Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH Has $3.43 Million Stock Position in Kirby Corporation $KEX

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH raised its holdings in Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) by 99.2% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 41,128 shares of the shipping company’s stock after buying an additional 20,477 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned 0.07% of Kirby worth $3,432,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Luminus Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kirby by 292.0% in the third quarter. Luminus Management LLC now owns 116,956 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $9,760,000 after buying an additional 87,120 shares in the last quarter. Campbell & CO Investment Adviser LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kirby in the 3rd quarter worth about $2,030,000. Peregrine Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Kirby by 18.4% in the 3rd quarter. Peregrine Capital Management LLC now owns 131,000 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $10,932,000 after acquiring an additional 20,399 shares in the last quarter. Bailard Inc. bought a new stake in Kirby during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $692,000. Finally, DAVENPORT & Co LLC raised its stake in shares of Kirby by 29.8% in the third quarter. DAVENPORT & Co LLC now owns 263,943 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $22,026,000 after purchasing an additional 60,635 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

Kirby Stock Performance

NYSE KEX opened at $128.27 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $6.95 billion, a PE ratio of 23.80, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.88. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.70. Kirby Corporation has a 52-week low of $79.51 and a 52-week high of $132.18. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $116.47 and a 200 day simple moving average of $103.56.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The shipping company reported $1.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.60 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $871.16 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $843.29 million. Kirby had a net margin of 9.22% and a return on equity of 10.05%. The company’s revenue was up 4.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $1.55 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that Kirby Corporation will post 6.57 EPS for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently issued reports on KEX shares. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $134.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research report on Thursday, January 8th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Kirby in a research note on Thursday, January 22nd. Evercore ISI raised their price target on shares of Kirby from $109.00 to $122.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Kirby from $131.00 to $145.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Kirby from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, November 1st. Six analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $130.50.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Kirby news, VP Kurt A. Niemietz sold 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, December 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.12, for a total value of $171,180.00. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 958 shares in the company, valued at $109,326.96. The trade was a 61.03% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Amy D. Husted sold 10,413 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.42, for a total value of $1,118,564.46. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 11,760 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,263,259.20. The trade was a 46.96% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last ninety days, insiders sold 57,147 shares of company stock valued at $6,204,544. Company insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

About Kirby

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.