Kirby (KEX) Competitors

$145.43 -3.26 (-2.19%)

Closing price 05/21/2026 03:59 PM Eastern

Extended Trading

$145.60 +0.17 (+0.12%)

As of 05/21/2026 04:10 PM Eastern

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

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), Hafnia (HAFN), and International Seaways (INSW).

How does Kirby compare to Cactus?

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

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.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Cactus	$1.08B	4.61	$166.01M	$1.06	58.59
Kirby	$3.36B	2.31	$354.57M	$6.50	22.37

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

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
Cactus	6.17%	15.43%	10.74%
Kirby	10.51%	10.62%	5.93%

In the previous week, Kirby had 12 more articles in the media than Cactus. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Kirby and 10 mentions for Cactus. Cactus' average media sentiment score of 0.41 beat Kirby's score of 0.24 indicating that Cactus is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Cactus	4 Very Positive mention(s)	2 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Kirby	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Cactus has a beta of 1.37, meaning that its stock price is 37% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kirby has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

Cactus currently has a consensus price target of $60.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.59%. Kirby has a consensus price target of $146.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.53%. Given Kirby's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Kirby is more favorable than Cactus.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Cactus	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	4 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Kirby	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.71

Summary

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

How does Kirby compare to Matson?

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

Matson presently has a consensus price target of $181.25, indicating a potential downside of 0.67%. Kirby has a consensus price target of $146.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.53%. Given Kirby's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Kirby is more favorable than Matson.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Matson	0 Sell rating(s)	3 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.50
Kirby	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.71

In the previous week, Kirby had 14 more articles in the media than Matson. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Kirby and 8 mentions for Matson. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.24 beat Matson's score of 0.14 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Matson	4 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Kirby	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Matson has higher earnings, but lower revenue 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.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Matson	$3.34B	1.65	$444.80M	$13.61	13.41
Kirby	$3.36B	2.31	$354.57M	$6.50	22.37

Matson has a beta of 1.3, meaning that its share price is 30% more volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Kirby has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market.

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
Matson	12.92%	15.90%	9.38%
Kirby	10.51%	10.62%	5.93%

84.8% of Matson shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 96.2% of Kirby shares are held by institutional investors. 2.5% of Matson shares are held by insiders. Comparatively, 0.8% of Kirby shares are held by 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.

Summary

Kirby beats Matson on 9 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 better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, risk, earnings, media sentiment, dividends and valuation.

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

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Kirby	$3.36B	2.31	$354.57M	$6.50	22.37
Frontline	$1.97B	4.35	$379.08M	$1.70	22.68

Kirby currently has a consensus target price of $146.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.53%. Frontline has a consensus target price of $39.00, indicating a potential upside of 1.15%. Given Frontline's higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Frontline is more favorable than Kirby.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Kirby	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.71
Frontline	0 Sell rating(s)	4 Hold rating(s)	3 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.43

Frontline has a net margin of 19.31% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. Frontline's return on equity of 16.51% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Kirby	10.51%	10.62%	5.93%
Frontline	19.31%	16.51%	6.64%

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 large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

In the previous week, Kirby had 19 more articles in the media than Frontline. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Kirby and 3 mentions for Frontline. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.24 beat Frontline's score of 0.00 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Kirby	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Frontline	1 Very Positive mention(s)	0 Positive mention(s)	2 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

Kirby has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its share price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Frontline has a beta of 0.04, meaning that its share price is 96% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

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

How does Kirby compare to Hafnia?

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

Hafnia has a net margin of 35.54% compared to Kirby's net margin of 10.51%. Hafnia's return on equity of 14.71% beat Kirby's return on equity.

Company	Net Margins	Return on Equity	Return on Assets
Kirby	10.51%	10.62%	5.93%
Hafnia	35.54%	14.71%	9.21%

In the previous week, Kirby had 18 more articles in the media than Hafnia. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Kirby and 4 mentions for Hafnia. Kirby's average media sentiment score of 0.24 beat Hafnia's score of 0.20 indicating that Kirby is being referred to more favorably in the media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Kirby	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
Hafnia	0 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

96.2% of Kirby shares are held by institutional investors. 0.8% of Kirby shares are held by 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 presently has a consensus price target of $146.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.53%. Given Kirby's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Kirby is more favorable than Hafnia.

Company	Sell Ratings	Hold Ratings	Buy Ratings	Strong Buy Ratings	Rating Score
Kirby	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	5 Buy rating(s)	0 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.71
Hafnia	0 Sell rating(s)	2 Hold rating(s)	0 Buy rating(s)	1 Strong Buy rating(s)	2.67

Kirby has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, Hafnia has a beta of 0.86, meaning that its stock price is 14% less volatile than the broader market.

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

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Kirby	$3.36B	2.31	$354.57M	$6.50	22.37
Hafnia	$955.87M	4.75	$339.68M	$0.68	13.02

Summary

Kirby beats Hafnia on 11 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

How does Kirby compare to International Seaways?

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

Kirby currently has a consensus target price of $146.20, indicating a potential upside of 0.53%. International Seaways has a consensus target price of $83.50, indicating a potential downside of 2.03%. Given Kirby's higher possible upside, research analysts plainly believe Kirby is more favorable than International Seaways.

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

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
Kirby	10.51%	10.62%	5.93%
International Seaways	55.39%	21.04%	15.60%

In the previous week, Kirby had 8 more articles in the media than International Seaways. MarketBeat recorded 22 mentions for Kirby and 14 mentions for International Seaways. International Seaways' average media sentiment score of 0.46 beat Kirby's score of 0.24 indicating that International Seaways is being referred to more favorably in the news media.

Company	Very Positive	Positive	Neutral	Negative	Very Negative	Overall Sentiment
Kirby	4 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	3 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral
International Seaways	6 Very Positive mention(s)	1 Positive mention(s)	4 Neutral mention(s)	0 Negative mention(s)	0 Very Negative mention(s)	Neutral

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.

Company	Gross Revenue	Price/Sales Ratio	Net Income	Earnings Per Share	Price/Earnings Ratio
Kirby	$3.36B	2.31	$354.57M	$6.50	22.37
International Seaways	$843.30M	5.00	$309.26M	$10.98	7.76

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

Kirby has a beta of 0.85, meaning that its stock price is 15% less volatile than the broader market. Comparatively, International Seaways has a beta of -0.09, meaning that its stock price is 109% less volatile than the broader market.

Summary

Kirby and International Seaways tied by winning 7 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.

Get Kirby News Delivered to You Automatically

Subscribe Now

SMS is currently available in Australia, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. By entering your phone number and clicking the sign-up button, you agree to receive periodic text messages from MarketBeat at the phone number you submitted, including texts that may be sent using an automatic telephone dialing system. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary. Messages will consist of stock alerts, news stories, and partner advertisements/offers. Consent is not a condition of the purchase of any goods or services. Text HELP for help/customer support. Unsubscribe at any time by replying "STOP" to any text message that you receive from MarketBeat or by visiting our mailing preferences page. Read our full terms of service and privacy policy.

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.

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.

KEX vs. The Competition

Export

Metric	Kirby	TRANS Industry	Transportation Sector	NYSE Exchange
Market Cap	$7.95B	$3.25B	$8.35B	$22.95B
Dividend Yield	N/A	4.74%	955.90%	4.10%
P/E Ratio	22.37	16.28	23.28	30.20
Price / Sales	2.31	6.80	6.06	23.85
Price / Cash	12.10	6.70	8.34	24.77
Price / Book	2.28	1.26	2.17	4.71
Net Income	$354.57M	$289.76M	$534.40M	$1.07B
7 Day Performance	-0.15%	1.83%	2.45%	1.51%
1 Month Performance	-1.75%	5.48%	0.66%	-0.10%
1 Year Performance	35.62%	65.43%	39.17%	27.60%

Kirby Competitors List

Export

Company	MarketRank	Share Price	Analysts' Price Target	1Y Price Performance	Market Cap	Revenue	P/E Ratio	Employee Count	Indicator(s)
KEX Kirby	3.5792 of 5 stars	$145.43 -2.2%	$146.20 +0.5%	+34.8%	$7.95B	$3.36B	22.37	5,233	Insider Trade Analyst Revision
WHD Cactus	3.432 of 5 stars	$56.59 +4.5%	$58.00 +2.5%	+51.5%	$4.32B	$1.08B	53.39	1,500	Analyst Forecast
MATX Matson	3.5416 of 5 stars	$181.83 -0.5%	$181.25 -0.3%	+64.2%	$5.53B	$3.34B	13.36	4,170	Insider Trade
FRO Frontline	1.7381 of 5 stars	$38.17 -3.4%	$39.00 +2.2%	+117.9%	$8.80B	$1.97B	22.45	80
HAFN Hafnia	1.9605 of 5 stars	$8.91 -0.6%	N/A	+65.7%	$4.59B	$955.87M	13.10	4,876	Upcoming Earnings

Related Companies and Tools

Related Companies

Top 10 Stock Comparisons

This page (NYSE:KEX) was last updated on 5/22/2026 by MarketBeat.com Staff.

From Our Partners

Get 30 Days of MarketBeat All Access for Free

Start Your 30-Day Trial

In-depth profiles and analysis for 20,000 public companies.
Real-time analyst ratings, insider transactions, earnings data, and more.
Our daily ratings and market update email newsletter.

Sign In
Create Account

Your Email Address:

Your Password:

Forgot your password?

Your Email Address:

Choose a Password:

By creating a free account, you agree to our terms of service. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Kirby (KEX) Competitors