Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) Short Interest Update

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) was the recipient of a large decrease in short interest during the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,990,000 shares, a decrease of 35.0% from the March 15th total of 3,060,000 shares. Approximately 0.3% of the shares of the stock are sold short. Based on an average daily volume of 1,500,000 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 1.3 days.

Canadian National Railway Stock Up 0.7 %

Shares of Canadian National Railway stock traded up $0.67 on Thursday, reaching $99.21. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 1,159,601 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,280,630. The company has a market capitalization of $62.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.93. The company has a quick ratio of 0.48, a current ratio of 0.66 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94. Canadian National Railway has a 52 week low of $91.65 and a 52 week high of $130.63. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $99.13 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $104.62.

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

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 10th were given a dividend of $0.6159 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, March 10th. This represents a $2.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.48%. This is a positive change from Canadian National Railway’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Canadian National Railway’s dividend payout ratio is presently 47.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts have commented on the stock. Loop Capital cut shares of Canadian National Railway from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus lowered their target price on Canadian National Railway from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a “buy” rating for the company in a research note on Monday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Canadian National Railway from a “neutral” rating to an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Evercore ISI raised Canadian National Railway from a “hold” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, December 19th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reduced their target price on Canadian National Railway from $174.00 to $171.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and four have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Canadian National Railway has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $120.36.

Institutional Trading of Canadian National Railway

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Quintet Private Bank Europe S.A. bought a new position in Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter worth $25,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC bought a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. purchased a new stake in Canadian National Railway in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Addison Advisors LLC raised its stake in Canadian National Railway by 80.2% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 319 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 142 shares during the period. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. raised its stake in Canadian National Railway by 48.2% during the 4th quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 332 shares of the transportation company’s stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 108 shares during the period. 80.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.