Van ECK Associates Corp Has $18.40 Million Stock Holdings in Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI)

Van ECK Associates Corp trimmed its holdings in Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI - Free Report) TSE: CNR by 22.2% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 181,350 shares of the transportation company's stock after selling 51,760 shares during the period. Van ECK Associates Corp's holdings in Canadian National Railway were worth $18,404,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Fortitude Family Office LLC grew its stake in Canadian National Railway by 738.7% in the third quarter. Fortitude Family Office LLC now owns 260 shares of the transportation company's stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 229 shares during the period. Coastline Trust Co acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth about $34,000. Arlington Trust Co LLC acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway during the fourth quarter worth about $30,000. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its position in shares of Canadian National Railway by 48.2% during the fourth quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 332 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 108 shares during the period. Finally, Reston Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Canadian National Railway during the third quarter worth about $41,000. 80.74% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on CNI shares. Stephens reaffirmed an "equal weight" rating and set a $116.00 price objective on shares of Canadian National Railway in a research report on Wednesday, October 23rd. Citigroup upgraded Canadian National Railway from a "neutral" rating to a "buy" rating and upped their target price for the stock from $126.00 to $130.00 in a report on Tuesday, November 12th. Stifel Nicolaus upped their target price on Canadian National Railway from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Friday, January 31st. Bank of America dropped their target price on Canadian National Railway from $119.00 to $112.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, January 8th. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price objective on Canadian National Railway from $125.00 to $115.00 and set a "neutral" rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, January 8th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, seven have assigned a buy rating and four have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $124.19.

Canadian National Railway Price Performance

NYSE:CNI traded down $0.37 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $102.42. 964,206 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,384,078. The company has a market capitalization of $64.35 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.00, a P/E/G ratio of 1.91 and a beta of 0.91. Canadian National Railway has a 1-year low of $98.69 and a 1-year high of $134.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.94, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.48. The business has a 50 day moving average of $102.71 and a 200 day moving average of $109.56.

Canadian National Railway (NYSE:CNI - Get Free Report) TSE: CNR last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The transportation company reported $1.30 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.39 by ($0.09). Canadian National Railway had a return on equity of 22.48% and a net margin of 26.09%. Research analysts forecast that Canadian National Railway will post 5.5 EPS for the current year.

Canadian National Railway Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Monday, March 10th will be given a dividend of $0.6159 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 10th. This represents a $2.46 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.41%. This is an increase from Canadian National Railway's previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Canadian National Railway's dividend payout ratio is currently 46.68%.

Canadian National Railway Profile

Canadian National Railway Company, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the rail, intermodal, trucking, and marine transportation and logistics business in Canada and the United States. The company provides rail services, which include equipment, custom brokerage services, transloading and distribution, business development and real estate, and private car storage services; and intermodal services, such as temperature controlled cargo, port partnerships, and logistics parks.