Last week's RBC Canadian Industrials Conference reinforced a broadly constructive backdrop for the rails, with pricing trending ahead of inflation and improving network fluidity across CN Rail (CNR.TO), CPKC (CP.TO), report RBC Capital Markets analysts Walter Spracklin and James MacGarragle.
Key takeaways:
On CN, the Western Canada infrastructure buildout (Edson Subdivision, Zanardi Rapids Bridge, Glen Valley to Abrahamson) sets the stage for meaningful operating leverage as volumes recover.
For CPKC, the analysts believe KCS synergies are on track to be fully realized by year-end, two years ahead of schedule, though the bigger story remains the Mexico opportunity which is still in the "first inning".
Price: $159.76, Change: $+0.01, Percent Change: +0.01%