Kirby (NYSE:KEX) Cut to Hold at Wall Street Zen

Key Points

• Wall Street Zen downgraded Kirby to “hold” from “buy,” while Weiss Ratings also lowered its rating. Despite this, the broader analyst consensus remains “Moderate Buy,” with a $163.20 price target.
• Kirby exceeded quarterly expectations, reporting $1.67 in earnings per share versus $1.63 expected and $922.4 million in revenue versus $870.38 million forecast. Revenue increased 7.8% year over year, and full-year 2026 EPS guidance is $7.28.
• Kirby’s shares opened at $131.34, below the consensus price target and recent 12-month high of $157.69. Insiders sold about $2.33 million of stock over the last quarter, while institutional investors own 96.15% of the company.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report issued to clients and investors on Saturday.

A number of other equities research analysts have also commented on KEX. BTIG Research reaffirmed a "buy" rating and set a $170.00 price target on shares of Kirby in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Citigroup boosted their price objective on Kirby from $165.00 to $170.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, July 31st. Bank of America increased their target price on Kirby from $169.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 8th. Evercore restated an "outperform" rating and set a $158.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a report on Friday, May 1st. Finally, Weiss Ratings lowered shares of Kirby from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "hold (c+)" rating in a research note on Monday. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $163.20.

Kirby Price Performance

Shares of KEX stock opened at $131.34 on Friday. Kirby has a 12-month low of $79.51 and a 12-month high of $157.69. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.03 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 0.84. The company has a quick ratio of 1.01, a current ratio of 1.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $139.54 and a 200-day moving average of $136.48.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data 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 for 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%.The firm's revenue was up 7.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.67 EPS. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 7.280-7.280 EPS. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Kirby will post 7.28 earnings per share for the current year.

Insider Activity at Kirby

In related news, COO Christian G. O'neil sold 11,287 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $145.93, for a total transaction of $1,647,111.91. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP William Matthew Woodruff sold 678 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of $147.37, for a total value of $99,916.86. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 9 shares of the company's stock, valued at $1,326.33. This trade represents a 98.69% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders have sold 15,965 shares of company stock valued at $2,328,749. 0.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kirby

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in Kirby by 4.2% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,917 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $255,000 after purchasing an additional 77 shares in the last quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of Kirby by 2.9% during the first quarter. Procyon Advisors LLC now owns 2,811 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $374,000 after buying an additional 78 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake 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 buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of Kirby by 18.2% during the fourth quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 739 shares of the shipping company's stock worth $81,000 after buying an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Finally, M&T Bank Corp lifted its stake in shares of Kirby by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 5,179 shares of the shipping company's stock valued at $571,000 after acquiring an additional 125 shares during the last quarter. 96.15% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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.

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