Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for Kirby Earnings

Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Kirby in a note issued to investors on Thursday, February 13th. Zacks Research analyst S. Goswami now forecasts that the shipping company will earn $1.29 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $1.37. The consensus estimate for Kirby’s current full-year earnings is $6.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Kirby’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.56 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.81 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.66 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $6.32 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.80 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.84 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.89 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $7.25 EPS.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on KEX. StockNews.com lowered shares of Kirby from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price target on Kirby from $136.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $129.25.

Kirby Trading Up 0.8 %

Shares of KEX stock opened at $108.47 on Monday. Kirby has a 1-year low of $84.56 and a 1-year high of $132.21. The firm has a market cap of $6.23 billion, a PE ratio of 22.09, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.19. The company has a 50-day moving average of $108.29 and a two-hundred day moving average of $116.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.67 and a quick ratio of 1.05.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, January 30th. The shipping company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.30 by ($0.01). Kirby had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 8.78%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Wellington Management Group LLP raised its holdings in shares of Kirby by 1.6% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,762,651 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $186,488,000 after purchasing an additional 28,259 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its holdings in Kirby by 0.7% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,667,520 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $204,154,000 after buying an additional 12,337 shares during the last quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. raised its stake in Kirby by 59.0% in the fourth quarter. Select Equity Group L.P. now owns 1,565,693 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $165,650,000 after buying an additional 581,215 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Kirby by 0.3% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 961,303 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $117,724,000 after buying an additional 2,784 shares during the last quarter. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in Kirby by 69.7% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 876,292 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $92,712,000 after buying an additional 359,770 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity at Kirby

In related news, Director Richard Ross Stewart sold 8,000 shares of Kirby stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.21, for a total value of $1,025,680.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 15,488 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,985,716.48. This trade represents a 34.06 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Scott P. Miller sold 1,244 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.61, for a total value of $133,866.84. Following the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 5,545 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $596,697.45. The trade was a 18.32 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Company insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Kirby Company Profile

Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii.