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Kirby (KEX) Competitors

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$149.21 +0.51 (+0.34%)
Closing price 07/22/2026 03:59 PM Eastern
Extended Trading
$149.35 +0.14 (+0.10%)
As of 08:47 AM Eastern
Extended trading is trading that happens on electronic markets outside of regular trading hours. This is a fair market value extended hours price provided by Massive. Learn more.

KEX vs. WHD, MATX, FRO, INSW, and STNG

Should you buy Kirby stock or one of its competitors? MarketBeat compares Kirby with other companies and stocks that may be similar based on industry, sector, market capitalization, business model, investor interest, or shared news coverage. Companies and stocks commonly compared with Kirby include Cactus (WHD), Matson (MATX), Frontline (FRO), International Seaways (INSW), and Scorpio Tankers (STNG).

How does Kirby compare to Cactus?

Cactus (NYSE:WHD) and Kirby (NYSE:KEX) are related mid-cap companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, profitability, media sentiment, dividends, earnings, institutional ownership and risk.

85.1% of Cactus shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.2% of Kirby shares are owned by institutional investors. 12.9% of Cactus shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Kirby shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Kirby has higher revenue and earnings than Cactus. Kirby is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Cactus, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Cactus$1.08B4.16$166.01M$1.0652.83
Kirby$3.36B2.37$354.57M$6.5022.96

In the previous week, Cactus had 13 more articles in the media than Kirby. MarketBeat recorded 21 mentions for Cactus and 8 mentions for Kirby. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat Cactus' score of 0.96 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Cactus
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
3 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Kirby
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Cactus has a beta of 1.38, indicating that its stock price is 38% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kirby has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Cactus presently has a consensus price target of $63.60, suggesting a potential upside of 13.57%. Kirby has a consensus price target of $162.20, suggesting a potential upside of 8.71%. Given Cactus' higher probable upside, equities research analysts plainly believe Cactus is more favorable than Kirby.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Cactus
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.57
Kirby
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.86

Kirby has a net margin of 10.51% compared to Cactus' net margin of 6.17%. Cactus' return on equity of 15.43% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Cactus6.17% 15.43% 10.74%
Kirby 10.51%10.62%5.93%

Summary

Cactus and Kirby tied by winning 8 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Kirby compare to Matson?

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) and Matson (NYSE:MATX) are both mid-cap transportation companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, media sentiment, valuation, profitability and risk.

Matson has a net margin of 12.92% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. Matson's return on equity of 15.90% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Kirby10.51% 10.62% 5.93%
Matson 12.92%15.90%9.38%

Kirby currently has a consensus price target of $162.20, indicating a potential upside of 8.71%. Matson has a consensus price target of $181.25, indicating a potential downside of 16.15%. Given Kirby's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Kirby is more favorable than Matson.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Kirby
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.86
Matson
0 Sell rating(s)
3 Hold rating(s)
3 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.50

Matson has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Kirby. Matson is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kirby, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Kirby$3.36B2.37$354.57M$6.5022.96
Matson$3.34B1.96$444.80M$13.6115.88

In the previous week, Matson had 3 more articles in the media than Kirby. MarketBeat recorded 11 mentions for Matson and 8 mentions for Kirby. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat Matson's score of 0.81 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Kirby
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Matson
9 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
2 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

96.2% of Kirby shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 84.8% of Matson shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Kirby shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.5% of Matson shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Kirby has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its share price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Matson has a beta of 1.28, meaning that its share price is 28% more volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Kirby and Matson tied by winning 8 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Kirby compare to Frontline?

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) and Frontline (NYSE:FRO) are both mid-cap transportation companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, profitability, media sentiment, risk, institutional ownership, earnings, dividends and analyst recommendations.

Frontline has lower revenue, but higher earnings than Kirby. Frontline is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kirby, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Kirby$3.36B2.37$354.57M$6.5022.96
Frontline$1.97B4.29$379.08M$4.069.35

Frontline has a net margin of 36.70% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. Frontline's return on equity of 27.80% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Kirby10.51% 10.62% 5.93%
Frontline 36.70%27.80%12.01%

96.2% of Kirby shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 22.7% of Frontline shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Kirby shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 48.1% of Frontline shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Kirby has a beta of 0.83, indicating that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Frontline has a beta of 0.01, indicating that its stock price is 99% less volatile than the broader market.

In the previous week, Kirby had 3 more articles in the media than Frontline. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for Kirby and 5 mentions for Frontline. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat Frontline's score of 0.67 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Kirby
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Frontline
3 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
1 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Kirby presently has a consensus target price of $162.20, suggesting a potential upside of 8.71%. Frontline has a consensus target price of $41.62, suggesting a potential upside of 9.67%. Given Frontline's higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Frontline is more favorable than Kirby.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Kirby
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.86
Frontline
0 Sell rating(s)
5 Hold rating(s)
4 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.44

Summary

Kirby beats Frontline on 9 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Kirby compare to International Seaways?

International Seaways (NYSE:INSW) and Kirby (NYSE:KEX) are both mid-cap transportation companies, but which is the superior business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their valuation, media sentiment, earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, risk, institutional ownership and dividends.

In the previous week, Kirby had 2 more articles in the media than International Seaways. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for Kirby and 6 mentions for International Seaways. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat International Seaways' score of 0.76 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
International Seaways
4 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Kirby
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

International Seaways currently has a consensus target price of $86.00, suggesting a potential downside of 3.24%. Kirby has a consensus target price of $162.20, suggesting a potential upside of 8.71%. Given Kirby's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe Kirby is more favorable than International Seaways.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
International Seaways
0 Sell rating(s)
2 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.71
Kirby
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.86

67.3% of International Seaways shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.2% of Kirby shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.7% of International Seaways shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Kirby shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Kirby has higher revenue and earnings than International Seaways. International Seaways is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kirby, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
International Seaways$843.30M5.22$309.26M$10.988.09
Kirby$3.36B2.37$354.57M$6.5022.96

International Seaways has a net margin of 55.39% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. International Seaways' return on equity of 21.04% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
International Seaways55.39% 21.04% 15.60%
Kirby 10.51%10.62%5.93%

International Seaways has a beta of -0.12, meaning that its stock price is 112% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kirby has a beta of 0.83, meaning that its stock price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Kirby beats International Seaways on 10 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Kirby compare to Scorpio Tankers?

Scorpio Tankers (NYSE:STNG) and Kirby (NYSE:KEX) are both mid-cap transportation companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, analyst recommendations, dividends, media sentiment, earnings and risk.

Scorpio Tankers has a net margin of 48.44% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. Scorpio Tankers' return on equity of 11.72% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets
Scorpio Tankers48.44% 11.72% 9.28%
Kirby 10.51%10.62%5.93%

In the previous week, Kirby had 1 more articles in the media than Scorpio Tankers. MarketBeat recorded 8 mentions for Kirby and 7 mentions for Scorpio Tankers. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.99 beat Scorpio Tankers' score of 0.69 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company Very Positive Positive Neutral Negative Very Negative Overall Sentiment
Scorpio Tankers
2 Very Positive mention(s)
1 Positive mention(s)
4 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive
Kirby
7 Very Positive mention(s)
0 Positive mention(s)
1 Neutral mention(s)
0 Negative mention(s)
0 Very Negative mention(s)
Positive

Scorpio Tankers currently has a consensus target price of $88.14, suggesting a potential upside of 12.33%. Kirby has a consensus target price of $162.20, suggesting a potential upside of 8.71%. Given Scorpio Tankers' higher probable upside, equities analysts clearly believe Scorpio Tankers is more favorable than Kirby.

Company Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score
Scorpio Tankers
1 Sell rating(s)
4 Hold rating(s)
5 Buy rating(s)
1 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.55
Kirby
0 Sell rating(s)
1 Hold rating(s)
6 Buy rating(s)
0 Strong Buy rating(s)
2.86

Kirby has higher revenue and earnings than Scorpio Tankers. Scorpio Tankers is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Kirby, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

CompanyGross RevenuePrice/Sales RatioNet IncomeEarnings Per SharePrice/Earnings Ratio
Scorpio Tankers$938.22M4.22$344.29M$10.177.72
Kirby$3.36B2.37$354.57M$6.5022.96

54.6% of Scorpio Tankers shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.2% of Kirby shares are owned by institutional investors. 7.3% of Scorpio Tankers shares are owned by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Kirby shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Scorpio Tankers has a beta of -0.24, suggesting that its share price is 124% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kirby has a beta of 0.83, suggesting that its share price is 17% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Kirby beats Scorpio Tankers on 9 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

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New MarketBeat Followers Over Time

This chart shows the number of new MarketBeat users adding KEX and its top 5 competitors to their watchlist. Each company is represented with a line over a 90 day period.
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Media Sentiment Over Time

This chart shows the average media sentiment of NYSE and its competitors over the past 90 days as caculated by MarketBeat. The averaged score is equivalent to the following: Very Negative Sentiment <= -1.5, Negative Sentiment > -1.5 and <= -0.5, Neutral Sentiment > -0.5 and < 0.5, Positive Sentiment >= 0.5 and < 1.5, and Very Positive Sentiment >= 1.5.
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KEX vs. The Competition

MetricKirbyTRANS IndustryTransportation SectorNYSE Exchange
Market Cap$7.96B$3.26B$8.91B$23.48B
Dividend YieldN/A5.68%973.96%4.18%
P/E Ratio22.9614.7224.8830.84
Price / Sales2.374.245.6320.79
Price / Cash12.116.518.5732.60
Price / Book2.391.232.214.75
Net Income$354.57M$291.51M$532.19M$1.07B
7 Day Performance4.06%2.10%-0.23%-0.34%
1 Month Performance8.14%-1.66%-1.22%1.51%
1 Year Performance27.51%35.33%23.51%14.61%

Kirby Competitors List

CompanyMarketRankShare PriceAnalysts' Price Target1Y Price PerformanceMarket CapRevenueP/E RatioEmployee CountIndicator(s)
KEX
Kirby
4.2103 of 5 stars
$149.21
+0.3%
$162.20
+8.7%
+29.6%$7.96B$3.36B22.965,233
WHD
Cactus
4.4292 of 5 stars
$53.71
-1.5%
$63.60
+18.4%
+26.0%$4.37B$1.08B50.671,500
MATX
Matson
4.0073 of 5 stars
$218.11
-1.8%
$181.25
-16.9%
+104.5%$6.72B$3.34B16.034,170
FRO
Frontline
3.9888 of 5 stars
$36.94
+1.2%
$41.62
+12.6%
+107.5%$8.12B$2.25B9.1080
INSW
International Seaways
3.5012 of 5 stars
$88.42
+1.9%
$86.00
-2.7%
+128.8%$4.30B$843.30M8.052,763

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This page (NYSE:KEX) was last updated on 7/23/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.
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