The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Jan. 29, edition that Canadian National Railway's profit fell by 22 per cent in the fourth quarter, as an eight-day strike, weak freight demand and trade tensions reduced cargo volumes. The Globe's Eric Atkins writes that CN posted a profit of $873-million or $1.22 a share in the three months ending Dec. 31. That compared with $1.1-billion or $1.56 in the same period a year earlier. Revenue fell by 6 per cent to $3.6-billion from $3.8-billion in the same quarter a year ago. For the full year of 2019, revenue rose by 4 per cent to $14.9-billion from 2018. Profit declined to $4.2-billion from $4.3-billion in 2018. Diluted earnings per share fell by 1 per cent to $5.83. CN's operating ratio deteriorated by 4.1 percentage points to 66 per cent. CN posted declines in revenue from all freight categories except shipping containers. CN said its "strong balance sheet provides us with the flexibility and resiliency required in the current turbulent economic environment." A strike by 3,200 CN conductors and yard workers brought to a standstill most traffic on CN's Canadian network. CN slashed its 2019 earnings guidance because of the shutdown.