Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Johnson Controls International plc (JCI)

CNI leads on 13 of 17 compared metrics.

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and Johnson Controls International plc across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of July 20, 2026. The ● marks the stronger figure on each row (cheaper multiple, higher margin/return).

Compare

Total returnCNI vs JCI

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 30y
CNI +6821.7%JCI +6516.6%CNI compounded faster
02k4k6kStart $100200120062011201620212026$6,922$6,617
CNI JCI

CNI vs JCI: by the numbers

  • JCI is the larger company ($85.03B vs $76.85B market cap).
  • CNI trades at the lower earnings multiple (23.42 vs 25.13 P/E).
  • CNI converts more revenue to profit (27.22% vs 14.45% net margin).
  • CNI grew revenue faster over the past five years (3.41% vs 1.91% CAGR).
  • CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.03% vs 1.14%).

Which is better, CNI or JCI?

Metric tally: CNI 13 · JCI 4

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

MetricCNIJCI
P/E ratio23.4225.13
Forward P/E16.0628.69
P/S ratio6.303.52
P/B ratio5.116.37
PEG ratio2.299.58
EV / EBITDA15.4523.05
FCF yield3.28%1.62%

Profitability

MetricCNIJCI
Gross margin44.21%36.56%
Operating margin37.76%13.57%
Net margin27.22%14.45%
ROE22.07%26.12%
ROIC8.90%8.68%

Dividends

MetricCNIJCI
Dividend yield2.03%1.14%
Payout ratio47.41%60.61%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNIJCI
Revenue CAGR (5Y)3.41%1.91%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%25.74%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.98%-10.97%
Total return CAGR (5Y)6.68%17.18%

Frequently asked

Which is better, CNI or JCI?
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 13 to 4.
Is CNI or JCI cheaper?
On trailing earnings, CNI is cheaper: CNI trades at a 23.42 P/E and JCI at 25.13.
Which has grown faster, CNI or JCI?
Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 3.41% CAGR versus JCI at 1.91%.
Does CNI or JCI pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.03% and JCI yields 1.14% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or JCI more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 27.22% versus JCI at 14.45%.
Which has been the better investment, CNI or JCI?
Over the past 10-year, JCI delivered the higher annualized total return — CNI at 9.26% versus JCI at 15.77%. 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 July 20, 2026.