Core Viewpoint - CN announced a public debt offering of US$700 million, consisting of US$300 million in 4.200% Notes due 2031 and US$400 million in 4.750% Notes due 2035, expected to close on November 12, 2025 [1][2] Group 1: Debt Offering Details - The offering aims to repay US$500 million of 2.75% notes maturing in March 2026 and for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of commercial paper [2] - The debt offering is conducted under an effective shelf registration statement dated April 2, 2024 [2] Group 2: Joint Bookrunners - The joint bookrunners for the debt offering include BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan Securities, RBC Capital Markets, and Wells Fargo Securities, along with a syndicate of other financial institutions [3] Group 3: Company Overview - CN operates a nearly 20,000-mile rail network, transporting over 300 million tons of goods annually across North America, contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since 1919 [6]

Core Points - CN set a new all-time monthly record for grain movement in October, transporting over 3.4 million metric tonnes of grain from Western Canada, an increase of 110,000 metric tonnes from the previous record [1] - The performance highlights the importance of customer collaboration, planning, and execution in achieving operational success [2] - CN continues to implement its winter operations plan as colder months approach, ensuring proactive solutions are in place [3] Company Overview - CN plays a crucial role in the economy by safely transporting over 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods across North America annually [4] - 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 [4]

Core Insights - Bill Gates' investment strategy is heavily concentrated, with 79% of the Gates Foundation Trust's $48 billion portfolio invested in just four stocks, contrasting with the common advice of diversification [2][5] Group 1: Portfolio Composition - Microsoft is the cornerstone of Gates' holdings, comprising about 27% of the portfolio, with over 26 million shares valued at approximately $13 billion [2] - Berkshire Hathaway accounts for roughly 25% of the portfolio, benefiting from its diverse business mix and strong cash flow [3] - Waste Management represents 15% of the portfolio, providing reliable income and growth through sustainable waste-to-energy projects [4] - Canadian National Railway makes up about 12% of the portfolio, offering consistent dividends and a strong economic position [4] Group 2: Investment Philosophy - The Gates Foundation focuses on large, stable companies with proven track records and dividends that support its charitable activities [5] - Concentration in a few durable businesses is seen as a strategic choice rather than recklessness, reflecting confidence in their long-term viability [5] - Gates' substantial net worth, exceeding $100 billion, provides a safety net that allows for this concentrated investment approach without the same risks faced by average investors [6]

Core Insights - CN's President and CEO, Tracy Robinson, will speak at the 25th Annual Scotiabank Transportation and Industrials Conference on November 18, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. ET [1] - CN operates a nearly 20,000-mile rail network, transporting over 300 million tons of goods annually across North America [2] Company Overview - CN has been contributing to sustainable trade and community prosperity since 1919 [2] - The company connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast [2] Event Details - A live webcast of the conference will be available on CN's investor relations website, with a replay accessible after the event [1]

Core Insights - The Canadian National Railway Company (CNI) is identified as a defensive value buy that can stabilize portfolios against AI-led disruptions [1] Group 1: Company Analysis - CNI meets the criteria for an AI-resistant stock, making it a suitable investment option during times of technological upheaval [1] Group 2: Analyst Background - The analysis is conducted by a stock analyst with over 20 years of experience in quantitative research, financial modeling, and risk management, emphasizing a focus on equity valuation and market trends [1] - The analyst has a background as a former Vice President at Barclays, leading teams in model validation and stress testing, which contributes to a deep expertise in both fundamental and technical analysis [1] - The research is co-authored with a partner, combining strengths to deliver high-quality, data-driven insights with a long-term perspective on value creation [1]

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a buy-the-dip opportunity for Canadian National Railway (CNI) amid significant tariff uncertainties affecting its stock performance [1]. Group 1: Company Analysis - Canadian National Railway (CNI) has faced stock price declines due to tariff uncertainties, which have raised concerns about its future performance [1]. - The investment philosophy emphasizes identifying undervalued companies with strong growth potential, focusing on long-term value and disciplined research [1]. Group 2: Investment Strategy - The strategy involves leveraging deep industry insights and rigorous analysis to uncover investment opportunities that can deliver strong returns [1]. - The company aims to provide actionable investment ideas that withstand the test of time, highlighting risks that may impact the investment thesis [1].

Core Viewpoint - The article emphasizes the importance of enabling Javascript and cookies in browsers to prevent access issues, particularly when ad-blockers are enabled [1] Group 1 - The article suggests that users may face restrictions if they have ad-blockers enabled, indicating a need for adjustments in browser settings [1]

Core Viewpoint - The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, valued at $85 billion, is viewed negatively by Canadian railroads, including Canadian Pacific Kansas City and Canadian National, who argue it will harm the industry and reduce customer options [1][2]. Group 1: Industry Concerns - CPKC stated that the merger is "not in the public interest," "unnecessary," and would dominate rail transportation markets, limiting customer choices [2]. - CN's president emphasized that the industry does not require a merger to enhance service, advocating for more cooperation instead of consolidation [3]. - Both CPKC and CN have launched campaigns urging shippers to voice their opposition to the merger to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) [2][3]. Group 2: Regulatory Process - Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern plan to submit their merger application to the STB by early December, seeking to expedite the review process by requesting a 45-day reduction [4]. - The STB's review is anticipated to take between 17 to 22 months, with the timeline for shippers to file notices typically set for 45 days post-application submission [4]. - CPKC's CEO has called for a thorough review of the merger application, indicating that a comprehensive evaluation cannot be completed in less than 16 to 17 months [5][6].

Core Insights - Canadian National (CNI) reported quarterly earnings of $1.33 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $1.28 per share, and showing an increase from $1.26 per share a year ago, resulting in an earnings surprise of +3.91% [1] - The company generated revenues of $3.02 billion for the quarter ended September 2025, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.98%, and showing a slight increase from $3.01 billion year-over-year [2] - The stock has underperformed the market, losing about 8.1% since the beginning of the year compared to the S&P 500's gain of 16% [3] Earnings Outlook - The current consensus EPS estimate for the upcoming quarter is $1.45 on revenues of $3.23 billion, and for the current fiscal year, it is $5.40 on revenues of $12.43 billion [7] - The estimate revisions trend for CNI was unfavorable prior to the earnings release, resulting in a Zacks Rank 5 (Strong Sell) for the stock, indicating expected underperformance in the near future [6] Industry Context - The Transportation - Rail industry, to which CNI belongs, is currently in the bottom 10% of over 250 Zacks industries, suggesting a challenging environment for stocks in this sector [8]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a 6% growth in EPS, reaching $1.83 compared to $1.72 in the previous year [27] - Revenues increased by 1% year-over-year, driven by a 1% rise in RTMs and a 5% increase in carloads [21][27] - The operating ratio improved by 170 basis points to 61.4%, compared to 63.1% in the previous year [27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Volume growth was approximately 1% in RTMs and 5% in carloads, although overall volumes were softer than expected, particularly in merchandise segments due to macroeconomic and tariff pressures [11][21] - Intermodal volumes increased, with domestic units up 18% and international units up 14% [24] - Petroleum and chemical volumes rose across major segments, with plastics and chemical RTMs up 8% [23] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Canadian grain harvest is expected to be a record crop, despite a slower start [22] - Forest products, particularly lumber, saw a year-over-year decline due to weak demand and increased duties [23] - The company experienced market share gains in chemicals and plastics, with recent successes in domestic intermodal [24][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on a capital spend of $2.8 billion for 2026, down nearly $600 million from the current year's level, to address capacity bottlenecks and optimize fleet size [5][20] - There is an emphasis on enhancing shareholder value through increased free cash flow and accelerated share buybacks [7][8] - The company is committed to operational efficiency and productivity improvements, targeting a reduction of $75 million in management labor costs [6][11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenges posed by a weak macroeconomic environment and unexpected shocks from tariffs and labor [4][9] - The outlook for 2026 indicates limited volume growth, with expectations of a weak North American industrial production and housing starts [9][32] - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to adapt and find growth opportunities despite external challenges [10][66] Other Important Information - The company has seen a 14% increase in free cash flow year-to-date, with expectations for continued acceleration into 2026 [11][31] - The company is actively participating in merger reviews to protect its franchise and competition in the industry [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Concerns about CapEx cuts and capacity - Management reassured that the capital cuts will not jeopardize capacity, as significant growth opportunities have already been addressed [36][39] Question: Opportunities in commercial strategy for 2026 - Management highlighted a diversified book of business and ongoing efforts to drive market share gains, particularly in energy and agriculture [43][45] Question: Risks associated with M&A activity - Management emphasized that further consolidation may not be beneficial for the industry and expressed readiness to protect their network if necessary [48][51] Question: Challenges in forecasting - Management acknowledged the difficulties in forecasting due to macroeconomic volatility and emphasized the need for agility in responding to changes [56][58]