Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) Given Consensus Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Posted by on May 12th, 2026

Shares of Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX – Get Free Report) have received a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” from the seven analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat.com reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price target among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is $146.20.

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Citigroup upped their target price on Kirby from $147.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Wolfe Research restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $136.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Evercore restated an “outperform” rating and issued a $158.00 target price on shares of Kirby in a research note on Friday, May 1st. Zacks Research upgraded Kirby from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, March 13th. Finally, BTIG Research upped their target price on Kirby from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 30th.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on Kirby

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Kirby news, VP Amy D. Husted sold 11,667 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 20th. The stock was sold at an average price of $129.33, for a total value of $1,508,893.11. Following the transaction, the vice president directly owned 14,814 shares in the company, valued at $1,915,894.62. This represents a 44.06% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Christian G. O’neil sold 11,287 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.34, for a total value of $1,493,721.58. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer owned 11,287 shares in the company, valued at $1,493,721.58. This represents a 50.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 61,832 shares of company stock worth $8,092,470. 0.80% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Kirby

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Meeder Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Kirby in the 1st quarter worth about $218,000. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP boosted its holdings in shares of Kirby by 5.4% in the 1st quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,617,538 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $347,829,000 after purchasing an additional 133,030 shares in the last quarter. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kirby by 3.3% in the 1st quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 758,029 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $100,727,000 after purchasing an additional 24,147 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Kirby by 18.2% in the 1st quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 520 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $69,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares in the last quarter. Finally, California Public Employees Retirement System boosted its holdings in shares of Kirby by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 104,950 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $13,946,000 after purchasing an additional 1,029 shares in the last quarter. 96.15% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Kirby Stock Performance

NYSE:KEX opened at $146.02 on Tuesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.96 and a current ratio of 1.53. Kirby has a 52-week low of $79.51 and a 52-week high of $157.69. The firm has a market cap of $7.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.46, a PEG ratio of 1.48 and a beta of 0.85. The business’s fifty day moving average is $137.52 and its 200 day moving average is $122.89.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX – Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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. The company had revenue of $844.10 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $832.57 million. Kirby had a return on equity of 10.65% and a net margin of 10.51%.The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.33 EPS. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.650-7.280 EPS. Research analysts predict that Kirby will post 6.89 EPS for the current year.

Kirby Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

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.

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Analyst Recommendations for Kirby (NYSE:KEX)

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