Kirby (NYSE:KEX) Price Target Raised to $147.00

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) had its price objective upped by equities researchers at Citigroup from $145.00 to $147.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage presently has a “buy” rating on the shipping company’s stock. Citigroup’s target price would suggest a potential upside of 23.87% from the stock’s previous close.

A number of other brokerages have also recently weighed in on KEX. BTIG Research dropped their price target on Kirby from $140.00 to $135.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of Kirby in a research report on Thursday, January 22nd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Kirby from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, November 1st. Evercore ISI raised their target price on Kirby from $109.00 to $122.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 30th. Finally, Wolfe Research reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $136.00 price target on shares of Kirby in a research report on Friday. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $130.33.

Kirby Stock Performance

Shares of Kirby stock traded down $3.50 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $118.67. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 671,277 shares, compared to its average volume of 920,417. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 1.08 and a current ratio of 1.70. Kirby has a one year low of $79.51 and a one year high of $132.18. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $116.80 and its 200 day simple moving average is $103.69. The stock has a market cap of $6.43 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.97, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.10 and a beta of 0.88.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, January 29th. The shipping company reported $1.68 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.06. The business had revenue of $851.78 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $857.82 million. Kirby had a return on equity of 10.05% and a net margin of 9.22%.The business’s revenue was up 6.2% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $1.29 earnings per share. As a group, analysts expect that Kirby will post 6.57 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Activity at Kirby

In other Kirby news, VP Ronald A. Dragg sold 2,715 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $110.29, for a total value of $299,437.35. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 10,325 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,138,744.25. This represents a 20.82% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, CEO David W. Grzebinski sold 29,451 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, November 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.41, for a total transaction of $3,163,331.91. Following the transaction, the chief executive officer owned 79,709 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $8,561,543.69. This represents a 26.98% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 57,147 shares of company stock valued at $6,204,544. 0.90% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Kirby

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of KEX. Maseco LLP acquired a new stake in shares of Kirby during the fourth quarter worth $27,000. IFP Advisors Inc bought a new position in Kirby in the second quarter valued at $29,000. Bell Investment Advisors Inc increased its stake in Kirby by 67.1% in the 2nd quarter. Bell Investment Advisors Inc now owns 284 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $32,000 after buying an additional 114 shares during the last quarter. First Horizon Corp bought a new position in shares of Kirby in the 3rd quarter valued at about $30,000. Finally, True Wealth Design LLC grew its stake in Kirby by 466.7% in the second quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 374 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $42,000 after purchasing an additional 308 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 96.15% of the company’s stock.

Kirby News Roundup

Here are the key news stories impacting Kirby this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q4 results: Kirby reported $1.68 EPS (beat consensus $1.62) and 6.2% YoY revenue growth; management highlighted improved inland marine utilization (mid?to?high?80s) and stronger power generation revenue. Company repurchased ~1.03M shares for $101.6M and paid down $130M of debt; 2026 EPS guidance expected flat to up ~12% YoY — all supportive fundamentals. Kirby Corporation Announces 2025 Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Results
• Positive Sentiment: Fund flows: Technical/flow note — FXEmpire flags six bullish inflows over 30 days, which can support near?term upside and liquidity for the shares. Six Bullish Inflows in 30 Days Boost Kirby
• Neutral Sentiment: Coverage & call transcripts: Multiple outlets published the Q4 earnings call transcript and summaries (detailed management commentary available), useful for investors wanting line?by?line color on volumes, contract margins and 2026 outlook. Kirby (KEX) Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript (Yahoo) Kirby Q4 2025 Earnings Call Transcript (Seeking Alpha) Kirby: Q4 Earnings Snapshot (WTOP)
• Negative Sentiment: Revenue miss and analyst tweak: Q4 revenue of $851.8M came slightly below consensus ~$857.8M, which tempers the EPS beat and may raise near?term scrutiny on demand. Kirby Reports Sales Below Analyst Estimates In Q4 CY2025 Earnings
• Negative Sentiment: Analyst price target trimmed: BTIG lowered its target from $140 to $135 but kept a buy rating — a modest negative signal that may limit near?term upside expectations despite continued bullish coverage. Benzinga — BTIG Lowers Kirby Price Target

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.