Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)vsLB Foster Company (FSTR)
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
$100.97
+0.28%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $60.25B
FSTR
LB Foster Company
$28.04
-0.04%
INDUSTRIALS · Cap: $292.15M
Smart Verdict
WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison
Canadian National Railway Company generates 3104% more annual revenue ($17.30B vs $540.01M). CNI leads profitability with a 27.3% profit margin vs 1.4%. FSTR appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.19. CNI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).
CNI
Strong Buy68
out of 100
Grade: B-
FSTR
Buy55
out of 100
Grade: C
Intrinsic Value Comparison
Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula
Margin of Safety
+22.9%
Fair Value
$137.97
Current Price
$100.97
$37.00 discount
Margin of Safety
-572.5%
Fair Value
$4.69
Current Price
$28.04
$23.35 premium
Key Strengths & Concerns
Side-by-side fundamental analysis
Key Strengths
Strong operational efficiency at 42.4%
Large-cap with strong market position
Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit
Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit
Attractively priced relative to earnings
Growing faster than its price suggests
Safe zone — low bankruptcy risk
Reasonable price relative to book value
Revenue surging 25.1% year-over-year
Areas to Watch
Expensive relative to growth rate
2.4% revenue growth
Elevated debt levels
Distress zone — elevated risk
Smaller company, higher risk/reward
ROE of 4.2% — below average capital efficiency
1.4% margin — thin
Weak financial health signals
Comparative Analysis Report
WallStSmart ResearchBull Case : CNI
The strongest argument for CNI centers on Operating Margin, Market Cap, Return on Equity. Profitability is solid with margins at 27.3% and operating margin at 42.4%.
Bull Case : FSTR
The strongest argument for FSTR centers on PEG Ratio, Altman Z-Score, Price/Book. Revenue growth of 25.1% demonstrates continued momentum. PEG of 0.19 suggests the stock is reasonably priced for its growth.
Bear Case : CNI
The primary concerns for CNI are PEG Ratio, Revenue Growth, Debt/Equity.
Bear Case : FSTR
The primary concerns for FSTR are Market Cap, Return on Equity, Profit Margin. A P/E of 40.7x leaves little room for execution misses. Thin 1.4% margins leave little buffer for downturns.
Key Dynamics to Monitor
CNI profiles as a value stock while FSTR is a growth play — different risk/reward profiles.
FSTR carries more volatility with a beta of 0.99 — expect wider price swings.
FSTR is growing revenue faster at 25.1% — sustainability is the question.
CNI generates stronger free cash flow (997M), providing more financial flexibility.
Bottom Line
CNI scores higher overall (68/100 vs 55/100), backed by strong 27.3% margins. Both earn "Strong Buy" and "Buy" ratings respectively — the choice depends on your investment horizon and risk tolerance.
This analysis is generated from publicly available financial data. Not financial advice.
Canadian National Railway Company
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
Canadian National Railway Company, is engaged in the rail and related transportation business. The company is headquartered in Montreal, Canada.
Visit Website →LB Foster Company
INDUSTRIALS · RAILROADS · USA
LB Foster Company provides products and services for the rail industry and solutions to support critical infrastructure projects globally. The company is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Visit Website →Compare with Other RAILROADS Stocks
Want to dig deeper into these stocks?