Canadian National Railway Co. vs Southwest Airlines Co — how do they compare? Canadian National Railway Co. trades at $125.37 (market cap $75.02B), while Southwest Airlines Co trades at $47.75 (market cap $23.25B). The key difference: Canadian National Railway Co. is far larger — about 3.2× Southwest Airlines Co's market cap, and Canadian National Railway Co. pays the higher dividend (2.07%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNI | LUV | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $75.02B | $23.25B |
Sector | Industrials | Industrials |
52-Week High | $125.31 | $54.80 |
52-Week Low | $90.91 | $29.06 |
Enterprise Value | $90.48B | $26.31B |
Dividend Yield | 2.07% | 1.51% |
Signals from Pluang's Aura AI — not financial advice
Canadian National Railway (CNI) trades at $125.31, up 0.73% with strong technical momentum and bullish moving average signals. The company demonstrates solid fundamentals with 27.23% net income margin and 21.85% ROE, though valuation multiples appear elevated with P/E of 23.44. Recent record grain and propane shipments highlight operational strength, while Q2 2026 earnings due July 24 will be critical for near-term direction.
CNI presents a mixed outlook with strong operational execution offset by premium valuation. The 35% upside to consensus target of $143.25 offers potential, but debt-to-asset ratio rising to 36.61% and competitive pressures warrant caution. Dividend sustainability appears solid with recent $0.92 payout, making it attractive for income investors seeking railroad exposure.
Southwest Airlines (LUV) trades at $47.92, down 1.05% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and a consensus analyst price target of $52.47 suggesting upside. Recent earnings show a mix of beats and a miss, with Q2 2026 results expected soon. The company maintains a solid balance sheet with a debt-to-asset ratio improving to 16.86% in 2025, though net cash flow remains negative due to significant financing activities.
The outlook is cautiously optimistic, driven by potential earnings growth and cost management, but risks include fuel price volatility and competitive pressures. Analyst sentiment is mixed, with 42% buy ratings, highlighting both recovery potential and near-term headwinds for investors.
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 →Southwest Airlines is the largest domestic carrier in the United States, as measured by the number of originating passengers boarded. Southwest operates over 700 aircraft in an all-Boeing 737 fleet. Despite expanding into longer routes and business travel, the airline still specializes in short-haul leisure flights, using a point-to-point network. Southwest operates a low-cost carrier business model.
Read more on LUV →