CNI vs. UNP: Canadian National Railway vs. Union Pacific Stock Comparison
How do Canadian National Railway (CNI) and Union Pacific (UNP) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Canadian National Railway (CNI) and Union Pacific (UNP) are both classified in the Rail Transportation sub-industry within the broader Ground Transportation industry, placing them in the closest GICS peer bucket.
| Profile Item | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Canadian National Railway Co. | Union Pacific Corp. |
| Country/Region | Canada | United States |
| GICS Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
| GICS Industry Group | Transportation | Transportation |
| GICS Industry | Ground Transportation | Ground Transportation |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Rail Transportation | Rail Transportation |
| Market Capitalization | 74.63 billion USD | 172.06 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | November 26, 1996 | January 2, 1980 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 29.89% | 32.58% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 5.05% | 11.86% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 1.35% | 8.57% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 21.93% | 22.36% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.96 | 0.94 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -29.13% | -31.83% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 1.61M | 2.73M |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 1.18 | 1.27 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 1.68 | 2.02 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 22.02% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 39.70% sit in the top peer quartile for ROE, suggesting each generates more profit from shareholders’ equity than typical industry peers.
CNI
Transportation industry group
22.02%
- Max
- 42.67%
- CNI
- 22.02%
- Q3
- 21.91%
- Median
- 11.31%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- -15.07%
UNP
Transportation industry group
39.70%
- Max
- 42.67%
- UNP
- 39.70%
- Q3
- 21.91%
- Median
- 11.31%
- Q1
- 1.36%
- Min
- -15.07%
Net Margin (TTM)
For every dollar of sales, both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 26.92% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 28.85% retain more as net profit than most peers, landing in the top net margin quartile of their industries.
CNI
Transportation industry group
26.92%
- Max
- 51.26%
- CNI
- 26.92%
- Q3
- 21.10%
- Median
- 5.43%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- -11.37%
UNP
Transportation industry group
28.85%
- Max
- 51.26%
- UNP
- 28.85%
- Q3
- 21.10%
- Median
- 5.43%
- Q1
- 0.83%
- Min
- -11.37%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 40.27% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 40.98% convert sales into operating profit at a top-quartile rate, pointing to tighter cost discipline before financing and tax.
CNI
Transportation industry group
40.27%
- Max
- 50.63%
- CNI
- 40.27%
- Q3
- 22.88%
- Median
- 9.27%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -11.50%
UNP
Transportation industry group
40.98%
- Max
- 50.63%
- UNP
- 40.98%
- Q3
- 22.88%
- Median
- 9.27%
- Q1
- 3.28%
- Min
- -11.50%
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 22.02% | 39.70% |
| ROA (TTM) | 7.72% | 9.27% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 26.92% | 28.85% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | 40.27% | 40.98% |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | 55.97% | 56.29% |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 1.51% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.07% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 7.99% and Union Pacific (UNP) at 8.03% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 1.51% | 1.07% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.38% | -0.49% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 7.99% | 8.03% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 0.58% | 2.24% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 0.87 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 0.99 carry current ratio within their industries’ typical mid-ranges, suggesting balanced short-term liquidity relative to peers.
CNI
Transportation industry group
0.87
- Max
- 2.50
- Q3
- 1.59
- Median
- 1.15
- CNI
- 0.87
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.28
UNP
Transportation industry group
0.99
- Max
- 2.50
- Q3
- 1.59
- Median
- 1.15
- UNP
- 0.99
- Q1
- 0.79
- Min
- 0.28
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 1.04 carries an industry-typical debt-to-equity mix, while Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.51 uses more debt funding than most peers.
CNI
Transportation industry group
1.04
- Max
- 2.08
- Q3
- 1.38
- CNI
- 1.04
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
UNP
Transportation industry group
1.51
- Max
- 2.08
- UNP
- 1.51
- Q3
- 1.38
- Median
- 0.79
- Q1
- 0.36
- Min
- 0.00
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | 0.87 | 0.99 |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | 1.04 | 1.51 |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | 2.45 | 2.26 |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 2.93% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Union Pacific (UNP) at 1.91% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, CNI the richer one.
CNI
Transportation industry group
2.93%
- Max
- 4.75%
- CNI
- 2.93%
- Q3
- 2.00%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNP
Transportation industry group
1.91%
- Max
- 4.75%
- Q3
- 2.00%
- UNP
- 1.91%
- Median
- 0.76%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Union Pacific (UNP) at 44.70% pays out a band-typical share of earnings, while Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 46.28% distributes more than its industry norm — less retained, thinner cover.
CNI
Transportation industry group
46.28%
- Max
- 108.70%
- CNI
- 46.28%
- Q3
- 44.78%
- Median
- 21.03%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
UNP
Transportation industry group
44.70%
- Max
- 108.70%
- Q3
- 44.78%
- UNP
- 44.70%
- Median
- 21.03%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 2.93% | 1.91% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 46.28% | 44.70% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Both Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 21.91 and Union Pacific (UNP) at 23.47 land around their industries’ usual P/E ratio levels — neither is getting a clear earnings-multiple discount or premium versus peers.
CNI
Transportation industry group
21.91
- Max
- 56.79
- Q3
- 30.91
- CNI
- 21.91
- Median
- 19.67
- Q1
- 12.11
- Min
- 2.43
UNP
Transportation industry group
23.47
- Max
- 56.79
- Q3
- 30.91
- UNP
- 23.47
- Median
- 19.67
- Q1
- 12.11
- Min
- 2.43
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Both look expensive on sales: Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 4.20 sits in the upper P/S ratio quartile, and Union Pacific (UNP) at 6.77 prices even higher, above its industry range.
CNI
Transportation industry group
4.20
- CNI
- 4.20
- Max
- 4.20
- Q3
- 2.29
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.06
UNP
Transportation industry group
6.77
- UNP
- 6.77
- Max
- 4.20
- Q3
- 2.29
- Median
- 1.21
- Q1
- 0.59
- Min
- 0.06
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Both look rich against book: Canadian National Railway (CNI) at 4.72 sits in the upper P/B ratio quartile, and Union Pacific (UNP) at 8.85 prices even higher, above its industry range.
CNI
Transportation industry group
4.72
- Max
- 7.22
- CNI
- 4.72
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 2.01
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- -2.19
UNP
Transportation industry group
8.85
- UNP
- 8.85
- Max
- 7.22
- Q3
- 3.63
- Median
- 2.01
- Q1
- 1.22
- Min
- -2.19
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | CNI | UNP |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 21.91 | 23.47 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 4.20 | 6.77 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 4.72 | 8.85 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | 4.06% | 2.74% |