The latest financial-reporting season kicks off this week with a flurry of statements from Canadian companies including Montreal's Canadian National Railway Co.

CN Rail, which also holds its annual meeting on Thursday, is coming off a month-long strike by cargo loaders, mechanics and clerical workers that crippled its container traffic.

Despite the strike, CN said last month it expected to match or beat last year's earnings when it brings out its next quarterly report on Thursday.

The strike cost the railway between $35 million and $40 million in operating profit and 8 to 10 cents in earnings per share, the company warned last month.

Analyst Robert Fay said he expects a flat quarter from CN and added he will be keeping an eye on the railway to see if there are any lasting effects from the strike, which was settled late last month, on its container business.

Fay said he's neutral on CN's stock because he finds the share price high. CN shareholders have enjoyed a total return of more than 25 per cent in the last year.

"It's a positive story. It's just that the valuation is a little rich right now," said Fay, an analyst at Canaccord Capital Corp.