As their shareholders anticipated, Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble had stable, if unspectacular, earnings reporting days. These firms aren’t strangers to predictable development, as J&J and P&G have raised their dividend payout for 61 and 67 consecutive years, respectively.

GE shares had been roughly flat, regardless of the earnings beat, as shareholders await the outcomes of the corporate breakup. The plan is to interrupt away each GE’s aerospace and vitality divisions into their very own firms.

CNR retains earnings heading in the right direction

Canadian Nationwide Railway (CNR/TSX) introduced earnings per share of $2.02 (versus $1.98 predicted) and income of $4.47 billion (versus $4.38 predicted) on Tuesday. Share costs had been up barely on this information. Shareholders seem to largely agree with administration’s prediction that elevated Canadian financial exercise within the second half of the 12 months will result in a revenue enhance.

Gross ton miles (GTM) got here in at 118,687 million versus 118,272.3 million estimated by analysts. 

Administration painted a really constructive image when it got here to future projections. CNR chief government officer Tracy Robinson acknowledged, “By means of 2023, our group of devoted railroaders leveraged our scheduled working mannequin to ship distinctive service for our prospects and remained resilient within the face of quite a few exterior challenges. Wanting ahead, we’re optimistic as CN-specific development initiatives are producing volumes. Whereas financial uncertainty persists, we now have the momentum to ship sustainable worthwhile development in 2024.”

The present steering for administration states that 2024 will see a ten% improve in earnings per share, with report revenues from potash, refund petroleum and propane. Worldwide quantity is again to pre-pandemic ranges, totally recovering from the British Columbia dockworkers’ strike final summer time. For extra particulars on CNR, please verify my article on Canadian railway shares at MillionDollarJourney.ca.

Financial institution of Canada HODLs—ahem, hangs on for pricey life

As most financial system consultants predicted, the Financial institution of Canada (BoC) determined to carry the coverage rate of interest regular at 5% this week. It was the fourth consecutive time the BoC has determined to not improve or lower the speed. There seems to be a rising consensus that the Financial institution will likely be pressured to chop charges in April or March, however BoC governor Tiff Macklem did hedge everybody’s bets by stating that the BoC isn’t taking future fee will increase off the desk, in case inflation pressures persist. He added that it might be “untimely” to debate rate of interest cuts.

Takeaways from the BoC announcement embrace:

The place charges might go: Macklem acknowledged that BoC discussions across the rate of interest at the moment are shifting from “how excessive will it go?” to “how lengthy will they keep on the present degree earlier than being decreased?”Housing costs are excessive: An admission that “Shelter prices stay the largest contributor to above-target inflation” means the BoC is semi-responsible for a stable chunk of the comparatively excessive CPI numbers that we’re seeing.No recession… perhaps: “We don’t suppose we’d like a deep recession to get inflation again to focus on. However we do want this era of weak development,” Macklem additionally acknowledged.Inflation’s transferring goal: On condition that December’s CPI improve was 3.4%, it wasn’t a shock to listen to the BoC governor say, “Inflation remains to be too excessive, and underlying inflationary pressures persist. We have to give these increased charges time to do their work.”Unemployment charges: Job vacancies are trending upward and at the moment are near pre-pandemic ranges.GDP development expectations: The BoC expects zero GDP development within the first quarter, and solely 0.8% for the 12 months.

Whereas Canadian debtors are more likely to grimace on the thought of inflation charges “doing their work,” the latest core inflation figures have backed the BoC right into a little bit of a nook. If a rate-cutting cycle began, just for inflation to as soon as once more development upward, it may have devastating results on individuals’s confidence that the BoC will ultimately get inflation again in line. As soon as that confidence goes… it’s very tough and economically painful to get it again. Choices markets now consider there may be a few 50% likelihood of a fee reduce in April, with a really low chance of a reduce in March, and a excessive chance of no less than one reduce by June.