How a New Intermodal Rail Link and Board Appointment Could Shape CN Railway’s (TSX:CNR) Strategy

Simply Wall St
  • On September 9, 2025, CN and CSX announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to introduce a new intermodal rail service connecting Canada’s West Coast ports to Nashville, replacing a trucking segment with a direct rail link for faster, more sustainable supply chain solutions.
  • In addition, Madeleine Paquin, former CEO of LOGISTEC Corporation and an industry leader with extensive board experience, is set to join Canadian National Railway’s Board of Directors in October, bringing deep logistics and corporate governance expertise to the company.
  • We will explore how adding an accomplished logistics expert to the board may influence Canadian National Railway’s operational focus and growth outlook.

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Canadian National Railway Investment Narrative Recap

To own Canadian National Railway (CNR), an investor needs to believe in the company’s ability to capture sustained growth from shifting supply chains, resilient North American trade, and operational excellence, even as industrial demand shows signs of pressure. The recent appointment of a logistics expert to the board and new intermodal initiatives may strengthen CNR’s long-term position, but they are unlikely to materially shift the most immediate catalyst, volume recovery, or the most present risk, which is continued flat demand.

Among recent announcements, the September MOU with CSX to launch a new all-rail intermodal corridor into Nashville stands out as most relevant. This agreement supports management’s efforts to win more share in profitable intermodal freight, directly linked to the company’s core catalysts, while addressing modal shift risks from both trucking and shifting routes.

However, while these initiatives expand options for CNR, investors should be aware that persistent macroeconomic headwinds, tariff uncertainty, and weak industrial volumes...

Read the full narrative on Canadian National Railway (it's free!)

Canadian National Railway's outlook points to CA$19.6 billion in revenue and CA$5.6 billion in earnings by 2028. This implies 4.6% annual revenue growth and a CA$1.0 billion increase in earnings from the current CA$4.6 billion level.

Uncover how Canadian National Railway's forecasts yield a CA$152.76 fair value, a 20% upside to its current price.

Exploring Other Perspectives

TSX:CNR Community Fair Values as at Sep 2025

Simply Wall St Community members submitted 12 fair value estimates for CNR, ranging from CA$119.13 to CA$170.48. While opinions on value widely differ, ongoing macro uncertainty and shifting trade routes remain crucial factors for the company’s future performance.

Explore 12 other fair value estimates on Canadian National Railway - why the stock might be worth as much as 34% more than the current price!

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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