Canadian National Railway Co. vs W W Grainger Inc — how do they compare? Canadian National Railway Co. trades at $126.3 (market cap $76.28B), while W W Grainger Inc trades at $1,305.49 (market cap $61.32B). The key difference: Canadian National Railway Co. is the larger of the two by market cap, and Canadian National Railway Co. pays the higher dividend (2.06%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNI | GWW | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $76.28B | $61.32B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $130.58 | $1.40K |
52-Week Low | $90.91 | $918.18 |
Enterprise Value | $92.31B | $63.53B |
Dividend Yield | 2.06% | 0.77% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
CNI trades at $126.29, up 0.91% on the day, with a neutral technical signal and bullish moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 earnings, beating estimates with EPS of $1.50, and raised its full-year guidance, driven by record grain volumes and operational efficiency. Financials show solid profitability with a net income margin of 26.92% and ROE of 22.02%, though valuation ratios like P/E of 22.62 appear elevated.
The outlook is positive due to robust operational performance and raised guidance, but risks include stretched valuation, economic sensitivity, and competitive pressures. Analyst consensus is a Buy with a $152.38 price target, implying potential upside, though recent downgrades highlight valuation concerns.
W.W. Grainger (GWW) trades at $1,304.88, up 0.57% today, with a bearish technical signal from moving averages. The company reported strong Q2 2026 results, beating EPS and revenue estimates, and raised its full-year outlook. Revenue grew to $18.8 billion in 2026, with a net income margin of 9.92%. Analyst consensus is a 'Hold' with a $1,320 price target, though institutional sentiment is mixed amid high valuation multiples.
GWW's earnings momentum and market share gains support upside potential, but elevated P/E of 33.19 and bearish technicals pose near-term risks. Investors should weigh robust fundamentals against valuation concerns and macroeconomic pressures affecting industrial demand.
Trailing returns across standard periods
Latest headlines on both assets
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 →Grainger is a leading broad-line distributor of maintenance, repair, and operating (MRO) products. It serves millions of customers worldwide through an integrated network of branches and digital platforms.
Read more on GWW →