Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Emerson Electric Co. (EMR)

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and Emerson Electric Co. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCNI vs EMR

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CNI +142.3% (+9.3%/yr)EMR +278.8% (+14.2%/yr)EMR compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$242$379
CNI EMR

CNI vs EMR: by the numbers

  • EMR is the larger company ($88.06B vs $78.54B market cap).
  • CNI trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (23.24 vs 34.41 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • CNI converts more revenue to profit (26.92% vs 13.83% net margin).
  • CNI grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.73% vs 0.87% CAGR).
  • CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.01% vs 1.41%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNIEMR
P/E ratio23.2434.41
Forward P/E15.4823.99
P/S ratio6.194.73
P/B ratio5.114.33
EV / EBITDA15.3419.74
FCF yield3.23%3.92%

Profitability

MetricCNIEMR
Gross margin44.43%53.16%
Operating margin37.54%20.11%
Net margin26.92%13.83%
ROE22.25%12.65%
ROIC8.89%7.93%

Dividends

MetricCNIEMR
Dividend yield2.01%1.41%
Payout ratio47.41%54.55%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNIEMR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.73%0.87%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%4.54%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.98%0.41%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.36%11.29%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or EMR?
CNI has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 23.24 and EMR at 34.41. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CNI or EMR?
Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 2.73% CAGR versus EMR at 0.87%.
Does CNI or EMR pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.01% and EMR yields 1.41% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or EMR more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 26.92% versus EMR at 13.83%.
How have CNI and EMR total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CNI delivered 9.28% and EMR delivered 14.24% 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 August 23, 2026.