Kirby KEX
United StatesIndustrials · Marine ShippingUSD
164.67 USD (+19.9%)
6 analysts
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Kirby Corporation is the largest operator of dry and liquid cargo barges on the Mississippi River system and provides coastal marine towing and support services for oil and gas exploration and production along the U.S. coast and the Gulf of Mexico.
Key points
from its scores- ✓Good share-price trend9.6
- ✓Favourable backdrop7.2
- ✓Very solid balance sheet7.1
- ✕Little or no dividend1.5
- !Average business quality5.1
AI analysis
bottom line, main risk, context and newsMomentum and a solid balance sheet support the thesis, but flat earnings growth and no dividend limit near-term upside.
Kirby shows a healthy balance sheet (Net Debt/EBITDA of 1.53, current ratio of 1.68) and very strong momentum (74th percentile of the 52-week range), with 7.8% revenue growth and 13.83% operating margins supporting a reasonable valuation (forward P/E of 16.54). The business pays no dividend, which limits its appeal for income investors, but its leadership position in U.S. inland and coastal marine transportation provides stability.
Dependence on exploration and production activity in the Gulf of Mexico exposes Kirby to volatility in oil companies' capital spending, which could drop sharply if crude prices collapse or if a deal deflates the current geopolitical premium.
Context and risks
Kirby operates inland barge transportation on the Mississippi River system and provides coastal marine towing and support services for oil and gas exploration and production in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Its main exposure is to U.S. industrial and agricultural demand and Gulf of Mexico E&P activity, not to international routes such as Hormuz or Bab el-Mandeb. The rise in U.S. long-term rates is a factor to watch given its debt (Net Debt/EBITDA of 1.53), but its leverage is moderate and does not justify a material adjustment.
Is Kirby stock cheap or expensive?
at the analysis dateOn P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades 21% below the Industrials median on average.
| Multiple | Company | Sector | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E | 21.1 | 25.4 | −17% |
| EV / EBITDA | 10.8 | 14.5 | −25% |
| Price / book | 2.1 | 4.1 | −48% |
| Price / sales | 2.1 | 2.1 | +1% |
Sector: median of the 388 Industrials companies analysed. In bold, the multiples used for the comparison.
Valuation score: 6.2 out of 10 (median for Industrials: 5.0).
Average analyst target: 164.67 USD, +19.9% versus the price.
A discount may reflect more risk or slower growth than its sector: Financial health 7.1 (sector 6.4), Growth 5.5 (sector 6.6).
Classic formulas with standard assumptions (10.0% growth, 8-9% discount rate). Indicative only: they change a lot with the assumptions and are not a recommendation.
Work out its fair value yourself →How much would you have made investing every month? →
Comparing it with its sector does not say whether it is a good buy: this is not investment advice.
Score by category
0 to 10 · hover overtap each one to see what it measuresKey metrics
at the analysis date · compared with the Industrials medianValuation
- P/E
- 21.1
- Forward P/E
- 16.5
- EV / EBITDA
- 10.8
- Price / book
- 2.1
- Price / sales
- 2.1
- PEG
- 2.63
- Market cap
- 7.3B USD
- Enterprise value
- 8.4B USD
Profitability
- ROE
- 10.4%
- ROA
- 5.1%
- ROIC (approx.)
- 10.4%
- Gross margin
- 33.2%
- Operating margin
- 13.8%
- Net margin
- 10.2%
- Free cash flow
- 347.2M USD
- FCF yield
- 4.8%
- Cash conversion
- 45%
Solvency
- Total debt
- 1.2B USD
- Net debt
- 1.2B USD
- Cash
- 39.0M USD
- EBITDA
- 778.4M USD
- Net debt / EBITDA
- 1.53
- Debt / equity
- 35.62
- Current ratio
- 1.68
- Quick ratio
- 1.04
Growth
- Revenue growth
- +7.8%
- Earnings growth
- +0.0%
- EPS (TTM)
- 6.51 USD
- EPS (forward)
- 8.30 USD
Dividend
- Dividend yield
- 0.0%
- Payout
- 0.0%
Risk and market
- Beta
- 0.84
- Analyst consensus
- Strong buy (6)
- Target price
- 164.67 USD
- 52-week range
- 79.52 – 157.69
Recent news
All KEX news →Compare it with its sector
All 388 in Industrials →Frequently asked questions about Kirby
Is Kirby stock cheap or expensive?
On P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades 21% below the Industrials median on average. Valuation score: 6.2 out of 10 (median for Industrials: 5.0). Average analyst target: 164.67 USD, +19.9% versus the price. This is not investment advice.
What score does Kirby get on MeridIAn Screener?
It scores 6.0 out of 10, rank 994 of 2,130 (better than 51% of the companies analysed). Its strongest category is Momentum (9.6) and its weakest, Dividend (1.5). Analysis of 08/10/2026.
What is Kirby's P/E ratio?
Its P/E is 21.1: the share price equals 21.1 times earnings per share over the last 12 months. The Industrials median is 25.4. Based on the earnings analysts expect, the forward P/E is 16.5.
How much is Kirby worth on the stock market?
Its market capitalisation is 7.3B USD and its enterprise value, debt included, is 8.4B USD.
How much debt does Kirby have?
Its net debt (debt minus cash) is 1.2B USD. That is 1.53 times its EBITDA; the Industrials median is 1.58.
Does Kirby pay a dividend?
It pays no dividend, or almost none.
How has Kirby stock performed over the last year?
It has risen 71.8% over the last year, excluding dividends. Over the last 52 weeks it has traded between 79.52 and 157.69 USD. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
What do analysts think of Kirby?
6 analysts cover it; their average recommendation is “Strong buy” and their average target is 164.67 USD (+19.9% versus the price). It is an estimate, not market data.