Kirby

KEX · NYSE

$136.21−$0.16 (−0.12%)TodayMarket closed · Oct 20, 7:59 PM ET

Prev close $136.37

KEX analyst rating

BuyConsensus of 5 analysts over the last 12 months. 100% rate it a buy.

Strong buy0
Buy5
Hold0
Underperform0
Sell0

12-month price target · 8 analysts

Average $169.35 (+24.3% upside)

Low: $159.58
Now: $136.21
High: $183.75

Upgrades and downgrades

The latest rating actions, newest first

KEX analyst upgrades, downgrades and rating actions
Firm	Date	Action	Rating	Price target	Hit rate
JP Morgan	Oct 14, 2026	Initiates	Overweight	$200.00	27%
Citigroup	Oct 8, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$170.00 → $169.00	68%
Citigroup	Jul 31, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$165.00 → $170.00	68%
BTIG	Jul 29, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$170.00	45%
BTIG	Jul 14, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$170.00	45%
Citigroup	Jul 13, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$160.00 → $165.00	68%
B of A Securities	Jul 8, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$169.00 → $182.00	55%
Evercore ISI Group	May 1, 2026	Maintains	Outperform	$138.00 → $158.00	63%
BTIG	Apr 30, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$160.00 → $170.00	45%
BTIG	Apr 15, 2026	Maintains	Buy	$135.00 → $160.00	45%

The case for and against

Updated Oct 14, 2026

Bull case

Kirby is positioned to benefit from a firming inland tank barge market, with 2Q26 inland barge volumes up ~7% Y-Y, Gulf Coast volumes up 20%+, and crude barge volumes up ~50% Y-Y, which supports tighter utilization and higher pricing. The company’s distribution and services segment adds an additional growth lever as data-center backup and behind-the-meter power solutions stay strong, with 2027 already sold out and D&S margins expected to rise on the ongoing infrastructure buildout. Financially, management raised FY26 EPS growth guidance to 5% to 15%, while the balance sheet remains robust with pro forma liquidity of ~$621M, supporting share repurchases and continued capital deployment.

Bear case

Kirby is viewed negatively because its valuation remains demanding at about 25x 2026 EPS and 22x 2027 EPS, even after accounting for a constructive inland tank barge outlook. The company’s earnings quality is exposed to a concentrated Marine Transportation segment, leaving results vulnerable to slower economic recovery, barge oversupply, and unfavorable barge pricing. Additional downside stems from supply chain disruptions, weaker petrochemical demand, disruptions to US crude production, and the risk that ill-timed acquisitions could pressure returns.

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