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Kirby Corp. (KEX)
NYSE:KEX

Kirby (KEX) AI Stock Analysis

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KE

Kirby

(NYSE:KEX)

Rating:67Neutral
Price Target:
Kirby's stock is supported by strong financial performance, particularly in revenue and operational efficiency. The balance sheet shows zero debt, indicating robust financial health, but the cash flow concerns in 2024 need attention. Technical indicators suggest mixed momentum with a potential overbought condition. Valuation is moderate without a dividend yield, offset by positive earnings call sentiment highlighting growth and pricing improvements. Overall, the stock score reflects strengths in financial performance and earnings growth, tempered by technical and cash flow concerns.
Positive Factors
Earnings
Analysts are confident in the company's ability to improve margins significantly in the coming quarters.
Market Trends
CEO Grzebinski sees Inland spot rates on a gradual upward trend, hovering around $10,000 - $10,500/day for a 30,000 two-barge and boat tow.
Revenue Growth
KEX targets double-digit margins longer term in Distribution and Services, with anticipation of power generation revenues improving sequentially.
Negative Factors
Cost Implications
Capacity remains favorable given high new build costs at $4.7 million, which supports a solid backdrop for margin progression at its Inland Marine segment.
Market Dynamics
Modest pressure in chemicals is tied to European market dynamics.
Operational Challenges
Coastal Marine faces significant headwinds in the first quarter due to additional shipyard dockings.

Kirby (KEX) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Kirby Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionKirby Corporation (KEX) is a leading American transportation company primarily focused on the inland tank barge industry in the United States. The company operates in two main segments: marine transportation and distribution and services. Kirby's core services include transporting bulk liquid products, such as petrochemicals and refined petroleum products, using its extensive fleet of inland and coastal barges and towing vessels. Additionally, Kirby provides diesel engine services, parts distribution, and related services to various industries, including marine, power generation, and oilfield services.
How the Company Makes MoneyKirby Corporation generates revenue primarily through its marine transportation segment, which involves transporting bulk liquid products across the United States using its fleet of barges and towing vessels. This segment charges customers based on the volume and distance of transported cargo, often entering into long-term contracts to ensure steady income. Another significant revenue stream comes from the distribution and services segment, where Kirby offers engine services, parts, and related support primarily for the marine and oilfield sectors. The company benefits from strategic partnerships and long-standing customer relationships, which contribute to its stable revenue base.

Kirby Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Any
Any
Total Ton Miles
Total Ton Miles
Chart InsightsKirby's Total Ton Miles have shown a declining trend since mid-2023, likely influenced by increased delay days in Inland Marine due to adverse weather conditions. Despite this, the company reported strong earnings growth and improved utilization rates in both Inland and Coastal Marine segments. The earnings call highlighted a positive outlook with rising spot prices and contract renewals, suggesting potential recovery in transportation metrics. However, challenges like supply delays in Power Generation and planned maintenance in Coastal Marine could continue to impact short-term performance.
Data provided by:Main Street Data

Kirby Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:May 01, 2025
(Q1-2025)
|
% Change Since: 19.03%|
Next Earnings Date:Jul 24, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a generally positive sentiment with significant earnings growth and improvements in marine segment utilization and pricing, despite challenges from weather impacts and supply delays.
Q1-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Earnings Per Share Growth
Earnings per share for the first quarter increased to $1.33 from $1.19 in the same period last year.
Inland Marine Utilization and Pricing
Inland marine barge utilization rates were in the low to mid-90% range, with spot prices up in the low single digits sequentially and high single digits year-over-year.
Coastal Marine Pricing Improvements
Coastal marine term contract renewals saw mid-20% range price increases, with barge utilization levels in the mid to high 90% range.
Oil and Gas Operating Income Surge
Despite a revenue decline, operating income in the oil and gas sector increased by 123% year-over-year.
Negative Updates
Weather and Navigational Challenges
Delay days in Inland Marine increased 50% compared to the fourth quarter of 2024 and 15% from the same period last year due to winter storms, high winds, and fog.
Supply Delays in Power Generation
Power generation revenues declined by 23% year-over-year due to supply delays, pushing some projects out of the quarter.
Coastal Marine Revenue Decline
Coastal marine revenues decreased 6% year-over-year, impacted by planned shipyard maintenance on several large vessels.
Company Guidance
During the Kirby Corporation 2025 First Quarter Earnings Conference Call, the company announced earnings per share of $1.33, an increase from $1.19 in the first quarter of 2024. Marine Transportation segment revenues were $476 million, with an operating margin of 18.2%, reflecting a 4% year-over-year increase in operating income. Inland Marine Transportation experienced a 50% increase in delay days sequentially, with barge utilization rates in the low to mid-90% range. Spot prices rose in the low single digits sequentially and high single digits year-over-year. Coastal Marine saw utilization in the mid to high 90% range, with term contract renewals up by mid-20%. Distribution and Services segment revenues were $310 million, with operating margins of 7.3%. Power Generation revenues decreased 23% year-over-year due to supply delays, but oil and gas operating income increased 123% year-over-year. The company anticipates continued growth and improving financial results through 2025, maintaining their commitment to a balanced capital allocation approach, which includes share repurchases and potential acquisitions.

Kirby Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Kirby demonstrates strong revenue growth and profitability, with improved operational efficiency reflected in higher EBIT and EBITDA margins. The balance sheet is robust, with no debt reported in 2024, though the zero total assets figure requires verification. Cash flow management shows strengths in previous years but raises concerns in 2024 due to missing data, indicating potential liquidity challenges.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Kirby has shown consistent revenue growth from 2020 to 2024, with a notable increase in gross profit margin and net income in the latest year. The EBIT and EBITDA margins have also improved significantly, indicating better operational efficiency. However, the company faced challenges in 2021 with negative EBIT and EBITDA, which could indicate past operational inefficiencies.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The debt-to-equity ratio is favorable, with the company having zero total debt in 2024, reflecting strong financial stability. The return on equity has improved due to increased net income, indicating effective utilization of equity. The equity ratio is stable, suggesting good financial health, but the total assets were recorded as zero in the latest year, which might be an error or requires further clarification.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
Kirby has shown fluctuations in free cash flow growth, with a positive growth rate from 2021 to 2023 but no free cash flow reported in 2024, which might indicate reinvestment or other strategic financial moves. The operating cash flow to net income ratio was favorable in 2023, but the absence of operating cash flow data in 2024 raises concerns about liquidity management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue3.24B3.27B3.09B2.78B2.25B2.17B
Gross Profit835.09M825.20M700.06M522.37M379.98M440.67M
EBITDA663.49M652.21M546.04M399.95M-31.88M-162.48M
Net Income292.63M286.71M222.94M122.29M-246.95M-272.55M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets6.08B5.85B5.72B5.55B5.40B5.92B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments24.74M74.44M32.58M80.58M34.81M80.34M
Total Debt1.54B1.06B1.19B1.26B1.36B1.66B
Total Liabilities2.71B2.57B2.54B2.51B2.51B2.84B
Stockholders Equity3.37B3.35B3.19B3.04B2.89B3.08B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-327.48M413.83M138.50M121.52M223.56M296.75M
Operating Cash Flow12.82M756.49M540.23M294.13M321.58M444.94M
Investing Cash Flow-497.35M-400.13M-413.15M-139.60M-55.79M-485.85M
Financing Cash Flow-196.54M-314.50M-175.08M-108.76M-311.31M96.51M

Kirby Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price114.71
Price Trends
50DMA
106.63
Positive
100DMA
103.82
Positive
200DMA
110.95
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.73
Positive
RSI
62.57
Neutral
STOCH
71.37
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For KEX, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 114.71 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 112.44, above the 50-day MA of 106.63, and above the 200-day MA of 110.95, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 62.57 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 71.37 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for KEX.

Kirby Risk Analysis

Kirby disclosed 28 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Kirby reported the most risks in the "Production" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Kirby Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (71)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
ZIZIM
79
Outperform
$1.85B0.7972.40%19.27%65.83%
DADAC
78
Outperform
$1.59B3.5714.14%3.90%4.93%-17.08%
76
Outperform
$2.01B8.5811.09%1.17%25.60%-9.32%
74
Outperform
$3.55B7.1720.48%1.25%11.88%80.21%
71
Outperform
¥249.80B12.828.49%3.14%6.31%12.92%
68
Neutral
$1.52B13.276.06%2.63%-7.73%-39.13%
KEKEX
67
Neutral
$6.30B22.278.95%2.99%19.03%
* Industrials Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
KEX
Kirby
114.71
-5.02
-4.19%
DAC
Danaos
86.87
-1.90
-2.14%
SBLK
Star Bulk Carriers
17.09
-5.46
-24.21%
MATX
Matson
108.67
-20.90
-16.13%
GOGL
Golden Ocean Group
7.52
-5.16
-40.69%
ZIM
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
15.67
1.81
13.06%
Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: May 02, 2025