Why Canadian National (CNI) is a Top Dividend Stock for Your Portfolio

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]