CN (CNI) Q1 Earnings Preview: What You Should Know Beyond the Headline Estimates

Core Insights - Analysts project Canadian National (CNI) will report quarterly earnings of $1.26 per share, a decline of 1.6% year over year, with revenues expected to reach $3.11 billion, down 1.4% from the same quarter last year [1] Earnings Estimates - The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.1% in the past 30 days, indicating a reassessment by covering analysts [2] - Revisions to earnings estimates are significant indicators for predicting investor actions regarding the stock, with empirical research showing a strong correlation between earnings estimate trends and short-term stock price performance [3] Key Metrics Projections - Analysts predict the 'Operating Ratio' will be 63.7%, slightly up from 63.6% a year ago [4] - 'Carloads - Coal' are expected to be 116.94 thousand, up from 112 thousand in the same quarter last year [5] - 'Carloads - Total' is projected to remain at 1.34 million, unchanged from the previous year [5] - 'Carloads - Metals & Minerals' are expected to decline to 228.44 thousand from 240 thousand [5] - 'Carloads - Petroleum & Chemicals' is estimated at 167.29 thousand, up from 165 thousand [6] - 'Carloads - Automotive' is projected at 49.98 thousand, slightly down from 50 thousand [6] - 'Carloads - Intermodal' is expected to be 529.11 thousand, up from 527 thousand [6] - 'Carloads - Forest Products' is projected at 75.3 thousand, down from 78 thousand [7] - 'Carloads - Grain & Fertilizers' is expected to reach 176.64 thousand, up from 171 thousand [7] Revenue Ton Miles Estimates - 'Revenue Ton Miles - Grain & Fertilizers' is estimated at 17.36 billion, up from 17.03 billion [8] - 'Revenue Ton Miles - Coal' is projected to reach 5.04 billion, up from 4.64 billion [8] - 'Revenue Ton Miles - Forest Products' is expected to decline to 5.53 billion from 5.77 billion [9] Stock Performance - CNI shares have changed by -0.4% in the past month, compared to a -4.3% move in the Zacks S&P 500 composite, indicating a potential alignment with overall market performance [10]