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

Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q1 2026 earnings estimates for Kirby in a research report issued on Thursday, February 12th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the shipping company will earn $1.42 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.53. Zacks Research currently has a “Strong Sell” 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 $2.00 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.01 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $2.16 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $8.00 EPS.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The shipping company reported $1.68 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.62 by $0.06. Kirby had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 10.55%. The company had revenue of $851.78 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $857.82 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.29 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis.

Several other analysts have also issued reports on the stock. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Kirby from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, November 1st. Evercore raised their price objective on Kirby from $109.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 30th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Kirby in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. BTIG Research decreased their price objective on shares of Kirby from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Citigroup upped their price objective on Kirby from $145.00 to $147.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has given a Hold rating and one has assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $129.40.

Kirby Price Performance

NYSE KEX opened at $124.87 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 1.70 and a quick ratio of 1.08. Kirby has a 1-year low of $79.51 and a 1-year high of $132.18. The stock has a market capitalization of $6.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 19.73, a PEG ratio of 1.12 and a beta of 0.88. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $119.02 and its 200-day moving average price is $104.02.

Insider Transactions at Kirby

In related news, VP Amy D. Husted sold 10,413 shares of Kirby stock in a transaction dated 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 completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 11,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,263,259.20. This trade represents a 46.96% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, VP Ronald A. Dragg sold 5,429 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $122.00, for a total value of $662,338.00. Following the sale, the vice president owned 10,399 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,268,678. This trade represents a 34.30% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders sold a total of 63,898 shares of company stock valued at $7,081,741 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of Kirby

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Maseco LLP bought a new position in Kirby during the 4th quarter valued at about $27,000. IFP Advisors Inc bought a new stake in Kirby in the second quarter worth about $29,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new position in shares of Kirby during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Rothschild Investment LLC grew its position in Kirby by 2,600.0% in the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 270 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bell Investment Advisors Inc lifted its position in shares of Kirby by 67.1% during the second quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 284 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

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.