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CNI vs CSX
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) vs. CSX Corporation (CSX) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- CSX has delivered stronger year-to-date gains of approximately 26%, outpacing CNI's 16% rise, reflecting robust momentum in recent market activity.
- Both stocks exhibit solid profitability, with return on equity (ROE, a measure of profit generated from shareholders' equity) around 22-24%, but CNI trades at a lower price-to-earnings (P/E, stock price divided by earnings per share) ratio of 20.7 versus CSX's 27.9.
- CNI benefits from record grain volumes in recent months, boosting network efficiency, while CSX reported a 26% EPS (earnings per share) increase in its latest quarterly results.
- CSX shows higher market cap (~85B) and one-year returns (~66%), but carries elevated debt-to-equity ratio (143%) compared to CNI (100%).
- Analyst price targets suggest modest upside for both, with CNI at ~116 and CSX at ~45, amid positive volume trends and efficiency gains.
Introduction
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) and CSX Corporation (CSX) are leading Class I railroads pivotal to North American freight transport. This comparison analyzes their business models, recent performance, and market positioning in the industrials sector. Investors tracking transportation stocks, seeking exposure to intermodal and bulk commodities, or evaluating relative strength amid economic cycles will find value here. With freight volumes tied to trade, manufacturing, and energy demand, understanding shifts in momentum and valuation helps inform diversified portfolios or sector rotations.
CNI Overview and Recent Performance
Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) operates one of North America's longest rail networks, spanning Canada from coast to coast and into the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast, transporting commodities like grain, intermodal containers, and energy products. In recent market activity, CNI shares have climbed about 16% year-to-date and 20% over the past year, trading near 115 with a market cap around 70 billion USD. Strong sentiment stems from record grain shipments, exceeding 2.67 million metric tons in February and weekly peaks over 650,000 tonnes in March, driven by robust Western Canadian volumes and operational efficiency. Analysts have raised price targets, citing volume momentum ahead of upcoming earnings, though broader pressures like fuel costs influence performance.
CSX Overview and Recent Performance
CSX Corporation (CSX) provides rail-based freight transportation across 23 eastern U.S. states and parts of Canada, emphasizing intermodal, merchandise, and coal shipments. Shares have surged roughly 26% year-to-date and 66% over the past year, hovering around 46 with a market cap near 85 billion USD. Recent quarterly results fueled optimism, with EPS rising 26% year-over-year to 0.43 and revenue at 3.48 billion USD, supported by efficiency initiatives and network expansions despite slight revenue shortfalls and diesel price headwinds. Analyst views highlight margin growth potential, though some note stretched valuations amid competitive dynamics.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
Both CNI and CSX thrive in rail freight but differ in scope: CNI’s transcontinental reach aids diversified commodity exposure, while CSX dominates Eastern U.S. intermodal growth. Recent momentum favors CSX with superior returns, yet CNI offers better valuation via lower P/E and PEG ratios. Risk factors include economic sensitivity, fuel volatility, and labor issues, with CSX’s higher debt/equity posing leverage concerns. Sector exposure overlaps in industrials, but CNI’s grain strength contrasts CSX’s merchandise focus. Market sentiment tilts toward CSX for growth, balanced by CNI’s stability.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI currently leans toward CSX based on stronger trend consistency, recent earnings momentum, and superior relative performance in recent months. While CNI provides attractive valuation and volume stability, CSX’s catalysts like efficiency gains position it favorably amid sector recovery, though investors should monitor upcoming CNI results for shifts.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full Disclaimers and Limitations.
To compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is CNI is a Hold and CSX is a Buy.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
CNI’s FA Score shows that 0 FA rating(s) are green whileCSX’s FA Score has 1 green FA rating(s).
- CNI’s FA Score: 0 green, 5 red.
- CSX’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
CNI’s TA Score shows that 4 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CSX’s TA Score has 3 bullish TA indicator(s).
- CNI’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 5 bearish.
- CSX’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 3 bearish.
Price Growth
CNI (@Railroads) experienced а -2.90% price change this week, while CSX (@Railroads) price change was -2.51% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Railroads industry was -0.90%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +1.77%, and the average quarterly price growth was +6.24%.
Reported Earning Dates
CNI is expected to report earnings on Jul 24, 2026.
CSX is expected to report earnings on Jul 22, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Railroads (-0.90% weekly)The Railroad industry includes passenger and freight transportation services along rail lines. This also includes companies that provide maintenance and switching duties as part of rail services. Within North America, the industry is largely dominated by some large operators. Several short-line railroads serve regional and local routes. Union Pacific Corporation, Canadian National Railway Company, and CSX Corporation are some of the prominent names in the business. The railroad business is relatively cyclical; economic expansion boost the freight services in particular, while economic stagnation often dampens transportation demand.
| CNI | CSX | CNI / CSX | |
| Capitalization | 69.2B | 85.8B | 81% |
| EBITDA | 9.1B | 6.49B | 140% |
| Gain YTD | 15.458 | 28.260 | 55% |
| P/E Ratio | 21.30 | 28.34 | 75% |
| Revenue | 17.3B | 14.2B | 122% |
| Total Cash | 573M | 1.11B | 52% |
| Total Debt | 22.5B | 19.3B | 117% |
CNI | CSX | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 80 | 15 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 70 Overvalued | 86 Overvalued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 82 | 35 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 43 | 41 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 48 | 44 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 44 | 21 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CNI's Valuation (70) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CSX (86). This means that CNI’s stock grew similarly to CSX’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Profit vs Risk Rating (35) in the Railroads industry is somewhat better than the same rating for CNI (82). This means that CSX’s stock grew somewhat faster than CNI’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's SMR Rating (41) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CNI (43). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to CNI’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's Price Growth Rating (44) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CNI (48). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to CNI’s over the last 12 months.
CSX's P/E Growth Rating (21) in the Railroads industry is in the same range as CNI (44). This means that CSX’s stock grew similarly to CNI’s over the last 12 months.
| CNI | CSX | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 50% | N/A |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 49% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 55% | 2 days ago 52% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 46% | 2 days ago 57% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 48% | 2 days ago 52% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 43% | 2 days ago 56% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 16 days ago 42% | 2 days ago 57% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 50% | 8 days ago 47% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 57% | N/A |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 38% | 2 days ago 55% |
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CSX and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CSX has been closely correlated with NSC. These tickers have moved in lockstep 69% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CSX jumps, then NSC could also see price increases.