MONTREAL, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) today reported its financial and operating results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024.
"Thanks to our team and the strength of our operating model, we were able to quickly recover from several shocks across the supply chain in 2024. We have good momentum as 2025 begins, and we are well positioned to drive growth with our customers and operating leverage across our system."
- Tracy Robinson, President and Chief Executive Officer, CN
Financial results highlights
Fourth-quarter 2024 compared to fourth-quarter 2023
- Revenue ton miles (RTMs) of 59,305 (millions), a decrease of 3%.
- Revenues of C$4,358 million, a decrease of C$113 million, or 3%.
- Operating income of C$1,628 million, a decrease of C$190 million, or 10%.
- Operating ratio, defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenues, of 62.6%, an increase of 3.3-points.
- Diluted earnings per share (EPS) of C$1.82, a decrease of 45%, or a decrease of 10% on an adjusted basis. (1)
Full-year 2024 compared to full-year 2023
- RTMs of 235,538 (millions), an increase of 1%.
- Revenues of C$17,046 million, an increase of C$218 million, or 1%.
- Operating income of C$6,247 million, a decrease of C$350 million, or 5%.
- Operating ratio of 63.4%, an increase of 2.6 points, and adjusted operating ratio of 62.9%, an increase of 2.1 points. (1)
- Diluted EPS of C$7.01, a decrease of 18% and adjusted diluted EPS of C$7.10, a decrease of 2%. (1)
- Return on invested capital (ROIC) of 12.9%, a decrease of 3.9 points and adjusted ROIC of 13.1%, a decrease of 1.4-points. (1)
2025 guidance and long-term financial outlook (1)(2)
In 2025, CN expects to deliver 10%-15% adjusted diluted EPS growth and plans to invest approximately C$3.4 billion in its capital program, net of amounts reimbursed by customers.
Over the 2024-2026 period, CN continues to target compounded annual adjusted diluted EPS growth in the high single-digit range.
Shareholder returns
The Company's Board of Directors approved a 5% increase to CN's 2025 quarterly cash dividend, effective for the first quarter of 2025. This is the 29th consecutive year of dividend increases, demonstrating our confidence in the long-term financial health of the Company. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors also approved a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) that permits CN to purchase, for cancellation, over a 12-month period up to 20 million common shares, starting on February 4, 2025, and ending no later than February 3, 2026. CN continues to manage to its adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA target of 2.5x. (1)(2)
CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS
CN's senior officers will review the results and the railway's outlook in a conference call starting at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time on January 30. 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 1405609 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 also uses 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 full-year and long-term adjusted diluted EPS outlook and adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA target(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 on its adjusted diluted EPS and adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA because these items, 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 adjusted diluted EPS outlook or its adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA target.
(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" or other similar words.
2025 key assumptions
CN has made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its 2025 outlook. The Company assumes North American industrial production growth of approximately 1% in 2025. For the 2024/2025 crop year, the grain crop in Canada was in line with its five-year average and the U.S. grain crop was above its five-year average. The Company assumes that the 2025/2026 grain crops in Canada and the U.S. will be in line with their respective five-year averages. CN assumes RTM growth will be in the low to mid single-digit range. CN also assumes that in 2025, the value of the Canadian dollar in U.S. currency will be approximately $0.70, and assumes that in 2025 the average price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) will be in the range of US$70 - US$80 per barrel.
2024-2026 key assumptions
CN has made a number of economic and market assumptions in preparing its three-year financial perspective. CN assumes that the North American industrial production will increase by approximately 1% CAGR over the 2024 to 2026 period. CN assumes continued pricing above rail inflation. CN assumes that the value of the Canadian dollar in U.S. currency will be approximately $0.70 and that the average price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) will be in the range of US$70 - US$80 per barrel during this period.
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 and tensions; 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; increases in maintenance and operating costs; security threats; reliance on technology and related cybersecurity risk; trade restrictions, trade barriers, or the imposition of tariffs or other changes to international trade arrangements; 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. While the Company currently believes its goals are reasonably achievable, 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 is 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 Gulf of Mexico, contributing to sustainable trade and the prosperity of the communities in which it operates since 1919.
| Contacts: | |
| Media | Investment Community |
| Ashley Michnowski | Stacy Alderson |
| Senior Manager | Assistant Vice-President |
| Media Relations | Investor Relations |
| (438) 596-4329 | (514) 399-0052 |
| media@cn.ca | investor.relations@cn.ca |
SELECTED RAILROAD STATISTICS - UNAUDITED
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||
| 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |
| Financial measures | ||||
| Key financial performance indicators (1) | ||||
| Total revenues ($ millions) | 4,358 | 4,471 | 17,046 | 16,828 |
| Freight revenues ($ millions) | 4,183 | 4,303 | 16,395 | 16,236 |
| Operating income ($ millions) | 1,628 | 1,818 | 6,247 | 6,597 |
| Adjusted operating income ($ millions) (2)(3) | 1,628 | 1,818 | 6,325 | 6,597 |
| Net income ($ millions) | 1,146 | 2,130 | 4,448 | 5,625 |
| Adjusted net income ($ millions) (2)(3) | 1,146 | 1,305 | 4,506 | 4,800 |
| Diluted earnings per share ($) | 1.82 | 3.29 | 7.01 | 8.53 |
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share ($) (2)(3) | 1.82 | 2.02 | 7.10 | 7.28 |
| Free cash flow ($ millions) (2)(4) | 1,032 | 1,613 | 3,092 | 3,887 |
| Gross property additions ($ millions) | 944 | 947 | 3,549 | 3,217 |
| Share repurchases ($ millions) | 153 | 1,113 | 2,651 | 4,551 |
| Dividends per share ($) | 0.8450 | 0.7900 | 3.3800 | 3.1600 |
| Financial ratio | ||||
| Operating ratio (%) (5) | 62.6 | 59.3 | 63.4 | 60.8 |
| Adjusted operating ratio (%) (2)(3) | 62.6 | 59.3 | 62.9 | 60.8 |
| Operational measures (6) | ||||
| Statistical operating data | ||||
| Gross ton miles (GTMs) (millions) | 113,660 | 118,687 | 457,694 | 452,043 |
| Revenue ton miles (RTMs) (millions) | 59,305 | 61,136 | 235,538 | 232,614 |
| Carloads (thousands) | 1,324 | 1,388 | 5,390 | 5,436 |
| Route miles (includes Canada and the U.S., end of year) | 18,800 | 18,800 | 18,800 | 18,800 |
| Employees (end of period) | 24,671 | 24,987 | 24,671 | 24,987 |
| Employees (average for the period) | 24,862 | 25,102 | 25,304 | 24,920 |
| Key operating measures | ||||
| Freight revenue per RTM (cents) | 7.05 | 7.04 | 6.96 | 6.98 |
| Freight revenue per carload ($) | 3,159 | 3,100 | 3,042 | 2,987 |
| GTMs per average number of employees (thousands) | 4,572 | 4,728 | 18,088 | 18,140 |
| Operating expenses per GTM (cents) | 2.40 | 2.24 | 2.36 | 2.26 |
| Labor and fringe benefits expense per GTM (cents) | 0.78 | 0.69 | 0.75 | 0.70 |
| Diesel fuel consumed (US gallons in millions) | 100.1 | 103.7 | 401.1 | 395.2 |
| Average fuel price ($ per US gallon) | 4.15 | 4.76 | 4.41 | 4.62 |
| Fuel efficiency (US gallons of locomotive fuel consumed per 1,000 GTMs) | 0.881 | 0.874 | 0.876 | 0.874 |
| Train weight (tons) | 9,034 | 9,299 | 9,087 | 9,186 |
| Train length (feet) | 7,670 | 7,951 | 7,831 | 7,891 |
| Car velocity (car miles per day) | 210 | 215 | 209 | 213 |
| Through dwell (entire railroad, hours) | 7.1 | 6.9 | 7.0 | 7.0 |
| Through network train speed (miles per hour) | 19.2 | 19.6 | 18.9 | 19.8 |
| Locomotive utilization (trailing GTMs per total horsepower) | 186 | 193 | 186 | 191 |
| Safety indicators (7) | ||||
| Injury frequency rate (per 200,000 person hours) | 1.12 | 0.83 | 1.06 | 0.98 |
| Accident rate (per million train miles) | 1.75 | 1.62 | 1.66 | 1.80 |
| (1) | Amounts expressed in Canadian dollars and prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), unless otherwise noted. | |
| (2) | These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. | |
| (3) | See the supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP Measures - Adjusted performance measures for an explanation of these non-GAAP measures. | |
| (4) | See the supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP Measures - Free cash flow for an explanation of this non-GAAP measure. | |
| (5) | Operating ratio is defined as operating expenses as a percentage of revenues. | |
| (6) | Statistical operating data, key operating measures and safety indicators are unaudited and based on estimated data available at such time and are subject to change as more complete information becomes available. Definitions of gross ton miles, revenue ton miles, freight revenue per RTM, fuel efficiency, train weight, train length, car velocity, through dwell and through network train speed are included within the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis. Definitions of all other indicators are provided on CN's website, www.cn.ca/glossary. | |
| (7) | Based on Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) reporting criteria. |
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION - UNAUDITED
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | ||||||||||||
| 2024 | 2023 | % Change Fav (Unfav) | % Change at constant currency (1) Fav (Unfav) | 2024 | 2023 | % Change Fav (Unfav) | % Change at constant currency (1) Fav (Unfav) | ||||||
| Revenues ($ millions) (2) | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | 868 | 861 | 1 | % | (1 | %) | 3,414 | 3,195 | 7 | % | 6 | % | |
| Metals and minerals | 488 | 507 | (4 | %) | (6 | %) | 2,048 | 2,048 | - | % | (1 | %) | |
| Forest products | 469 | 486 | (3 | %) | (5 | %) | 1,931 | 1,943 | (1 | %) | (2 | %) | |
| Coal | 238 | 249 | (4 | %) | (5 | %) | 929 | 1,017 | (9 | %) | (9 | %) | |
| Grain and fertilizers | 1,038 | 994 | 4 | % | 3 | % | 3,422 | 3,265 | 5 | % | 4 | % | |
| Intermodal | 876 | 948 | (8 | %) | (8 | %) | 3,757 | 3,823 | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | |
| Automotive | 206 | 258 | (20 | %) | (21 | %) | 894 | 945 | (5 | %) | (6 | %) | |
| Total freight revenues | 4,183 | 4,303 | (3 | %) | (4 | %) | 16,395 | 16,236 | 1 | % | - | % | |
| Other revenues | 175 | 168 | 4 | % | 2 | % | 651 | 592 | 10 | % | 9 | % | |
| Total revenues | 4,358 | 4,471 | (3 | %) | (4 | %) | 17,046 | 16,828 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |
| Revenue ton miles (RTMs) (millions) (3) | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | 11,767 | 11,931 | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | 46,530 | 43,846 | 6 | % | 6 | % | |
| Metals and minerals | 6,646 | 6,986 | (5 | %) | (5 | %) | 28,829 | 28,444 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |
| Forest products | 5,268 | 5,612 | (6 | %) | (6 | %) | 22,111 | 23,141 | (4 | %) | (4 | %) | |
| Coal | 5,326 | 5,448 | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | 20,165 | 22,682 | (11 | %) | (11 | %) | |
| Grain and fertilizers | 17,904 | 18,341 | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | 64,594 | 63,479 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |
| Intermodal | 11,652 | 11,968 | (3 | %) | (3 | %) | 50,190 | 47,886 | 5 | % | 5 | % | |
| Automotive | 742 | 850 | (13 | %) | (13 | %) | 3,119 | 3,136 | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | |
| Total RTMs | 59,305 | 61,136 | (3 | %) | (3 | %) | 235,538 | 232,614 | 1 | % | 1 | % | |
| Freight revenue / RTM (cents) (2)(3) | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | 7.38 | 7.22 | 2 | % | 1 | % | 7.34 | 7.29 | 1 | % | - | % | |
| Metals and minerals | 7.34 | 7.26 | 1 | % | (1 | %) | 7.10 | 7.20 | (1 | %) | (3 | %) | |
| Forest products | 8.90 | 8.66 | 3 | % | 1 | % | 8.73 | 8.40 | 4 | % | 3 | % | |
| Coal | 4.47 | 4.57 | (2 | %) | (3 | %) | 4.61 | 4.48 | 3 | % | 2 | % | |
| Grain and fertilizers | 5.80 | 5.42 | 7 | % | 6 | % | 5.30 | 5.14 | 3 | % | 2 | % | |
| Intermodal | 7.52 | 7.92 | (5 | %) | (6 | %) | 7.49 | 7.98 | (6 | %) | (7 | %) | |
| Automotive | 27.76 | 30.35 | (9 | %) | (10 | %) | 28.66 | 30.13 | (5 | %) | (6 | %) | |
| Total freight revenue / RTM | 7.05 | 7.04 | - | % | (1 | %) | 6.96 | 6.98 | - | % | (1 | %) | |
| Carloads (thousands) (3) | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | 163 | 166 | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | 648 | 634 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |
| Metals and minerals | 244 | 253 | (4 | %) | (4 | %) | 974 | 1,002 | (3 | %) | (3 | %) | |
| Forest products | 71 | 75 | (5 | %) | (5 | %) | 299 | 309 | (3 | %) | (3 | %) | |
| Coal | 113 | 125 | (10 | %) | (10 | %) | 456 | 511 | (11 | %) | (11 | %) | |
| Grain and fertilizers | 194 | 187 | 4 | % | 4 | % | 690 | 670 | 3 | % | 3 | % | |
| Intermodal | 490 | 522 | (6 | %) | (6 | %) | 2,115 | 2,078 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |
| Automotive | 49 | 60 | (18 | %) | (18 | %) | 208 | 232 | (10 | %) | (10 | %) | |
| Total carloads | 1,324 | 1,388 | (5 | %) | (5 | %) | 5,390 | 5,436 | (1 | %) | (1 | %) | |
| Freight revenue / carload ($) (2)(3) | |||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | 5,325 | 5,187 | 3 | % | 1 | % | 5,269 | 5,039 | 5 | % | 4 | % | |
| Metals and minerals | 2,000 | 2,004 | - | % | (2 | %) | 2,103 | 2,044 | 3 | % | 2 | % | |
| Forest products | 6,606 | 6,480 | 2 | % | - | % | 6,458 | 6,288 | 3 | % | 2 | % | |
| Coal | 2,106 | 1,992 | 6 | % | 5 | % | 2,037 | 1,990 | 2 | % | 2 | % | |
| Grain and fertilizers | 5,351 | 5,316 | 1 | % | - | % | 4,959 | 4,873 | 2 | % | 1 | % | |
| Intermodal | 1,788 | 1,816 | (2 | %) | (2 | %) | 1,776 | 1,840 | (3 | %) | (4 | %) | |
| Automotive | 4,204 | 4,300 | (2 | %) | (4 | %) | 4,298 | 4,073 | 6 | % | 5 | % | |
| Total freight revenue / carload | 3,159 | 3,100 | 2 | % | 1 | % | 3,042 | 2,987 | 2 | % | 1 | % | |
| (1) | This non-GAAP measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. See the supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP Measures - Constant currency for an explanation of this non-GAAP measure. | |
| (2) | Amounts expressed in Canadian dollars. | |
| (3) | Statistical operating data and related 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. |
NON-GAAP MEASURES - UNAUDITED
In this supplementary schedule, the "Company" or "CN" refers to Canadian National Railway Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Financial information included in this schedule is expressed in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.
CN reports its financial results in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). The Company also uses non-GAAP measures that do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP, including adjusted performance measures, constant currency, free cash flow, adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple, return on invested capital (ROIC) and adjusted ROIC. These non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. From management's perspective, these non-GAAP measures are useful measures of performance and provide investors with supplementary information to assess the Company's results of operations and liquidity. These non-GAAP measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted performance measures
Adjusted net income, adjusted diluted earnings per share, adjusted operating income, adjusted operating expenses and adjusted operating ratio are non-GAAP measures that are used to set performance goals and to measure CN's performance. Management believes that these adjusted performance measures provide additional insight to management and investors into the Company's operations and underlying business trends as well as facilitate period-to-period comparisons, as they exclude certain significant items that are not reflective of CN's underlying business operations and could distort the analysis of trends in business performance. These items may include:
- operating expense adjustments: workforce reduction program, depreciation expense on the deployment of replacement system, advisory fees related to shareholder matters, losses and recoveries from assets held for sale, business acquisition-related costs;
- non-operating expense adjustments: business acquisition-related financing fees, merger termination income, gains and losses on disposal of property; and
- the effect of changes in tax laws including rate enactments, and changes in tax positions affecting prior years.
These non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, the Company's adjusted net income was $1,146 million, or $1.82 per diluted share, and $4,506 million, or $7.10 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figure for the year ended December 31, 2024 excludes a loss on assets held for sale of $78 million, or $58 million after-tax ($0.09 per diluted share), recorded in the second quarter, resulting from an agreement to transfer the ownership and related risks and obligations of the Quebec Bridge located in Quebec, Canada, to the Government of Canada. See Note 4 - Assets held for sale to the Company's unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information.
For the three months and year ended December 31, 2023, the Company's adjusted net income was $1,305 million, or $2.02 per diluted share, and $4,800 million, or $7.28 per diluted share, respectively. The adjusted figures for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023 exclude:
- a gain on disposal of property within the Bala Subdivision located in Markham and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada of $129 million, or $112 million after-tax ($0.17 per diluted share) recorded in the fourth quarter in Other income within the Consolidated Statements of Income; and
- a net deferred income tax recovery of $713 million ($1.10 per diluted share for the quarter and $1.08 per diluted share for the year) recorded in the fourth quarter resulting from tax filings consistent with a ruling that the Company received in a non-U.S. foreign jurisdiction in connection with prior taxation years.
Adjusted net income is defined as Net income in accordance with GAAP adjusted for certain significant items. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is defined as adjusted net income divided by the weighted-average diluted shares outstanding. The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income and Earnings per share in accordance with GAAP, as reported for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, to the non-GAAP adjusted performance measures presented herein:
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | ||||||||||
| In millions, except per share data | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | |||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | |||
| Adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Operating expense adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Loss on assets held for sale | - | - | 78 | - | |||||||
| Non-operating expense adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Gain on disposal of property | - | (129 | ) | - | (129 | ) | |||||
| Tax adjustments: | |||||||||||
| Tax effect of adjustments (1) | - | 17 | (20 | ) | 17 | ||||||
| Tax-deductible goodwill and related impacts (2) | - | (713 | ) | - | (713 | ) | |||||
| Total adjustments | - | (825 | ) | 58 | (825 | ) | |||||
| Adjusted net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | 1,305 | $ | 4,506 | $ | 4,800 | |||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.82 | $ | 3.29 | $ | 7.01 | $ | 8.53 | |||
| Impact of adjustments, per share | - | (1.27 | ) | 0.09 | (1.25 | ) | |||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.82 | $ | 2.02 | $ | 7.10 | $ | 7.28 | |||
| (1) | The tax impact of adjustments is based on the nature of the item for tax purposes and related tax rates in the applicable jurisdiction. | |
| (2) | Relates to the impacts of recognizing the $767 million deferred income tax recovery party offset by a $54 million income tax expense on the foregone tax deductions for the 2021 and 2022 taxation years. |
Adjusted operating income is defined as Operating income in accordance with GAAP adjusted for certain significant operating expense items that are not reflective of CN's underlying business operations. Adjusted operating expenses is defined as Operating expenses in accordance with GAAP adjusted for certain significant operating expense items that are not reflective of CN's underlying business operations. Adjusted operating ratio is defined as adjusted operating expenses as a percentage of revenues. The following table provides a reconciliation of Operating income, Operating expenses and operating ratio, as reported for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, to the non-GAAP adjusted performance measures presented herein:
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
| In millions, except percentages | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Operating income | $ | 1,628 | $ | 1,818 | $ | 6,247 | $ | 6,597 | ||||
| Adjustment: | ||||||||||||
| Recovery of loss on assets held for sale | - | - | 78 | - | ||||||||
| Total adjustment | - | - | 78 | - | ||||||||
| Adjusted operating income | $ | 1,628 | $ | 1,818 | $ | 6,325 | $ | 6,597 | ||||
| Operating expenses | $ | 2,730 | $ | 2,653 | $ | 10,799 | $ | 10,231 | ||||
| Total adjustment | - | - | (78 | ) | - | |||||||
| Adjusted operating expenses | $ | 2,730 | $ | 2,653 | $ | 10,721 | $ | 10,231 | ||||
| Operating ratio | 62.6 | % | 59.3 | % | 63.4 | % | 60.8 | % | ||||
| Impact of adjustment | - | % | - | % | (0.5 | )% | - | % | ||||
| Adjusted operating ratio | 62.6 | % | 59.3 | % | 62.9 | % | 60.8 | % | ||||
Constant currency
Financial results at constant currency allow results to be viewed without the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, thereby facilitating period-to-period comparisons in the analysis of trends in business performance. Measures at constant currency are considered non-GAAP measures and do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Financial results at constant currency are obtained by translating the current period results denominated in US dollars at the weighted average foreign exchange rates used to translate transactions denominated in US dollars of the comparable period of the prior year.
The average foreign exchange rates were $1.399 and $1.370 per US$1.00 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024, respectively, and $1.362 and $1.350 per US$1.00 for the three months and year ended December 31, 2023, respectively. On a constant currency basis, the Company's Net income for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024 would have been lower by $4 million ($0.01 per diluted share) and lower by $21 million ($0.03 per diluted share), respectively.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the impact of constant currency and related percentage change at constant currency on the financial results, as reported for the three months and year ended December 31, 2024:
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions, except per share data | 2024 | Constant currency impact | 2023 | % Change at constant currency Fav (Unfav) | 2024 | Constant currency impact | 2023 | % Change at constant currency Fav (Unfav) | ||||||||||||||
| Revenues | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Petroleum and chemicals | $ | 868 | $ | (12 | ) | $ | 861 | (1 | %) | $ | 3,414 | $ | (28 | ) | $ | 3,195 | 6 | % | ||||
| Metals and minerals | 488 | (10 | ) | 507 | (6 | %) | 2,048 | (23 | ) | 2,048 | (1 | %) | ||||||||||
| Forest products | 469 | (8 | ) | 486 | (5 | %) | 1,931 | (19 | ) | 1,943 | (2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Coal | 238 | (1 | ) | 249 | (5 | %) | 929 | (4 | ) | 1,017 | (9 | %) | ||||||||||
| Grain and fertilizers | 1,038 | (11 | ) | 994 | 3 | % | 3,422 | (22 | ) | 3,265 | 4 | % | ||||||||||
| Intermodal | 876 | (5 | ) | 948 | (8 | %) | 3,757 | (13 | ) | 3,823 | (2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Automotive | 206 | (3 | ) | 258 | (21 | %) | 894 | (8 | ) | 945 | (6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Total freight revenues | 4,183 | (50 | ) | 4,303 | (4 | %) | 16,395 | (117 | ) | 16,236 | - | % | ||||||||||
| Other revenues | 175 | (3 | ) | 168 | 2 | % | 651 | (7 | ) | 592 | 9 | % | ||||||||||
| Total revenues | 4,358 | (53 | ) | 4,471 | (4 | %) | 17,046 | (124 | ) | 16,828 | 1 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor and fringe benefits | 883 | (9 | ) | 818 | (7 | %) | 3,422 | (19 | ) | 3,150 | (8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Purchased services and material | 598 | (8 | ) | 556 | (6 | %) | 2,313 | (16 | ) | 2,254 | (2 | %) | ||||||||||
| Fuel | 481 | (10 | ) | 569 | 17 | % | 2,060 | (24 | ) | 2,097 | 3 | % | ||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 489 | (6 | ) | 463 | (4 | %) | 1,892 | (12 | ) | 1,817 | (3 | %) | ||||||||||
| Equipment rents | 98 | (3 | ) | 97 | 2 | % | 392 | (6 | ) | 359 | (8 | %) | ||||||||||
| Other | 181 | (5 | ) | 150 | (17 | %) | 642 | (8 | ) | 554 | (14 | %) | ||||||||||
| Recovery of loss on assets held for sale | - | - | - | - | % | 78 | - | - | - | % | ||||||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,730 | (41 | ) | 2,653 | (1 | %) | 10,799 | (85 | ) | 10,231 | (5 | %) | ||||||||||
| Operating income | 1,628 | (12 | ) | 1,818 | (11 | %) | 6,247 | (39 | ) | 6,597 | (6 | %) | ||||||||||
| Interest expense | (231 | ) | 5 | (199 | ) | (14 | %) | (891 | ) | 10 | (722 | ) | (22 | %) | ||||||||
| Other components of net periodic benefit income | 113 | - | 119 | (5 | %) | 454 | - | 479 | (5 | %) | ||||||||||||
| Other income (loss) | (2 | ) | 1 | 134 | (101 | %) | 42 | 1 | 134 | (68 | %) | |||||||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,508 | (6 | ) | 1,872 | (20 | %) | 5,852 | (28 | ) | 6,488 | (10 | %) | ||||||||||
| Income tax recovery (expense) | (362 | ) | 2 | 258 | (240 | %) | (1,404 | ) | 7 | (863 | ) | (62 | %) | |||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | (4 | ) | $ | 2,130 | (46 | %) | $ | 4,448 | $ | (21 | ) | $ | 5,625 | (21 | %) | ||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 1.82 | $ | (0.01 | ) | $ | 3.29 | (45 | %) | $ | 7.01 | $ | (0.03 | ) | $ | 8.53 | (18 | %) | ||||
Free cash flow
Free cash flow is a useful measure of liquidity as it demonstrates the Company's ability to generate cash for debt obligations and for discretionary uses such as payment of dividends, share repurchases and strategic opportunities. The Company defines its free cash flow measure as the difference between net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in investing activities, adjusted for the impact of (i) business acquisitions and combinations and (ii) merger transaction-related payments, cash receipts and cash income taxes, which are items that are not indicative of operating trends. Free cash flow does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net cash provided by operating activities in accordance with GAAP, as reported for the three months and years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, to the non-GAAP free cash flow presented herein:
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
| In millions | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 1,995 | $ | 2,413 | $ | 6,699 | $ | 6,965 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (963 | ) | (1,190 | ) | (3,607 | ) | (3,468 | ) | ||||
| Net cash provided before financing activities | 1,032 | 1,223 | 3,092 | 3,497 | ||||||||
| Adjustments: | ||||||||||||
| Business acquisitions and combinations (1) | - | 390 | - | 390 | ||||||||
| Total adjustments | - | 390 | - | 390 | ||||||||
| Free cash flow | $ | 1,032 | $ | 1,613 | $ | 3,092 | $ | 3,887 | ||||
| (1) | Relates to the acquisition of the shares of Iowa Northern Railway Company for $312 million and the business combination of Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway for $78 million. See Note 3 - Business acquisitions and combinations to the Company's unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
Adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple
Management believes that the adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple is a useful credit measure because it reflects the Company's ability to service its debt and other long-term obligations. The Company calculates the adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple as adjusted debt divided by the last twelve months of adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted debt is defined as the sum of Long-term debt and Current portion of long-term debt as reported on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets as well as Operating lease liabilities, including current portion and pension plans in deficiency recognized on the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets due to the debt-like nature of their contractual and financial obligations. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Net income excluding Interest expense, Income tax expense, Depreciation and amortization, operating lease cost, Other components of net periodic benefit income, Other income (loss), and other significant items that are not reflective of CN's underlying business operations and which could distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Adjusted debt and adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP measures used to compute the Adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple. These measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of debt and Net income in accordance with GAAP, reported as at and for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, to adjusted debt and adjusted EBITDA, which have been used to calculate the non-GAAP adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple:
| In millions, unless otherwise indicated | As at and for the year ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Debt | $ | 20,894 | $ | 18,473 | |||
| Adjustments: | |||||||
| Operating lease liabilities, including current portion (1) | 477 | 415 | |||||
| Pension plans in deficiency (2) | 350 | 362 | |||||
| Adjusted debt | $ | 21,721 | $ | 19,250 | |||
| Net income | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | |||
| Interest expense | 891 | 722 | |||||
| Income tax expense | 1,404 | 863 | |||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,892 | 1,817 | |||||
| Operating lease cost (3) | 153 | 149 | |||||
| Other components of net periodic benefit income | (454 | ) | (479 | ) | |||
| Other loss | (42 | ) | (134 | ) | |||
| Adjustment: | |||||||
| Loss on assets held for sale (4) | 78 | - | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 8,370 | $ | 8,563 | |||
| Adjusted debt-to-adjusted EBITDA multiple (times) | 2.60 | 2.25 | |||||
| (1) | Represents the present value of operating lease payments. | |
| (2) | Represents the total funded deficit of all defined benefit pension plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets. | |
| (3) | Represents the operating lease costs recorded in Purchased services and material and Equipment rents within the Consolidated Statements of Income. | |
| (4) | Relates to a loss on assets held for sale of $78 million recorded in the second quarter, resulting from an agreement to transfer the ownership and related risks and obligations of the Quebec Bridge located in Quebec, Canada, to the Government of Canada. See Note 4 - Assets held for sale to the Company's unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information. |
ROIC and adjusted ROIC
ROIC and adjusted ROIC are useful measures for management and investors to evaluate the efficiency of the Company's use of capital funds and allow investors to assess the operating and investment decisions made by management. The Company calculates ROIC as return divided by average invested capital, both of which are non-GAAP measures. Return is defined as Net income plus interest expense after-tax, calculated using the Company's effective tax rate. Average invested capital is defined as the sum of Total shareholders' equity, Long-term debt and Current portion of long-term debt less Cash and cash equivalents, and Restricted cash and cash equivalents, averaged between the beginning and ending balance over the last twelve-month period. The Company calculates adjusted ROIC as adjusted return divided by average invested capital, both of which are non-GAAP measures. Adjusted return is defined as adjusted net income plus interest expense after-tax, calculated using the Company's adjusted effective tax rate. Return, average invested capital, ROIC, adjusted return and adjusted ROIC do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies.
The following table provides a reconciliation of Net income and adjusted net income to return and adjusted return, respectively, as well as the calculation of average invested capital, which have been used to calculate ROIC and adjusted ROIC:
| In millions, except percentage | As at and for the year ended December 31, | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Net income | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | |||
| Interest expense | 891 | 722 | |||||
| Tax on interest expense (1) | (214 | ) | (177 | ) | |||
| Return | $ | 5,125 | $ | 6,170 | |||
| Average total shareholders' equity | $ | 20,584 | $ | 20,751 | |||
| Average long-term debt | 17,931 | 15,253 | |||||
| Average current portion of long-term debt | 1,753 | 1,699 | |||||
| Less: Average cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | (663 | ) | (879 | ) | |||
| Average invested capital | $ | 39,605 | $ | 36,824 | |||
| ROIC | 12.9 | % | 16.8 | % | |||
| Adjusted net income (2) | $ | 4,506 | $ | 4,800 | |||
| Interest expense | 891 | 722 | |||||
| Adjusted tax on interest expense (3) | (214 | ) | (177 | ) | |||
| Adjusted return | $ | 5,183 | $ | 5,345 | |||
| Average invested capital | $ | 39,605 | $ | 36,824 | |||
| Adjusted ROIC | 13.1 | % | 14.5 | % | |||
| (1) | The effective tax rate, defined as Income tax expense as a percentage of Income before income taxes, used to calculate the tax on Interest expense for 2024 was 24.0%. Due to the significantly lower effective tax rate of 13.3% reported by the Company in 2023, tax on interest expense for 2023 was calculated using an adjusted effective tax rate of 24.5%. | |
| (2) | This non-GAAP measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. See the supplementary schedule entitled Non-GAAP measures - Adjusted performance measures for an explanation of this non-GAAP measure. | |
| (3) | The adjusted effective tax rate is a non-GAAP measure, defined as Income tax expense, net of tax adjustments as presented in Adjusted performance measures as a percentage of Income before taxes, net of pre-tax adjustments as presented in Adjusted performance measures. This measure does not have any standardized meaning prescribed by GAAP and therefore, may not be comparable to a similar measure presented by other companies. The adjusted effective tax rate used to calculate the adjusted tax on interest expense for 2024 was 24.0% (2023 - 24.5%). | |
INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME - UNAUDITED
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
| In millions, except per share data | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Revenues | $ | 4,358 | $ | 4,471 | $ | 17,046 | $ | 16,828 | ||||
| Operating expenses | ||||||||||||
| Labor and fringe benefits | 883 | 818 | 3,422 | 3,150 | ||||||||
| Purchased services and material | 598 | 556 | 2,313 | 2,254 | ||||||||
| Fuel | 481 | 569 | 2,060 | 2,097 | ||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 489 | 463 | 1,892 | 1,817 | ||||||||
| Equipment rents | 98 | 97 | 392 | 359 | ||||||||
| Other | 181 | 150 | 642 | 554 | ||||||||
| Loss on assets held for sale (Note 4) | - | - | 78 | - | ||||||||
| Total operating expenses | 2,730 | 2,653 | 10,799 | 10,231 | ||||||||
| Operating income | 1,628 | 1,818 | 6,247 | 6,597 | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (231 | ) | (199 | ) | (891 | ) | (722 | ) | ||||
| Other components of net periodic benefit income | 113 | 119 | 454 | 479 | ||||||||
| Other income (loss) (Note 5) | (2 | ) | 134 | 42 | 134 | |||||||
| Income before income taxes | 1,508 | 1,872 | 5,852 | 6,488 | ||||||||
| Income tax recovery (expense) (Note 6) | (362 | ) | 258 | (1,404 | ) | (863 | ) | |||||
| Net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | ||||
| Earnings per share | ||||||||||||
| Basic | $ | 1.82 | $ | 3.30 | $ | 7.02 | $ | 8.55 | ||||
| Diluted | $ | 1.82 | $ | 3.29 | $ | 7.01 | $ | 8.53 | ||||
| Weighted-average number of shares | ||||||||||||
| Basic | 628.9 | 646.4 | 633.5 | 657.7 | ||||||||
| Diluted | 629.5 | 647.6 | 634.5 | 659.1 | ||||||||
| Dividends declared per share | $ | 0.8450 | $ | 0.7900 | $ | 3.3800 | $ | 3.1600 | ||||
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - UNAUDITED
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
| In millions | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | ||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | ||||||||||||
| Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation | 293 | (103 | ) | 388 | (101 | ) | ||||||
| Net change in pension and other postretirement benefit plans | 986 | (332 | ) | 1,025 | (334 | ) | ||||||
| Derivative instruments | (1 | ) | 19 | (20 | ) | 96 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) before income taxes | 1,278 | (416 | ) | 1,393 | (339 | ) | ||||||
| Income tax recovery (expense) | (160 | ) | 47 | (134 | ) | 29 | ||||||
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,118 | (369 | ) | 1,259 | (310 | ) | ||||||
| Comprehensive income | $ | 2,264 | $ | 1,761 | $ | 5,707 | $ | 5,315 | ||||
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - UNAUDITED
| December 31 | December 31 | ||||||
| In millions | As at | 2024 | 2023 | ||||
| Assets | |||||||
| Current assets | |||||||
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 389 | $ | 475 | |||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents | 12 | 449 | |||||
| Accounts receivable | 1,164 | 1,300 | |||||
| Material and supplies | 720 | 699 | |||||
| Other current assets | 334 | 166 | |||||
| Total current assets | 2,619 | 3,089 | |||||
| Properties | 47,960 | 44,617 | |||||
| Operating lease right-of-use assets | 485 | 424 | |||||
| Pension asset | 4,541 | 3,140 | |||||
| Deferred income tax assets (Note 6) | 689 | 682 | |||||
| Intangible assets, goodwill and other | 773 | 714 | |||||
| Total assets | $ | 57,067 | $ | 52,666 | |||
| Liabilities and shareholders' equity | |||||||
| Current liabilities | |||||||
| Accounts payable and other | $ | 2,810 | $ | 2,695 | |||
| Current portion of long-term debt | 1,166 | 2,340 | |||||
| Total current liabilities | 3,976 | 5,035 | |||||
| Deferred income tax liabilities | 10,874 | 10,066 | |||||
| Other liabilities and deferred credits | 612 | 522 | |||||
| Pension and other postretirement benefits | 483 | 495 | |||||
| Long-term debt | 19,728 | 16,133 | |||||
| Operating lease liabilities | 343 | 298 | |||||
| Total liabilities | 36,016 | 32,549 | |||||
| Shareholders' equity | |||||||
| Common shares | 3,474 | 3,512 | |||||
| Common shares in Share Trusts | (129 | ) | (144 | ) | |||
| Additional paid-in capital | 372 | 373 | |||||
| Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (1,020 | ) | (2,279 | ) | |||
| Retained earnings | 18,354 | 18,655 | |||||
| Total shareholders' equity | 21,051 | 20,117 | |||||
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | $ | 57,067 | $ | 52,666 | |||
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY - UNAUDITED
| Number of common shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions | Outstanding | Share Trusts | Common share | Common shares in Share Trusts | Additional paid-in capital | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Retained earnings | Totals shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2024 | 628.8 | 1.0 | $ | 3,477 | $ | (128 | ) | $ | 360 | $ | (2,138 | ) | $ | 17,887 | $ | 19,458 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | 1,146 | 1,146 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options exercised | - | 3 | - | 3 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of equity settled awards | 0.1 | (0.1 | ) | 7 | (7 | ) | - | - | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation and other | 19 | (1 | ) | 18 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | (1.0 | ) | (6 | ) | (147 | ) | (153 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share purchases by Share Trusts | - | - | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive income | 1,118 | 1,118 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | (531 | ) | (531 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 627.9 | 0.9 | $ | 3,474 | $ | (129 | ) | $ | 372 | $ | (1,020 | ) | $ | 18,354 | $ | 21,051 | |||||||||||||
| Number of common shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions | Outstanding | Share Trusts | Common share | Common shares in Share Trusts | Additional paid-in capital | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Retained earnings | Totals shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 642.7 | 1.1 | $ | 3,512 | $ | (144 | ) | $ | 373 | $ | (2,279 | ) | $ | 18,655 | $ | 20,117 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | 4,448 | 4,448 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options exercised | 0.4 | 47 | (6 | ) | 41 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of equity settled awards | 0.5 | (0.5 | ) | 65 | (80 | ) | (42 | ) | (57 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation and other | 85 | (3 | ) | 82 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | (15.4 | ) | (85 | ) | (2,566 | ) | (2,651 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share purchases by Share Trusts | (0.3 | ) | 0.3 | (50 | ) | (50 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | 1,259 | 1,259 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | (2,138 | ) | (2,138 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2024 | 627.9 | 0.9 | $ | 3,474 | $ | (129 | ) | $ | 372 | $ | (1,020 | ) | $ | 18,354 | $ | 21,051 | |||||||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
| Number of common shares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| In millions | Outstanding | Share Trusts | Common share | Common shares in Share Trusts | Additional paid-in capital | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Retained earnings | Totals shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at September 30, 2023 | 649.8 | 1.1 | $ | 3,533 | $ | (143 | ) | $ | 375 | $ | (1,910 | ) | $ | 18,116 | $ | 19,971 | |||||||||||||
| Net income | 2,130 | 2,130 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options exercised | 0.2 | 18 | (2 | ) | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of equity settled awards | 0.1 | (0.1 | ) | 6 | (12 | ) | (7 | ) | (13 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation and other | 12 | (1 | ) | 11 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | (7.3 | ) | (39 | ) | (1,074 | ) | (1,113 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Share purchases by Share Trusts | (0.1 | ) | 0.1 | (7 | ) | (7 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | (369 | ) | (369 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | (509 | ) | (509 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 642.7 | 1.1 | $ | 3,512 | $ | (144 | ) | $ | 373 | $ | (2,279 | ) | $ | 18,655 | $ | 20,117 | |||||||||||||
| Number of common shares | Common shares | Common shares in Share Trusts | Additional paid-in capital | Accumulated other comprehensive loss | Retained earnings | Totals shareholders' equity | |||||||||||||||||||
| In millions | Outstanding | Share Trusts | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2022 | 671.0 | 1.4 | $ | 3,613 | $ | (170 | ) | $ | 381 | $ | (1,969 | ) | $ | 19,529 | $ | 21,384 | |||||||||
| Net income | 5,625 | 5,625 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Stock options exercised | 0.5 | 56 | (7 | ) | 49 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Settlement of equity settled awards | 0.5 | (0.5 | ) | 54 | (77 | ) | (32 | ) | (55 | ) | |||||||||||||||
| Stock-based compensation and other | 76 | (2 | ) | 74 | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Repurchase of common shares | (29.1 | ) | (157 | ) | (4,394 | ) | (4,551 | ) | |||||||||||||||||
| Share purchases by Share Trusts | (0.2 | ) | 0.2 | (28 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive loss | (310 | ) | (310 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Dividends | (2,071 | ) | (2,071 | ) | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Balance at December 31, 2023 | 642.7 | 1.1 | $ | 3,512 | $ | (144 | ) | $ | 373 | $ | (2,279 | ) | $ | 18,655 | $ | 20,117 | |||||||||
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - UNAUDITED
| Three months ended December 31 | Year ended December 31 | |||||||||||
| In millions | 2024 | 2023 | 2024 | 2023 | ||||||||
| Operating activities | ||||||||||||
| Net income | $ | 1,146 | $ | 2,130 | $ | 4,448 | $ | 5,625 | ||||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 489 | 463 | 1,892 | 1,817 | ||||||||
| Pension income and funding | (97 | ) | (104 | ) | (385 | ) | (418 | ) | ||||
| Gain on disposal of property (Note 5) | - | (129 | ) | - | (129 | ) | ||||||
| Deferred income taxes (Note 6) | 18 | (591 | ) | 325 | (288 | ) | ||||||
| Loss on assets held for sale (Note 4) | - | - | 78 | - | ||||||||
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities: | ||||||||||||
| Accounts receivable | 132 | (18 | ) | 205 | 71 | |||||||
| Material and supplies | 17 | 44 | (6 | ) | (18 | ) | ||||||
| Accounts payable and other | 181 | 342 | (107 | ) | (191 | ) | ||||||
| Other current assets | 23 | 70 | - | 85 | ||||||||
| Other operating activities, net | 86 | 206 | 249 | 411 | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,995 | 2,413 | 6,699 | 6,965 | ||||||||
| Investing activities | ||||||||||||
| Property additions | (944 | ) | (934 | ) | (3,549 | ) | (3,187 | ) | ||||
| Business acquisitions and combinations (Note 3) | - | (390 | ) | - | (390 | ) | ||||||
| Proceeds from disposal of property (Note 5) | - | 129 | - | 129 | ||||||||
| Other investing activities, net | (19 | ) | 5 | (58 | ) | (20 | ) | |||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (963 | ) | (1,190 | ) | (3,607 | ) | (3,468 | ) | ||||
| Financing activities | ||||||||||||
| Issuance of debt | 366 | 824 | 3,483 | 2,554 | ||||||||
| Repayment of debt | (510 | ) | (12 | ) | (1,038 | ) | (250 | ) | ||||
| Change in commercial paper, net | (625 | ) | (404 | ) | (1,381 | ) | 908 | |||||
| Settlement of foreign exchange forward contracts on debt | 122 | 17 | 120 | 38 | ||||||||
| Issuance of common shares for stock options exercised | 3 | 16 | 41 | 49 | ||||||||
| Withholding taxes remitted on the net settlement of equity settled awards | - | (13 | ) | (52 | ) | (51 | ) | |||||
| Repurchase of common shares | (150 | ) | (1,152 | ) | (2,600 | ) | (4,551 | ) | ||||
| Purchase of common shares for settlement of equity settled awards | - | - | (5 | ) | (4 | ) | ||||||
| Purchase of common shares by Share Trusts | (8 | ) | (7 | ) | (50 | ) | (28 | ) | ||||
| Dividends paid | (531 | ) | (509 | ) | (2,138 | ) | (2,071 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,333 | ) | (1,240 | ) | (3,620 | ) | (3,406 | ) | ||||
| Effect of foreign exchange fluctuations on cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents | 4 | (1 | ) | 5 | (1 | ) | ||||||
| Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents | (297 | ) | (18 | ) | (523 | ) | 90 | |||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, beginning of period | 698 | 942 | 924 | 834 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 401 | $ | 924 | $ | 401 | $ | 924 | ||||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 389 | $ | 475 | $ | 389 | $ | 475 | ||||
| Restricted cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 12 | 449 | 12 | 449 | ||||||||
| Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash, and restricted cash equivalents, end of period | $ | 401 | $ | 924 | $ | 401 | $ | 924 | ||||
| Supplemental cash flow information | ||||||||||||
| Interest paid | $ | (210 | ) | $ | (154 | ) | $ | (926 | ) | $ | (776 | ) |
| Income taxes paid | $ | (288 | ) | $ | (210 | ) | $ | (1,221 | ) | $ | (1,197 | ) |
See accompanying Notes to Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.
NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - UNAUDITED
1 - Basis of presentation
In these notes, the "Company" or "CN" refers to, Canadian National Railway Company, together with its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The accompanying unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements ("Interim Consolidated Financial Statements"), expressed in Canadian dollars, have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) for interim financial statements. Accordingly, they do not include all of the disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In management's opinion, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for fair presentation have been included. Interim operating results are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full year.
These Interim Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared using accounting policies consistent with those used in preparing CN's 2023 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and should be read in conjunction with such statements and Notes thereto.
2 - Recent accounting pronouncements
The following Accounting Standards Update (ASU) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) has been adopted by the Company:
ASU 2023-07 Segment reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to reportable segment disclosures
The ASU aims to improve financial disclosures about a public entity's reportable segments and address requests from investors for additional and more detailed information regarding reportable segment expenses. The main amendments in the ASU require public entities, including those that have a single reportable segment, to disclose on an annual and interim basis the significant segment expenses provided to the chief operating decision maker (CODM), disclose the title/position of the CODM and how the segment expenses information is used in the decision making process. The Company manages its operations as one business segment over a single network with operations in Canada and the U.S. with the Chief Executive Officer identified as its CODM. The Company has identified Net income and diluted EPS to be its profit measures reviewed by the CODM and has disclosed how the CODM uses these measures to assess segment performance and allocate resources. Moreover, significant segment expenses regularly provided to the CODM have been identified as the expenses detailed in the Consolidated Statements of Income. The ASU requires single reportable segment entities to apply all disclosure requirements in Topic 280.
The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2023. The Company will include the relevant disclosure within the 2024 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and 2025 Interim Financial Statements.
The following recent ASU issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) have an effective date after December 31, 2023 and have not been adopted by the Company:
ASU 2024-03 - Disaggregation of Income Statement Expenses (Subtopic 220-40)
This ASU aims to provide stakeholders a clearer understanding of an entity's expenses and enhance their ability to assess performance, forecast expenses and evaluate the entity's potential for future cash flows. The ASU amends the rules on income statement expense disclosures and requires public business entities to disaggregate and disclose, in tabular format in the notes to financial statements, specified categories of expenses contained within certain income statement expense line items; to integrate certain amounts that were already required to be disclosed under current GAAP with the new disaggregation requirements and to qualitatively disclose descriptions of the amounts remaining that were not separately disaggregated. The ASU also requires public business entities to disclose the total amount of selling expenses and, in annual reporting periods, an entity's definition of those selling expenses. This ASU does not change or remove the current disclosure requirements of expense line items on the face of the Consolidated Statements of Income.
The Company is evaluating the effects that the adoption of the ASU will have on its Consolidated Financial Statements disclosures.
The amendments in this ASU are effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2026, and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2027. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in this ASU should be applied either prospectively to Consolidated Financial Statements issued for reporting periods following the effective date, or retrospectively to any or all prior periods presented in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
ASU 2023-09 - Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to income tax disclosures
The ASU amends the rules on income tax disclosures by modifying or eliminating certain existing income tax disclosure requirements in addition to establishing new requirements. The amendments address investor requests for more transparency about income taxes, including jurisdictional information, by requiring consistent categories and greater disaggregation of information. The ASU's two primary amendments relate to the rate reconciliation and income taxes paid annual disclosures.
Reconciling items presented in the rate reconciliation will be in dollar amounts and percentages, and will be disaggregated into specified categories with certain reconciling items further broken out by nature and/or jurisdiction using a 5% threshold of domestic federal taxes. Income taxes paid will be disaggregated between federal, provincial/territorial, and foreign taxing jurisdictions using a 5% threshold of total income taxes paid net of refunds received.
The ASU is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2024.
The adoption of the ASU will have an impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements disclosures. The required disclosure changes will be reflected in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements when the ASU is adopted. As the Company will not early adopt the ASU, the required disclosure changes will be reflected in the Company's 2025 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. The Company is currently evaluating whether to apply the amendments prospectively or retrospectively.
Other recently issued ASUs required to be applied on or after December 31, 2024 have been evaluated by the Company and are not expected to have a significant impact on the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements.
3 - Business acquisitions and combinations
Iowa Northern Railway Company
On December 6, 2023, the Company acquired the shares of the Iowa Northern Railway Company (IANR), a Class III short-line railroad that owns and leases approximately 175 route miles in northeast Iowa that are connected to CN's U.S. rail network. CN paid US$230 million ($312 million), including transaction costs to date. IANR serves upper Midwest agricultural and industrial markets covering many goods, including biofuels and grain. This transaction represents a meaningful opportunity to support the growth of local business by creating single-line service to North American destinations, while preserving access to existing carrier options.
The shares of IANR were deposited into an independent voting trust while the U.S Surface Transportation Board (STB) considered the Company's application to acquire control of IANR. During the trust period, IANR continues to be operated under its current management and the Company cannot exercise day-to-day control. As a result, the Company recorded its investment in IANR at its acquisition cost under the equity method of accounting. On January 14, 2025, the STB issued a final decision approving CN's application to acquire control of IANR, subject to certain conditions, with an effective date of 30 days thereafter. CN will assume control of IANR during the first quarter of 2025 and will account for the acquisition of control as a business combination under the acquisition method of accounting.
On the acquisition date of December 6, 2023, immediately prior to the acquisition of the investment accounted for under the equity method of accounting, there was a basis difference of $236 million between the consideration paid to acquire IANR and the underlying carrying value of the net assets of IANR. The basis difference related to depreciable properties is being amortized over the related assets' remaining useful lives. The remainder of the basis difference, relating to land, and equity method goodwill, will not be amortized and will be carried at cost subject to an assessment for impairment. The fair value of IANR's underlying net assets is now final and the resulting differences compared to what was estimated were insignificant.
The Company has not provided summarized financial information for IANR, on its historical cost basis as at December 31, 2024 and 2023, for the period from December 6, 2023 to December 31, 2023, and for the year ending December 31, 2024, as it was not material.
Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway
On November 1, 2023, the Company acquired from Genesee & Wyoming Inc. a stake in the Cape Breton & Central Nova Scotia Railway (CBNS), a Class III short-line railroad that owns approximately 150 route miles. CN paid $78 million in cash, net of cash acquired and including working capital adjustments. The acquisition was accounted for as a business combination. As a result, the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheets included the net assets of CBNS as of November 1, 2023, which were comprised of $101 million in fair value of properties mostly track and roadway assets, partly offset by $18 million in deferred tax liabilities. The remaining net assets were comprised of current assets and liabilities which were individually insignificant and there were no identifiable intangible assets. No goodwill was recognized. The Company's purchase price allocation is now final and the resulting differences compared to what was estimated were insignificant. The Company has not provided pro forma information related to prior periods as it was not material.
4 - Assets held for sale
On May 8, 2024, CN entered into an agreement to transfer the ownership and related risks and obligations of a road, rail, and pedestrian bridge known as the Quebec Bridge located in Quebec, Canada, to the Government of Canada for a nominal amount. At that time, CN met the criteria for classification of the related track and roadway assets as assets held for sale and accordingly recorded a loss of $78 million ($58 million after-tax) to adjust the carrying value to the nominal selling price. On November 12, 2024, the transaction was completed and the resulting difference between the carrying value and what was estimated was insignificant. CN also recognized an operating lease right-of-use asset and a related liability of $124 million for the retained requisite rights to occupy and operate the portion of the bridge where the rail infrastructure is located and will pay an annual occupancy fee over a term that also includes a noncancellable period.
5 - Other income
2023 Disposal of property
On December 13, 2023, the Company completed the sale of a portion of land within the Bala Subdivision located in Markham and Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada for cash proceeds of $129 million which resulted in a gain of $129 million ($112 million after tax) as the carrying amount of the land was nominal.
6 - Income taxes
In the fourth quarter of 2023, the Company received a ruling from taxation authorities in a non-U.S. foreign jurisdiction in connection with prior taxation years. Consistent with the ruling, and effective as of January 1, 2021, the Company has foregone favorable tax deductions of a permanent nature on certain income generated from intercompany arrangements. This resulted in the Company generating tax-deductible goodwill approximating the value of the foregone tax deductions, which is available to be amortized over a period of up to ten years.
As a result, in 2023, the Company recorded a net deferred income tax recovery of $682 million, comprised of a $767 million deferred income tax recovery related to the tax-deductible goodwill initially generated as of January 1, 2021, partly offset by a $85 million income tax expense related to the foregone tax deduction ($31 million for 2023 and $54 million for prior years) which was initially recorded in current taxes and was then reclassified to deferred taxes following the amortization of the tax-deductible goodwill for those years.
7 - Subsequent event
Normal course issuer bid (NCIB)
On January 30, 2025, the Board of Directors of the Company approved a new NCIB, which allows for the repurchase of up to 20.0 million common shares between February 4, 2025 and February 3, 2026.
