About Cabling Installation & Maintenance

Our mission: Bringing practical business and technical intelligence to today's structured cabling professionals

For more than 30 years, Cabling Installation & Maintenance has provided useful, practical information to professionals responsible for the specification, design, installation and management of structured cabling systems serving enterprise, data center and other environments. These professionals are challenged to stay informed of constantly evolving standards, system-design and installation approaches, product and system capabilities, technologies, as well as applications that rely on high-performance structured cabling systems. Our editors synthesize these complex issues into multiple information products. This portfolio of information products provides concrete detail that improves the efficiency of day-to-day operations, and equips cabling professionals with the perspective that enables strategic planning for networks’ optimum long-term performance.

Throughout our annual magazine, weekly email newsletters and 24/7/365 website, Cabling Installation & Maintenance digs into the essential topics our audience focuses on.

  • Design, Installation and Testing: We explain the bottom-up design of cabling systems, from case histories of actual projects to solutions for specific problems or aspects of the design process. We also look at specific installations using a case-history approach to highlight challenging problems, solutions and unique features. Additionally, we examine evolving test-and-measurement technologies and techniques designed to address the standards-governed and practical-use performance requirements of cabling systems.
  • Technology: We evaluate product innovations and technology trends as they impact a particular product class through interviews with manufacturers, installers and users, as well as contributed articles from subject-matter experts.
  • Data Center: Cabling Installation & Maintenance takes an in-depth look at design and installation workmanship issues as well as the unique technology being deployed specifically for data centers.
  • Physical Security: Focusing on the areas in which security and IT—and the infrastructure for both—interlock and overlap, we pay specific attention to Internet Protocol’s influence over the development of security applications.
  • Standards: Tracking the activities of North American and international standards-making organizations, we provide updates on specifications that are in-progress, looking forward to how they will affect cabling-system design and installation. We also produce articles explaining the practical aspects of designing and installing cabling systems in accordance with the specifications of established standards.

Cabling Installation & Maintenance is published by Endeavor Business Media, a division of EndeavorB2B.

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Patrick McLaughlin

Serena Aburahma

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Peter Fretty - Vice President, Market Leader

Tim Carli - Business Development Manager

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Ride These Railroad Stocks for Growth and Income

Ride These Railroad Stocks for Growth and Income

Chugga chugga choo choo…

The classic train sound is produced by steam escaping the locomotive at each stroke of the engine’s cylinder.

For railroad stocks, it’s the sound of escaping 2022 relatively unscathed. The group’s 8% decline paled in comparison to S&P 500’s 19% slide. And on the heels of 20%-plus gains in each of the three prior years, the railroad industry keeps chugging along — it is already up 3% year-to-date. 

It's as if Warren Buffett knows what he’s doing.

In an age of artificial intelligence, Internet-of-Things devices and other emerging technologies, railroad companies are quietly delivering solid shareholder returns. While they lack tech’s growth potential, they generate steady cash flow that has historically translated to reliable total returns.

Investors have several choices when it comes to railroad stocks, from cargo carriers to service providers and even tech innovators. Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway now owns BNSF Railway Company, so there’s no direct way to mirror the Oracle of Omaha’s "invest in what you know" strategy. 

One way to replicate the exposure, though, is to invest in railroads that are "on track" for long-term growth. Even better if they offer attractive dividend yields.

Is Union Pacific Shareholder Friendly? 

Based in Buffett's hometown, Union Pacific Corporation (NYSE: UNP) has been providing rail transportation across North America since the 1860’s. Today, its network spans more than 30,000 miles on which agricultural goods, automotive parts, coal, chemicals and more are shipped from coast to coast and south to Mexico. 

Over the long haul, Union Pacific is positioned to benefit from growing demand for grains and other commodities as well as products needed for the country’s industrial revolution. As input cost pressures subside, profitability is expected to improve in the back half of 2023 and into 2024. In Q4 of this year, analysts are projecting a return to double-digit EPS growth.

Shareholder-friendly is also a good way to describe Union Pacific. A dividend has been paid for 123 straight years, increased for 16 straight years and the 2.5% forward yield is above the sector average. What’s more, the company has a stock buyback program partly funded by debt that supports the stock price during downturns.

What Railroad Will Benefit from Deglobalization?

Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) operates a smaller footprint than Union Pacific, covering 22 eastern states. The company serves all major east coast ports and is linked to partners in the West and Canada. Incoming CEO Alan Shaw is spearheading a newly announced plan to enhance productivity and improve service as a foundation for future growth.

Investors looking to emphasize the deglobalization trend in their portfolio should lean towards Norfolk Southern. Its rail mileage and intermodal network make it a major player in the domestic supply chain. As more U.S. companies look to enhance their local logistics in the wake of the pandemic, Norfolk Southern’s services will be in increasing demand.

Last year, management raised the quarterly dividend by 14%, a sign of conviction in the long-term outlook. The current 1.9% yield isn’t huge, but given the company’s low 33% payout ratio, there is ample room for dividend growth. Norfolk has one of the healthiest balance sheets in the industry that should carry growth opportunities for years to come. 

Is Canadian National Railway Stock Undervalued?

North of the border, Canadian National Railway Company (NYSE: CNI) is a good way to invest in North American economic growth. The reach of its rail network is similar to that of Union Pacific, just on a smaller scale. It hauls a wide range of commodities and goods to manufacturers and end markets, and like Norfolk Southern has a new leader at the helm. 

Since Tracy Robinson took over as CEO last year, CNI’s profitability has shifted into higher gear. Third quarter earnings jumped 40%, prompting management to boost its full year EPS growth forecast to 25%. Contrast this to the consensus expectation for 5% earnings growth in 2022 on the S&P 500.

In recent periods, CNI has seen accelerated volume growth led by the Automotive, Coal and Petroleum & Chemicals businesses. Meanwhile, operational efficiency is heading higher thanks to improvement in train productivity. Positive trends in volume and profit margins gave management the confidence to raise the dividend by 19%, bringing the yield to 1.8%.

CNI shares are trading within 10% of their all-time high but the P/E ratio (combined with the dividend) puts the stock firmly in value territory. The 17x trailing multiple is well below both the sector and industry averages while the 15x forward P/E is low considering the recent growth. CNI’s history of share buybacks is one more reason to climb aboard this growth and income train.

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