Encompass Capital Advisors LLC Cuts Stock Position in Kirby Corporation $KEX

Encompass Capital Advisors LLC trimmed its position in Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) by 27.7% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 469,611 shares of the shipping company’s stock after selling 180,147 shares during the quarter. Kirby accounts for approximately 1.9% of Encompass Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 8th biggest holding. Encompass Capital Advisors LLC’s holdings in Kirby were worth $62,402,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in Kirby during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Rothschild Investment LLC increased its position in shares of Kirby by 2,600.0% in the fourth quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC now owns 270 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 260 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC increased its position in shares of Kirby by 537.5% in the fourth quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 306 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 258 shares during the period. Parallel Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Kirby by 50.0% during the fourth quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 402 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $44,000 after acquiring an additional 134 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC raised its stake in shares of Kirby by 182.9% during the first quarter. Root Financial Partners LLC now owns 430 shares of the shipping company’s stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 278 shares during the last quarter. 96.15% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Kirby Stock Down 2.5%

NYSE:KEX opened at $145.00 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 1.59 and a quick ratio of 1.01. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $141.49 and its 200-day moving average price is $136.04. The company has a market capitalization of $7.76 billion, a PE ratio of 22.31, a P/E/G ratio of 1.30 and a beta of 0.83. Kirby Corporation has a 1-year low of $79.51 and a 1-year high of $157.69.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The shipping company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.41 by $0.09. Kirby had a net margin of 10.51% and a return on equity of 10.62%. The company had revenue of $844.10 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $832.57 million. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.33 EPS. Kirby’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.650-7.280 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that Kirby Corporation will post 7.06 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on KEX. Evercore reiterated an “outperform” rating and set a $158.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a report on Friday, May 1st. Wall Street Zen upgraded Kirby from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a report on Saturday, June 13th. Weiss Ratings raised Kirby from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a research report on Friday, July 17th. Citigroup increased their price objective on Kirby from $160.00 to $165.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, July 13th. Finally, Bank of America lifted their price objective on Kirby from $169.00 to $182.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Six research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $162.20.

Insider Buying and Selling at Kirby

In related news, VP William Matthew Woodruff sold 678 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, May 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of $147.37, for a total transaction of $99,916.86. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president owned 9 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,326.33. This trade represents a 98.69% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Ronald A. Dragg sold 1,726 shares of Kirby stock in a transaction on Monday, May 4th. The shares were sold at an average price of $145.01, for a total value of $250,287.26. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 8,673 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,257,671.73. The trade was a 16.60% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders have sold a total of 17,691 shares of company stock valued at $2,579,036 over the last ninety days. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

About Kirby

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.