WallStSmart

Canadian National Railway Company (CNI)vsWestern Digital Corporation (WDC)

VS

Smart Verdict

WallStSmart Research — data-driven comparison

Canadian National Railway Company generates 61% more annual revenue ($17.30B vs $10.73B). WDC leads profitability with a 35.6% profit margin vs 27.3%. WDC appears more attractively valued with a PEG of 0.69. CNI earns a higher WallStSmart Score of 68/100 (B-).

CNI

Strong Buy

68

out of 100

Grade: B-

Growth: 6.7Profit: 8.5Value: 9.3Quality: 5.5
Piotroski: 5/9Altman Z: 1.48

WDC

Buy

55

out of 100

Grade: C

Growth: 2.0Profit: 9.0Value: 7.3Quality: 5.0
IV

Intrinsic Value Comparison

Multi-model valuation · Graham Formula

CNIUndervalued (+23.2%)

Margin of Safety

+23.2%

Fair Value

$138.47

Current Price

$98.41

$40.06 discount

UndervaluedFair: $138.47Overvalued
WDCSignificantly Overvalued (-311.2%)

Margin of Safety

-311.2%

Fair Value

$66.57

Current Price

$293.10

$226.53 premium

UndervaluedFair: $66.57Overvalued

Key Strengths & Concerns

Side-by-side fundamental analysis

Key Strengths

CNI4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Operating MarginProfitability
42.4%10/10

Strong operational efficiency at 42.4%

Market CapQuality
$61.42B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

Return on EquityProfitability
22.2%9/10

Every $100 of equity generates 22 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
27.3%9/10

Keeps 27 of every $100 in revenue as profit

WDC4 strengths · Avg: 9.3/10
Return on EquityProfitability
41.1%10/10

Every $100 of equity generates 41 in profit

Profit MarginProfitability
35.6%10/10

Keeps 36 of every $100 in revenue as profit

Market CapQuality
$100.21B9/10

Large-cap with strong market position

PEG RatioValuation
0.698/10

Growing faster than its price suggests

Areas to Watch

CNI4 concerns · Avg: 3.3/10
PEG RatioValuation
2.124/10

Expensive relative to growth rate

Revenue GrowthGrowth
2.4%4/10

2.4% revenue growth

Debt/EquityHealth
1.013/10

Elevated debt levels

Altman Z-ScoreHealth
1.482/10

Distress zone — elevated risk

WDC4 concerns · Avg: 3.0/10
P/E RatioValuation
29.9x4/10

Moderate valuation

Price/BookValuation
14.0x4/10

Trading at 14.0x book value

Revenue GrowthGrowth
-41.0%2/10

Revenue declined 41.0%

EPS GrowthGrowth
-95.9%2/10

Earnings declined 95.9%

Comparative Analysis Report

WallStSmart Research

Bull 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 : WDC

The strongest argument for WDC centers on Return on Equity, Profit Margin, Market Cap. Profitability is solid with margins at 35.6% and operating margin at 15.4%. PEG of 0.69 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 : WDC

The primary concerns for WDC are P/E Ratio, Price/Book, Revenue Growth.

Key Dynamics to Monitor

CNI profiles as a value stock while WDC is a declining play — different risk/reward profiles.

WDC carries more volatility with a beta of 1.85 — expect wider price swings.

CNI is growing revenue faster at 2.4% — 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.

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Western Digital Corporation

TECHNOLOGY · COMPUTER HARDWARE · USA

Western Digital Corporation (WDC, commonly known as Western Digital or WD) is an American computer hard disk drive manufacturer and data storage company, headquartered in San Jose, California. It designs, manufactures and sells data technology products, including storage devices, data center systems and cloud storage services.

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