How Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) Strengthens a Long-Term Dividend Stock Portfolio

Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is included among the Best Retirement Stocks for a Dividend Stock Portfolio.

Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is engaged in the rail and related transportation business. The stock has fallen 20% over the past year, pressured by strikes, wildfires, and rising costs that weighed on profits in 2024, even though revenue saw a slight uptick. In 2025, US tariffs are reducing trade volumes in key markets, creating uncertainty around demand and making it harder for the company to provide guidance through 2026. CN runs a 20,000-mile rail network linking Canadian ports on both coasts with the US Gulf Coast.

Despite facing challenges, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) has continued to show strong operational performance. Its second-quarter results highlighted this strength, as the company managed to boost profitability even in a slow trade environment. The operating ratio improved to 61.7% in the quarter, a 2.3% decrease from the previous year, underscoring the company’s efficiency in converting revenue into profit.

In addition, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE:CNI) is popular among investors because the company holds a 29-year track record of consistent dividend growth. The company offers a quarterly dividend of C$0.8875 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.76%, as of September 21.

While we acknowledge the potential of CNI as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

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