Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

CA | Industrials | Railroads | NYSE

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) Bundle

Get Full Bundle:
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$25 $15
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7
$12 $7

TOTAL:



A Brief History of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP)

Company Overview

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. As of 2024, the company operates a Class I railroad spanning approximately 13,000 miles of track across Canada and the United States.

Financial Performance

Financial Metric 2023 Value
Revenue $8.92 billion
Net Income $2.61 billion
Market Capitalization $74.3 billion
Operating Ratio 56.4%

Key Operational Metrics

  • Total Employees: 12,500
  • Freight Volumes: 2.4 million carloads
  • Network Coverage: 13 Canadian provinces and 17 U.S. states

Strategic Assets

CP operates a fleet of 1,260 locomotives and 41,700 freight cars as of 2024.

Recent Merger

In 2023, CP completed a merger with Kansas City Southern, creating Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited (CPKC), forming the first single-line rail network connecting Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Revenue Breakdown

Segment 2023 Revenue Contribution
Grain $1.65 billion
Potash $420 million
Intermodal $1.23 billion
Automotive $380 million


A Who Owns Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP)

Major Shareholders

Shareholder Percentage Ownership
Canadian Pacific Railway Shareholders 100%
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 8.84%
BlackRock Inc. 7.56%
Capital World Investors 6.89%
Massachusetts Financial Services 5.22%

Institutional Ownership

As of Q4 2023, institutional investors own approximately 73.4% of Canadian Pacific Railway Limited shares.

Public Trading Details

  • Listed on: New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
  • Listed on: Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX)
  • Ticker Symbol: CP

Ownership Structure

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited is a publicly traded company with no single majority shareholder controlling over 50% of outstanding shares.



Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) Mission Statement

Corporate Overview

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) operates a transcontinental freight railway in Canada and the United States with 12,500 route miles.

Financial Performance

Financial Metric 2023 Value
Total Revenue $8.98 billion
Net Income $2.97 billion
Operating Ratio 56.4%

Strategic Focus Areas

  • Efficient transportation services
  • Sustainable freight movement
  • Technology-driven logistics solutions
  • Safety and operational excellence

Key Performance Metrics

Performance Indicator 2023 Measurement
Freight Volumes 2.16 million carloads
Intermodal Containers 1.74 million TEUs
Employee Count 12,500 employees

Operational Regions

Primary Service Areas: Canada and United States, connecting major economic centers across North America.



How Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) Works

Company Overview

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) is a Class I freight railway headquartered in Calgary, Alberta. As of 2024, CP operates approximately 20,000 route miles across Canada and the United States.

Financial Performance

Financial Metric 2023 Value
Total Revenue $8.9 billion
Net Income $3.1 billion
Operating Ratio 56.7%

Operational Segments

  • Bulk Commodities Transportation
  • Intermodal Freight Services
  • Merchandise Freight Transportation
  • Energy and Chemicals Logistics

Network Infrastructure

CP maintains a network spanning across Canada and the United States, connecting major economic regions and ports.

Infrastructure Component Quantity
Locomotives 1,981
Freight Cars 47,738
Employees 12,500

Key Operational Metrics

  • Freight Volumes: 2.4 million carloads and intermodal units in 2023
  • Average Train Length: 9,500 feet
  • Average Train Weight: 10,700 tons

Strategic Focus Areas

CP concentrates on precision scheduled railroading, operational efficiency, and technological innovation.

Technological Investments

  • Automated train control systems
  • Advanced locomotive monitoring technologies
  • Predictive maintenance platforms


How Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited generates revenue primarily through freight transportation services across North America.

Revenue Category 2023 Revenue (USD)
Grain Transportation $2.1 billion
Intermodal Transportation $1.8 billion
Coal Transportation $650 million
Potash Transportation $500 million

Freight Transportation Segments

  • Agricultural Products
  • Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • Energy, Metals, and Minerals
  • Automotive
  • Intermodal

Financial Performance

Canadian Pacific Railway reported total operating revenues of $8.91 billion in 2023.

Financial Metric 2023 Value
Operating Income $4.2 billion
Net Income $2.6 billion
Operating Ratio 52.7%

Network Coverage

Canadian Pacific operates approximately 12,500 miles of track across Canada and the United States.

Key Competitive Advantages

  • Extensive North American rail network
  • Efficient transportation routes
  • Diversified freight portfolio
  • Advanced logistics technology

DCF model

Canadian Pacific Railway Limited (CP) DCF Excel Template

    5-Year Financial Model

    40+ Charts & Metrics

    DCF & Multiple Valuation

    Free Email Support


Disclaimer

All information, articles, and product details provided on this website are for general informational and educational purposes only. We do not claim any ownership over, nor do we intend to infringe upon, any trademarks, copyrights, logos, brand names, or other intellectual property mentioned or depicted on this site. Such intellectual property remains the property of its respective owners, and any references here are made solely for identification or informational purposes, without implying any affiliation, endorsement, or partnership.

We make no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of any content or products presented. Nothing on this website should be construed as legal, tax, investment, financial, medical, or other professional advice. In addition, no part of this site—including articles or product references—constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any securities, franchises, or other financial instruments, particularly in jurisdictions where such activity would be unlawful.

All content is of a general nature and may not address the specific circumstances of any individual or entity. It is not a substitute for professional advice or services. Any actions you take based on the information provided here are strictly at your own risk. You accept full responsibility for any decisions or outcomes arising from your use of this website and agree to release us from any liability in connection with your use of, or reliance upon, the content or products found herein.