Free Cash Flow for Canadian National Railway (CNI)
Free Cash Flow for Canadian National Railway (CNI): headline value $3.39B · YoY +7.6%. Annual and quarterly series, chart, and tables are below.
Headline figure above is from the reporting period ending (reported ). Chart and table below cover the full reported history back to .
Currently viewingFree Cash FlowSwitch metric
Latest period
$3.39B
YoY change
+7.6%
5Y CAGR
+0.5%
Peak year (2021)
$4.08B
Latest annual
$3.39B
Free Cash Flow history chart for Canadian National Railway (CNI) from 1995 to 2025
Free Cash Flow history table for Canadian National Railway (CNI) from 1995 to 2025
| Fiscal year | Period ended | Reported | Free Cash Flow | YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3.39B | +7.6% | ||
| 2024 | $3.15B | -16.6% | ||
| 2023 | $3.78B | -3.5% | ||
| 2022 | $3.92B | -4.0% | ||
| 2021 | $4.08B | +23.6% | ||
| 2020 | $3.30B | +60.4% | ||
| 2019 | $2.06B | -13.8% | ||
| 2018 | $2.39B | -16.0% | ||
| 2017 | $2.84B | +13.4% | ||
| 2016 | $2.51B | +3.0% | ||
| 2015 | $2.43B | +16.8% | ||
| 2014 | $2.08B | +32.3% | ||
| 2013 | $1.57B | +18.5% | ||
| 2012 | $1.33B | -1.6% | ||
| 2011 | $1.35B | -4.4% | ||
| 2010 | $1.41B | +61.1% | ||
| 2009 | $877.00M | +44.5% | ||
| 2008 | $607.00M | -41.1% | ||
| 2007 | $1.03B | -37.7% | ||
| 2006 | $1.65B | +8.7% | ||
| 2005 | $1.52B | +42.4% | ||
| 2004 | $1.07B | +14.4% | ||
| 2003 | $933.00M | +38.4% | ||
| 2002 | $674.00M | +19.7% | ||
| 2001 | $563.00M | +2.7% | ||
| 2000 | $548.00M | +59.7% | ||
| 1999 | $343.09M | -29.9% | ||
| 1998 | $489.20M | +67.4% | ||
| 1997 | $292.21M | -7.3% | ||
| 1996 | $315.11M | -264.1% | ||
| 1995 | -$192.00M | — |
Free Cash Flow values are taken from Canadian National Railway's reported cash flow statements (10-Q quarterly and 10-K annual filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission). Each row shows the period end date and the date the filing was reported; YoY compares each figure to the same period one year earlier. Amounts are in CAD as filed.
Analysis
As of the 2025 fiscal year, Canadian National Railway (CNI) reported free cash flow of $3.39B – grew 7.6% year-over-year.
Canadian National Railway free cash flow has recorded the values shown across consecutive periods, with a +0.5% compound annual growth rate over 2020–2025 (5 years).
Canadian National Railway free cash flow peaked at $4.08B in 2021; the latest annual figure is $3.39B in 2025 (17.0% below peak).
Across the available history, free cash flow reached its high of $4.08B in 2021 and its low of -$192.00M in 1995.
Within Industrials, Canadian National Railway (CNI) ranks 7th among 8 peers we track. The peer median for free cash flow is $5.45B.
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow by Year
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow 2025: $3.39B
Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2025 was $3.39B, grew 7.6% from 2024.
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow 2024: $3.15B
Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2024 was $3.15B, declined 16.6% below 2023.
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow 2023: $3.78B
Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2023 was $3.78B, edged down 3.5% below 2022.
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow 2022: $3.92B
Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2022 was $3.92B, edged down 4.0% below 2021.
Canadian National Railway Free Cash Flow 2021: $4.08B
Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2021 was $4.08B.
See more financial history for Canadian National Railway (CNI).
Sector peers — Free Cash Flow
Companies in the same sector as Canadian National Railway, ranked by their latest free cash flow.
| Company | Free Cash Flow | Sector |
|---|---|---|
| Caterpillar Inc. (CAT) | $10.27B | Industrials |
| RTX Corporation (RTX) | $7.94B | Industrials |
| GE Aerospace (GE) | $7.26B | Industrials |
| Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) | $5.50B | Industrials |
| Honeywell International Inc. (HON) | $5.39B | Industrials |
| Eaton Corporation plc (ETN) | $4.47B | Industrials |
| Deere & Company (DE) | $3.23B | Industrials |
| The Boeing Company (BA) | -$1.88B | Industrials |
Frequently asked questions
What is Canadian National Railway's free cash flow?
Latest reported free cash flow for Canadian National Railway (CNI) is $3.39B (period ending December 31, 2025).
How has Canadian National Railway free cash flow changed year-over-year?
Canadian National Railway (CNI) free cash flow changed +7.6% year-over-year on the latest annual filing.
What is the long-term growth rate of Canadian National Railway free cash flow?
Canadian National Railway (CNI) free cash flow compound annual growth rate is +0.5% over the most recent 5 years available.
When did Canadian National Railway free cash flow hit its highest annual value?
Canadian National Railway free cash flow reached its highest annual value of $4.08B in 2021.
What was Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2024?
Canadian National Railway (CNI) free cash flow in 2024 was $3.15B.
What was Canadian National Railway free cash flow in 2025?
Canadian National Railway (CNI) free cash flow in 2025 was $3.39B.
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