Your CN dividend looks safe despite protests

Article Excerpt

CN has faced several challenges in the past few months, including an eight-day strike by conductors and yard workers and the impact of the U.S.-China tariff war on freight volumes. More recently, it had to suspend its operations in Eastern Canada due to blockades erected by First Nations protesters. They now seem to have ended, which should let CN resume normal deliveries. The temporary setbacks should have little impact on the company’s long-term earnings and your future dividend hikes. CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY CO. $118 is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol CNR; Conservative-Growth Payer Portfolio, Manufacturing & Industry sector; Shares outstanding: 711.2 million; Market cap: $83.9 billion; Dividend yield: 1.9%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Highest; www.cn.ca) operates Canada’s largest railway. Its 32,200-kilometre network stretches across the country and reaches the U.S. Midwest and Gulf Coast. CN has raised its annual dividend rate each year since becoming a public company in 1995. Starting with the March 2020 payment, the company will raise its quarterly dividend by 7.0%. Investors…