%
Operating margin37.54%36.84%
Net margin26.92%25.04%
ROE22.25%8.45%
ROIC8.89%5.02%

Dividends

MetricCNICP
Dividend yield2.14%0.77%
Payout ratio46.78%22.14%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNICP
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.73%12.34%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.04%3.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.98%12.22%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.72%6.24%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or CP?
CNI has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 21.65 and CP at 28.18. 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 12.34%.
Does CNI or CP pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.14% and CP yields 0.77% 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 25.04%.
How have CNI and CP total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CNI delivered 9.08% and CP delivered 12.68% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.

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 September 13, 2026.