CN

Class I railroads keep optimistic outlooks despite trade uncertainty

Despite mounting uncertainty over tariffs, trade policy and the economy, most major railroads held firm on their 2025 outlooks — contrasting with a wave of guidance cuts across other industries.

Among the five publicly traded Class I railroads, Canadian National, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific kept their guidance intact, while Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CSX made slight downward adjustments during their first-quarter earnings calls over the past three weeks.

The guidance serves as a key...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/class-i-railroads-keep-optimistic-outlooks-despite-trade-uncertainty

CN’s first-quarter earnings grow despite impact of severe weather

Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) reported stronger first-quarter earnings Thursday despite the impact of harsh winter weather across its system, which crimped train length and the railway’s ability to meet demand for intermodal and merchandise service. 

“We are very pleased today to be reporting strong first-quarter results,” CEO Tracy Robinson said on the railway’s earnings call, pointing to 8% earnings growth and an improved operating ratio. “This gives us a good start on the year, particularly...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cns-first-quarter-earnings-grow-despite-impact-of-severe-weather

First look: CN earnings

Canadian National (NYSE: CNI) achieved notable improvements across key performance metrics during the first quarter as revenue and profits were higher year on year despite challenging winter conditions.

For the three months ending March 31, revenue ton-miles (RTMs) saw a 1% increase to 60 billion, while total revenues grew by $111 million to reach $3.18 billion, a 4% increase. Operating income also showed positive momentum, rising by $46 million to $1.2 billion, a 4% improvement.

All freight...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/first-look-cn-earnings

Arbitrator awards 3% raises for CN employees represented by TCRC

Canadian National train service employees represented by the Teamsters Canada Rail Conference will get a 3% annual raise under an arbitrator’s contract decision.

Arbitrator William Kaplan released his decision Monday on the three-year contract, which runs from Jan. 1, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2026.

When CN (NYSE: CNI) and the TCRC were unable to reach a negotiated settlement during their contract talks, the Canada Industrial Relations Board sent the matter to binding arbitration in August 2024...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/arbitrator-awards-3-raises-for-cn-employees-represented-by-tcrc

Mexico boosted CPKC, FXE in 2024 as other railroads saw weaker revenue

The fourth quarter of 2024 saw mixed results for North America’s seven largest freight railroads, reflecting ongoing economic uncertainties and shifting trade patterns, but carriers should see steady if unspectacular results in 2025 after taking proactive measures, according to a new study.

Consultant Oliver Wyman surveyed key performance metrics, and found revenue performance in Q4 2024 was generally flat or slightly down compared to Q4 2023, continuing the slower business trends seen...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/mexico-boosted-cpkc-fxe-in-2024-as-other-railroads-saw-weaker-revenue

México aumentó CPKC, FXE en 2024, ya que otros ferrocarriles vieron ingresos más débiles

El cuarto trimestre de 2024 vio resultados mixtos para los siete ferrocarriles de carga más grandes de América del Norte, lo que refleja las incertidumbres económicas en curso y los patrones comerciales cambiantes, pero los transportistas deben ver resultados estables aunque poco espectaculares en 2025 después de tomar medidas proactivas, según un nuevo estudio. El […]

Esta entrada México aumentó CPKC, FXE en 2024, ya que otros ferrocarriles vieron ingresos más débiles Aparece primero en FullAvan...

https://fullavantenews.com/mexico-aumento-cpkc-fxe-en-2024-ya-que-otros-ferrocarriles-vieron-ingresos-mas-debiles/?lang=es

CPKC container dwell better but still a concern at top Canada port

Container dwell times at the Port of Vancouver, Canada’s busiest intermodal hub, continue to be a significant issue since the start of the year.

Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) has been particularly affected, with over 89,000 feet of containers sitting at Deltaport for more than seven days, according to port data. This is an improvement from the peak of nearly 160,000 feet in mid-March, but still presents a substantial challenge. In contrast, Canadian National (CN) has managed to decrease...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/cpkc-container-dwell-better-but-still-a-concern-at-top-canada-port

Proposed US port fees on Chinese vessels may alter intermodal shipping patterns

A Trump administration port fee proposal designed to boost the U.S. shipbuilding industry could scramble international intermodal traffic, shift some container business to ports in Canada and Mexico, and help Canadian National and Canadian Pacific Kansas City railroads in the process.

In February, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative floated a plan to impose steep fees on Chinese vessels that call on U.S. ports. Vessels operated by Chinese companies would face a $1 million port call fee....

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/proposed-us-port-fees-on-chinese-vessels-may-alter-intermodal-shipping-patterns

Former CN and CP executive to lead Belt Railway of Chicago

The Belt Railway of Chicago (BRC) has appointed longtime railroad executive Jerry Peck as president and general manager.

Peck, who started railroading in 1973 in train service with the Illinois Central, later worked for two decades at Canadian National (NYSE: CNI), ascending to general manager before taking the same position with Canadian Pacific (NYSE: CP), in the U.S. East region. He most recently served as a consultant with Loram, a provider of rail maintenance-of-way services.

The Belt...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/former-cn-and-cp-executive-to-lead-belt-railway-of-chicago

US weekly rail volume falls compared to 2024

United States rail traffic fell below year-ago levels for the week ending Feb. 22, halting a string of three weeks of traffic gains.

According to statistics from the Association of American Railroads, total volume was 458,514 carloads and intermodal units, down 5.1% from the same week a year ago. That included 193,252 carloads, a 13.6% decrease, and 265,261 containers and trailers, up 2.3%.

The last time 2025 traffic was below 2024 levels was the week ending Jan. 25, off 2.5%.

All but one carload...

https://www.freightwaves.com/news/us-weekly-rail-volume-falls-compared-to-2024

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