Canadian National Railway Q4 Profit Tops Estimates; 25% Increase In Dividend

(RTTNews) - Canadian National Railway Company (CNR.TO, CNI) reported fourth-quarter net income of C$844 million or C$1.03 per share, compared to C$635 million or C$0.76 per share, prior year. Adjusted earnings per share was C$1.03 , for the quarter.

On average, 18 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of C$0.97 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Revenue increased to C$3.21 billion from C$2.75 billion last year. Analysts expected revenue of C$3.10 billion for the quarter.

The company's Board has approved a 25 percent increase in quarterly common-share dividend. A quarterly dividend of C$0.3125 per common share will be paid on March 31, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 10, 2015.

The company is aiming to deliver double-digit EPS growth in 2015 over adjusted 2014 EPS of C$3.76. CN plans to increase its capital spending by roughly C$300 million for a total 2015 investment of approximately C$2.6 billion.