Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) Shares Sold by Principal Financial Group Inc.

Principal Financial Group Inc. trimmed its position in shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) by 1.4% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 91,000 shares of the transportation company’s stock after selling 1,300 shares during the period. Principal Financial Group Inc.’s holdings in Canadian National Railway were worth $9,236,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Coastline Trust Co acquired a new position in Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth $34,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway during the fourth quarter worth $30,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. increased its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 48.2% during the fourth 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. Reston Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Sanctuary Wealth Management L.L.C. purchased a new stake in shares of Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth $56,000. 80.74% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Canadian National Railway Stock Performance

NYSE:CNI opened at $101.38 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.48. Canadian National Railway has a 12 month low of $98.69 and a 12 month high of $134.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $63.69 billion, a PE ratio of 19.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.91. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $102.53 and its 200 day moving average price is $109.07.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) last released its quarterly earnings data 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%. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Canadian National Railway will post 5.52 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $0.6159 dividend. This represents a $2.46 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.43%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This is an increase from Canadian National Railway’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Canadian National Railway’s dividend payout ratio is currently 47.66%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the company. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price objective on Canadian National Railway from $125.00 to $123.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, January 13th. Jefferies Financial Group raised Canadian National Railway from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $120.00 price objective on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their price objective on Canadian National Railway from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America cut their price objective on Canadian National Railway from $119.00 to $112.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Citigroup raised Canadian National Railway from a “neutral” rating to a “buy” rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $126.00 to $130.00 in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $124.19.

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.