Zacks Research Comments on Kirby’s Q1 Earnings (NYSE:KEX)

Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Kirby in a report issued on Monday, March 16th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the shipping company will post earnings of $1.41 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.42. Zacks Research currently has a “Hold” rating on the stock. The consensus estimate for Kirby’s current full-year earnings is $6.57 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Kirby’s Q2 2027 earnings at $2.04 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.04 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $8.04 EPS.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last released its earnings results on Thursday, January 29th. The shipping company reported $1.68 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $851.78 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $857.82 million. Kirby had a return on equity of 10.53% and a net margin of 10.54%.The firm’s revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $1.29 earnings per share.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on KEX. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $138.00 price objective on shares of Kirby in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Wolfe Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $136.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of Kirby from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Tuesday, March 10th. Citigroup lifted their price target on shares of Kirby from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, BTIG Research dropped their price objective on shares of Kirby from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Kirby presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $132.60.

Kirby Price Performance

Shares of KEX opened at $124.24 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $6.66 billion, a PE ratio of 19.63, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.83. Kirby has a 52-week low of $79.51 and a 52-week high of $134.69. The business’s 50 day moving average price is $125.95 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $108.27. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.53.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of KEX. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Kirby by 2.4% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 5,667,853 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $472,982,000 after buying an additional 134,261 shares during the last quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. raised its position in Kirby by 92.0% in the 4th quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 2,612,119 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $287,803,000 after buying an additional 1,251,700 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its position in Kirby by 3.9% in the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,484,508 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $273,745,000 after buying an additional 93,676 shares during the last quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. lifted its stake in Kirby by 72.5% during the 2nd quarter. Alliancebernstein L.P. now owns 2,282,865 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $258,900,000 after acquiring an additional 959,209 shares in the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Kirby by 109.4% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 2,256,667 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $248,640,000 after acquiring an additional 1,178,963 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Kirby

In other Kirby news, COO Christian G. O’neil sold 11,287 shares of Kirby stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.34, for a total transaction of $1,493,721.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 11,287 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,493,721.58. The trade was a 50.00% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, VP Scott P. Miller sold 3,960 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $120.68, for a total value of $477,892.80. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 3,565 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $430,224.20. This represents a 52.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders sold a total of 82,640 shares of company stock valued at $10,470,847 over the last quarter. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Kirby Company Profile

Kirby Corporation is a leading domestic maritime transporter of bulk liquid products in the United States. Through its Marine Transportation segment, the company operates one of North America’s largest fleets of inland tank barges and towing vessels. Kirby’s fleet moves petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals along coastal and inland waterways, providing critical logistical support to energy, chemical and agricultural producers.

In addition to its marine operations, Kirby’s Distribution and Services segment offers diesel engine and power generation services, along with aftermarket parts sales.