Group 1 - CN's President and CEO Tracy Robinson and CFO Ghislain Houle will speak at Morgan Stanley's 13th Annual Laguna Conference on September 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time [1] - The event will be available via live webcast on CN's investor relations website, with a replay accessible after the event [1] Group 2 - CN is a major transportation company that moves over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods across North America annually [2] - The company operates a nearly 20,000-mile rail network that connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since 1919 [2]

Core Points - CN will participate in Morgan Stanley's 13th Annual Laguna Conference on September 11, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, with a live webcast available on its investor website [1] - CN is a major player in the transportation sector, moving over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods across North America annually [2] - The company operates a nearly 20,000-mile rail network that connects Canada's coasts with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since 1919 [2]

Group 1 - The article emphasizes the importance of evaluating Class 1 railroads based on earning power, operating efficiency, and long-term profitability rather than just valuation metrics [1] - It highlights that sustained profitability, characterized by strong margins, stable and expanding free cash flow, and high returns on invested capital, is a more reliable driver of returns [1] - The author manages a portfolio on eToro, focusing on undervalued growth stocks and high-quality dividend growers, indicating a strategic investment approach [1] Group 2 - The author has a diverse academic background, which enhances both quantitative analysis and the interpretation of market narratives [1] - The investment philosophy is centered around ensuring financial freedom through wise asset management, rather than seeking to avoid work altogether [1]

Core Viewpoint - Canadian National Railway (CNI) reported disappointing second-quarter 2025 earnings, missing both earnings and revenue estimates, leading to concerns about its future performance and potential for recovery [2][10]. Financial Performance - CNI's earnings for Q2 2025 were $1.35 per share (C$1.87), missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.37, and remained flat year-over-year [2]. - Revenues for Q2 2025 were $3.09 billion (C$4.3 billion), missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $3.16 billion and declining 2.4% year-over-year [2]. - Revenue ton-miles (RTMs) decreased by 1% year-over-year, while carloads dropped by 0.4% [3]. - Operating expenses fell by 5.2% year-over-year due to cost-cutting efforts [3]. Segment Performance - Freight revenues, which accounted for 95.7% of total revenues, decreased by 1.5% year-over-year, with declines in petroleum and chemicals (5%), metals and minerals (7%), forest products (8%), intermodal (3%), and automotive (6%) [5]. - Revenues from grain and fertilizers rose by 13% compared to 2024 figures, while coal segment revenues remained flat [5][6]. Liquidity and Share Repurchase - CNI ended Q2 with cash and cash equivalents of C$216 million, down from C$232 million in the previous quarter, and long-term debt increased to C$19.3 billion from C$18.9 billion [7]. - CNI generated C$1.75 billion from operating activities and reported free cash flow of C$922 million [7]. - The company repurchased 13.9 million common shares under its previous Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) and has plans to repurchase up to 20 million common shares under the current NCIB [8]. Future Outlook - For full-year 2025, CNI anticipates mid to high-single-digit adjusted earnings per share (EPS) growth, revised down from a previous guidance of 10%-15%, and plans to invest approximately C$3.4 billion in its capital program [10]. - CNI has withdrawn its financial outlook for the 2024-2026 period due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and volatility [10]. - Estimates for the stock have trended downward, indicating a potential for continued underperformance [11][13].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The group reported a 6.4% increase in operating NPAT to AUD 100.8 million, translating to an operating EPS of 12.2 cents per security, and distributions of 10.4 cents per security, both up 4% from the previous year [22][21] - Statutory NPAT was AUD 82.7 million, lower than operating NPAT due to fair valuation impacts of property investments [22] - FY '26 operating EPS guidance is set at 13.4 cents, indicating a significant increase from the current year [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Property Funds Management segment delivered an operating EBITDA of AUD 59.6 million, up from AUD 57.9 million last year, reflecting resilience despite a subdued transactional environment [24] - The Property Investment segment contributed a consolidated EBITDA of AUD 87.7 million, an increase from the prior year [25] - Centuria Bass Credit generated AUD 27 million in operating EBITDA, with AUM expanding over 21% year-on-year to AUD 2.3 billion [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Centuria's transactional activity totaled close to AUD 3 billion, including approximately AUD 500 million of acquisitions and AUD 630 million of real estate finance transactions [10] - The group maintained a high portfolio occupancy rate of 95% with a robust average lease term of 5.3 years [10] - The unlisted platform's performance fees amounted to AUD 7 million booked to P&L, with AUD 32 million collected from divestments [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to target over AUD 1 billion in real estate acquisitions in FY '26, focusing on alternative property markets and innovative fund structures [4][35] - The introduction of Reset Data is expected to contribute to earnings growth, with anticipated revenue generation from its AI marketplace and AI factory starting in FY '26 [4][18] - Centuria plans to continue proactive capital management and seek new lower-cost corporate debt sources [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the improving real estate investment environment due to falling cash rates and increasing transaction volumes [6][35] - The company anticipates a continued increase in investor appetite for real estate funds, driven by lower competing deposit and fixed interest rate returns [7][35] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong balance sheet and liquidity to support growth initiatives [29][30] Other Important Information - Centuria's net asset value per security remained steady at AUD 1.79, with operating gearing at 12.3% [29] - The company has raised an additional AUD 100 million in liquidity and expects to repay its secured ASX listed redeemable notes ahead of maturity [30] - The weighted average debt duration has been extended from 2.3 years to 3.2 years, enhancing financial stability [31] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about payout ratio and DPS guidance - Management acknowledged that their payout ratio has been higher than peers and indicated a minor adjustment to address this, but did not commit to future forecasts [42][44] Question: Clarification on the AUD 1 billion acquisition guidance - The AUD 1 billion figure is a gross number, with approximately AUD 200 million already secured from a recent acquisition [45][46] Question: Potential implications of proportional consolidation of earnings - Management indicated that while there could be implications, they believe the new reporting structure aligns better with peers and enhances transparency [48][50] Question: Guidance on innovative fund structures and potential IPOs - Management confirmed that guidance includes a range of raisings, with ongoing work on new fund structures, but specifics on sectors for potential IPOs are still being developed [51][54] Question: Equity inflows and mix for FY '26 - Management expects a good mix of retail and institutional capital, with a focus on expanding institutional partnerships [58] Question: Competition in the Bass Credit market - Management acknowledged increased competition and margin pressure but noted a recent uptick in market activity [60]

Financial Performance & Guidance - FY25 operating EPS (OEPS) reached 12.2 cents, outperforming guidance, a 4% increase over FY24[17] - FY26 OEPS guidance is set at 13.4 cents, a 10% increase over FY25[17] - The company maintains a FY25 DPS of 10.4 cents and projects the same for FY26[28] - FY25 Statutory NPAT was $82.7 million, with a Statutory EPS of 10.0 cents[85] - FY25 Operating NPAT reached $100.8 million, a 4.3% increase from FY24's $94.7 million[85, 91] Assets Under Management (AUM) - Group AUM stands at $20.6 billion, with real estate comprising $19.7 billion[11] - Unlisted real estate accounts for 70% of the total real estate AUM, amounting to $13.7 billion[11] - Centuria Bass Credit's AUM grew to $2.3 billion over FY25, a 21% year-over-year increase[44] Strategic Initiatives & Transactions - Targeting over $1 billion in real estate acquisitions in FY26[17, 116] - Launched Australia's largest single-asset unlisted industrial fund, valued at $216 million, for Port Adelaide[50, 116] - Completed a $21 million acquisition of a 50% interest in ResetData, focusing on AI Factories[75] - Completed $202 million in gross development projects in FY25[144] REIT Performance & Metrics - Centuria Industrial REIT (CIP) FY26 guidance includes FFO of 18.0-18.5 cents per unit (up to 6% pcp) and a distribution of 16.8 cents per unit (3% over FY25)[56] - CIP's FY25 portfolio saw $140 million in non-core divestments at a 12% average premium to book value[57] - Centuria Office REIT (COF) FY26 guidance includes FFO of 11.1-11.5 cents per unit and a distribution of 10.1 cents per unit[65] - COF's portfolio saw $18 million in valuation growth in 2H FY25[66]

Company Overview - Canadian National (CNI) is headquartered in Montreal, Quebec, and operates in the Transportation sector, specifically in railroads [3] - The stock has experienced a price decline of 8.05% year-to-date [3] Dividend Information - CNI currently pays a dividend of $0.65 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.78%, which is higher than the Transportation - Rail industry's yield of 1.47% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.49% [3] - The annualized dividend of $2.59 represents a 5.7% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, CNI has increased its dividend five times, averaging an annual increase of 7.31% [4] - The current payout ratio is 50%, indicating that CNI pays out half of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year 2025, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for CNI's earnings is projected at $5.75 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 11.00% [5] Investment Considerations - CNI is considered a strong dividend investment opportunity, particularly appealing to income investors due to its solid dividend yield and growth potential [6] - The stock is currently rated with a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a neutral outlook [6]

Company Overview - Canadian National (CNI) is based in Montreal, Quebec, and operates in the Transportation sector, specifically in railroads [3] - The company's shares have experienced a price change of -7.94% this year [3] Dividend Information - CNI currently pays a dividend of $0.65 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 2.77%, which is higher than the Transportation - Rail industry's yield of 1.45% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.48% [3] - The annualized dividend of $2.59 has increased by 5.7% from the previous year [4] - Over the last five years, CNI has raised its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 7.31% [4] - The current payout ratio is 50%, indicating that the company pays out half of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Growth Expectations - For the fiscal year, CNI anticipates solid earnings growth, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 projected at $5.75 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 11.00% [5] Investment Considerations - CNI is viewed as a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile and current Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [6] - Established firms like CNI are often preferred by income investors for their secure profits, although high-growth businesses typically do not offer dividends [6]

"Our Grain Plan reflects CN's unwavering commitment to Canadian agriculture and the global competitiveness of our farmers and grain handlers. We've taken a comprehensive, end-to-end view of the supply chain by investing where it matters most, collaborating with partners, and ensuring we have the people, equipment and processes in place to move the new crop." MONTREAL, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today published its 2025–2026 Grain Plan. The plan demonstrates CN's commitment t ...

CN delivered a record volume of grain during 2024-2025 crop year MONTREAL, July 31, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today published its 2025–2026 Grain Plan. The plan demonstrates CN's commitment to delivering high-performance service through disciplined planning, targeted infrastructure investments, and proactive supply chain collaboration. CN delivered a record volume of grain to both domestic and international markets this past crop year. Current projections suggest Western Canadian mo ...