Canadian National Railway Co. vs Ecolab Inc. — how do they compare? Canadian National Railway Co. trades at $126.3 (market cap $75.59B), while Ecolab Inc. trades at $285.5 (market cap $79.73B). The key difference: Canadian National Railway Co. and Ecolab Inc. are close in size by market cap, and Canadian National Railway Co. pays the higher dividend (2.08%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNI | ECL | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $75.59B | $79.73B |
Sector | Industrials | Consumer Cyclical |
52-Week High | $130.58 | $308.35 |
52-Week Low | $90.91 | $245.73 |
Enterprise Value | $91.60B | $88.51B |
Dividend Yield | 2.08% | 1.03% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Canadian National Railway (CNI) trades at $126.60, up 0.16% with neutral technical signals. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results with EPS of $1.50 beating estimates by 7.9% and raised full-year guidance. Fundamentals show solid profitability with 26.92% net margin and 22.02% ROE, though valuation appears elevated at 22.77 P/E. Recent news highlights record grain movements and over 300 customer growth projects across CN's network.
CNI presents a mixed outlook with strong operational execution offset by valuation concerns. The 20% upside to consensus price target of $152.38 offers potential, but debt levels rising to 36.61% of assets and competitive pressures warrant caution. Earnings consistency remains key with Q3 results pending.
ECL trades at $285.17, up 0.6% today, with a bullish technical signal and strong analyst support. The company reported Q2 2026 EPS of $2.09, beating estimates, and raised full-year guidance. Revenue growth remains steady, with a net income margin of 12.57% and robust cash flow from operations of $2.95B in 2025. Recent news highlights dividend declarations and institutional buying interest.
Outlook is positive with a consensus price target of $327.90, implying 15% upside. Risks include elevated valuation multiples and potential margin pressure from input costs. The stock's momentum is supported by earnings beats and strategic acquisitions, but investors should monitor debt levels and competitive dynamics in the water and hygiene sector.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Canadian National's railway spans Canada from coast to coast and extends through Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico. In 2019, CN delivered almost 6 million carloads over its 19,600 miles of track. CN generated roughly CAD 14 billion in total revenue by hauling intermodal containers (25% of consolidated revenue), petroleum and chemicals (21%), grain and fertilizers (16%), forest products (12%), metals and mining (11%), automotive shipments (6%), and coal (4%). Other items constitute the remaining revenue.
Read more on CNI →Ecolab produces and markets cleaning and sanitation products for the hospitality, healthcare, and industrial markets. The firm is the global market share leader in this category with a wide array of products and services, including dish and laundry washing systems, pest control, and infection control products. The company has a strong hold on the U.S. market and is looking to increase its profitability abroad. Additionally, Ecolab serves customers in water, manufacturing, and life sciences end markets, selling customized solutions.
Read more on ECL →