Return on Invested Capital (ROIC): 8.90%
Is the return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
The return on invested capital (ROIC) of 8.90% is in line with its 5-year average of 9.68%, near the low end of its 5-year range (8.73%–11.42%).
As of Sunday, June 28, 2026. 0.96% above its 12-month average of 8.82%.
CNI Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
Annual fiscal-year return on invested capital; no daily interpolation.
CNI Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
CNI Current vs Average Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Chart
CNI Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Metrics
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC)
8.90%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG TTM
8.82%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 3Y
9.96%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 5Y
9.68%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 10Y
10.49%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 15Y
10.11%
RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) AVG 20Y
9.85%
CURRENT VS TTM AVG
+0.96%
CURRENT VS 3Y AVG
-10.62%
CURRENT VS 5Y AVG
-8.01%
CURRENT VS 10Y AVG
-15.14%
CURRENT VS 15Y AVG
-11.95%
CURRENT VS 20Y AVG
-9.67%
CNI Competitors' Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)
| NAME | MARKET CAP | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) | TTM | 3Y | 5Y |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) | $73.13B | 8.90% | 8.82% | 9.96% | 9.68% |
| TransDigm Group Incorporated (TDG)vs › | $74.09B | 15.22% | 14.50% | 12.67% | 11.39% |
| Bloom Energy Corporation (BE)vs › | $71.69B | 1.89% | 1.48% | -6.32% | -6.80% |
| FedEx Corporation (FDX)vs › | $76.00B | 5.95% | 5.97% | 5.83% | 6.14% |
| Norfolk Southern Corporation (NSC)vs › | $70.26B | 7.47% | 7.37% | 7.63% | 7.86% |
| Illinois Tool Works Inc. (ITW)vs › | $77.02B | 24.49% | 25.84% | 24.99% | 22.94% |
| Cintas Corporation (CTAS)vs › | $68.78B | 22.95% | 21.59% | 19.94% | 18.17% |
| Canadian Pacific Kansas City Ltd. (CP)vs › | $77.88B | 5.09% | 4.89% | 1.62% | 3.59% |
| Emerson Electric Co. (EMR)vs › | $80.37B | 7.26% | 6.33% | 6.09% | 7.58% |
| Comfort Systems USA, Inc. (FIX)vs › | $65.27B | 33.59% | 30.38% | 24.94% | 20.63% |
Capital Efficiency
ROIC
8.9%
ROE
22.1%
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) Formula & Definition
ROIC = NOPAT / Invested Capital
Return on invested capital measures the after-tax return a company earns on all capital (debt and equity) invested in the business.
Expanded definitions: Investopedia, Wikipedia, Corporate Finance Institute
Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) FAQ
- What is the return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 8.90%.
- Is Canadian National Railway Company's return on invested capital (ROIC) high or low?
- The return on invested capital (ROIC) of 8.90% is in line with its 5-year average of 9.68%, near the low end of its 5-year range (8.73%–11.42%).
- What is the TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The TTM average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 8.82%.
- What is the 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The 3Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 9.96%.
- What is the 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The 5Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 9.68%.
- What is the 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The 10Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 10.49%.
- What is the 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The 15Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 10.11%.
- What is the 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)?
- The 20Y average return on invested capital (ROIC) for CNI stock is 9.85%.
CNI Return on Invested Capital (ROIC) History
| DATE | RETURN ON INVESTED CAPITAL (ROIC) |
|---|---|
| 2025-12-31 | 8.90% |
| 2024-12-31 | 8.73% |
| 2023-12-31 | 11.42% |
| 2022-12-31 | 10.78% |
| 2021-12-31 | 9.42% |
| 2020-12-31 | 8.80% |
| 2019-12-31 | 10.45% |
| 2018-12-31 | 10.75% |
| 2017-12-31 | 14.68% |
| 2016-12-31 | 10.46% |
| 2015-12-31 | 10.97% |
| 2014-12-31 | 11.18% |
| 2013-12-31 | 9.83% |
| 2012-12-31 | 10.78% |
| 2011-12-31 | 9.87% |
| 2010-12-31 | 9.28% |
| 2009-12-31 | 8.21% |
| 2008-12-31 | 8.50% |
| 2007-12-31 | 9.78% |
| 2006-12-31 | 10.48% |
| 2005-12-31 | 8.47% |
| 2004-12-31 | 7.11% |
| 2003-12-31 | 6.13% |
| 2002-12-31 | 4.92% |
| 2001-12-31 | 6.25% |
| 2000-12-31 | 6.62% |
| 1999-12-31 | 6.05% |
| 1998-12-31 | 10.19% |
| 1997-12-31 | 12.30% |
| 1996-12-31 | 18.88% |
Related Metrics
About Canadian National Railway Company
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI), together with its subsidiary operations, functions as a key player in the railway and related logistics industry. The firm handles a wide array of freight, including petroleum products and chemicals, agricultural commodities such as grain and fertilizers, various minerals like coal and metals, timber and paper goods, intermodal containers, and finished automobiles. Its services cater to a broad base of clients, from international exporters and importers to retail chains, agricultural growers, and industrial manufacturers. CNI boasts a substantial rail infrastructure, with approximately 19,500 miles of track extending across both Canada and the United States. Additionally, the company provides diverse ancillary services, encompassing marine terminal management (vessels and docks), cargo transshipment and distribution, specialized automotive supply chain solutions, and comprehensive freight management and forwarding. Founded in 1919, Canadian National Railway Company is based in Montreal, Canada.
- Sector
- Industrials
- Industry
- Railroads
- CEO
- Tracy A. Robinson