Analysts Set Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) PT at $124.19

Shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) have earned a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the nineteen research firms that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat.com reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $124.19.

CNI has been the subject of a number of research reports. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Canadian National Railway from $174.00 to $171.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 31st. Susquehanna decreased their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Canadian National Railway from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $120.00 target price on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 10th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Finally, Bank of America cut their price objective on Canadian National Railway from $119.00 to $112.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th.

Canadian National Railway Stock Performance

Shares of CNI stock opened at $97.70 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.66. The firm has a market capitalization of $61.39 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.91. Canadian National Railway has a one year low of $93.64 and a one year high of $134.02. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $101.34 and a 200 day moving average price of $107.43.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $1.30 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.39 by ($0.09). Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 26.09%. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Canadian National Railway will post 5.52 EPS for the current year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.6159 per share. This represents a $2.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.52%. This is an increase from Canadian National Railway’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. Canadian National Railway’s dividend payout ratio is 47.66%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Canadian National Railway

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of CNI. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. bought a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway during the fourth quarter worth about $25,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC bought a new position in Canadian National Railway during the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Addison Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Canadian National Railway by 80.2% in the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $32,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Coastline Trust Co acquired a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway during the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Institutional investors own 80.74% of the company’s stock.

About Canadian National Railway

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.