Kirby Q4 Revenue at $851.8M, Below Consensus
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 29 2026
0mins
Should l Buy KEX?
Reports Q4 revenue $851.8M, consensus $860.72M. David Grzebinski, Kirby's CEO commented, "2025 was a record year for Kirby capped off by a solid final quarter. During the fourth quarter, we navigated typical seasonal weather and year-end softness, with exceptional execution by both our Marine Transportation and Distribution & Services teams. Earnings per share and free cash flow grew meaningfully, and we closed the year with strong momentum. Looking ahead, we expect sustained growth and solid performance as we move into 2026. In inland marine, early-quarter market softness from muted demand and higher barge availability quickly gave way to improving conditions. Barge utilization strengthened during the quarter, averaging in the mid to high-80% range, and overall market activity became increasingly constructive. Pricing was mixed with early quarter softness giving way to firmer prices as utilization improved. Even with these market conditions, our teams executed exceptionally well-controlling costs, operating safely, and protecting margins. As a result, inland delivered solid low-20% operating margins for the quarter. In our coastal marine business, fundamentals remained solid and barge utilization averaged in the mid to high-90% range. Customer demand was steady throughout the quarter, supported by a continued shortage of large-capacity equipment. No term contracts were scheduled for renewal during the fourth quarter. Our teams demonstrated solid operational performance and prioritized cost optimization, resulting in an operating margin of approximately 20%. "In distribution and services, demand varied across our end markets, with strength in some areas tempered by softness in others. Power generation continued to deliver robust growth, with revenues up 10% sequentially and 47% year-over-year, driven by execution on existing backlog which was further supported by strong order flow and multiple large project wins as customers continue to prioritize reliable power solutions. In total, we exceeded our expectations as the segment grew operating income 20% for the full year."
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Analyst Views on KEX
Wall Street analysts forecast KEX stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for KEX is 132.25 USD with a low forecast of 122.00 USD and a high forecast of 142.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
4 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 118.750
Low
122.00
Averages
132.25
High
142.00
Current: 118.750
Low
122.00
Averages
132.25
High
142.00
About KEX
Kirby Corporation is a domestic tank barge operator, transporting bulk liquid products throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and coastwise along all three United States coasts. It transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products and agricultural chemicals by tank barge. In addition, it participates in the transportation of dry-bulk commodities in the United States coastwise trade. Through the distribution and services segment, it provides after-market service and genuine replacement parts for engines, transmissions, reduction gears, electric motors, drives, and controls, specialized electrical distribution and control systems, energy storage battery systems, and related equipment used in oilfield services, marine, power generation, on-highway, and other industrial applications. It also rents equipment including generators, industrial compressors, lift trucks, and refrigeration trailers for use in a variety of industrial markets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
KIRBY STOCK FALLS 5.5% IN PREMARKET TRADING FOLLOWING Q4 REVENUE SHORTFALL
- Market Performance: Shares of Kirby Corporation have decreased by 5.5% in the pre-market trading following the announcement of their Q4 revenue results.
- Revenue Miss: The company reported a revenue miss for the fourth quarter, which contributed to the decline in share prices.
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Kirby Corporation Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
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- Revenue Miss: Revenue reached $851.8 million, up 6.2% year-over-year, but fell short of expectations by $8.92 million, reflecting challenges from intensified market competition and demand fluctuations.
- Improved Utilization Rates: Inland marine utilization averaged in the mid to high 80% range during Q4, with further improvements expected into the low 90% range in Q1 2026, signaling a recovery in market demand.
- Strong Power Generation Growth: Power generation revenue increased by 10% sequentially and 47% year-over-year, driven by robust order activity and large project wins, highlighting the company's growth potential in the energy sector.
See More
Kirby Corporation Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: Kirby Corporation is scheduled to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.63, reflecting a 26.4% year-over-year growth, indicating sustained profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: Analysts project Kirby's revenue to reach $860.72 million, representing a 7.3% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's robust performance and growth potential in the market.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past year, Kirby has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating strong performance in profitability and market expectation management.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen three upward and three downward revisions, while revenue estimates experienced four upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence and uncertainty regarding Kirby's future performance.
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- High Volume Analysis: Notably, the $55 strike call option has seen significant activity with 8,829 contracts traded today, representing about 882,900 underlying shares, suggesting bullish sentiment among investors at this price level.
- Kirby Corp. Options Activity: Concurrently, Kirby Corp. has an options trading volume of 3,047 contracts, equivalent to approximately 304,700 shares, which accounts for 43.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating market interest in this company as well.
- Put Option Trading: Within Kirby Corp.'s trading, the $100 strike put option has seen 2,004 contracts traded, representing about 200,400 shares, reflecting a bearish sentiment among investors regarding this price, potentially signaling caution about its future performance.
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Dow Theory Issues Buy Signal, Indicating Bull Market Continuation
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- Industrial and Transportation Stocks Rally: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been in a sustained uptrend since August, posting a 13% price return in 2025, while the Dow Jones Transportation Index surged 17% over the past six weeks, reaching its first record high since late 2024, fulfilling the confirmation required by Dow Theory.
- Transportation Stocks Outperform: Over the past three months, transportation stocks have outperformed both industrial stocks and the broader S&P 500, with the SPDR S&P Transportation ETF rising 18.3%, compared to a 7.9% increase in the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, indicating strong leadership from the transportation sector.
- Historical Data Supports Signal: Since 1964, Dow Theory buy signals have led to an average 12-month forward return of 11.1% for the S&P 500, with stocks finishing higher 83% of the time, demonstrating the historical effectiveness and potential market implications of this signal.
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Kirby Corporation to Announce Q4 2025 Results on January 29, 2026
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Kirby Corporation will announce its Q4 2025 results at 6:00 a.m. CST on January 29, 2026, followed by a conference call at 7:30 a.m. CST, enhancing transparency and investor trust through direct interaction with management.
- Investor Participation: Participants must pre-register to receive dial-in information and a PIN, ensuring smooth access to the call, which reflects the company's commitment to investor relations and aims to enhance investor engagement and satisfaction.
- Information Access Channels: Financial results and related information will be available via an 8-K filing prior to the call and can be accessed on the company's website, ensuring timely access to key information for investors and facilitating market understanding of the company's performance.
- Company Background: Kirby Corporation is the largest domestic tank barge operator in the U.S., specializing in transporting liquid products including petrochemicals and refined petroleum, showcasing its leadership and market influence in the marine transportation sector.
See More
KIRBY STOCK FALLS 5.5% IN PREMARKET TRADING FOLLOWING Q4 REVENUE SHORTFALL
- Market Performance: Shares of Kirby Corporation have decreased by 5.5% in the pre-market trading following the announcement of their Q4 revenue results.
- Revenue Miss: The company reported a revenue miss for the fourth quarter, which contributed to the decline in share prices.
See More
Kirby Corporation Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Earnings Beat: Kirby Corporation reported a Q4 GAAP EPS of $1.68, exceeding expectations by $0.05, indicating stable profitability and increased market confidence.
- Revenue Miss: Revenue reached $851.8 million, up 6.2% year-over-year, but fell short of expectations by $8.92 million, reflecting challenges from intensified market competition and demand fluctuations.
- Improved Utilization Rates: Inland marine utilization averaged in the mid to high 80% range during Q4, with further improvements expected into the low 90% range in Q1 2026, signaling a recovery in market demand.
- Strong Power Generation Growth: Power generation revenue increased by 10% sequentially and 47% year-over-year, driven by robust order activity and large project wins, highlighting the company's growth potential in the energy sector.
See More
Kirby Corporation Set to Announce Q4 Earnings on January 29
- Earnings Announcement: Kirby Corporation is scheduled to announce its Q4 earnings on January 29 before market open, with a consensus EPS estimate of $1.63, reflecting a 26.4% year-over-year growth, indicating sustained profitability.
- Revenue Expectations: Analysts project Kirby's revenue to reach $860.72 million, representing a 7.3% year-over-year increase, showcasing the company's robust performance and growth potential in the market.
- Performance Beat Record: Over the past year, Kirby has beaten EPS estimates 100% of the time and revenue estimates 75% of the time, demonstrating strong performance in profitability and market expectation management.
- Estimate Revision Dynamics: In the last three months, EPS estimates have seen three upward and three downward revisions, while revenue estimates experienced four upward and one downward revision, reflecting market divergence and uncertainty regarding Kirby's future performance.
See More
Carmax Inc. (KMX) Options Trading Volume Hits 20,138 Contracts, 45.1% of Average Daily Volume
- Active Options Trading: Carmax Inc. recorded an options trading volume of 20,138 contracts today, equivalent to approximately 2 million shares, representing 45.1% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating heightened market interest in its future performance.
- High Volume Analysis: Notably, the $55 strike call option has seen significant activity with 8,829 contracts traded today, representing about 882,900 underlying shares, suggesting bullish sentiment among investors at this price level.
- Kirby Corp. Options Activity: Concurrently, Kirby Corp. has an options trading volume of 3,047 contracts, equivalent to approximately 304,700 shares, which accounts for 43.2% of its average daily trading volume over the past month, indicating market interest in this company as well.
- Put Option Trading: Within Kirby Corp.'s trading, the $100 strike put option has seen 2,004 contracts traded, representing about 200,400 shares, reflecting a bearish sentiment among investors regarding this price, potentially signaling caution about its future performance.
See More
Dow Theory Issues Buy Signal, Indicating Bull Market Continuation
- Dow Theory Buy Signal: Adam Turnquist, chief technical strategist at LPL Financial, highlighted that a Dow Theory buy signal has been triggered, indicating that the primary market trend remains upward, suggesting that the bull market may still have unfinished business as 2026 approaches.
- Industrial and Transportation Stocks Rally: The Dow Jones Industrial Average has been in a sustained uptrend since August, posting a 13% price return in 2025, while the Dow Jones Transportation Index surged 17% over the past six weeks, reaching its first record high since late 2024, fulfilling the confirmation required by Dow Theory.
- Transportation Stocks Outperform: Over the past three months, transportation stocks have outperformed both industrial stocks and the broader S&P 500, with the SPDR S&P Transportation ETF rising 18.3%, compared to a 7.9% increase in the SPDR Dow Jones Industrial Average ETF, indicating strong leadership from the transportation sector.
- Historical Data Supports Signal: Since 1964, Dow Theory buy signals have led to an average 12-month forward return of 11.1% for the S&P 500, with stocks finishing higher 83% of the time, demonstrating the historical effectiveness and potential market implications of this signal.
See More
Kirby Corporation to Announce Q4 2025 Results on January 29, 2026
- Earnings Announcement Schedule: Kirby Corporation will announce its Q4 2025 results at 6:00 a.m. CST on January 29, 2026, followed by a conference call at 7:30 a.m. CST, enhancing transparency and investor trust through direct interaction with management.
- Investor Participation: Participants must pre-register to receive dial-in information and a PIN, ensuring smooth access to the call, which reflects the company's commitment to investor relations and aims to enhance investor engagement and satisfaction.
- Information Access Channels: Financial results and related information will be available via an 8-K filing prior to the call and can be accessed on the company's website, ensuring timely access to key information for investors and facilitating market understanding of the company's performance.
- Company Background: Kirby Corporation is the largest domestic tank barge operator in the U.S., specializing in transporting liquid products including petrochemicals and refined petroleum, showcasing its leadership and market influence in the marine transportation sector.
See More
