Canadian National Railway CoCNI -0.89%90 Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.51 as of Mar. 2026, which is 28% above its 10-year median of 0.40. GuruFocus rates CNI with a GF Score™ of 90/100 and a GF Value™ of $113.15 (Fairly Valued). The stock has 8 warning signs investors should review. Among 566 Transportation companies, Canadian National Railway Co ranks worse than 53.36% on this metric.
The Dividend Payout Ratio is the measure of dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the company's net income. It is calculated as the Dividends per Share divided by the Earnings per Share (Diluted) during the same time period. Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio for the
months ended in Mar. 2026 was 0.51.
The historical rank and industry rank for Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio or its related term are showing as below:
CNI'
s Dividend Payout Ratio Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: 0.33 Med: 0.4 Max: 0.48
Current: 0.47
During the past 13 years, the highest Dividend Payout Ratio of Canadian National Railway Co was 0.48. The lowest was 0.33. And the median was 0.40.
CNI's Dividend Payout Ratio is ranked worse than 53.36% of 566
companies
in the Transportation industry
Industry Median: 0.45
vs CNI: 0.47
During the past 13 years, the highest Trailing Annual Dividend Yield of Canadian National Railway Co was 2.72%. The lowest was 1.43%. And the median was 1.74%.
During the past 12 months, Canadian National Railway Co's average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 4.60% per year.
During the past 3 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 6.60% per year.
During the past 5 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 9.60% per year.
During the past 10 years, the average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate was 11.00% per year.
During the past 13 years, the highest 3-Year average Dividends Per Share Growth Rate of Canadian National Railway Co was 29.10% per year. The lowest was 6.60% per year. And the median was 14.10% per year.
The growth rate is calculated with least square regression.
For more information regarding to dividend, please check our Dividend Page.
* Please note that "special dividend" is not included in the calculation of dividend per share and related fields.
Canadian National Railway Co (NYSE:CNI) Dividend Payout Ratio Explanation
In dividends investing, Dividend Payout Ratio and Dividend Growth Rate are the two most important variables for consideration. A lower payout ratio may indicate that the company has more room to increase its dividends.
Canadian National Railway Co Dividend Payout Ratio Related Terms
Canadian National Railway Co Dividend Payout Ratio Historical Data
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Canadian National Railway Co Dividend Payout Ratio Chart
CNI vs UNP, CSX, NSC: Dividend Payout Ratio Comparison
For the Railroads subindustry, Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio, along with its competitors' market caps and Dividend Payout Ratio data, can be viewed below:
* Competitive companies are chosen from companies within the same industry, with headquarter located in same country, with closest market capitalization; x-axis shows the market cap, and y-axis shows the term value; the bigger the dot, the larger the market cap. Note that "N/A" values will not show up in the chart.
Canadian National Railway Co Dividend Payout Ratio vs Transportation Industry
For the Transportation industry and Industrials sector, Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio distribution charts can be found below:
* The bar in red indicates where Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio falls into.
Canadian National Railway Co Dividend Payout Ratio Calculation
The Dividend Payout Ratio is the measure of dividends paid out to shareholders relative to the company's net income. It is calculated as the Dividends per Share divided by the Earnings per Share (Diluted) during the same time period.
Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio for the fiscal year that ended in Dec. 2025 is calculated as
* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD. * For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.
Canadian National Railway Co (CNI) has a Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.51 as of Mar. 2026. Dividend payout ratio is the percent of company earnings paid out as dividends. View historical data on Canadian National Railway Co and its competitors. This is 28% above median its historical median of 0.40. Over the past decade, Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio has ranged from 0.33 to 0.48. According to the industry distribution chart, Canadian National Railway Co ranks #302 out of 566 companies in the Transportation industry, placing it in the top 53.4%.
Is Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio too high?
Canadian National Railway Co's current Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.51 is 28% above median its 10-year median of 0.40. Over the past 10 years, this metric has ranged from a low of 0.33 to a high of 0.48. The Transportation industry median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.45. Canadian National Railway Co's value of 0.51 is 13.3% above this industry median. Based on the distribution chart, Canadian National Railway Co ranks #302 out of 566 companies in the Transportation industry, which is below the industry midpoint. Overall, Canadian National Railway Co has a GF Score™ of 90/100 and is considered Fairly Valued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does Canadian National Railway Co's Dividend Payout Ratio compare to UNP and CSX?
According to the Transportation industry distribution chart, Canadian National Railway Co ranks #302 out of 566 companies for Dividend Payout Ratio. This places Canadian National Railway Co in the lower half of its industry. The industry median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.45. Canadian National Railway Co's value of 0.51 is 13.3% above this benchmark. Historically, Canadian National Railway Co's own Dividend Payout Ratio has ranged from 0.33 to 0.48 over the past decade. While the company's 10-year median is 0.40 vs. the industry median of 0.45, Canadian National Railway Co has consistently been above the industry average. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Dividend Payout Ratio for a Transportation company?
The median Dividend Payout Ratio among Transportation companies is 0.45, based on 566 companies in the industry. Companies in the top quartile (top 25%) have a Dividend Payout Ratio significantly above this median, while those in the bottom quartile fall well below. However, Dividend Payout Ratio should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Canadian National Railway Co's current Dividend Payout Ratio of 0.51 is 13.3% above the industry median. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Dividend Payout Ratio mean?
A high Dividend Payout Ratio can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. Dividend payout ratio is the percent of company earnings paid out as dividends. View historical data on Canadian National Railway Co and its competitors. For the Transportation industry, the median Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.45 — values significantly above this may indicate overvaluation, while values below may suggest a bargain or underlying issues. Canadian National Railway Co's current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.51, which is 28% above median its own 10-year median of 0.40. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is Canadian National Railway Co stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Canadian National Railway Co (CNI) is currently considered Fairly Valued. The stock's GF Value™ is $113.15, compared to a current price of $119.49 — trading 5.6% above its estimated fair value. The current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.51, which is 28% above median its 10-year median of 0.40 and 13.3% above the Transportation industry median of 0.45. Canadian National Railway Co's overall GF Score™ is 90/100 with 8 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Dividend Payout Ratio calculated?
Dividend Payout Ratio is calculated from a company's financial statements. For Canadian National Railway Co (CNI), the current Dividend Payout Ratio is 0.51 as of Mar. 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.
Is Canadian National Railway Co (CNI) Overvalued in 2026?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, Canadian National Railway Co stock appears to be overvalued.
The current stock price of $119.49 is trading 5.6% above its estimated GF Value™ of $113.15.
GuruFocus considers Canadian National Railway Co to be Fairly Valued.
Key valuation signals for CNI:
Dividend Payout Ratio: 0.51 (28% above median its 10-year median of 0.40)
GF Value™: $113.15 vs. price of $119.49 (5.6% above fair value)
Industry Position: 13.3% above the Transportation median (#302 of 566)
No single metric tells the full story. See the CNI stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.
Canadian National's railway spans Canada from coast to coast and extends through Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2025, CN generated CAD 17.7 billion in revenue by hauling intermodal containers (22% of consolidated revenue), petroleum and chemicals (21%), grain and fertilizers (23%), forest products (10%), metals and minerals (11%), automotive shipments (5%), and coal (5%). Other items constitute the remaining revenue.
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