CN Announces New Normal Course Issuer Bid for Share Repurchase and 7% Dividend Increase
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Insights
The announcement by CN of a 7% dividend increase and a new share repurchase program signifies a strong signal to the market regarding the company's financial health and future prospects. Dividend hikes are often interpreted as a company's confidence in its stable cash flows and repurchase programs can be seen as a method to return value to shareholders and potentially support stock price levels. The decision to repurchase up to 32 million common shares, which is about 5.63% of non-insider-held shares, is a substantial buyback that can lead to earnings per share (EPS) accretion, as the reduction in the number of shares outstanding will increase the EPS if net income remains constant or grows.
The timing and size of these repurchases being subject to market conditions indicates a strategic approach to capital management. The share buybacks, executed at market prices, will utilize the company's free cash flow, which has been reported to remain robust despite challenging market conditions. This action aligns with the company's previous statements about increasing leverage gradually, which suggests a proactive financial strategy that balances growth, shareholder returns and leverage.
From a market perspective, CN's announcement may be analyzed in the context of the broader transportation and logistics industry. Share repurchase programs are often viewed favorably as they can indicate that a company's leadership believes the stock is undervalued. CN's choice to initiate a new buyback program immediately after the expiration of its current one could be seen as a continuous commitment to shareholder value. However, investors should also consider the opportunity cost of such a program; the funds used for share repurchases are not being invested in business expansion or debt reduction.
Additionally, the market reaction to such news can be mixed depending on the investors' perception of the company's long-term growth strategy versus short-term shareholder returns. While some investors might appreciate the immediate return of capital, others may prefer investments in long-term growth initiatives. The impact on the stock market will largely depend on the collective interpretation of CN's financial strategy and its alignment with shareholder interests.
Examining CN's financial decisions from an economic standpoint, the company's move to increase dividends and repurchase shares can be reflective of the broader economic environment. In a scenario where the market faces challenging conditions, companies with strong cash flows and free cash reserves may opt to return cash to shareholders rather than pursue expansion or acquisitions, which may be deemed riskier. This can be particularly true in industries like transportation, which are sensitive to economic cycles.
The company's reference to gradually increasing leverage also suggests an environment where interest rates may be favorable, or the company is confident about its ability to manage higher debt levels without compromising financial stability. The economic implications of such a strategy are significant, as they may influence the company's flexibility in responding to future economic downturns or capitalizing on growth opportunities that may arise.
MONTREAL, Jan. 23, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CN (TSX: CNR) (NYSE: CNI) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved a
The Bid permits CN to purchase, for cancellation, over a 12-month period up to 32 million common shares, representing
“CN has continued to deliver good financial results and free cash flow despite challenging market conditions. Our performance and expectations support maintaining our uninterrupted growth in dividends since privatization. We are also announcing a new share repurchase program that is consistent with the announcement we made at our May investor day to gradually increase our leverage over time, subject to economic conditions.” - Ghislain Houle, Executive Vice-President and Chief Financial Officer, CN
The Bid will be conducted between February 1, 2024 and January 31, 2025 through a combination of discretionary transactions and automatic repurchase plans at market prices prevailing at the time of purchase, through the facilities of the Toronto and New York stock exchanges, or alternative trading systems in Canada and in the United States, if eligible, and will conform to their regulations. Purchases may also be conducted using derivative-based programs, accelerated share repurchase transactions, or other methods of acquiring shares, subject to any required regulatory and stock exchange approvals and on such terms and at such times as shall be permitted by applicable laws.
The decisions regarding the timing and size of future purchases of common shares under the Bid are subject to management’s discretion and are based on a variety of factors, including market conditions. The new Bid was approved by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) today. TSX rules permit CN to purchase daily, through TSX facilities, a maximum of 263,790 common shares under the Bid.
CN believes that the repurchase of its shares represents an appropriate and beneficial use of the Company's funds.
CN's current normal course issuer bid, announced in January 2023 for the purchase of up to 32 million common shares, expires on January 31, 2024. As at the close of trading on January 18, 2024, CN had repurchased 27,831,537 common shares at a weighted-average price of C
CN's Board of Directors also approved a first-quarter 2024 dividend on the Company's common shares outstanding. A quarterly dividend of eighty-four and a half cents (C
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements included in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and under Canadian securities laws, including statements based on management’s assessment and assumptions and publicly available information with respect to CN. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions. CN cautions that its assumptions may not materialize and that current economic conditions render such assumptions, although reasonable at the time they were made, subject to greater uncertainty. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology such as "believes", "expects", "anticipates", "assumes", "outlook", "plans", "targets" or other similar words.
Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements of CN to be materially different from the outlook or any future results, performance or achievements implied by such statements. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could affect the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, general economic and business conditions, including factors impacting global supply chains such as pandemics and geopolitical conflicts and tensions; industry competition; inflation, currency and interest rate fluctuations; changes in fuel prices; legislative and/or regulatory developments; compliance with environmental laws and regulations; actions by regulators; increases in maintenance and operating costs; security threats; reliance on technology and related cybersecurity risk; trade restrictions or other changes to international trade arrangements; transportation of hazardous materials; various events which could disrupt operations, including illegal blockades of rail networks, and natural events such as severe weather, droughts, fires, floods and earthquakes; climate change; labor negotiations and disruptions; environmental claims; uncertainties of investigations, proceedings and other types of claims and litigation; risks and liabilities arising from derailments; timing and completion of capital programs; the availability of and cost competitiveness of renewable fuels and the development of new locomotive propulsion technology; reputational risks; supplier concentration; pension funding requirements and volatility; and other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by CN with securities regulators in Canada and the United States. Reference should also be made to Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) in CN’s annual and interim reports, Annual Information Form and Form 40-F, filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators and available on CN’s website, for a description of major risk factors relating to CN.
Forward-looking statements reflect information as of the date on which they are made. CN assumes no obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs, unless required by applicable securities laws. In the event CN does update any forward-looking statement, no inference should be made that CN will make additional updates with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statement. Information contained on, or accessible through, our website is not incorporated by reference into this news release.
About CN
CN is a world-class transportation leader and trade-enabler. Essential to the economy, to the customers, and to the communities it serves, CN safely transports more than 300 million tons of natural resources, manufactured products, and finished goods throughout North America every year. CN's network connects Canada’s Eastern and Western coasts with the U.S. South through an 18,800 mile rail network. CN and its affiliates have been contributing to community prosperity and sustainable trade since 1919. CN is committed to programs supporting social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Contacts:
| Media | Investment Community |
| Jonathan Abecassis | Stacy Alderson |
| Director | Assistant Vice-President |
| Public Affairs and Media Relations | Investor Relations |
| (438) 455-3692 | (514) 399-0052 |
| media@cn.ca | investor.relations@cn.ca |
FAQ
What is the dividend increase announced by CN (CNI)?
How many common shares is CN (CNI) planning to repurchase under the new normal course issuer bid?
When will the first-quarter 2024 dividend be paid by CN (CNI)?
