Sciencast Management LP Invests $742,000 in Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI)

Sciencast Management LP acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 7,311 shares of the transportation company’s stock, valued at approximately $742,000.

A number of other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in CNI. Avior Wealth Management LLC raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 103.4% in the third quarter. Avior Wealth Management LLC now owns 2,427 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $284,000 after buying an additional 1,234 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 8.9% in the third quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 5,278 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $618,000 after buying an additional 431 shares in the last quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 41.8% in the third quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 9,644 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,130,000 after buying an additional 2,845 shares in the last quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 7.1% in the third quarter. Moors & Cabot Inc. now owns 6,060 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $710,000 after buying an additional 400 shares in the last quarter. Finally, King Luther Capital Management Corp raised its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 2.3% in the third quarter. King Luther Capital Management Corp now owns 8,932 shares of the transportation company’s stock valued at $1,046,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 80.74% of the company’s stock.

Canadian National Railway Stock Down 1.1 %

Shares of NYSE:CNI opened at $96.71 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $101.27 and a 200-day moving average of $107.21. The company has a market capitalization of $60.77 billion, a PE ratio of 18.89, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.95 and a beta of 0.91. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.66. Canadian National Railway has a 52-week low of $93.64 and a 52-week high of $132.73.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI) (TSE:CNR) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.39 by ($0.09). Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 26.09%. On average, equities analysts predict that Canadian National Railway will post 5.52 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be paid a $0.6159 dividend. This is a boost from Canadian National Railway’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $2.46 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. Canadian National Railway’s payout ratio is currently 47.66%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on CNI shares. Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Barclays dropped their price target on shares of Canadian National Railway from $121.00 to $112.00 and set an “equal weight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 17th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from $119.00 to $112.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Loop Capital downgraded shares of Canadian National Railway from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, January 31st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, seven have issued a buy rating and four have issued a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $124.19.

Canadian National Railway Profile

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.