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

CNI leads on 11 of 17 compared metrics.

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

Compare

Total return — CNI vs EMR

growth of $100 · last 30y
CNI +3655.8%EMR +483.5%CNI compounded faster
Log scale — wide-divergence pair
101001k10kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,756$584
CNI EMR

CNI vs EMR: by the numbers

  • EMR is the larger company ($80.37B vs $73.13B market cap).
  • CNI trades at the lower earnings multiple (21.88 vs 33.14 P/E).
  • CNI converts more revenue to profit (27.22% vs 13.35% net margin).
  • CNI grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.41% vs 1.43% CAGR).
  • CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.17% vs 1.55%).

Which is better, CNI or EMR?

Metric tally: CNI 11 · EMR 6

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNIEMR
P/E ratio21.8833.14
Forward P/E13.7819.97
P/S ratio5.884.41
P/B ratio4.773.98
PEG ratio2.291.78
EV / EBITDA14.6118.12
FCF yield3.51%3.86%

Profitability

MetricCNIEMR
Gross margin44.21%52.66%
Operating margin37.76%19.96%
Net margin27.22%13.35%
ROE22.07%12.04%
ROIC8.90%7.26%

Dividends

MetricCNIEMR
Dividend yield2.17%1.55%
Payout ratio47.56%54.55%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNIEMR
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.41%1.43%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%4.54%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.73%-0.23%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.67%10.57%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNI or EMR?
It depends on your goal. value: CNI (lower P/E); growth: CNI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNI (higher dividend yield); quality: CNI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNI leads 11 to 6.
Is CNI or EMR cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CNI is cheaper: CNI trades at a 21.88 P/E and EMR at 33.14.
Which has grown faster, CNI or EMR?
Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 3.41% CAGR versus EMR at 1.43%.
Does CNI or EMR pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.17% and EMR yields 1.55% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or EMR more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 27.22% versus EMR at 13.35%.
Which has been the better investment, CNI or EMR?
Over the past 10-year, EMR delivered the higher annualized total return — CNI at 9.87% versus EMR at 13.73%. 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.