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Canadian National Railway Co. (CN) is a Canada-based company operating in the industrial sector, within the rail transportation and integrated logistics industry. The company manages one of the largest and most strategically important rail networks in North America, linking Canada to major U.S. industrial regions and coastal gateways.
Founded in 1919 by the Canadian government, the company emerged from the consolidation of several financially troubled regional railways, forming a unified national system designed to support economic development and provide efficient long-distance freight transport.
CN’s service portfolio includes freight rail transportation of agricultural commodities, forest products, petroleum and chemicals, metals, automotive freight, intermodal containers and specialized industrial cargo.
The company also provides integrated logistics solutions such as intermodal terminals, warehousing, port operations, truck-transport partnerships, supply-chain management and advanced tracking and optimization technologies. CN supports key industries through multimodal capabilities that connect rail, road and port infrastructures.
The company operates across North America, with a network of approximately 20,000 miles that connects the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Its operational structure includes locomotives, specialized railcars, control centers, rail-engineering teams, safety operations, automated-technology systems and maintenance units distributed across its network. CN’s continental footprint plays a critical role in supporting international trade flows and industrial supply chains.
Market factors affecting CN include demand for commodity transportation, agricultural export cycles, industrial activity in North America, energy and fuel price fluctuations, competition with other railroads and trucking companies, safety regulations, environmental policies, infrastructure-investment cycles and long-term trends in intermodal freight.
The company maintains strategic focus on operational efficiency, network reliability, modernization and emissions reduction.
Canadian National Railway Co.’s shares are listed on both the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker CNI.
History and when Canadian National Railway Co. was founded
Canadian National Railway Co. was founded in 1919 by the Government of Canada through the consolidation of multiple financially distressed private railroads in the post-World War I era. The objective was to preserve essential rail routes, stabilize national transportation infrastructure and create a unified rail system to support the movement of natural resources and domestic commerce.
This consolidation formed the foundation of what would become one of the most significant rail networks in North America. In the decades that followed, CN expanded its operations, modernized its fleet and integrated new technologies.
Mid-twentieth-century developments included the transition from steam to diesel-electric locomotives, expansion of freight services and diversification into passenger transportation and telecommunications. Over time, the company refocused primarily on freight operations, strengthening its position as a core component of North American logistics.
A major turning point occurred in 1995, when CN was privatized and became a publicly traded corporation. This shift brought new governance practices, a focus on operational efficiency and greater financial discipline. In 1998, the acquisition of Illinois Central Railroad allowed CN to extend its network deep into the southern United States, making it the only railroad to serve the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico coasts.
Between 2020 and 2024, CN invested in digital automation, energy-efficiency initiatives, fleet modernization, sustainable-transport practices and expansion of intermodal capabilities. The company navigated global supply-chain challenges and reinforced its role as one of North America’s leading railroads, guided by long-term commitments to innovation, safety and infrastructure development.
Additional Information
The Company Canadian National Railway Co. (United States), is listed on NYSE with a market value of $ 61.55 Billions, having an equity of $ 15.38 Billions.
With a total of 24.381 employees, the company is listed in the sector of Transport and categorized in industry of Railway.
In the last 12 months the Company had a revenue of $ 12.26 Billions, which generated a profit in the amount of $ 3.29 Billions.
As for its main indicators, the Company has a P/E ratio of 18.69, a P/BV ratio of 4.00 and in the last 12 months the dividend yield of CNI was at 2.58%.
The Company is traded internationally through the ticker CNI.
