Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs FedEx Corporation (FDX)

CNI leads on 9 of 17 compared metrics, though FDX is the cheaper stock.

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and FedEx Corporation 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 FDX

growth of $100 · last 30y
CNI +3655.8%FDX +2086.2%CNI compounded faster
01k2k3k4kStart $100200120062011201620212026$3,756$2,186
CNI FDX

CNI vs FDX: by the numbers

  • FDX is the larger company ($76.00B vs $73.13B market cap).
  • FDX trades at the lower earnings multiple (17.37 vs 21.88 P/E).
  • CNI converts more revenue to profit (27.22% vs 4.68% net margin).
  • CNI grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.41% vs 2.47% CAGR).
  • CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.17% vs 1.53%).

Which is better, CNI or FDX?

Metric tally: CNI 9 · FDX 8

It depends on what you're optimizing for:

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

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNIFDX
P/E ratio21.8817.37
Forward P/E13.7814.37
P/S ratio5.880.81
P/B ratio4.772.43
PEG ratio2.291.95
EV / EBITDA14.619.90
FCF yield3.51%6.66%

Profitability

MetricCNIFDX
Gross margin44.21%22.90%
Operating margin37.76%6.74%
Net margin27.22%4.68%
ROE22.07%14.01%
ROIC8.90%5.95%

Dividends

MetricCNIFDX
Dividend yield2.17%1.53%
Payout ratio47.56%26.31%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNIFDX
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.41%2.47%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%-1.27%
FCF CAGR (5Y)0.73%3.77%
Total return CAGR (5Y)4.67%8.25%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNI or FDX?
It depends on your goal. value: FDX (lower P/E); growth: CNI (faster 5Y revenue CAGR); income: CNI (higher dividend yield); quality: CNI (higher ROIC). Across all compared metrics, CNI leads 9 to 8.
Is CNI or FDX cheaper?
On trailing earnings, FDX is cheaper: CNI trades at a 21.88 P/E and FDX at 17.37.
Which has grown faster, CNI or FDX?
Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 3.41% CAGR versus FDX at 2.47%.
Does CNI or FDX pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.17% and FDX yields 1.53% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or FDX more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 27.22% versus FDX at 4.68%.
Which has been the better investment, CNI or FDX?
Over the past 10-year, FDX delivered the higher annualized total return — CNI at 9.87% versus FDX at 11.80%. 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.