Jennison Associates LLC Lowers Stock Holdings in Kirby Corporation $KEX

Jennison Associates LLC reduced its position in Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) by 25.8% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 733,882 shares of the shipping company’s stock after selling 254,586 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC’s holdings in Kirby were worth $80,859,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of KEX. Maseco LLP purchased a new stake in Kirby in the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. First Horizon Corp purchased a new stake in Kirby in the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC increased its position in Kirby by 559.3% during the third quarter. Frazier Financial Advisors LLC now owns 567 shares of the shipping company’s stock worth $47,000 after purchasing an additional 481 shares during the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Kirby during the third quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, FNY Investment Advisers LLC purchased a new position in Kirby during the third quarter worth approximately $56,000. 96.15% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Kirby Stock Performance

NYSE:KEX opened at $150.50 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Kirby Corporation has a fifty-two week low of $79.51 and a fifty-two week high of $157.69. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $136.19 and its two-hundred day moving average is $120.32. The company has a market cap of $8.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 23.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.46 and a beta of 0.83.

Kirby (NYSE:KEX) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, April 30th. The shipping company reported $1.50 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.41 by $0.09. Kirby had a net margin of 10.54% and a return on equity of 10.53%. The company had revenue of $844.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $832.57 million. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $1.33 earnings per share. Kirby’s revenue for the quarter was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. Kirby has set its FY 2026 guidance at 6.650-7.280 EPS. Analysts expect that Kirby Corporation will post 6.81 EPS for the current year.

Insider Activity at Kirby

In other Kirby news, VP Scott P. Miller sold 3,960 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, February 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $120.68, for a total transaction of $477,892.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 3,565 shares in the company, valued at $430,224.20. The trade was a 52.62% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, COO Christian G. O’neil sold 11,287 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $132.34, for a total transaction of $1,493,721.58. Following the sale, the chief operating officer owned 11,287 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $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. Insiders sold 71,495 shares of company stock valued at $9,226,173 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Key Headlines Impacting Kirby

Here are the key news stories impacting Kirby this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Q1 results beat expectations — Kirby reported $1.50 EPS (vs. ~$1.42 consensus) and $844.1M revenue (revs +7.4% YoY), showing operational strength this quarter. Kirby Corporation Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Management raised FY 2026 EPS growth guidance to 5%–15% (up from 0%–12%) and set an EPS range of $6.65–$7.28, signaling confidence in underlying demand. Kirby Corporation Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Capital allocation: Kirby repurchased $52.7M of stock in Q1 and completed a $95.8M acquisition of 23 barges (including specialty units), supporting fleet growth and shareholder returns. Kirby Corporation Announces First Quarter 2026 Results
• Positive Sentiment: Analyst reaction: BTIG raised its price target to $170 and reiterated a Buy rating, providing third‑party validation of upside versus current levels. Benzinga
• Neutral Sentiment: Street commentary: Seeking Alpha notes inland pricing strengthening, a positive demand signal, but calls out fuel cost exposure and OEM timing issues that could cause quarter-to-quarter variability. Kirby signals 2026 EPS up 5% to up 15% as inland pricing strengthens despite fuel and OEM timing headwinds
• Neutral Sentiment: Earnings call / transcript available for detail on forward drivers and risks — useful if you want management tone on demand, fuel, and capex timing. Kirby Corporation (KEX) Q1 2026 Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Mixed guidance nuance: while growth guidance was raised, the FY EPS range midpoint sits near (or slightly under) consensus (~$6.86), and management highlighted fuel and OEM timing headwinds — a combination that can temper upside and explain intraday selling pressure. Kirby signals 2026 EPS up 5% to up 15% as inland pricing strengthens despite fuel and OEM timing headwinds

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts have weighed in on the stock. Evercore reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $138.00 price target on shares of Kirby in a research note on Monday, March 9th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of Kirby from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 16th. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of Kirby from $147.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, April 9th. Wolfe Research reaffirmed an “outperform” rating and set a $136.00 price target on shares of Kirby in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Finally, BTIG Research increased their price target on shares of Kirby from $160.00 to $170.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Thursday. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $142.20.

About Kirby

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.