Canadian National Railway Co. vs Vistra Corp — how do they compare? Canadian National Railway Co. trades at $125.37 (market cap $75.02B), while Vistra Corp trades at $159.3 (market cap $53.42B). 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 (2.07%). Which is the better fit depends on your goals.
| CNI | VST | |
|---|---|---|
Market Cap | $75.02B | $53.42B |
Sector | Industrials | Technology |
52-Week High | $125.31 | $217.92 |
52-Week Low | $90.91 | $134.71 |
Enterprise Value | $90.48B | $75.17B |
Dividend Yield | 2.07% | 0.58% |
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.
Vistra Corp. (VST) trades at $158.12, down 0.47% on the day, with a bullish technical signal from moving averages and neutral oscillators. The company reported strong Q1 2026 earnings beating estimates, with revenue growth from $17.74B in 2025 to $19.4B projected for 2026. Net income margin improved to 11.52%, supported by robust cash flow from operations of $4.07B. Recent news highlights Vistra's positioning in the AI power demand surge and long-term power purchase agreements with major tech firms.
Outlook remains positive with a consensus price target of $230.50, implying significant upside. Key opportunities include exposure to growing electricity demand and strategic renewables focus. Risks involve power-price volatility, high debt levels, and execution of growth projects. Analyst sentiment is strongly bullish with 91% buy ratings, though investors should monitor Q2 2026 earnings due August 7 for confirmation of growth trajectory.
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 →Vistra is a leading integrated retail electricity and power generation company that serves as a critical infrastructure provider for the digital economy. It operates a diversified portfolio of zero-carbon nuclear and renewable assets alongside a massive, flexible natural gas fleet, positioning it as an indispensable partner for energy-intensive AI data centers and industrial electrification.
Read more on VST →