Kirby Corporation $KEX is VELA Investment Management LLC's Largest Position

Key Points

• VELA Investment Management remains Kirby’s largest position, holding 128,374 shares worth approximately $17.5 million after trimming its stake by 6.8% in the second quarter. Institutional investors collectively own 96.15% of Kirby’s stock.
• Analyst sentiment is positive overall, with five Buy ratings and two Hold ratings producing a “Moderate Buy” consensus and an average price target of $163.20.
• Kirby exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $1.67 in earnings per share versus the $1.63 estimate and revenue of $922.4 million, up 7.8% year over year. Shares opened at $140.51, near their 50-day and 200-day moving averages.

VELA Investment Management LLC trimmed its holdings in Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX - Free Report) by 6.8% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 128,374 shares of the shipping company's stock after selling 9,355 shares during the quarter. Kirby comprises approximately 3.8% of VELA Investment Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its biggest position. VELA Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.24% of Kirby worth $17,455,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Rothschild Investment LLC lifted its position in shares of Kirby by 2,600.0% during the 4th quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 270 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 260 shares during the last quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kirby by 537.5% in the 4th quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 306 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $34,000 after buying an additional 258 shares in the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its position in shares of Kirby by 50.0% in the 4th quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 402 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $44,000 after buying an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC grew its position in shares of Kirby by 182.9% in the 1st quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 430 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $57,000 after buying an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC raised its stake in Kirby by 18.2% during the 1st quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 520 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. 96.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts recently weighed in on the stock. BTIG Research reissued a "buy" rating and issued a $170.00 price target on shares of Kirby in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Weiss Ratings lowered Kirby from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a report on Monday, August 31st. Citigroup lifted their target price on Kirby from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Bank of America boosted their target price on Kirby from $169.00 to $182.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut Kirby from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, August 8th. Five equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $163.20.

Kirby Stock Down 0.2%

Shares of NYSE:KEX opened at $140.51 on Monday. The stock has a market cap of $7.42 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.62, a P/E/G ratio of 1.26 and a beta of 0.86. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $138.73 and a 200 day moving average price of $138.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 1.68 and a quick ratio of 1.12. Kirby Corporation has a 1-year low of $79.51 and a 1-year high of $157.69.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 29th. The shipping company reported $1.67 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by $0.04. The company had revenue of $922.40 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $870.38 million. Kirby had a net margin of 10.18% and a return on equity of 10.44%. Kirby's quarterly revenue was up 7.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $1.67 earnings per share. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.280-7.280 EPS. Sell-side analysts predict that Kirby Corporation will post 7.11 EPS for the current year.

Kirby 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.

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