Canadian Pacific's Intermodal Volumes Face Tough Comps, but Carload Trends Improving

Following the appointment of railroading legend Hunter Harrison as CEO in 2012, Canadian Pacific embarked on a successful profitability turnaround. Harrison and his successor—operations expert Keith Creel, who worked alongside Harrison for decades—took the rail from ranking as one of the worst Class I margin performers to among the best. We like that Creel has infused the firm's culture with precision-scheduled railroading principles, which stand behind much of the rail's progress. Profitability caught up with PSR pioneer and historical margin leader Canadian National in 2018 and surpassed it in 2019 with a 60% operating ratio.