Zacks Research Weighs in on Kirby’s Q1 Earnings (NYSE:KEX)

Kirby Co. (NYSE:KEX) – Research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Kirby in a report issued on Thursday, February 13th. Zacks Research analyst S. Goswami now anticipates that the shipping company will post earnings per share of $1.29 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.37. The consensus estimate for Kirby’s current full-year earnings is $6.54 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Kirby’s Q2 2025 earnings at $1.56 EPS, Q3 2025 earnings at $1.81 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $1.66 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $6.32 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $1.45 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $1.80 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $1.84 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.89 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $7.25 EPS.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 30th. The shipping company reported $1.29 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.30 by ($0.01). Kirby had a return on equity of 9.78% and a net margin of 8.78%.

A number of other research firms have also recently commented on KEX. StockNews.com cut shares of Kirby from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, January 9th. Stifel Nicolaus decreased their price objective on shares of Kirby from $136.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, January 31st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of $129.25.

Kirby Stock Performance

NYSE KEX opened at $109.98 on Monday. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $108.29 and a 200-day simple moving average of $116.66. The company has a current ratio of 1.67, a quick ratio of 1.05 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The stock has a market cap of $6.31 billion, a PE ratio of 22.40, a P/E/G ratio of 0.89 and a beta of 1.19. Kirby has a twelve month low of $84.56 and a twelve month high of $132.21.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kirby

Several institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Kirby by 420.0% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 208 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares in the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC purchased a new stake in Kirby during the 4th quarter worth about $25,000. Colonial Trust Co SC raised its position in Kirby by 295.3% in the 4th quarter. Colonial Trust Co SC now owns 253 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $27,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares in the last quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in shares of Kirby in the 3rd quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Capital Performance Advisors LLP acquired a new position in shares of Kirby during the third quarter worth about $52,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, VP Scott P. Miller sold 1,244 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.61, for a total transaction of $133,866.84. Following the sale, the vice president now directly owns 5,545 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $596,697.45. This represents a 18.32 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 1.50% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Kirby

Kirby Corporation operates domestic tank barges in the United States. Its Marine Transportation segment provides marine transportation service and towing vessel transporting bulk liquid product, as well as operates tank barge throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, coastwise along three United States coasts, and in Alaska and Hawaii.