CAT vs CNI
Caterpillar Inc. compared with Canadian National Railway Company on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
CAT
Caterpillar Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
CNI
Canadian National Railway Company
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- CNI yields more today: 2.14% vs 0.79% (forward).
- CAT has grown its payout faster: 8.0%/yr vs -7.2%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- CNI has the longer streak of annual increases: 17 years vs 5.
- Over the last year CAT delivered the higher total return: +97.7% vs +28.2% (price change plus payouts).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | CAT | CNI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $822.48 | $122.76 |
| TTM yield | 0.75% | 1.08% |
| Forward yield | 0.79% | 2.14% |
| Annual payout per share | $6.52 | $2.624 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Oct 19, 2026 (est.) | Sep 8, 2026 (declared) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 26% | 46% |
| 1-year payout growth | +7.3% | -46.9% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +8.0% | -7.2% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 5 years | 17 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 93/100 | 95/100 |
| 1-year total return | +97.7% | +28.2% |
| 1-year price return | +96.3% | +26.8% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 378.1B | 74.3B |
| Years paying | 64.6 | 29.5 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Industrials | Industrials |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| CAT | CNI | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 12.2 | 81.5 |
| Income per year | $79 | $214 |
| Income per month (avg) | $7 | $18 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAT Oct 19, 2026 | Nov 2, 2026 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Jan 18, 2027 | Feb 1, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CAT Apr 19, 2027 | May 3, 2027 | $1.63 | Est. |
| CNI Dec 8, 2026 | Dec 22, 2026 | $0.656 | Est. |
| CNI Mar 9, 2027 | Mar 23, 2027 | $0.656 | Est. |
| CNI Jun 8, 2027 | Jun 22, 2027 | $0.656 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
CATCNI
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, CAT or CNI?
CNI currently has the higher trailing yield: CAT yields 0.75% and CNI yields 1.08%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do CAT and CNI pay?
CAT pays every quarter and CNI pays every quarter. CAT's next ex-date is Oct 19, 2026 and CNI's is Sep 8, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, CAT or CNI?
CAT has grown its payout faster: 8.0%/yr vs -7.2%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is CAT or CNI better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. CAT and CNI differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.