Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs United Parcel Service, Inc. (UPS)
A side-by-side comparison of Canadian National Railway Company and United Parcel Service, Inc. across valuation, profitability, dividends, and growth — built entirely from reported fundamentals, as of August 23, 2026. Differences are shown without an overall score or investment verdict.
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
$129.84IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
UPS
United Parcel Service, Inc.
$102.01IndustrialsAt close: Aug 21, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Total return — CNI vs UPS
growth of $100 · dividends reinvested · last 10yCNI +149.5% (+9.6%/yr)UPS +37.1% (+3.2%/yr)CNI compounded faster over this window
CNI UPS
CNI vs UPS: by the numbers
- •UPS is the larger company ($86.66B vs $78.54B market cap).
- •UPS trades at the lower trailing earnings multiple (18.96 vs 23.24 P/E), one valuation lens rather than an overall verdict.
- •CNI converts more revenue to profit (26.92% vs 5.08% net margin).
- •CNI grew revenue faster over the past five years (2.73% vs 0.98% CAGR).
- •UPS pays the higher dividend yield (6.43% vs 2.01%).
Metrics side by side
Valuation
| Metric | CNI | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| P/E ratio | 23.24 | 18.96 |
| Forward P/E | 15.48 | 14.18 |
| P/S ratio | 6.19 | 0.97 |
| P/B ratio | 5.11 | 5.76 |
| EV / EBITDA | 15.34 | 10.61 |
| FCF yield | 3.23% | 6.32% |
Profitability
| Metric | CNI | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Gross margin | 44.43% | 16.63% |
| Operating margin | 37.54% | 7.31% |
| Net margin | 26.92% | 5.08% |
| ROE | 22.25% | 30.33% |
| ROIC | 8.89% | 8.99% |
Dividends
| Metric | CNI | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend yield | 2.01% | 6.43% |
| Payout ratio | 47.41% | 100.00% |
Growth (annualized)
| Metric | CNI | UPS |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue CAGR (5Y) | 2.73% | 0.98% |
| EPS CAGR (5Y) | 6.99% | 33.45% |
| FCF CAGR (5Y) | -0.98% | -7.15% |
| Total return CAGR (5Y) | 6.36% | -7.74% |
Frequently asked
- Which has the lower trailing P/E, CNI or UPS?
- UPS has the lower trailing P/E: CNI trades at 23.24 and UPS at 18.96. P/E is one valuation measure and does not by itself establish which business is cheaper.
- Which has grown faster, CNI or UPS?
- Over the past five years, CNI grew revenue faster — CNI at a 2.73% CAGR versus UPS at 0.98%.
- Does CNI or UPS pay a bigger dividend?
- CNI yields 2.01% and UPS yields 6.43% based on trailing dividends and the latest price.
- Is CNI or UPS more profitable?
- CNI runs the higher net margin — CNI at 26.92% versus UPS at 5.08%.
- How have CNI and UPS total returns compared?
- Over the past 10 years, CNI delivered 9.28% and UPS delivered 3.13% annualized total return. Past performance doesn't predict future results.
Go deeper
Dig into the metrics
Canadian National Railway P/E ratioUnited Parcel Service P/E ratioCanadian National Railway dividend yieldUnited Parcel Service dividend yieldCanadian National Railway ROEUnited Parcel Service ROECanadian National Railway operating marginUnited Parcel Service operating marginCanadian National Railway revenue growthUnited Parcel Service revenue growthCanadian National Railway free cash flowUnited Parcel Service free cash flow
Canadian National Railway & United Parcel Service appear in these rankings
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 23, 2026.