Canadian National RailwayNYSE: CNI

I downgrade Canadian National Railway Co. from buy to hold due to concerns about missing FY24 EPS guidance amid weak volume growth. Third-quarter earnings were mixed: revenue grew 3.1% y/y, but EBIT fell slightly, and recurring net income dropped, despite a 1.8% increase in adj EPS. Operational improvements in network health and fluidity are notable, but the near-term volume growth outlook remains uncertain, impacting confidence in meeting FY24 targets.

Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI ) Q3 2024 Earnings Conference Call October 22, 2024 4:30 PM ET Company Participants Stacy Alderson - Assistant Vice President, Investor Relations Tracy Robinson - President and Chief Executive Officer Derek Taylor - Executive Vice President and Chief Field Operations Officer Patrick Whitehead - Executive Vice President and Chief Network Operating Officer Remi Lalonde - Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer Ghislain Houle - Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Kenneth Hoexter - Bank of America Fadi Chamoun - BMO Capital Markets Christian Wetherbee - Wells Fargo Cherilyn Radbourne - TD Cowen Scott Group - Wolfe Research Walter Spracklin - RBC Capital Markets Brandon Oglenski - Barclays Steven Hansen - Raymond James Ravi Shanker - Morgan Stanley Konark Gupta - Scotiabank Brian Ossenbeck - JPMorgan David Vernon - Bernstein Benoit Poirier - Desjardins Jonathan Chappell - Evercore ISI Stephanie Moore - Jefferies Daniel Imbro - Stephens Inc Thomas Wadewitz - UBS Benjamin Nolan - Stifel Operator Good afternoon. My name is Sarah and I will be your operator today.

While the top- and bottom-line numbers for CN (CNI) give a sense of how the business performed in the quarter ended September 2024, it could be worth looking at how some of its key metrics compare to Wall Street estimates and year-ago values.

Canadian National (CNI) came out with quarterly earnings of $1.26 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.28 per share. This compares to earnings of $1.26 per share a year ago.

Besides Wall Street's top -and-bottom-line estimates for CN (CNI), review projections for some of its key metrics to gain a deeper understanding of how the company might have fared during the quarter ended September 2024.

Social Security's 2.5% hike for retirees in 2025 is the smallest in years, barely keeping up with inflation. Higher Medicare premiums also cut into the COLA increase. Inflation remains a concern, and future Social Security benefits may be at risk due to the fund's projected depletion. Possible changes include raising the retirement age. Retirees must take control of their financial future by building a mix of income and growth portfolios to reduce dependence on Social Security and safeguard retirement plans.

Canadian National's third-quarter 2024 revenues are expected to have been aided by higher volumes across some key segments.

Canadian National is benefiting from its technology advancement initiatives. The economic downturn and elevated expenses are hurting its prospects.

KIRKLAND, Wash., Oct. 02, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Cascade Investment, L.L.C. (“Cascade”) announced today that it has disposed of 5,994,691 common shares (“Common Shares”) of Canadian National Railway Company (“CN”) by transferring ownership and control of the Common Shares in a private transaction for no consideration. Following the disposition, Cascade owns 3,539,451 Common Shares, representing approximately 0.56% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. Immediately prior to the disposition, Cascade owned 9,534,142 Common Shares, representing approximately 1.51% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. As the sole member of Cascade, William H. Gates III beneficially owns the Common Shares owned by Cascade.