The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Dec. 22, edition that National Bank Financial analyst Cameron Doerksen is "staying neutral" on Canadian railway companies, expecting volume growth to remain muted into at least the early part of 2024. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Doerksen continues to rate Canadian National Railway "sector perform." Mr. Doerksen boosted his share target by $4 to $172. Analysts on average target the shares at $164.67. Mr. Doerksen says in a note: "We think CN management's target to generate 10- to 15-per-cent EPS growth over the 2024-26 period is achievable, although we forecast 2024 EPS growth at the low end of that range. Given our expectation that volume growth will remain muted into the early part of 2024 at least, our neutral view on the stock is unchanged. We continue to value the stock based on our updated 2025 EPS forecast, but to reflect the fact that sector valuations have expanded, we are increasing our valuation P/E multiple to 19 times from 18 times previously." The Globe reported on Oct. 6 that Mr. Doerksen continued to rate CN "sector perform." The shares could then be had for $146.20.