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 August 13, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.

Compare

Total returnCNI vs NOC

growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10y
CNI +142.7% (+9.3%/yr)NOC +212.2% (+12.1%/yr)NOC compounded faster over this window
100200300400Start $10020182020202220242026$243$312
CNI NOC

CNI vs NOC: by the numbers

  • NOC is the larger company ($82.00B vs $77.38B market cap).
  • NOC trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.34 vs 22.61 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 (2.07% vs 1.63%).

Metrics side by side

Valuation

MetricCNINOC
P/E ratio22.6118.34
Forward P/E15.3720.02
P/S ratio6.021.92
P/B ratio4.984.60
EV / EBITDA14.9916.33
FCF yield3.32%4.43%

Profitability

MetricCNINOC
Gross margin44.43%20.06%
Operating margin37.54%10.18%
Net margin26.92%10.48%
ROE22.25%25.14%
ROIC8.90%9.21%

Dividends

MetricCNINOC
Dividend yield2.07%1.63%
Payout ratio47.41%32.26%

Growth (annualized)

MetricCNINOC
Revenue CAGR (5Y)2.73%2.67%
EPS CAGR (5Y)6.99%8.84%
FCF CAGR (5Y)-0.98%6.92%
Total return CAGR (5Y)5.32%11.46%

Frequently asked

Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or NOC?
NOC has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 22.61 and NOC at 18.34. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
Which has grown faster, CNI or NOC?
Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 2.73% CAGR versus NOC at 2.67%.
Does CNI or NOC pay a bigger dividend?
CNI yields 2.07% and NOC yields 1.63% 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 9.27% and NOC delivered 12.01% 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 13, 2026.