Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP)

CNI leads on 11 of 16 compared metrics.

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 June 28, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total return — CNI vs CP

growth of $100 · last 30y
CNI +3655.8%CP +3137.3%CNI compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,756$3,237
CNI CP

CNI vs CP: by the numbers

  • CP is the larger company ($77.88B vs $73.13B market cap).
  • CNI trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.88 vs 24.94 P/E).
  • CNI converts more revenue to profit (27.22% vs 26.86% net margin).
  • CP grew revenue faster over the past five years (15.26% vs 3.41% CAGR).
  • CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.17% vs 0.86%).

Which is better, CNI or CP?

Metric tally: CNI 11 · CP 5

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

ValueCNI(lower P/E)
GrowthCP(faster 5Y revenue CAGR)
IncomeCNI(higher dividend yield)
QualityCNI(higher ROIC)

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNICP
P/E ratio21.8824.94
Forward P/E13.7814.87
P/S ratio5.886.61
P/B ratio4.772.35
PEG ratio2.291.65
EV / EBITDA14.6116.00
FCF yield3.51%1.89%

Profitability

MetricCNICP
Gross margin44.21%46.67%
Operating margin37.76%36.78%
Net margin27.22%26.86%
ROE22.07%9.56%
ROIC8.90%5.09%

Dividends

MetricCNICP
Dividend yield2.17%0.86%
Payout ratio47.56%22.93%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNICP
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.41%15.26%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%3.04%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.73%8.84%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.67%3.40%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNI or CP?
It depends on your goal. value: CNI (lower P/E); growth: CP (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNI (higher dividend yield); quality: CNI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNI leads 11 to 5.
Is CNI or CP cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CNI is cheaper: CNI trades at a 21.88 P/E and CP at 24.94.
Which has grown faster, CNI or CP?
Over the past five years, CP grew revenue faster — CNI at a 3.41% CAGR versus CP at 15.26%.
Does CNI or CP pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.17% and CP yields 0.86% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or CP more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 27.22% versus CP at 26.86%.
Which has been the better investment, CNI or CP?
Over the past 10-year, CP delivered the higher annualized total return — CNI at 9.87% versus CP at 14.49%. 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 June 28, 2026.