MONTREAL- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today reported its financial and operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026.
* Delivered diluted earnings per share (EPS) increase of 10%, or 11% on an adjusted basis and 12% on an adjusted basis at constant currency (1)
* Raised 2026 financial guidance, now assuming low single-digit RTM growth and expecting mid-to-high single-digit adjusted diluted EPS growth
* Achieved revenue ton miles (RTMs) increase of 5% year over year with strong overall volumes driven primarily by grain and energy products
* Realized record first half and second quarter fuel efficiency performance
* Repurchased approximately 3 million shares for C$454 million
* Generated free cash flow of C$1,842 million, an increase of 19% for the first half of 2026 (consisting of net cash provided by operating activities of C$2,876 million and net cash used in investing activities of C$1,034 million) (1)
'I want to thank the CN team for the strong results this quarter, which reflect their discipline, focus, and execution. We delivered on our key commitments, with solid operational and commercial performance, improved productivity, strong cash flow generation, and continued financial discipline. We are raising our full-year guidance, supported by sustained business momentum and our continued ability to deliver results for our customers.'
Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN
Second-Quarter 2026 Results Highlights
CN saw improvements across operating metrics, with strong commercial and service performance. Gross ton miles (GTMs) increased by 3% to 121,082 (millions), while RTMs increased by 5% to 62,250 (millions). The Company delivered diluted EPS of C$2.06, an increase of 10%, and adjusted diluted EPS of C$2.08, an increase of 11%, or C$2.09 on an adjusted basis at constant currency, an increase of 12%. (1)
The quarter's operating performance reflects the Company's continued priority on operational execution as well as its ability to provide solid service to customers, allowing it to capture demand in grain and in other markets.
Quarterly Financial Results Highlights
Second-quarter 2026 compared to second-quarter 2025
Revenues of C$4,753 million, an increase of C$481 million, or 11%.
Operating income of C$1,781 million, an increase of C$143 million, or 9%, and adjusted operating income of C$1,798 million, an increase of C$160 million, or 10%. (1)
Operating ratio, defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, of 62.5%, an increase of 80 basis points, and adjusted operating ratio of 62.2%, an increase of 50 basis points. (1)
Net income of C$1,249 million, an increase of C$77 million, or 7%, and adjusted net income of C$1,261 million, an increase of C$89 million, or 8%. (1)
Diluted EPS of C$2.06, an increase of 10% and adjusted diluted EPS of C$2.08, an increase of 11%, or C$2.09 on an adjusted basis at constant currency, an increase of 12%. (1)
Net cash provided by operating activities of C$2,876 million and net cash used in investing activities of C$1,034 million for the first half of 2026.
Free cash flow for the first half of 2026 was C$1,842 million, an increase of C$294 million, or 19%. (1)
Adjusted EBITDA reported for the twelve months ended June 30, 2026 of C$8,832 million, an increase of 4%. (1)
Adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA of 2.61 times as at and for the twelve months ended June 30, 2026. (1)
Repurchased approximately 2.9 million shares in the second quarter of 2026 for C$454 million.
Quarterly Operating Performance Highlights *
Second-quarter 2026 compared to second-quarter 2025
GTMs increased 3% to 121,082 (millions).
RTMs increased 5% to 62,250 (millions).
Through dwell increased by 4% to 7.1 (entire railroad, hours).
Car velocity decreased by 1% to 211 (car miles per day).
Through network train speed increased by 1% to 19.1 (mph).
Fuel efficiency of 0.836 (US gallons of locomotive fuel consumed per 1,000 GTMs), was 3% more efficient.
Train length increased by 1% to 8,084 (feet).
GTMs per average number of employees increased 9% to 5,105 (thousands).
Operating expenses per GTM increased 9% to 2.45 (cents).
Statistical operating data and key operating measures are unaudited and based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available.
Dividends
CN's Board of Directors has approved a third-quarter 2026 dividend on the Company's common shares outstanding. A quarterly dividend of ninety-one and a half cents (C$0.9150) per common share will be paid on September 29, 2026, to shareholders of record at the close of business on September 8, 2026.
Revised 2026 financial guidance (1)(2)
Based on strong volume and solid operational execution in the first half of the year, the Company now assumes to deliver low single-digit RTM growth in 2026 (compared to its January 30, 2026 assumption of flattish growth). The Company now expects adjusted diluted EPS growth in the mid-to-high single-digit range (compared to its January 30, 2026 expectation of slightly exceeding RTM growth).
In 2026, CN continues to plan to invest approximately C$2.8 billion in its capital program, net of amounts reimbursed by customers. The Company also expects to continue improving its free cash flow conversion throughout 2026.
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
CN's senior officers will review the results and the railway's outlook in a conference call starting at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on July 24, 2026. Tracy Robinson, CN President and Chief Executive Officer, will lead the call. Parties wishing to participate via telephone may dial 1-800-715-9871 (Canada/U.S.), or 1-647-932-3411 (International), using 2015414 as the passcode. Participants are advised to dial in 10 minutes prior to the call.
(1) Non-GAAP Measures
CN reports its financial results in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). CN may also use non-GAAP measures in this news release that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. For further details of these non-GAAP measures, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, refer to the attached supplementary schedule, Non-GAAP Measures.
CN's outlook, guidance or targets (2) exclude certain adjustments, which are expected to be comparable to adjustments made in prior years. However, management cannot individually quantify on a forward-looking basis the impact of these adjustments, which could be significant, are difficult to predict and may be highly variable. As a result, CN does not provide a corresponding GAAP measure for, or reconciliation to, its outlook, guidance or targets.
(2) Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this news release constitute 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws, including statements based on management's assessment and assumptions and publicly available information with respect to CN. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. CN cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as 'believes,' 'expects,' 'anticipates,' 'assumes,' 'outlook,' 'plans,' 'targets,' 'goals,' or other similar words.
2026 key assumptions
CN has made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its 2026 outlook. The 2025/2026 grain crops in Canada and the U.S. were above their respective five-year averages. The Company continues to assume that the 2026/2027 grain crops in Canada and the U.S. will be in line with their respective five-year averages. CN now assumes low single-digit RTM growth (compared to its January 30, 2026 assumption of flattish growth). CN now assumes that in 2026, the value of the Canadian dollar in U.S. currency will be $0.71 (compared to its April 29, 2026 assumption of $0.73), and continues to assume that in 2026 the average price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) will be in the range of US$80 - US$110 per barrel. The Company notes there is a heightened demand risk as a result of volatile macroeconomic conditions, geopolitical conflicts and global trade tensions.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of CN to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting global supply chains such as pandemics and geopolitical conflicts or tensions; trade restrictions, trade barriers, or the imposition of tariffs or other changes to international trade arrangements; industry competition; inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations; changes in fuel prices; legislative and/or regulatory developments; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; actions by regulators and other regulatory claims or proceedings; increases in maintenance and operating costs; security threats; reliance on technology, including the use of artificial intelligence, and related cybersecurity risk; transportation of hazardous materials; various events which could disrupt operations, including illegal blockades of rail networks, and natural events such as severe weather, droughts, fires, floods and earthquakes; climate change; labor negotiations and disruptions; environmental claims; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings and other types of claims and litigation; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; timing and completion of capital programs; the availability of and cost competitiveness of renewable fuels and the development of new locomotive propulsion technology; reputational risks; supplier concentration; pension funding requirements and volatility; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should also be made to Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CN's annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F, filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators and available on CN's website, for a description of major risk factors relating to CN.
The achievement of CN's climate goals is subject to several risks and uncertainties, including those disclosed in the MD&A in CN's annual and interim reports. There can be no certainty that the Company will achieve any or all of these goals within the stated timeframe, or that achieving any of these goals will meet all of the expectations of its stakeholders or applicable legal requirements.
Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this news release.
This earnings news release, as well as additional information, including the Financial Statements, Notes thereto and MD&A, is contained in CN's Quarterly Review available on the Company's website at www.cn.ca/financial-results and on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca as well as on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov through EDGAR.
About CN
CN powers the economy by safely transporting more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year for its customers. With its nearly 20,000-mile rail network and related transportation services, CN connects Canada's Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. Midwest and the U.S. Gulf Coast, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.
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