Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs Northrop Grumman Corporation (NOC)

A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and Northrop Grumman Corporation across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of September 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total return — CNI vs NOC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CNI +136.7% (+9.0%/yr)NOC +186.6% (+11.1%/yr)NOC compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$237$287
CNI NOC

CNI vs NOC: by the numbers

  • •CNI is the larger company ($73.15B vs $72.53B market cap).
  • •NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (16.22 vs 21.65 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
  • •CNI converts more revenue to profit (26.92% vs 10.48% net margin).
  • •CNI pays the higher dividend yield (2.14% vs 1.84%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNINOC
P/E ratio21.6516.22
Forward P/EN/A17.64
P/S ratio5.741.69
P/B ratio4.744.06
EV / EBITDA14.4114.68
FCF yield3.48%5.03%

Profitability

MetricCNINOC
Gross margin44.43%20.06%
Operating margin37.54%10.18%
Net margin26.92%10.48%
ROE22.25%25.14%
ROIC8.89%9.97%

Dividends

MetricCNINOC
Dividend yield2.14%1.84%
Payout ratio46.78%30.37%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNINOC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.73%2.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)7.04%8.84%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.98%6.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)2.72%9.71%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 21.65 and NOC at 16.22. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Does CNI or NOC pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.14% and NOC yields 1.84% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
Is CNI or NOC more profitable?
CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 26.92% versus NOC at 10.48%.
How have CNI and NOC total returns compared?
Over the past 10 years, CNI delivered 9.08% and NOC delivered 11.28% 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 September 13, 2026.