Kirby Corporation (KEX) - What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analysts are moderately bullish on Kirby: Seven of eight analysts rate the stock a buy, while one recommends holding it. The average 12-month price target is $169.17, above the reported share price of $134.92.
• Institutional ownership is high at 96.15%: Several investment firms recently increased their Kirby holdings, while others initiated new positions.
• Kirby exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $1.67 in EPS versus the $1.63 consensus and $922.4 million in revenue, up 7.8% year over year. Analysts expect approximately $7.10 in EPS for the current fiscal year.

Shares of Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX - Get Free Report) have received an average recommendation of "Moderate Buy" from the eight analysts that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $169.17.

Several research analysts have issued reports on KEX shares. BTIG Research reiterated a "buy" rating and set a $170.00 price objective on shares of Kirby in a research note on Wednesday, July 29th. Citigroup cut their price objective on Kirby from $170.00 to $169.00 and set a "buy" rating for the company in a report on Thursday, October 8th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Kirby from a "hold (c+)" rating to a "buy (b-)" rating in a research note on Monday, September 14th. Wall Street Zen lowered shares of Kirby from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 8th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. started coverage on shares of Kirby in a report on Wednesday, October 14th. They issued an "overweight" rating and a $200.00 target price on the stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kirby

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Pension & Wealth Management Advisors Inc. bought a new position in Kirby in the 3rd quarter valued at $45,000. Root Financial Partners LLC boosted its stake in Kirby by 182.9% in the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 430 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $57,000 after purchasing an additional 278 shares in the last quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust boosted its stake in Kirby by 488.9% in the second quarter. Parkside Financial Bank & Trust now owns 477 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $65,000 after purchasing an additional 396 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kirby by 18.2% during the first quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 520 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in shares of Kirby by 34.2% during the second quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 890 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $121,000 after purchasing an additional 227 shares during the last quarter. 96.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Kirby Stock Up 1.3%

NYSE KEX opened at $134.92 on Tuesday. Kirby has a 1-year low of $87.62 and a 1-year high of $157.69. The company has a market capitalization of $7.12 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.76, a PEG ratio of 1.19 and a beta of 0.84. The stock's 50 day moving average is $137.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $136.24. The company has a current ratio of 1.68, a quick ratio of 1.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The shipping company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.63 by $0.04. The business had revenue of $922.40 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $870.38 million. Kirby had a return on equity of 10.44% and a net margin of 10.18%. Kirby's revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.67 EPS. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.280-7.280 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that Kirby will post 7.10 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Kirby Company Profile

Kirby Corporation is a Houston-based marine transportation and industrial services company. Through its marine transportation operations, the company is the largest tank barge operator in the United States, transporting bulk liquid products on the nation's inland and coastal waterways.

Kirby's marine transportation business carries petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, black oil, agricultural chemicals and other bulk liquids for industrial customers. Its operations primarily serve the U.S.

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