CNI vs. POOL: A Head-to-Head Stock Comparison
Updated onHere’s a clear look at CNI and POOL, comparing key factors like historical performance, profitability, financial strength, growth, dividend, and valuation.
Company Profile
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Company Name | Canadian National Railway Company | Pool Corporation |
| Country | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Consumer Discretionary |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Distributors |
| Market Capitalization | 60.22 billion USD | 11.55 billion USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NasdaqGS |
| Listing Date | November 26, 1996 | October 13, 1995 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Historical Performance
This chart compares the performance of CNI and POOL by tracking the growth of an initial $10,000 investment in each. Use the tabs to select the desired time period. Data is adjusted for dividends and splits.
Historical Performance at a Glance
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| 5-Day Price Return | 1.90% | -0.41% |
| 13-Week Price Return | -9.01% | 2.51% |
| 26-Week Price Return | -5.50% | -2.75% |
| 52-Week Price Return | -15.78% | -16.94% |
| Month-to-Date Return | 0.46% | -0.15% |
| Year-to-Date Return | -9.68% | -9.19% |
| 10-Day Avg. Volume | 2.04M | 0.43M |
| 3-Month Avg. Volume | 1.73M | 0.58M |
| 3-Month Volatility | 17.57% | 32.15% |
| Beta | 0.55 | 1.25 |
Profitability
Return on Equity (TTM)
CNI
21.82%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 23.35%
- Q3
- 13.74%
- Median
- 9.05%
- Q1
- 6.86%
- Min
- 1.73%
In the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, CNI’s Return on Equity of 21.82% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
POOL
31.34%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 35.43%
- Q3
- 27.95%
- Median
- 14.57%
- Q1
- 11.23%
- Min
- 11.19%
In the upper quartile for the Distributors industry, POOL’s Return on Equity of 31.34% signals a highly effective use of shareholder capital to drive profitability compared to most of its peers.
Net Profit Margin (TTM)
CNI
26.62%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 32.19%
- Q3
- 17.08%
- Median
- 7.19%
- Q1
- 4.45%
- Min
- -5.54%
A Net Profit Margin of 26.62% places CNI in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry, signifying strong profitability and more effective cost management than most of its peers.
POOL
7.79%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 5.68%
- Q3
- 5.68%
- Median
- 5.36%
- Q1
- 4.87%
- Min
- 4.81%
POOL’s Net Profit Margin of 7.79% is exceptionally high, placing it well beyond the typical range for the Distributors industry. This demonstrates outstanding operational efficiency and a strong competitive advantage in converting revenue into profit.
Operating Profit Margin (TTM)
CNI
37.28%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 42.90%
- Q3
- 23.80%
- Median
- 10.93%
- Q1
- 7.06%
- Min
- -12.94%
An Operating Profit Margin of 37.28% places CNI in the upper quartile for the Ground Transportation industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
POOL
11.13%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 11.13%
- Q3
- 7.77%
- Median
- 5.57%
- Q1
- 5.27%
- Min
- 4.95%
An Operating Profit Margin of 11.13% places POOL in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry. This signals a strong ability to translate revenue into operating profit, outperforming most of its competitors in core business efficiency.
Profitability at a Glance
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Return on Equity (TTM) | 21.82% | 31.34% |
| Return on Assets (TTM) | 8.09% | 11.64% |
| Net Profit Margin (TTM) | 26.62% | 7.79% |
| Operating Profit Margin (TTM) | 37.28% | 11.13% |
| Gross Profit Margin (TTM) | 75.22% | 29.46% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
CNI
0.82
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.00
- Q3
- 1.31
- Median
- 0.98
- Q1
- 0.74
- Min
- 0.35
CNI’s Current Ratio of 0.82 aligns with the median group of the Ground Transportation industry, indicating that its short-term liquidity is in line with its sector peers.
POOL
2.52
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.81
- Q3
- 1.66
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 1.15
- Min
- 1.09
POOL’s Current Ratio of 2.52 is exceptionally high, placing it well outside the typical range for the Distributors industry. This indicates a very strong liquidity position, though such a high ratio may also suggest that the company is not using its assets efficiently to generate profits.
Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ)
CNI
0.95
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.51
- Q3
- 1.48
- Median
- 1.02
- Q1
- 0.48
- Min
- 0.00
CNI’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95 is typical for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
POOL
0.95
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.19
- Q3
- 1.00
- Median
- 0.81
- Q1
- 0.52
- Min
- 0.46
POOL’s Debt-to-Equity Ratio of 0.95 is typical for the Distributors industry, indicating its use of leverage is in line with the sector norm. This suggests a balanced approach to its capital structure.
Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM)
CNI
7.66
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 59.80
- Q3
- 25.78
- Median
- 8.23
- Q1
- 2.52
- Min
- -24.57
CNI’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 7.66 is positioned comfortably within the norm for the Ground Transportation industry, indicating a standard and healthy capacity to cover its interest payments.
POOL
12.28
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 13.15
- Q3
- 10.84
- Median
- 5.59
- Q1
- 4.01
- Min
- 3.80
POOL’s Interest Coverage Ratio of 12.28 is in the upper quartile for the Distributors industry, signifying a strong and healthy capacity to meet its interest payments from operating profits.
Financial Strength at a Glance
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.82 | 2.52 |
| Quick Ratio (MRQ) | 0.58 | 0.82 |
| Debt-to-Equity Ratio (MRQ) | 0.95 | 0.95 |
| Interest Coverage Ratio (TTM) | 7.66 | 12.28 |
Growth
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
Dividend
Dividend Yield (TTM)
CNI
2.64%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.29%
- Q3
- 2.57%
- Median
- 1.59%
- Q1
- 0.71%
- Min
- 0.00%
With a Dividend Yield of 2.64%, CNI offers a more attractive income stream than most of its peers in the Ground Transportation industry, signaling a strong commitment to shareholder returns.
POOL
1.58%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 48.14%
- Q3
- 37.24%
- Median
- 4.28%
- Q1
- 3.20%
- Min
- 1.61%
POOL’s Dividend Yield of 1.58% is below the typical range for the Distributors industry. This indicates that shareholder returns are likely driven more by potential capital appreciation than by dividend income.
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
CNI
47.68%
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 149.12%
- Q3
- 75.08%
- Median
- 41.35%
- Q1
- 16.42%
- Min
- 0.00%
CNI’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 47.68% is within the typical range for the Ground Transportation industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
POOL
44.67%
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 903.92%
- Q3
- 695.25%
- Median
- 56.97%
- Q1
- 44.33%
- Min
- 26.53%
POOL’s Dividend Payout Ratio of 44.67% is within the typical range for the Distributors industry, suggesting a balanced approach between shareholder payouts and company reinvestment.
Dividend at a Glance
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.64% | 1.58% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 47.68% | 44.67% |
Valuation
Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM)
CNI
18.03
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 39.04
- Q3
- 24.45
- Median
- 17.51
- Q1
- 12.92
- Min
- 5.87
CNI’s P/E Ratio of 18.03 is within the middle range for the Ground Transportation industry. This suggests its valuation is in line with the sector average, representing neither a significant premium nor a discount compared to its peers.
POOL
28.31
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 27.78
- Q3
- 22.45
- Median
- 18.78
- Q1
- 12.95
- Min
- 5.82
At 28.31, POOL’s P/E Ratio is exceptionally high, exceeding the typical maximum for the Distributors industry. This suggests the stock may be significantly overvalued compared to its peers and implies high market expectations that could be difficult to meet.
Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM)
CNI
4.80
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 2.82
- Q3
- 2.22
- Median
- 1.41
- Q1
- 0.88
- Min
- 0.24
With a P/S Ratio of 4.80, CNI trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Ground Transportation industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
POOL
2.20
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 1.07
- Q3
- 1.07
- Median
- 0.94
- Q1
- 0.62
- Min
- 0.28
With a P/S Ratio of 2.20, POOL trades at a valuation that eclipses even the highest in the Distributors industry. This implies the market has priced in exceptionally optimistic scenarios for future revenue growth, posing considerable valuation risk.
Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ)
CNI
4.14
Ground Transportation Industry
- Max
- 5.27
- Q3
- 3.03
- Median
- 1.40
- Q1
- 1.18
- Min
- 0.67
CNI’s P/B Ratio of 4.14 is in the upper tier for the Ground Transportation industry. This indicates that investors are paying a premium relative to the company’s net assets, a valuation that hinges on its ability to generate superior profits.
POOL
8.44
Distributors Industry
- Max
- 3.58
- Q3
- 3.46
- Median
- 3.12
- Q1
- 2.75
- Min
- 2.63
At 8.44, POOL’s P/B Ratio is at an extreme premium to the Distributors industry. This signifies that the market’s valuation is heavily reliant on future potential rather than its current net asset value, which can be a high-risk proposition.
Valuation at a Glance
| Symbol | CNI | POOL |
|---|---|---|
| Price-to-Earnings Ratio (TTM) | 18.03 | 28.31 |
| Price-to-Sales Ratio (TTM) | 4.80 | 2.20 |
| Price-to-Book Ratio (MRQ) | 4.14 | 8.44 |
| Price-to-Free Cash Flow Ratio (TTM) | 25.45 | 23.97 |